title: Carcinoma of the tonsillar region: a multivariate analysis of 243 patients treated with radical radiotherapy.
abstract: Between October 1964 and June 1990, 243 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region were treated with continuous-course radical radiotherapy at the University of Florida. All patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Patients were staged according to the AJCC system; stage IV was stratified into two subsets: favorable, IVA (T1-T3 or N2A-N3A); and unfavorable, IVB (T4 or N3B). The initial and ultimate local control rates (including surgical salvage) according to T stage were as follows: T1, 87% and 100%, T2, 79% and 92%; T3, 71% and 76%; and T4, 44% and 48%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that anterior extension of the primary tumor (p = .0001) and T stage (p = .014) were the most significant parameters affecting local control after radiotherapy. For T4 lesions, twice-daily irradiation significantly improved local control (p = .04). The 5-year absolute and cause-specific survival rates as a function of modified AJCC stage were as follows: I, 37% and 100%; II, 55% and 90%; III, 55% and 85%; IVA, 35% and 60%; and IVB, 23% and 38%. The probability of a severe complication was 3% for the entire group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Million
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Cassisi
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stringer
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011883:Radium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D011883:Radium