Treatment of cT1N0M0 tongue cancer: outcome and prognostic parameters

The objective of the present study was to summarize the treatment and outcomes of cT1N0M0 tongue cancer for which the management is less defined.

A total of 65 consecutive cases of cT1 tongue cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The Fisher exact, χ(2), and Wilcoxon tests were used to statistically analyze the data.

The tumor depth had a significant relation to the presence of neck metastasis (P < .05). A 3-mm cutoff point provided better predictive value, with a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 43.1%. The biopsy depth combined with palpation was accurate in determining the tumor depth preoperatively in 87.7%. On multivariate analysis, only the tumor site (ventral tongue) and the presence of erythroleukoplakia had any significant relation to disease-free survival (P = .010).

Elective neck dissection should be considered for patients with cT1N0 oral tongue squamous carcinoma with a biopsy depth of 3 mm or greater. The biopsy depth, combined with the clinical examination findings, is a useful method to help determine the tumor depth preoperatively.