[Relationship between TNM-classification and survival rate in cases of carcinoma of the oral cavity: a comparison between UICC and AJCC TNM staging systems].

We compared TNM classification between UICC and AJCC in the case of oral cancer. T4 definition of UICC was indistinct and AJCC seemed better for T-classification. N-classification of AJCC was rational, since it distinguished between "solitary" and "multiple" nodes. It was inappropriate to equalize T3N0 for T3N1 in stage grouping and also to regard T4N0 as Stage IV because T4N0 had better prognosis than T3N1. Five-year survival rates of all cases were as follows. Tongue (66.7%), floor of mouth (62.4%), buccal mucosa (69.1%), lower gingiva (66.7%), upper gingiva (50.0%), hard palate (62.3%), lip (83.3%).