Results of Multidisciplinary Therapy of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Buccal Mucosa at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand
Kamonwan Jenwitheesuk MD*, Palakorn Surakunprapha MD*, Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD*, Vorachai Tangvoraphongchai MD**, Montien Pesee MD**, Srichai Krusun MD**, Chunsri Supaadirek MD**
Affiliation : * Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : Review the clinical presentation and treatment of buccal carcinoma and compare it to the results of treatment as per
survival rate.
Material and Method: The authors reviewed the medical records of newly diagnosed seen between 1995 and 2005 at the
Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Radiotherapy, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen
University. Patients previously treated elsewhere or those whose lesions secondarily involved the buccal mucosa were
excluded.
Results : The authors reviewed the medical records of 107 buccal carcinoma patients (94 females and 13 males) averaging
67 years of age. The 5-year survival rates of patients with Stage I (5.6%), II (6.5%), III (12.1%), and IVa (75.7%) were 67%,
43%, 47%, and 26%, respectively. A combined modality treatment (surgery and radiation or chemotherapy) was used to treat
the advanced stage (III and IV) patients. The rate of incomplete therapy was high (47.78%). In the group that completed the
protocol (i.e., neoadjuvant, surgery, and post operative radiation), there were five patients for whom the 5-year survival
seemed higher than the patients who followed the standard treatment of surgery and post-operative radiation but it was not
statistically significant.
Conclusion : The treatment of buccal carcinoma requires a multidisciplinary team approach because most of the patients are
elderly and present with an advanced stage. If treatment continues through to completion of the protocol, the survival rate
would increase.
Keywords : Buccal carcinoma, Survival rate
