Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Soft Palate, Uvula, and Anterior Faucial Pillar

This retrospective study concerns 188 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate, uvula, and anterior faucial pillar treated for cure between 1970 and 1983. Men predominated in the group (1.9:1) and 55% of the patients were between 60 and 70 years old. Mean duration of followup was 56.7 months. TNM stage distribution was 29, 67, 37, and 49 patients for stages I, II, III, and IV respectively; six patients were unstaged because of previous excisional biopsy. Treatment to the primary site consisted of radiotherapy for 150 patients, surgery alone for 28 patients, and combined therapy for 10 patients. Primary control for T stages 1 through 4 was: 91% (31 of 34), 77% (71 of 92), 77% (30 of 39), and 35% (6 of 17), respectively. One hundred twenty-eight patients were N0 at presentation, as compared to 60 patients with regional nodal metastasis. Regional control was obtained in 87.5% of patients with N0 necks and in 76.7% of those with nodal involvement. In patients with primary control, these figure...