Retrospective analysis of survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxilla after primary resection and elective bilateral neck dissection: An institutional experience

BACKGROUND: A retrospective analysis of the 5-year survival rates of patients who underwent treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) of the maxillary region was performed to analyse the prognostic factors for patient's survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with SCC of the maxillary region, who underwent treatment at our hospital between 1999 and 2009 were included in the study. The patients underwent primary surgical resection and elective bilateral neck dissection. The patients with tumor positive margins were referred for chemo-radiotherapy after surgery. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 25%. The patients who had recurrence had presented with T3 or T4 lesions only. Of the patients who died, 14 out of the 18 were those who had tumor-positive margins and had undergone radiotherapy following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Primary surgical treatment of SCCs of the maxillary region along with elective bilateral neck dissection yielded some improvement in survival rates, and can therefore be seen as a valuable strategy. Tumor-free resection margins and early detection of the lesion are the most important indicators for favorable prognosis.