[Clinical studies of cancer of the mesopharynx]

From January, 1978 to December, 1984 fifty four cases of cancer of the mesopharynx were registered at our clinic. There were 47 males and 7 females. Age distribution was from 18 to 80 years old with a mean age of 59. Site distributions were 32 in the lateral wall, 11 in the superior wall, 3 in the anterior wall and 2 in the posterior wall. The Brinkman index for smoking habits and to alcohol index for drinking habits were 488.3 and 20.8 respectively, which were significantly higher than for the control group (p less than 0.05). Pathohistological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in 46 cases, adenocarcinoma in 3 cases, anaplastic carcinoma in 3 cases, and 4 others. Secondary malignancies were highly developed in 15 cases (27.8%), including cancer of the larynx (5), esophagus (3), stomach (2) and others (5). Stage classification was stage I in 3 cases, stage II in 13 cases, stage III in 16 cases and stage IV in 22 cases. Of 47 cases, 39 cases were treated by radiation, 5 cases by operation and 2 cases by pre-radiation chemotherapy. The local control and absolute survival rates for T1-T2, N0-N1 lesions were quite good. Advanced local and nodal disease proved difficult to control with radiation alone. Three and five-year survival rates were both 37.0%. It is suggested that heavy drinking is one of the probable etiologic factors in cancer of the mesopharynx. Intensive follow-up is necessary to detect second primary cancers. For better results, multi-disciplinary treatment should be explored.