Carcinoma of the oral cavity in patients over 75 years of age.

The results have been analyzed of a 15-year retrospective study on the presentation and survival of 46 patients aged > or = 75 years with oral carcinoma. All tumors were staged according to the UICC criteria. The presence of other malignant tumors in nine, premalignancy in five, and systemic disease in 15 patients was noted. A large subpopulation of elderly women, nonusers of alcohol and tobacco, usually with advanced disease, was found. In one-quarter of the patients who underwent surgery, a major resection with primary flap reconstruction was judged to be necessary. In general, this type of surgery was well tolerated. Three-year survival was 60%; women, systemically compromised patients, and patients with stage III and IV tumors did worse. A recurrence ratio of 59% was found after 5 years, recurrence usually appearing during the first year. The conversion rate was low (8.5%).