Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx: Results of primary radiotherapy

Abstract

During the six-year period in 1979 through 1985, 226 patients (67 females and 159 males) with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated at the Finsen Institute in Copenhagen. Ages ranged from 35 to 86 years with an average of 64 years for females and 61 years for males. The primary tumour was most often situated in the lateral wall (55%) and the anterior wall (25%). Thirty-nine per cent of the tumours were in stage III and 40% in stage IV. The primary treatment was radiotherapy, in this period given with three different treatment schedules, one continuous and two split-course. The 5-year crude survival rate in the total material was 36% and the corrected 5-year survival rate 45%. Females had a higher loco-regional control rate than males, but there was no significant differences between the sexes concerning survival. The tumour stage (IUCC, 1978) was an important prognostic factor for both loco-regional control and survival. No significant differences could be found between the three treatment schedules concerning loco-regional control or survival.