[Primary and recovery transmaxillar buccopharyngectomy in buccopharyngeal cancers]

From january 1976 to december 1986, 78 patients were treated surgically for squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral buccopharyngeal junction without chemotherapy at first. 36 patients were treated by primary surgery with post-operative radiotherapy and 31 patients were treated by recovery surgery. Post-operative course was uncomplicated in 41% of cases (39% in primary surgery, 43% in recovery surgery); in 14% of cases serious local complications were observed (11% in primary surgery, 17% in recovery surgery). Carcinological failures appeared in 46% of cases in primary surgery and in 70% of cases in recovery surgery. Three years and five years actuarial survival rate were 45% and 39% respectively in recovery surgery. Prognostic factors are studied: resection quality, histological metastasis in lymph nodes. The authors emphasize on the best control of the big tumors in primary surgery and on the best results with small ulcerated infiltrant carcinoma.