Malignant tumours of the maxilla. Management and follow-up results of treatment of 128 patients.

The authors present their own experience in the management, methods of treatment and follow-up results of 128 patients with malignant tumours of the maxilla. There were 77 males and 53 females (sex ratio 1.5: 1). Patients ages ranged from 3 to 83 years with an average of 53 years. Epithelial tumours were diagnosed in 69.5% and nonepithelial in 30.5%. In most cases the maxillary sinus was the primary focus of the tumour (40.3%). 94.4% of patients had epithelial tumours in stages III and IV (UICC classification, 1973). Radical treatment was carried out in 94 patients in 4 radiotherapy only (lymphatic tumours), in 90 patients surgery with adjuvant radio- and/or chemotherapy mainly in the postoperative stage. During the follow-up local recurrence was diagnosed in 36.5% of radically treated patients, who subsequently underwent reoperation. A five-year survival rate was obtained in 45.1% of patients with epithelial tumours and in 14.3% of patients with nonepithelial tumours. The authors carried out their own method of prosthetic rehabilitation, mainly immediate, in 82 patients operated on. Immediate prosthetic rehabilitation is a final step in the surgical procedure. This method significantly diminishes functional disturbances, mainly in speech and mastication and remarkably improves the aesthetic result.