[Evaluation of effectiveness of advanced tonsillar carcinoma by different treatment]

To evaluate the treatment of advanced tonsillar carcinoma by radiotherapy plus salvage surgery (R+S) or surgery coupling with postoperative radiotherapy (S+R).

Clinical data of 48 patients with advanced tonsillar carcinoma who were treated in The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 1996 to June 2004 was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into R+S group (group A, 21 cases) and S+R group (group B, 27 cases). Treatment outcomes were compared between these two groups. The QOL (quality of life) scale of Washington University (UW-QOL) was used to investigate the patient's quality of life.

The 5-year survival rates were 42.9% in group A and 45.8% in group B, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Both the two treatment modalities could reduce the QOL in some degree. The average QOL score of 46 patients was 661.00 +/- 98.52 , group A was 696.09 + 90.70, while group B was 631.52 +/- 96.74, there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

The two treatment modalities reached similar survivals. However, compared with the S+R, some patients who accepted treatment of R+S could avoid composite resection, reduce functional lesion and improve the QOL.