Carcinoma of the uvula and midline soft palate: Indication for neck treatment

✍ Scribed by Dr. Gady Har-El; Dr. Ashok Shaha; Rashid Chaudry; Dr. Tuvia Hadar; Yosef P. Krespi; Frank E. Lucente

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 283 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.2880140204

✦ Synopsis

According to common classification and staging systems, tumors of the uvula and soft palate are included in the group of oropharyngeal cancers. As such, the same staging systems apply and therapeutic decisions are made accordingly. Our experience with small tumors of the uvula and midline soft palate has shown that these common rules may not apply in these anatomical sites. A multicenter retrospective study was performed to examine the aspects of presentation and clinical course of tumors of the uvula. Only patients with small tumors, less than 2.0 cm in diameter, were included. Twenty-three c a s e were reviewed. Eleven (47.8%) patients had clinical or radiologic evidence of neck disease on presentation. Five of 12 (41.7%) patients who presented with negative neck were found eventually to have neck disease. Eight patients had cervical recurrence. Only one patient had local recurrence. We suggest that attention may need to be directed to the treatment of the neck of a// tumors of the uvula and midline soft palate, regardless of size.