Treatment results of combined high-dose preoperative radiotherapy and surgery for oropharyngeal cancer.

Fifty eight patients receiving planned high-dose preoperative radiotherapy followed by en bloc oro-mandibular-cervical resection for oropharyngeal cancer were reviewed. These patients received continued close observation and care from both the Otolaryngology and Radiotherapy services. In light of the ongoing controversy of preoperative vs. postoperative radiotherapy, we present our data demonstrating the value of preoperative radiation. An overall tumor control rate of 66% was achieved, with an adjusted survival rate of 62%. This was not only for early lesions, but also in patients having advanced (T3, T4) tumor and/or nodal disease (N1-4). These figures are somewhat higher than expected from the literature. A review and discussion of the surgical complications are also presented.