Carcinoma espinocelular de palato mole / Squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate

RESUMO

Introdução: Câncer de orofaringe tem incidência mundial de 8,3 casos por 100.000 habitantes. Carcinoma espinocelular representa 95% do total de tumores malignos da orofaringe. O palato mole representa 5-12% do total destes tumores. Fatores etiológicos incluem álcool e tabaco. Os tumores são freqüentemente assintomáticos e apresentam-se em estádios avançados ao diagnóstico. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo baseado na análise de prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma espinocelular de palato mole. Resultados: Dentre 15 pacientes, 13 eram do sexo masculino e 2 do sexo feminino. Idade variou entre 54 a 76, média 63,6 anos. Sintomas mais freqüentes foram odinofagia, disfagia, nódulo cervical e emagrecimento. Pacientes no estádio IV tem prognóstico reservado, demonstrando a importância do diagnóstico precoce que permita tratamentos curativos.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The world incidende of oropharyngeal cancer is 8.3 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The squamous cell carcinoma represents 95% of all malign tumors of oropharynx and the soft palate represents 5-12% of those tumors. Etiologic factors include alcohol and tobacco. The tumors are frequently asymptomatic and the diagnosis is usually made in advanced stages of the disease. Methods: This is a retrospective study based on charter review of cases diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate. Results: From 15 pacients, 13 were men and 2 were women. The ages varied from 54 to 76, average, 63.6 years old. All patients had previous history of alcohol and tobacco use. The most frequent symptoms found were odinophagia, dysphagia, cervical nodule and weight loss. Patients in stage IV have a reserved prognosis, showing the importance of early diagnosis in order to allow healing treatment.