[Microwave treatment of 20 patients with oral cancers]

Twenty patients with oral cancers were treated by microwave alone from October 1989 to December 1990. There were: 7 cancer of floor of mouth and 13 cancer of the tongue. After treatment, pathology all turned negative. The patients were followed up for 9 to 24 months with all the primary lesions controlled. The functions and cosmetic results were perfect. Complications included edema of local tissue and bleeding. To prevent bleeding after microwave treatment, ligation of the ipsilateral external carotid artery should be done. To prevent dyspnea, tracheostomy should be done in patients with cancer of the root of tongue. Effect of microwave coagulation is best achieved by the interstitial technique. For lymph node metastasis, radical neck dissection should be done after the edema of the primary lesion subsides.