[Satisfactory 5-year survival in 29 patients following surgery of a small metastasized tongue carcinoma (T1N0M0)].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the five-year survival rate of patients with a small (< 2 cm) squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue that had not shown evident cervical lymph node metastases at presentation.


METHODS
Follow-up investigation.


METHODS
Free University Hospital, Amsterdam.


METHODS
In the period January 1st, 1970 to December 31, 1986, 36 patients were registered with a T1N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Seven patients were excluded from follow-up study for various reasons (multiple carcinoma (4), histological diagnosis doubtful (2), lost to follow-up (1)). All remaining 29 patients were primarily treated by surgical excision with a margin of healthy tissue of approximately 1 cm.


RESULTS
In five patients (17%) a local recurrence was observed, in 7 (24%) one or more cervical lymph node metastases developed. Four patients withdrew from follow-up, three died from their tongue cancer, all within two years. Of the 22 patients who did not withdraw from follow-up and who did not die from other causes 19 (86%) were alive and well after five years.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with a small squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue in whom initially no cervical lymph node metastases were palpable and who have primarily been treated by surgery, stand a good chance of cure, in spite of the development of regional lymph node metastases in almost 25% of them.
van der Meer
P H
PH
Vakgroep Mondziekten en Kaakchirurgie/Orale Pathologie, Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.
Snow
G B
GB
van der Waal
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D015996:Survival Rate; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*
Goede 5-jaarsoverleving bij 29 patiënten met een klein, niet-gemetastaseerd tongcarcinoom (T1N0M0), na chirurgie.