Published in:
Open Access
01-07-2019 | Care | Head & Neck
Non-curative treatment of patients with oral tongue squamous-cell carcinoma
Authors:
R. Mroueh, A. Haapaniemi, T. Saarto, L. Grönholm, R. Grénman, T. Salo, A. A. Mäkitie
Published in:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
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Issue 7/2019
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Abstract
Purpose
Late-stage OTSCC is associated with poor overall survival (OS). Non-curative treatment approach aims to improve quality of life and prolong survival of patients deemed incurable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the used non-curative treatment modalities for OTSSC and patient survival.
Methods
All patients diagnosed with OTSCC and treated with non-curative intent at the HUS Helsinki University Hospital (Helsinki, Finland) during the 12-year period of 2005–2016 were included. Survival analysis after the non-curative treatment decision was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method in this population-based study.
Results
Eighty-two patients were identified. A non-curative treatment decision was made at presentation without any previous treatment in 26 patients (7% of all patients diagnosed with OTSCC during the study period). Palliative radiotherapy was administered to 24% of all patients. The average survival time after the non-curative treatment decision was 3.7 months (median 2 and range 0–26).
Conclusions
Due to the short mean survival time after decision for treatment with non-curative intent, and the notable symptom burden in this patient population, a prompt initiation of all non-curative measures is warranted.