title: Definitive radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report the University of Florida experience with soft-palate carcinoma treated with radiotherapy alone or combined with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or neck dissection for residual disease in the neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 145 patients treated with curative intent from 1963 to 2004 were included. Potential follow-up was > or =2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Local control rates at 5 years were: T1, 90%; T2, 91%; T3, 67%; T4, 57%. Nodal control rates at 5 years were: N0, 90%; N1, 82%; N2, 68%; N3, 71%. Ultimate local-regional control rates at 5 years were: stage I, 89%; stage II, 88%; stage III, 96%; stage IVA, 63%; stage IVB, 43%. In multivariate analysis, overall treatment time significantly affected local and ultimate local-regional control, and nodal stage significantly affected overall survival. Overall survival rate at 5 years was 44%. Cause-specific survival rate at 5 years was 73%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The likelihood of cure after definitive radiotherapy is relatively high and is impacted by disease extent and overall treatment time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Bhishamjit S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Chera
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Amdur
authors.forename: Russell W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Hinerman
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Douglas B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Villaret
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Werning
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D037981:Neck Dissection; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000601:surgery; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors