title: Long-term functional and oncologic results of transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the long-term functional and oncologic results in patients who underwent transoral robotic surgery (TORS) as primary therapy or as part of combined therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma arising in the tonsil or base of tongue.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed a prospective TORS database of patients with squamous cell carcinoma arising in the tonsil or base of tongue treated between March 2007 and February 2009 to determine oncologic outcomes at 24 months or more of follow-up. The presenting tumor stage, histopathologic factors, surgical margins, and adjuvant treatment extent were evaluated. Functional outcomes included gastrostomy tube dependence and tracheostomy dependence. Oncologic outcomes included local, regional, and distant control and disease-specific and recurrence-free survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 66 TORS patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Most (97.0%; 64 of 66) were able to eat orally within 3 weeks after surgery before starting adjuvant therapy. Long-term gastrostomy tube use was required in 3 of the 66 (4.5%) and long-term tracheotomy in 1 (1.5%). Three-year estimated local control and regional control were 97.0% and 94.0%, respectively. Two-year disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival were 95.1% and 92.4%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With appropriate adjuvant therapy, TORS achieves excellent functional results for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncologic outcomes are equivalent or superior to results of other surgical and nonsurgical treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. moore.eric@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Rebecca R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Laborde
authors.forename: Joaquín J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Janus
authors.forename: Jan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kasperbauer
authors.forename: Kerry D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome