Tara Kersten

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Gasser, Kenneth W.

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

In this project, I have done extensive research on two chemotherapy regimens, cisplatin/5-fluorouracil and cisplatin/Adriamycin. My hope is to compare and contrast the effectiveness of cisplatin-based regimens in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, osteosarcomas of the jaw, and ovarian cancers. In addition to literature searches, I have studied the medical files of two patients who were treated with cisplatin. One patient had recurrent, unresectable head and neck cancer and one patient has a resected, metastatic osteosarcoma of the mandible. After studying the case of the patient with head and neck cancer, I found exceptional results. After only one cycle of cisplatin/5FU, CT and PET scans showed no evidence of disease. I have concluded that cisplatin was effective in this case. As for the case of the patient with an osteosarcoma of the mandible, he showed mixed responses to cisplatin/Adriamycin. However, his responses to this regimen are much improved compared with his responses to his initial chemotherapy with a furosemide regimen. While on furosemide, his disease became metastatic, spreading to his lungs. Finally, my research on cisplatin-based chemotherapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer showed that other anti-cancer drugs, like docetaxel, may be more effective.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

29 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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