Carcinoma of the oropharynx: tonsil

This review presents the Toronto experience with carcinoma of the tonsil. Treatment policies and results for the 10 year period, 1970-1979, are given. The overall survival for all patients treated is 38% at five years. Patients with advanced local disease (T3) and advanced nodal disease (N2/3) had a high failure rate. Over 85% of relapses occurred by two years. After this time deaths from intercurrent disease were more common than deaths from carcinoma of the tonsil.