Squamous-cell carcinoma of the tongue: preoperative interstitial radium and external irradiation. Part II: Survival.

The authors evaluated 300 cases of squamous-cell carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of the tongue treated from 1958 through 1972. Effects of treatment on absolute and relative survival were determined by the log rank method. Selection was non-random, based on the extent of the primary tumor, age, and general condition. Surgery, irradiation, or a combination of preoperative interstitial high-intensity radium needles and resection gave similar results in patients with tumor smaller than 4 cm (T1T2N0). In patients with larger tumor (T3N0) or mobile, unilateral neck metastases (TXN1), irradiation plus surgery produced better survival than irradiation alone. Different radiation techniques are analyzed. Elective external irradiation to the neck is recommended in all cases, even if no enlarged lymph nodes can be palpated.