[Consumption of tobacco and alcohol as prognostic factors in oral cancer].

The aim of the study was to assess the potential prognostic value of tobacco and alcohol consumption. 161 consecutive patients with intra-oral squamous cell carcinoma were included in a prospective follow-up study and valid data on tobacco and alcohol consumption were obtained. Univariate analysis showed that alcohol consumption had a significant influence and tobacco consumption had a borderline significant influence on the prognosis. Tobacco and alcohol consumption were strong correlated and each of these correlated to sex. Clinical staging (TNM), tumor size and sex all had a significant prognostic impact. A multivariate analysis showed that clinical stage, tumor size and tobacco consumption, but not alcohol consumption had significant influence on the prognosis. Thus tobacco smoking is an important clinical parameter both from a prophylactic and a therapeutic point of view.