[Carcinoma of the base of the tongue: a case series]

A carcinoma of the base of the tongue is diagnosed with difficulty and therapy offers a poor clinical prognosis. Between November 1988 and April 1993 45 patients were evaluated (38 men and 7 women, mean age 60 years). These patients were in poor clinical conditions and advanced clinical stage. Surgical treatment alone or in association with radiotherapy was employed in 17 patients. In the remaining patients radiation therapy alone or associated with chemotherapy was employed. Three-year overall actuarial survival was 39.5% and 3-year NED survival was 21%. Certain prognostic factors were evaluated: T stage, lymph nodes, TNM staging, extension to near anatomical areas and treatment. A Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed that clinical N stage was significant for prognosis (3-year overall actuarial survival was 76.9% for NO and 28% in subjects with clinical nodes). Subjects with neoplasm extension to pharyngo-laryngeal area could have better prognosis and, a finally, patients treated with surgery alone or in association with other treatment would achieve better local control than others.