Treatment of Adeno-Squamous Cell Carcinoma at the Posterior Tongue via Median Glossotomy Approach / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

We report a rare case of adeno-squamous cell carcinoma (ASC) that was successfully treated via a median glossotomy approach at the center of the posterior tongue. The AJCC stages were IVa (T1, N2c, M0). The patient underwent bilateral modified radical neck dissection and mass excision via median glossotomy approach while tracheotomized. The patient has been followed with no evidence of recurrence for 5 years. Tongue mobility was slightly decreased because of the contracture. However, articulation was acceptable. The decreased mobility of the tongue required a slightly longer oral preparatory phase of swallowing. Although median glossotomy is acceptable only in limitted cases, it allows an excellent exposure and a safe margin to approach and excise the tumor for cases like the posterior tongue in ASC, which usually has locally aggressive invasion and poor prognosis.