The clinical observation was performed on 33 cases of carcinoma of the tongue for 6 years from April, 1961 to April, 1967 at Presbyterian Medical Center, Chonju, Korea.
1. Twenty six out of 33 cases were male. The ratio of men to women was 3.6:1 in this series, the extremes of age were represented by a 36y.o. male and a 70y.o. male, 28 cases (85%) were in their 5th to 7th decades.
2. The most prominent symptom was painless mass with or without ulcer on tongue in 28 cases (85%) and it was followed by sore throat and dysphagia. The average delay between the first symptom and the initial examination was 11.4 months.
3. The most frequent site of the tongue cancer was the mid-third in 22 cases, and followed by the base, 9 cases and anterior 1/3, 2 cases. Anterior 2/3 of the tongue thus occupies 73%(24 cases) of all cases.
4. TNM classification of extent of the tumor was applied. 5 cases were T1 (less than 3 ㎝ in diameter), 12 cases were T2 (3-5 ㎝ and possible minimal extention to the floor of the mouth), and 6 cases were T3(5 ㎝ to half of the tongue and possible limitted extention to floor of the mouth) Thus, about half of the patients were in an advanced stage at first visit. In 28 cases (85%), cervical nodes were palpated at initial visit.
5. Of the 33 cases, 16 cases were inoperable or refused treatment. And of the other 17 cases, 16 cases underwent surgical treatment with curative intent. Hemiglossectomy with or without radical neck dissection: 6 cases. En bloo resection tongue, floor of the mouth and UND: 3 cases. Commando: 7 cases.
6. Of all patients, 3 out of 3 non treated cases and 6 out of 15 treated cases are still alive. In the treated group. the average duration after surgery is 14.2 months in the 6 living cases. The duration between operation and death was 23.5 months in patients who have expired.
The follow-up is successful so far, in the light of extensive surgery even in this small number of cases, but the definite appraisal should be given after larger experience with good follow-up study.
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