Comprehensive analysis of results of surgical treatment of oral tongue carcinoma in Hong Kong

Abstract

To evaluate the results of primary surgical treatment of carcinoma of oral tongue in Hong Kong. Patients who had undergone primary surgical treatment of oral tongue carcinoma in Queen Mary Hospital were reviewed. There were 112 patients in this study. The first sites of tumor recurrence were 10 (9%) local, 25 (22%) nodal, 3 (3%) locoregional, 5 (5%) distant, 1 (1%) local and distant, 3 (3%) nodal and distant, and 1 (1%) neck extranodal site. Of the 63 T1-2 NO MO patients, the regional recurrence rate was 9% for elective neck dissection compared with 47% for "watchful waiting" (Chi-square test, P = 0. 0008). The regional recurrence related mortality was 3% for elective neck dissection compared with 23% for "watchful waiting" (Fisher's test, P = 0. 02). The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 86% for elective neck dissection compared with 55% for "watchful waiting" (Wilcoxon, P=0. 01). Local and regional recurrences were the main sites of treatment failure. Elective neck dissection has significant benefits in the reduction of regional failure and improvement of survival. Elective selective I - III neck dissection have to be considered in patients with stage I and stage II oral tongue carcinoma.