[Cancer of the tonsillar region. Role of irradiation in treatment].

In our center, carcinomas of the tonsillar region are usually treated by radiotherapy. This study presents the results of our treatment experience over ten years. Between 1976 and 1986, we treated 137 patients with carcinoma of the tonsillar area. The mean age was 54.3 years. The UICC TNM staging of 1979 was used: 63% of the patients had T3 and T4 tumours and 53% had lymph nodes at the first examination. All patients were treated by radiotherapy, alone for 121 patients and associated with brachytherapy for 16 patients. 61 patients received induction chemotherapy with Cisplatinum. Local control rate at the primary site was 56%, and was respectively 92%, 71%, 57% and 11% for T1, T2, T3 and T4 tumours. Local control rate in the neck was 72%. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 34%. Distant metastasis occurred in 12 patients. 9 patients had a second primary tumor. Node status and stage were the main prognostic factors. Age, sex, histological subtype were not prognostic factors.