[Surgical treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity]

The squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity comprises 3% of all new cancer cases. 10% have a hereditary component. Smokers stand at a 3-fold higher risk with alcohol as an additive factor. 6 to 10 independent genetic events are expected to take place until invasive carcinoma occurs. Chromosomal deletion may also be detected in premalignant lesions. Staging is performed with inspection including endoscopy, CT- and MR-Scans and biopsy for the primary tumour and chest-X-ray, CT, Ultrasound and Scintigraphy for the N and M stage routinely. Therapeutic options that are proven best are radiation or/and surgery for T1 and T2 stages with a 5-year survival rate between 80% and 100%. Multimodal therapies, also including chemotherapy for higher stages result in 5-year survival rates between 55% and 62%. Since recurrence and metastasis have very poor prognosis sufficient and radical primary therapy is crucial. Palliative chemotherapy may be applied for functional improvement and pain release without statistical prove for increased survival rates.