[Lymph nodes in cancer of the tongue]

The results of lymphnodes examinations in 59 patients operated upon because of the lingual cancer were described. In 39% of cases the metastases were found on the side of lesions. In 31 of patients with palpable lymphnodes the metastases were found in 54.8% of cases. In 28 patients without palpable lymphnodes the metastases were found in 21.4% of cases. Thus 45.2% cases were false positive and 21.4 false negative. In lingual marginal localizations of lesions the metastases were found more frequently as well as in more developed clinical stages. In these patients because of the frequent false positive lymphnodes the radical neck dissection should be performed, in special cases also bilaterally.