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Autoamputation of the tongue
A K Patel1, P Chaturvedi, R K Panday
1Department of Radiotherapy, Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Bhopal, India.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|April 26, 2001
Summary
Autoamputation of the tongue, a rare event, was observed in an elderly patient with pharyngeal cancer. The tongue was detached, followed by tracheostomy and radiotherapy for the tumor.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Study
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Autoamputation is a rare phenomenon affecting various body parts, but not previously documented for the tongue.
- Head and neck cancers can present with complex and unusual symptoms.
Observation:
- An elderly male patient with lateral pharyngeal wall and tonsil carcinoma presented with a partially detached tongue.
- The tongue was attached to the oral cavity by a narrow tissue band, indicating autoamputation.
Findings:
- The case represents the first reported instance of tongue autoamputation.
- The patient underwent successful detachment of the tongue and required a tracheostomy.
- Radiotherapy was administered to treat the primary pharyngeal and tonsillar cancer.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of autoamputation to include the tongue.
- Highlights the importance of considering rare presentations in head and neck oncology.
- Suggests potential links between advanced malignancy and spontaneous tissue autoamputation.