Complete pathologic response as a prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx post-chemoradiotherapy

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCCO) provides good results for locoregional disease control, with high rates of complete clinical and pathologic responses, mainly in the neck. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether complete pathologic response after chemoradiotherapy is related to the prognosis of patients with SCCO. METHODS: Data were prospectively extracted from clinical records of N2 and N3 SCCO patients submitted to a planned neck dissection after chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were evaluated. Half of patients obtained complete pathologic response in the neck. Distant or locoregional recurrence occurred in approximately 42% of patients, and 26% died. Statistical analysis showed an association between complete pathologic response and lower disease recurrence rate (77.8% vs. 20.8%; p = 0.017) and greater overall survival (88.9% vs. 23.3%;p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: The presence of a complete pathologic response after chemoradiotherapy positively influences the prognosis of patients with SCCO.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Trufelli,Damila Cristina, Matos,Leandro Luongo de, Santana,Thaiana Aragão, Capelli,Fábio de Aquino, Kanda,Jossi Ledo, Giglio,Auro Del, Castro Junior,Gilberto de
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. 2015
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1808-86942015000500498
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