CRYOSURGERY FOR ORAL AND PHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

Freezing with liquid nitrogen was used for the treatment of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma in eighty-three patients. Some were treated only for palliation of incurable disease, but emphasis was placed on the use of cryosurgery to achieve cure. The reasons for the choice of therapy included the desire to avoid disabling sacrifice of the mandible or palate, location of cancer in an area difficult to excise, the presence of severe cardiopulmonary disease or persistence of cancer after conventional methods of treatment had been used. In terms of survival, the results appeared comparable to those achieved by excision. However, the survivors did not have the disabilities that often follow surgical excision. Although the results so far have been acceptable, longer observation is needed to determine if survival will justify continued use of cryosurgery for oral and pharyngeal cancer. © 1969.