Survival of patients with floor of mouth squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgical resection and reconstruction at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The aims of this study were to assess survival rate of patients who underwent surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that involved the floor of mouth, as well as identify predictors of survival in patients with floor of mouth SCC. Methods: A clinical audit was undertaken by means of a retrospective record review of patients who underwent surgical treatment for floor of mouth SCC at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Patient data were collected and analysed with respect to age, sex, race, tobacco usage, alcohol usage, tumour stage and postoperative chemo-radiation. Five-year recurrence and overall survival rates were evaluated. Results: Of 60 patients identified, only 20 were included in the study. The five-year overall recurrence rate was 25%. The five-year overall survival was 55%. Regular alcohol consumption and advanced disease stage were found to be significant predictors of high recurrence and low survival rates. Conclusion: Floor of mouth SCC has a low five-year survival rate which might be improved by attending to habits such as smoking as well as early disease detection