Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule

Background and Methods. Sixty patients were treated with radiation therapy alone (56 patients) or followed by surgery (4 patients) between 1970 and 19 95 for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. Results. Local control rates at five years after irradiation alone in 56 pa tients were: T1-T2, 94%; T4, 71%; and overall, 85%. Multivariate analysis r evealed that tumor size and bone invasion significantly influenced local co ntrol. All four patients with extensive T4 tumors treated with radiation th erapy plus surgery were cured. Cause-specific survival rates at five years for 56 patients treated with radiation therapy alone were: T1-T2, 94%; T4, 86%; and overall, 91%. Multivariate analysis revealed that bone invasion an d tumor size adversely influenced cause-specific survival. No patient treat ed with irradiation alone experienced a major complication, compared with t hree of four patients who underwent irradiation and surgery. Conclusions. Radiation therapy results in a high cure rate with good cosmes is. Patients with extensive T4 cancers have an improved chance of cure with radiation and surgery but more complications. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.