Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. Treatment results

Sixty-six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule were treated, the majority with radiation therapy, and the results of the treatment are analysed. Twenty-two patients (35%) had local recurrence. A classification proposed by Wang was found useful, showing that a high proportion of small tumours (T1 + T2) was cured (81% and 52%) and that possible local recurrence in these patients could be treated successfully with surgery (12 of 22); locally advanced tumours (T3) had a bad prognosis (local recurrence 88%, death 56%). As an alternative, tumour size can be used as a prognostic parameter. The 5-year crude survival was 61.4 +/- 6.8%. Women seem to have a lower local recurrence rate than men.