Free-Flap Reconstruction in Early-Stage Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity-A Prospective Monocentric Trial to Evaluate Oncological Outcome and Quality of Life.
Julius MoratinSven ZittelDominik HornRouven BehnischOliver RistowMichael EngelJuergen HoffmannKolja FreierChristian FreudlspergerPublished in: Journal of clinical medicine (2023)
Surgery is generally accepted as standard treatment in oral cancer, but the reconstructive procedures remain a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate oncological outcome and quality of life following surgical resection and free-flap reconstruction in patients with early oral squamous cell carcinoma. The presented trial was performed as a prospective, single-center observation study. Inclusion criteria were primary surgery in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma with free-flap reconstruction. Endpoints were overall and progression-free survival and quality of life up to 24 months after surgery. Twenty-six patients were included. Overall survival was 100% and progression-free survival was 92.3% in a maximum follow-up time of 21 months. Global quality of life showed no significant alteration after surgery. Patients reported a significant reduction in pain ( p = 0.048) and a decreasing impairment of speech one year after surgery ( p = 0.021). Free-flap reconstruction is a safe procedure that results in excellent oncological outcome and quality of life. Functional outcome is of high relevance in early-stage tumors of the head and neck and may mostly be affected by reconstructive procedures. Therefore, a prospective evaluation to explore success and the effects of surgical therapy is highly warranted.
Keyphrases
- early stage
- free survival
- end stage renal disease
- squamous cell carcinoma
- minimally invasive
- newly diagnosed
- ejection fraction
- chronic kidney disease
- peritoneal dialysis
- rectal cancer
- clinical trial
- sentinel lymph node
- study protocol
- radical prostatectomy
- chronic pain
- prognostic factors
- coronary artery bypass
- patient reported outcomes
- robot assisted
- stem cells
- coronary artery disease
- phase iii
- spinal cord
- pain management
- acute coronary syndrome
- combination therapy
- smoking cessation