Treatment results and epidemiologic factors in oral tongue cancer: analysis of 110 patients in cancer institute of Tehran

ABSTRACT

Tongue cancer is one of the most common cancers of the oral cavity, excluding lip, and the median age of the patients is approximately 60 years. Treatment results of a total of 110 patients with oral tongue cancer admitted to cancer Institute of Tehran University between 1999-2003 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were treated by surgery or radiotherapy or chemotherapy in a curative setting. The median age at the time of first visit was 67 years [range 27- 91years].51 patients [46.4%] were female and 59 [53.6%] were male. Primary treatment was surgery in 86 patients [78.2%], radiotherapy alone in 12 patients [10.9%], chemo radiation in 3 patients [2.7%] and chemotherapy [as neo adjuvant therapy] in 8 patients [7.3%]. Median dose of radiation in patients who received radiotherapy was 6000CGY in the range of [5000-7500 CGY]. Median of follow-up of patients was 10 months in range of [1-78] months. Local and loco-regional recurrence remains a major clinical problem in oral cavity tumors. Additional studies and detailed analysis of the selection criteria and treatment outcomes across trials are needed to define the best treatment modalities