Randomized preoperative and postoperative radiation therapy for patients with carcinoma of the head and neck: preliminary report.

Two hundred and ninety-eight patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, supraglottic larynx, hypopharynx or maxillary sinus have been randomized for preoperative radiation therapy and surgery vs. surgery and postoperative radiation therapy plus, in the case of patients with lesions of the oral cavity and oropharynx, radical radiation therapy. Data have been analyzed on 243 patients in this interim report. The differences between the three groups with respect to local control and survival are not statistically significant at this time. Additional accrual and continued follow-up are necessary to make definite treatment comparisons.