The early response of oral, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer related to local control and survival.

Between 1st January 1968 and 31st December 1973, 686 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx were referred to the Radiotherapy Departments in Newcastle upon Tyne. Cases have been evaluated at either or both of the one and three month post-treatment visits. Of those patients who completely responded by three months, 27% died due to their malignancy. 23% of these cases recurred within the treated volume. By contrast, of those patients who failed to show a complete response at three months, 87% died due to their malignancy and 84% failed to achieve local control. Possible ways in which this information might affect management of the patient and future clinical studies are briefly discussed.