Retromolar trigone squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy alone or combined with surgery

BACKGROUND Treatment outcomes were analyzed for retromolar trigone squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS Between June 1966 and August 2003, 99 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone (35 patients) or radiotherapy combined with surgery (64 patients). Followup ranged from 0.2 to 23.8 years (median, 3.3 yrs). All living patients had followup for at least 1 year. RESULTS The 5-year local–regional control rates after definitive radiotherapy versus surgery and radiotherapy were as follows: Stages I–III, 51% and 87%; Stage IV, 42% and 62%; and overall, 48% and 71%, respectively. The 5-year cause-specific survival rates after definitive radiotherapy compared with surgery and radiotherapy were as follows: Stages I–III, 56% and 83%; Stage IV, 50% and 61%; and overall, 52% and 69%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that the likelihood of cure was better with surgery and radiotherapy compared with definitive radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The likelihood of cure after treatment for retromolar trigone squamous cell carcinoma was influenced by the extent of disease and treatment. Patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy had a better outcome than those treated with radiotherapy alone. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.