RADIATION-THERAPY FOR SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE NASAL VESTIBULE

Purpose: A retrospective review of carcinomas of the nasal vestibule s een at the Queensland Radium Institute over a 30-year period was under taken. Methods and Materials: Twenty-nine patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule who were treated with curative intent between 1960 and 1989 were analyzed. The 5-year actuarial survival an d disease-free survival were 64% and 61%, respectively. Results: Seven patients were treated with combined modality treatment using surgery and post-operative radiotherapy and 22 were treated with radiation alo ne. The ultimate local control for those treated with combined modalit y treatment was 66% and for those treated with radiation alone was 68% . The 5-year actuarial survival was 57% and 67%, respectively. Conclus ion: In view of the similar local control rates and 5-year survival in the two groups, we suggest that combined modality treatment may not b e warranted in the initial treatment of patients with these tumors. Ra diation treatment alone with salvage surgery would appear to be the tr eatment of choice.