Significance and therapeutic implications of tumor regression following radiotherapy in patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and pharyngolarynx

✍ Scribed by Drs. Jean P. Bataini; Christian Jaulerry; Francoise Brunin; Dominic Ponvert; Dr. Nemetallah A. Ghossein

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 653 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.2880120106

✦ Synopsis

The prognostic significance of tumor regression following radiotherapy was evaluated in 1,897 patients with oro-and pharyngolaryngeal cancer. Complete tumor regression occurred in 62% and 80% at the end of treatment and 2 months later, respectively. Complete regression was significantly higher for early tumors than for advanced stages and for exophytic lesions compared to deeply infiltrative cancers. Depending on tumor location, 75% to 90% of T,, T2 stages and 50% to 80% of more advanced tumors were locally controlled in patients who experienced complete tumor regression at 2 months. The local failure rate was at least 80% for those who did not have complete regression. The local failure rate for the incomplete responder was the same for early and advanced tumors. Complete tumor clearance following radiotherapy is a reliable indicator of permanent Acknowledgments: The authors thank Dr. J. Bernier for his constructive criticism, C. Lavee for statistical analysis, Mirela Shulman, MS, for technical help, and Louise Mussolini for secretarial assistance.