[Indications for Wanach's operation in cancer of the lower lip]

The authors examined 206 case reports of patients with primary cancer of the lower lip and of 5 patients with recurrences after radiotherapy, who were subjected to the upper jugular excision during a 10-year period (since 1964 to 1973). Metastases were found histologically in 63% of the cases. Based on the analysis of the material according to the TNM classification, it is believed that the upper jugular excision should be indicated if a) tumors are more than 2 cm in size or in the presence of the infiltrative growth (T3); B) if lymph nodes (N1B, N2B) suspected of metastases are detected, especially in their unilateral enlargement (N1B); c) in the presence of local recurrence if the Wanach surgery was not performed previously. Such approach allowed avoiding surgery on lymph routes in 165 of 206 cases.