Survival of Patients with Floor of Mouth Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Surgical Resection and Reconstruction

Abstract

To identify predictors of survival in patients with floor of mouth Squamous Cell Carcinoma (FOMSCC) in order to improve patient selection for resource intensive resection and reconstruction procedures. A retrospective record review of patients who underwent resection and reconstruction for FOMSCC at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Patient data were collected and analyzed with respect to age, sex, race, tobacco usage, alcohol usage, tumour stage and post-operative chemo-radiation. One- and five-year recurrence and survival rates were also evaluated. Within the study period, 20 patients were identified that were treated with resection and reconstruction for FOMSCC. The mean age at diagnosis was 56.85 years, with 70 percent of the sample being male and fifty percent being black. Amongst the sample, 90 percent of patients used tobacco and 60 percent were frequent alcohol users. The most common stage at diagnosis was stage IVA which was found in 40 percent of the sample. There were no significant factors associated with recurrence at 1 year. At 5 years, alcohol usage was a significant predictor of recurrence (P=0.044).There were no significant factors associated with death at 1 year however tumour stage at 5 years was a significant predictor (P=0.035). Out of 20 patients, five patients had recurrence. Total person-time was 72.9 person-years, with a mean follow-up time of 3.65 (SD 2.04) years per person. Out of 20 patients, nine patients died within 5 years (45%). Alcohol was the only statistically significant factor associated with increased mortality. Our findings suggest earlier diagnosis, and active treatment of early stage disease may be the best means of improving 5-year survival rates. Efforts to improve quality of care and manage limited resources should concentrate on choosing the appropriate disease stage for surgical management, improve cancer surveillance and strengthen referral system so as to improve early detection of disease and provide, social support and counselling for adjunctive habits such alcohol and tobacco use cessation which will improve patient outcomes.