Aggressive multimodality management of locally advanced retromolar trigone tumors

Background. Retromolar trigone tumors are rare and aggressive malignancies. There is lack of quality evidence pertaining to their management due to the heterogeneity in treatment policies adopted. We retrospectively reviewed the patients of locally advanced retromolar trigone tumors treated with a standard and uniform multimodality management. Methods. A retrospective review of patients with locally advanced retromolar trigone tumors was performed and an analysis of clinicopathologic profile, treatment details, and survival outcomes was carried out. Results. Forty-two patients of locally advanced retromolar trigone tumors underwent the standard multimodality treatment. The majority of them presented with stage IVa disease. Margin negative resection could be achieved in 93% of patients. Histopathologically proven bone and node involvement was seen in 20 patients (47.6%) and 21 patients (50%), respectively. The 3-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 64% and 71%, respectively. Conclusions. Treatment of patients with locally advanced retromolar trigone tumors is challenging. However, good oncologic outcomes can be achieved by advocating an aggressive surgical approach with postoperative radiation therapy. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1269-1273, 2013