Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsil / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil has a relatively poor prognosis. Surgery, radiation therapy and combinations of irradiation and surgery have been employed but there exists some controversy about the efficacy of these treatment modalities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of tonsillar neoplasm. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Medical records of 21 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for tonsillar neoplasm at Pusan National University Hospital from April 1995 through August 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The three year survival rate was 81.0%. The three year survival rates for stages I,II were both 100%. For stages III, IV, the rates were 83.3%, 87.5%, respectively. The three year survival rate for T1, T2, T3 were 100%, 92.3%, 40.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be effective treatment modality for tonsillar neoplasm with high survival rate and low morbidity.