Surgical Treatment of Tongue Cancer: A 30-Year Review
Author Information
Author(s): Horst Kokemueller, Majeed Rana, Jennifer Rublack, Andre Eckardt, Frank Tavassol, Paul Schumann, Daniel Lindhorst, Martin Ruecker, Nils-Claudius Gellrich
Primary Institution: Hannover Medical School
Hypothesis
What are the valid criteria for therapeutic decision-making in tongue cancer treatment?
Conclusion
The study recommends bilateral neck dissection to effectively remove hidden lymph node metastases and suggests more frequent use of adjuvant treatments in specific cases.
Supporting Evidence
- Local and regional failure rates were 23.9% and 20.4%, respectively.
- The overall survival rate after 5 years was 54.5% for surgical patients.
- Clear margins were achieved in 91.3% of operated patients.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at 341 patients with tongue cancer over 30 years to find the best ways to treat it. They found that doing surgery and checking the neck for hidden cancer can help patients live longer.
Methodology
This was a retrospective study analyzing medical records of 341 patients treated for tongue cancer from 1980 to 2009.
Potential Biases
Patient selection for treatments was not randomized, which could introduce bias.
Limitations
The study's retrospective nature may limit the ability to draw causal conclusions.
Participant Demographics
Average age was 58.8 years, with 226 men and 115 women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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