title: Clinicopathological Characteristics and Outcome Predictors in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Maxillary Gingiva and Hard Palate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) located in the maxillary gingiva and hard palate is relatively rare. There are few published guidelines for the treatment of SCC of the maxilla. The aim of the present study was to characterize the clinicopathologic features of SCC of the maxillary gingiva and hard palate and determine factors that predict outcome and lead to a strategic treatment plan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study of patients with SCC of the maxillary gingiva and hard palate was conducted from 2003 to 2012 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatments, outcome predictors, and 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate 3- and 5-year overall survival rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify predictors of survival. A P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 3- and 5-year survival rates of the 62 participants were 66.6 and 57.3%, respectively. Univariate analyses showed statistically significant (P < .05) associations between patient survival rate and tumor differentiation grade, T classification, marginal status, cervical lymphatics, and local recurrence. Occult lymph node metastases of maxillary SCC in tumor stages T2 to T4 occurred in 20 to 40% of patients. Patients who presented with lesions located after the first premolar plane area and received postoperative radiotherapy had a better prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elective neck dissection is recommended for management of T2 to T4 SCCs in the maxillary gingiva and hard palate. Postoperative radiotherapy can improve the prognosis and decrease the recurrence of SCC after the first premolar plane area.
authors: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University; Department of Stomatology, Zhenjiang First People's Hospital, Nanjing, China.
authors: Xueming
authors: X
authors: Yang
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors: Xiaomeng
authors: X
authors: Song
authors: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors: Weiming
authors: W
authors: Chu
authors: Lecturer, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University; and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors: Ling
authors: L
authors: Li
authors: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Ma
authors: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. Electronic address: wynoms@gmail.com.cn.
authors: Yunong
authors: Y
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000473:pathology*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome