Radiology, Vol 151, 505-508, Copyright © 1984 by Radiological Society of North America
Squamous-cell carcinoma of the tongue: preoperative interstitial radium and external irradiation. Part II: Survival
H Vermund, IO Brennhovd, O Kaalhus and E Poppe
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.
