BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Sixty patients were treated with radiation therapy alone (56 patients) or followed by surgery (4 patients) between 1970 and 1995 for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. RESULTS: Local control rates at five years after irradiation alone in 56 patients were: T1-T2, 94%; T4, 71%; and overall, 85%. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size and bone invasion significantly influenced local control. All four patients with extensive T4 tumors treated with radiation therapy plus surgery were cured. Cause-specific survival rates at five years for 56 patients treated with radiation therapy alone were: T1-T2, 94%; T4, 86%; and overall, 91%. Multivariate analysis revealed that bone invasion and tumor size adversely influenced cause-specific survival. No patient treated with irradiation alone experienced a major complication, compared with three of four patients who underwent irradiation and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation therapy results in a high cure rate with good cosmesis. Patients with extensive T4 cancers have an improved chance of cure with radiation and surgery but more complications. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 21: 385-393, 1999.
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Sixty patients were treated with radiation therapy alone (56 patients) or followed by surgery (4 patients) between 1970 and 1995 for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. RESULTS: Local control rates at five years after irradiation alone in 56 patients were: T1-T2, 94%; T4, 71%; and overall, 85%. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size and bone invasion significantly influenced local control. All four patients with extensive T4 tumors treated with radiation therapy plus surgery were cured. Cause-specific survival rates at five years for 56 patients treated with radiation therapy alone were: T1-T2, 94%; T4, 86%; and overall, 91%. Multivariate analysis revealed that bone invasion and tumor size adversely influenced cause-specific survival. No patient treated with irradiation alone experienced a major complication, compared with three of four patients who underwent irradiation and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation therapy results in a high cure rate with good cosmesis. Patients with extensive T4 cancers have an improved chance of cure with radiation and surgery but more complications. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 21: 385-393, 1999.