Squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue.

The squamous cell carcinomas of 119 patients treated between 1958 and 1980 were retrospectively reclassified according to the 1977 American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging-End Results Reporting guidelines. Analysis of the information was performed with an interactive computer program that allows the analysis of a large number of medical factors with numerous variables. The following factors show the statistically significant improved survival rates: well-differentiated histopathologic findings, small T-stage lesions, and clinically negative neck disease. Although the survival curve was similar in the planned combined therapy and radiation therapy groups, local control was statistically superior in the combined therapy group. A similar trend is seen in those patients who receive interstitial implants in addition to external beam therapy. A randomized prospective study is needed to determine the optimum mode of therapy.