gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Malignant tumors of the tongue base present a low incidence compared to the ones in the mobile part of the tongue, their proportion being 1:4. Squamous cell carcinomas at the base of the tongue are usually diagnosed at advanced stages, and their optimal treatment has not been established.

Material and Methods: The study was retrospectively performed in the ENT Department Timisoara over a period of 10 years (January 1998–December 2007). In 37 previously untreated patients we performed transhyoid tongue base tumor resection (23 cases (62.17%)) and in 14 cases (37.83%) we additionally performed epiglotectomy or horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy. In all the cases we performed bilateral neck dissection. All the patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy.

Results: The postoperative and post therapeutic evolution in 37 patient was favorable at 3 years (81.10%) and 5 years (75.67%), without signs of loco- regional reccurences. The tumor specific 3 and 5 years survival rate were for pT2 100%, for pT3 87.5%, for pT4a 71.42% and 57.14% and for pT4b 50%, respectively 25%. The stage specific 3 and 5 years survival rates were for stage II 100%, for stage III 85.71%, for stage IVA 83.33% and 79.16% and for stage IVB 50% and 25% respectively.

Conclusions: Tumor resection by transhyoid approach is a feasible procedure which permits postoperative swallowing and comparable tumor control over a long period, with a reduced postoperative morbidity. The prognosis of squamous cell carcinomas of the base of the tongue is poor, especially in advanced stages.

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