[Free flap reconstruction after oral and oropharyngeal advanced stage carcinoma surgery]

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the survival and locoregional recurrence in patients with advanced oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated by surgery with free flap reconstruction followed or not by radiochemotherapy.

Population and methods: A retrospective study was performed on 188 patients treated by surgery with microvascular reconstruction with or without postoperative radiochemotherapy for an advanced stage squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity and/or of the oropharynx. All patients underwent free flap reconstruction. The study parameters were survival and recurrence rates.

Results: The 5-year overall survival, disease specific survival, and disease free survival rates were 54%, 65%, and 61% respectively. A high level of comorbidity was the only factor that influenced the survival rate. The overall recurrence rate was 34%. Only 9% of patients having recurred were treated successfully. The survival rate after locoregional recurrence and metastasis was 6% at 2 years.

Discussion: Surgery and postoperative radiochemotherapy allows for an acceptable survival rate for patients with advanced oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords: Cancer de la cavité buccale; Free tissue flap; Lambeaux libres; Oral cancer; Radio-chimiothérapie; Radiochemotherapy.