Squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa: outcomes of treatment in the modern era.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyze the patterns of failure and to determine clinical and pathologic factors predictive of recurrence and survival of patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa at Princess Margaret Hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of patients treated for buccal carcinoma between 1994 and 2004 was performed. Seventy patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa were included. Demographic, clinical, and pathological parameters were identified and correlated with outcomes.


RESULTS
The patient cohort consisted of 33 males and 37 females. Most patients presented with early-stage local disease (T1-T2). Surgery was the primary treatment in 61 patients. Twenty-three patients were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 3.3 years. The 5-year local, regional, and overall control rates were 57.5%, 83.5%, and 50%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 69%. The 5-year disease-specific and recurrence-free survival rates were 76.4% and 46%, respectively. The only significant predictors of survival were the nodal status and extranodal extension.


CONCLUSIONS
Carcinoma of the buccal mucosa is an aggressive disease, characterized by a high rate of locoregional failure. Transoral wide excision is an adequate treatment for early-stage lesions; however, a combined approach and an elective neck dissection should be considered in advanced lesions.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/Surgical Oncology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Gideon
G
Bachar
David P
DP
Goldstein
Emma
E
Barker
Jane
J
Lea
Brian
B
O'Sullivan
Dale H
DH
Brown
Patrick J
PJ
Gullane
Ralph W
RW
Gilbert
Wei
W
Xu
Jie
J
Su
Jonathan C
JC
Irish
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D017211:Treatment Failure