BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the predisposing factor for lymph node metastasis and examine the influence of thickness for lymph node recurrence in oral tongue cancer. METHODS: We analysed 254 patients with early oral tongue cancer (T1-2N0) who were treated with brachytherapy from 1967 through 1985. RESULTS: T category (p = 0.005), and thickness (p = 0.04) were identified as a significant predisposing factors for neck failure. 50%, 40% and 30% were the incidences of lymph node metastasis for patients with thickness of tumor more than 11 mm, 6-10 mm and 5 mm or less. Furthermore, T category (largest diameter of lesion) correlates strongly to thickness of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is not an independent factor, thickness is a significant predisposing factor for lymph node metastasis.
BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the predisposing factor for lymph node metastasis and examine the influence of thickness for lymph node recurrence in oral tongue cancer. METHODS: We analysed 254 patients with early oral tongue cancer (T1-2N0) who were treated with brachytherapy from 1967 through 1985. RESULTS: T category (p = 0.005), and thickness (p = 0.04) were identified as a significant predisposing factors for neck failure. 50%, 40% and 30% were the incidences of lymph node metastasis for patients with thickness of tumor more than 11 mm, 6-10 mm and 5 mm or less. Furthermore, T category (largest diameter of lesion) correlates strongly to thickness of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is not an independent factor, thickness is a significant predisposing factor for lymph node metastasis.