We reviewed 66 cases of previously untreated patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas experienced between 1966 and 1997 at Tenri Hospital. The follow-up duration was between 8 and 255 months. Cases were staged according to the UICC classification of 1987 (stage I, 3; II, 6; III, 20; and IV, 37 cases). Primary sites were as follows: tonsillar regions, 41; base of tongue, 12; soft palate, 8, and pharyngeal wall, 5.
Our treatment policy for oropharyngeal carcinoma is a combination of preoperative radiotherapy and surgery. Radical radiation therapy was performed on a limited number of patients who were unresectable and inoperable due to systemic problems, or on those who rejected the operations.
The overall actuarial 5-year survival rate was 42.3%. The actuarial 5-year survival rate and loco-regional control rate were significantly better for surgery patients (58.5% and 48.9%) than radical radiation therapy patients (13.1% and 6.0%). The treatment effect of the radical radiation therapy may be improved by shortening the overall treatment time.
Six of the 66 patients had other carcinomas (double cancer) including 4 with hypopharyngeal and esophageal carcinoma. Especially the existence of hypopharyngeal and esophageal carcinomas should be screened by endoscopy because the treatment method for an oropharyngeal carcinoma is affected by them and vice versa.
