Treatment outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in young adults

Abstract

Objectives: The natural history of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity (OC) in young adults is unknown. We sought to provide an updated report on treatment outcomes of patients with OC SCC who were 40 years or younger.

Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 124 consecutive patients with primary OC SCC treated at Mayo Clinic (1980-2014). Patient and tumor characteristics and treatment approach were abstracted from patient charts.

Results: Median patient age was 35 years (range, 19-40 years). The most common primary site was oral tongue (107 patients; 86.3%). Most patients (101; 81.5%) underwent wide local excision. Surgery alone was curative in 77 patients (62.1%); 47 (37.9%) received radiotherapy, and 26 (21%) received chemotherapy. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 78.1%; 10-year OS was 76.9%. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 66.6%; 5-year local control was 87.6%; and 5-year locoregional control was 78.5%. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with worse OS and DFS were higher pathologic T stage (P = .008), lymph node positivity (P < .001), and disease recurrence (P < .001).

Conclusion: Young adults with primary OC SCC may be treated with a similar treatment approach as older adults.

Keywords: Head and neck cancer; Oral cavity; Oral tongue.