Significance of growth rates, cell kinetics, and histology in the irradiation and chemotherapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth

Abstract

In eight cases of extended tumors of oral cavity, we have studied the growth rate, the cell kinetics parameters, and the histology before and during treatment. We have found that growth rate and cell kinetics are not useful for clinical purposes because the first is not related to the response to treatment, while the second is unable to give relevant parameters in solid human tumors. New information was obtained from examination of serial biopsies before and throughout the treatment. These data suggest that multiple subpopulation groups of cancer cells with different intrinsic sensitivity to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may exist in the same tumor. Resistance of the tumor is related to some groups of cells scarcely sensitive to treatment.