title: Surgical management of squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate: factors predictive of outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate (SCCSP) is uncommon. The aim of this study was to report our experience and identify factors predictive of outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1976 and 2005, 186 patients with SCCSP were treated with curative intent. In all, 150 patients had primary surgery, of whom 112 patients (75%) had cT1/T2 tumors and 103 patients (69%) had cN0 necks. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and factors predictive of outcome were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five-year OS, DSS, and RFS for surgical patients were, respectively, 52%, 71%, and 56%. DSS for cT1T2N0 and cT1T2N+ were 79% and 56%, respectively. For OS and DSS, multivariate analysis showed cN classification was predictive of outcome. For RFS and distant RFS, margin status was a significant predictor, whereas the cT classification was a significant predictor for local RFS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outcomes of patients with early-stage SCCSP managed by surgery were excellent. These patients may be suitable for transoral robotic or endoscopic surgical procedures.
authors: Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors: N Gopalakrishna
authors: NG
authors: Iyer
authors: Iain J
authors: IJ
authors: Nixon
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Palmer
authors: Leslie
authors: L
authors: Kim
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Whitcher
authors: Nora
authors: N
authors: Katabi
authors: Ronald
authors: R
authors: Ghossein
authors: Jatin P
authors: JP
authors: Shah
authors: Snehal G
authors: SG
authors: Patel
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Ganly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant