Surgical treatment of anterolateral tongue carcinoma.

AIM: The aim of this study was to present the results of the surgical treatment of patients over and under 40, diagnosed with anterolateral carcinoma of the tongue. The tongue is the most frequent site of malignancies, squamous cell carcinoma in particular, of the oral cavity. Recently, cases with such localization have become more frequent in Bulgaria due probably to the increased consumption of low-quality alcoholic beverages, smoking or other risk factors.

METHODS

The study included patients with diagnosed squamous-cell carcinoma in the tongue anterolateral region. In all patients with anterolateral tongue carcinoma the treatment included mandibulotomy with or without partial resection of the lower jaw, total or two-third glossectomy with partial resection of the oral cavity floor and cervical dissections. A total of twelve patients (three younger than 40) with anterolateral carcinoma of the tongue were treated between 2002 and 2004.

RESULTS

There was one lethal outcome (8.3%) for the period observed. Squamous-cell carcinoma was verified in 11 (91.7%) and rhabdomyosarcoma in 1 (8.3%) of the operated patients. One patient (8.3%) complained of persistent dysphagia for 7 months. In the patient with rhabdomyosacroma total laryngectomy was required 6 months after the operation because of secondary involvement of the larynx. In three patients (25%) moniliasis occurred after the course of radiotherapy, which necessitated antimycotic therapy. In one patient (8.3%) the cancer recurred and in another one (8.3%) metastasis developed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the treatment, including surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, depend on the stage of the disease and extent of surgery. There is no evidence of poorer outcome of the disease in younger patients.