Management of squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of mouth

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Abstract
Between 1964 and 1987, 194 patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of mouth were managed at the University of Florida. A retrospective analysis was undertaken in order to evaluate the treatment results and associated complication rates. Surgery or irradiation alone was found to result in similar local control rates for stage I and II lesions, whereas more advanced tumors had better local control rates with a combination of surgery and irradiation. Radiotherapy had a higher incidence of minor and moderate complications, whereas a greater number of severe complications occurred after surgery. We recommend surgery for early lesions due to the lower overall incidence of associated complications. Despite a higher risk of severe complications, combination therapy is recommended for more advanced lesions due to improved local control as compared to single modality therapy.