Zhen-Hu Ren1, Han-Jiang Wu2, Sheng Zhang3, Kai Wang3, Zhao-Jian Gong3, Zhi-Jing He3, Jie Peng3. 1. Department of Oral & Maxillofacial-Head & Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No. 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China. Electronic address: ren.zhenhu@outlook.com. 2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No. 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China. Electronic address: wuhanjiang0198@sina.com. 3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No. 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study characterized the infiltration of primary tumors along the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), to create a new surgical strategy that is suitable for most stages. A preliminary evaluation of this novel surgical approach was also conducted. METHODS: An anatomic study of macroscopic specimens from 10 human cadavers and 100 OTSCC patients was conducted. The anatomic characteristics of the primary tumors and the origin and distribution of fibers of the intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles were observed and measured. After initial treatment with curative intent, the 100 patients were regularly followed-up with clinical examination and imaging. RESULT: Based on the anatomic characteristics of the primary tumors and tongue muscles, a new surgical approach was developed, and was described as muscle anatomy tongue surgery (MATS). MATS proved suitable for almost all stages of OTSCC. According to the morphology of the invasive tumor front, the 100 cases were divided into four types. The rate of 2-year local disease control was 98%, locoregional control 86%, disease-free survival 85%, and overall survival 89%. Tongue functions were perfectly recovered in more than 60% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Application of the principles of MATS to the treatment of OTSCC proved suitable for almost all stages of the disease. MATS is a novel surgical technique that may improve outcomes in tongue cancer surgery.
BACKGROUND: This study characterized the infiltration of primary tumors along the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), to create a new surgical strategy that is suitable for most stages. A preliminary evaluation of this novel surgical approach was also conducted. METHODS: An anatomic study of macroscopic specimens from 10 human cadavers and 100 OTSCC patients was conducted. The anatomic characteristics of the primary tumors and the origin and distribution of fibers of the intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles were observed and measured. After initial treatment with curative intent, the 100 patients were regularly followed-up with clinical examination and imaging. RESULT: Based on the anatomic characteristics of the primary tumors and tongue muscles, a new surgical approach was developed, and was described as muscle anatomy tongue surgery (MATS). MATS proved suitable for almost all stages of OTSCC. According to the morphology of the invasive tumor front, the 100 cases were divided into four types. The rate of 2-year local disease control was 98%, locoregional control 86%, disease-free survival 85%, and overall survival 89%. Tongue functions were perfectly recovered in more than 60% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Application of the principles of MATS to the treatment of OTSCC proved suitable for almost all stages of the disease. MATS is a novel surgical technique that may improve outcomes in tongue cancer surgery.