Correlation between t stage of the tumor and tumor behavior in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Background: Head and neck cancer [HNC] represents more than 550,000 cases annually. It accounts for 380,000 deaths every year. Despite aggressive treatment, only 35% to 55% of patients who present with locally advanced HNC remain alive and free of disease 3 years after standard curative treatment. Thirty percent to 40% of patients develop locoregional recurrences, and distant metastases occur in 20% to 30%. Most recurrences appear quickly within 2 years of initial treatment and an additional 10% of patients will have evidence of distant metastases at the time of first presentation