ISSN:
1437-7772
Keywords:
Radiotherapy
;
Tongue cancer
;
Tumor thickness
;
Outcome
;
Salvage operation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background. In tongue cancers with a tumor thickness exceeding 1 cm, the validity of radiotherapy as an initial treatment remains controversial. Methods. Between 1979 and 1991, 26 patients with tongue cancer that was 1 cm or more in tumor thickness, and who were without clinical adenopathy underwent interstitial radiotherapy (mean dose, 64 Gy) following external irradiation (mean dose, 35 Gy). Results. In 16 (62%) of the 26 patients control was achieved at the primary site (i.e., no local recurrence till the last follow-up of 41–120 months). In 5 of the 10 patients with recurrence rescue was achieved with a salvage operation. All 3 patients who developed nodal metastases were salvaged. One patient with osteonecrosis and 2 patients with tongue ulcers were operated upon. The whole tongue remained in 13 of the 26 patients and the cumulative 5-year survival was 80%. Conclusion. Radiotherapy is a suitable initial treatment for patients with tongue cancers exceeding 1 cm tumor thickness except for T4 tumors.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00539216
Permalink
