title: Definitive radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the pharyngeal wall.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the results of definitive radiation therapy (RT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the pharyngeal wall.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1964 and 2009, 170 patients were treated with definitive RT; all living patients had a 1.7-year minimum follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 5-year rates of local control and ultimate local control were the following: T1, 93% and 93%; T2, 84% and 91%; T3, 60% and 62%; and T4, 44% and 44%. Multivariate analysis revealed stage I-II tumors, female gender, and altered fractionation were associated with improved local-regional control. The 5-year cause-specific and overall survival rates were the following: I, 88% and 50%; II, 89% and 57%; III, 49% and 31%; IV, 35% and 21%; and overall, 50% and 31%, respectively. Fatal complications occurred in 9 patients (5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local-regional control and survival are related to extent of disease and treatment technique. Although outcomes have improved in recent years, the morbidity of treatment is significant and a substantial proportion of patients die due to cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. Electronic address: mendwm@shands.ufl.edu.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kirwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Amdur
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaysberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Werning