Carcinoma of the oropharynx: soft palate

This article reviews the experience of The Princess Margaret Hospital in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate and uvula. Between 1970 and 1979, 70 patients with this diagnosis received primary radiation therapy. The overall five year survival is 43%. The primary tumor was controlled in 80% by radiation. Advanced local (T3) and nodal (N2/3) disease proved difficult to control with radiation alone. The development of second malignancies in patients cured of their primary cancer remains a distressing problem.