Cancer of the oro- and hypopharynx - when to expect recurrences?
CONCLUSIONS
Relapse-free survival (RFS) of patients suffering from cancers located in the oro- and hypopharynx (COH) is strongly related to the localization and initial tumor stage; 25% of relapses remain undetected by the patients themselves. To detect relapse at an early stage oncologic follow-up should be performed at close intervals during the first 3 years. For confirmation imaging procedures should be indicated generously as well as control endoscopy under general anesthesia.


OBJECTIVE
COH are often characterized by a rapid progression of disease in case of relapse. Most of these relapses are already incurable at the time of diagnosis. The aim of the present study was the assessment of time intervals between initial diagnosis of the primary tumor and its relapse.


METHODS
The course of disease of 280 patients was analyzed. RFS was evaluated statistically.


RESULTS
RFS was strongly related to the location of the primary tumor. The median RFS of patients suffering from oropharyngeal cancer was longer (86 months) than that of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinomas (45 months). Patients with COH revealed an accumulation of recurrent disease within the first 33 months after initial diagnosis. Within the first 2 years more than 60% of COH recurred. After 3 years 80% had developed a relapse.
Sesterhenn
Andreas M
AM
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. sesterhenn@hno-marburg.de
Muller
Hans-Helge
HH
Wiegand
Susanne
S
Teymoortash
Afshin
A
Folz
Benedikt J
BJ
Werner
Jochen A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome