Outcome in squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the nasal vestibule and to identify factors predicting recurrence.

METHODS

All patients treated between 1995 and 2012 were included in this study. Outcome was analyzed with respect to modality of therapy, age, sex, tobacco consumption, staging, surgical margins, and histological differentiation pattern.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were included. Fourteen patients (47%) were found with T4, 1 patient (3%) with T3, 7 patients (23%) with T2, and 8 patients (27%) with T1 disease. Twenty-one patients (70%) were treated surgically. Six patients (29%) needed postoperative radiation because of insufficient surgical margins. Radiation was the first-line treatment in 9 patients (30%). Surgically treated patients with surgical margins <3 mm had significantly more locoregional recurrence compared to those with sufficient resections.

CONCLUSION

Advanced T4 carcinomas show a high recurrence rate. Insufficient surgical margins are the main predictor for a locoregional recurrence and should be avoided.