[Cancers of the soft palate. Apropos of 135 cases]

Results of treatment of 135 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of soft palate treated between 1962 and 1983 in the ORL department of Hôpital Laennec, Paris, showed prognosis to be related to 3 main factors. Firstly, the frequency of syndromes and metasynchronous multiple primary cancers. Secondly, the presence of local recurrences. Their frequency should be reduced by performing first intention excision of the tumoral site with wide extension to the anterior and particularly the posterior pillars, and by the routine use of induction chemotherapy. Thirdly, nodal recurrences that can be prevented by routine prophylactic treatment of bilateral cervical lymph chains.