Complete pathologic response as a prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx post-chemoradiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCCO) provides good results for locoregional disease control, with high rates of complete clinical and pathologic responses, mainly in the neck.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether complete pathologic response after chemoradiotherapy is related to the prognosis of patients with SCCO.


METHODS
Data were prospectively extracted from clinical records of N2 and N3 SCCO patients submitted to a planned neck dissection after chemoradiotherapy.


RESULTS
A total of 19 patients were evaluated. Half of patients obtained complete pathologic response in the neck. Distant or locoregional recurrence occurred in approximately 42% of patients, and 26% died. Statistical analysis showed an association between complete pathologic response and lower disease recurrence rate (77.8% vs. 20.8%; p=0.017) and greater overall survival (88.9% vs. 23.3%; p=0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a complete pathologic response after chemoradiotherapy positively influences the prognosis of patients with SCCO.
Discipline of Oncology, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
Damila Cristina
DC
Trufelli
Department of Public Health (Biostatistics), Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: lmatos@amcham.com.br.
Leandro Luongo de
LL
Matos
Discipline of Oncology, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
Thaiana Aragão
TA
Santana
Discipline of Head and Neck Surgery, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
Fábio de Aquino
Fde A
Capelli
Discipline of Head and Neck Surgery, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
Jossi Ledo
JL
Kanda
Discipline of Oncology, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
Auro
A
Del Giglio
Discipline of Oncology, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
Gilberto de
Gd
Castro Junior
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
Carcinoma; Carcinoma de células escamosas; Combined chemotherapy; Esvaziamento cervical; Neck dissection; Orofaringe; Oropharynx; Quimioterapia combinada; Squamous cell