Salvage treatment for recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluates the oncological outcome of patients with recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) after primary radiation therapy +/- chemotherapy, primary surgical therapy, and surgical therapy followed by radiation therapy +/- chemotherapy.


METHODS
A total of 156 patients (36%) of a cohort of 427 treated for OPSCC between 1990 and 2006 developed recurrent disease. Fifty-one patients (12%) qualified for salvage treatment. Study endpoints were 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).


RESULTS
The 5-year OS and DSS rates after salvage treatment were 29% and 40%; after initial primary radiation therapy, 25% and 40%; after initial surgery followed by radiation therapy, 40% and 40%; and after initial surgery alone, 20% and 40%.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with an advanced OPSCC have a considerable risk for recurrence. Despite poor ultimate outcome, salvage treatment should be attempted in patients with resectable disease, good performance status, and absence of distant metastases.
Röösli
Christof
C
Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. christof.roeoesli@usz.ch
Studer
Gabriela
G
Stoeckli
Sandro J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome