Staging and grading as prognostic factors in maxillary squamous cell carcinoma

This retrospective study was performed to present our long-term results in the treatment of maxillary squamous cell carcinoma and evaluate especially the influence of T staging and grading on patients' survival.We performed a retrospective analysis of 93 consecutive patients with alveolar, gingival, or palatal maxillary SCC treated at our clinic with surgical resection and/or radiation therapy. Data were obtained from chart review and patients' records and were analyzed statistically using the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The male:female ratio was 2:1 and the mean age was 63 years (range 35 to 94 yrs). Most patients showed a T4 stage (66%) and the most frequent staging was T4N0M0 (42%). The most common histopathological grading was G2 (57%), followed by G3 (22%) and G1 (21%). The 5-year overall survival rate was 71%, and the recurrence rate was 37%. Advanced T stage (T4) and grading did not significantly influence the cumulative survival rates.T-stage and grading do not have a significant impact on patients' long-term survival. The most crucial factor for recurrence prevention and therefore survival are free resection margins.