Squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue. Clinical behavior and results of current therapeutic modalities.

A retrospective review of 122 patients who received therapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital for squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue from January 1962 through December 1976 was analyzed for clinical patterns of behavior and results of current therapeutic modalities. The results were compared with a previously reported series from our surgical service. Our series showed a dramatic increase in the proportion of women with carcinoma of the tongue from the 10 to 30 percent distribution reported 20 to 30 years ago to the 45 percent female to male ratio we observed. Only 38 percent of patients who had a regional recurrence of disease after initial therapy responded to secondary therapeutic measures. We therefore encourage that initial treatment offer the patient the optimal chance for cure. No significant increase in survival with the current therapeutic modalities of surgery, radiation, or combined therapy was noted; we observed 55 percent 2 year and a 34 percent 5 year overall survival rates. It is our belief that randomized, prospective, therapeutic protocols are essential for further progression of treatment success for patients with this devastating disease.