Clinicopathological parameters and outcome of 245 patients operated for oral squamous cell carcinoma

SummaryIntroductionThis report analysed the outcome of patients undergoing surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma in order to identify the prognostic value of several factors.PatientsA total of 245 patients were studied who had undergone surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma between 1989 and 2002, of whom 109 had received postoperative radiation therapy.MethodsFor each patient, personal data, alcohol and tobacco consumption, symptoms, histological findings, treatment, and outcome were recorded and analysed statistically. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier algorithm, and the difference in survival among subgroups was examined.ResultsThe overall 5-year survival rate in the 245 patients was 63% (72.5% at 3 years). The differences in the 5-year survival were significant (p<0.05p<0.05) for the site of origin, N and pN status, TNM stage, grading, status of the resection margins, osseous infiltration, and perineural invasion. Vascular involvement as a discriminator was not statistically significant. In patients undergoing radiation therapy, only perineural invasion negatively influenced the 5-year survival prognosis (p<0.01p<0.01).ConclusionThe overall survival rate was within the (previously) reported range. The prognostic value of many parameters is widely recognized; the combined evaluation of ‘composite factors’ is promising.