[Distant metastases and second carcinomas in patients with malignancies of the oral cavity]

Between July 1st, 1984, and December 12th, 1988, a total of 135 patients underwent surgery for carcinomas of the oral cavity at the Maxillofacial Surgery Department and the Institute for Pathology of the University Hospital of Zürich. In 121 cases the malignancies involved the mandibular area including the floor of the mouth and the tongue, in 14 cases the maxillary area without the sinuses. 18 patients (13.3) had distant metastases and 8 patients (5.9%) had second carcinomas; 2 patients had both second carcinomas and metastases of their oral cavity carcinomas. The average age of the patients with distant metastases was 57.8 years, that of patients with second carcinomas 52.2 years. Diagnosis, treatment and the course of the disease are discussed.