Primary chemoradiotherapy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

To evaluate the survival of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or radiotherapy (RT). To record the rate of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and need for alternative feeding of patients with oral cavity cancer treated with CRT or RT.

All patients with first presentation of oral cavity SCC treated with CRT or RT only at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital (RBWH) between 2000 and 2007 were included. Patient Demographics (age, sex), ACE-27 Co-morbidity index, Staging (TNM staging system), Type of Chemotherapy and Dose of RT, Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Specific Survival (DSS), Attempt at Salvage, development of distant metastases, development of ORN and success of treatment for ORN and requirement for alternative feeding (PEG/NGT) were recorded.

Fifty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. One patient died due to toxicity of treatment. The 5-year OS was 29%. The 5-year DSS was 30%. The rate of ORN amongst survivors was 36%.

CRT is successful in a small number of patients with oral cavity SCC. When compared to the published literature, surgery with or without post-operative RT has better survival rates. Salvage surgery does not appear to be a viable option for management of recurrence post CRT. The consequences of treatment, namely ORN and need for alternative feeding, are high.