Observation as an option for epithelial positive margin after partial glossectomy in stage I and II squamous cell carcinoma: analysis of 365 cases.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to assess local recurrence and clinical prognosis in patients diagnosed as having a positive margin in the epithelial layer after a partial glossectomy treated by close observation.

METHODS

A total of 365 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue diagnosed as clinical Stage I or II, treated by partial glossectomy in the National Cancer Center Hospital East between 1992 and 2006, were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

Pathological findings showed that 13 cases had positive margins in the epithelial layer, 4 (30.8%) of whom showed up with local recurrence in 4.4 years (3.0-5.0) on average. Lymph node recurrence was not observed and the 5-year overall survival rate was 76.2% in those 13 cases. The treatment for the recurrent cases was an additional partial glossectomy without neck dissection, which resulted in no recurrence and a survival rate of 100% after an average follow-up of 6.7 years.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest careful observation as one option for cases diagnosed with epithelial positive margin.