Treatment of Carcinoma of the Mobile Tongue

Abstract

Thirty-five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue are reviewed. The 5-year survival rate was 86% in TxNo,54% in TxN₊,80% in Ti,81% in T2 and 50% in T3. The survival rate for TxNo cases was sign ificantly higher than that for TxN₊, cases. Cervical node metastases was more frequently observed in patients treated by radiotherapy than in those undergoing surgery. Surgical therapy of the Ti lesions was found to be very effective, but radiotherapy was less successful in controlling the primary disease. In the patient with T2 lesion, surgical therapy and radiotherapy showed the same results. Frequent follow-ups should be made of the cases for early detection of control failure and salvage by aggressive surgery.