[Results of the treatment of 197 squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx (1964-1982 treatment period)].

: 197 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx were treated between 1964 and 1982. The 5 year actuarial survival was 43% (+/- 5%). In patients with stage I and II disease the actuarial survival with combined surgery and radiotherapy was 87% (+/- 16%), but with primary radiotherapy 40% (+/- 28% (p = 0.0250). The results in stage III and IV disease were 59% (+/- 11%) with combined therapy and 29% (+/- 15%) for radiotherapy alone (p = 0.0010). The five year actuarial survival for lymphoepithelial carcinomas (Schmincke) was 71% (+/- 16%) after radiotherapy whilst the patients with undifferentiated carcinomas achieved only 29% (+/- 11%). The survival rate for women (71% +/- 12%) was significantly better than for men (31% +/- 7%), although the proportion of stages was not different in both sexes. Because of these results and because of the minimal chances of controlling recurrent disease we prefer combined treatment not only in stage III and IV disease, but also in stage I and II disease. In these early stages partial mandibulectomy can be avoided. In selected cases transoral surgery can be combined with functional, discontinuous neck dissection. The functional results of surgery are thus minimised in the early stages of oropharyngeal carcinoma.