Carcinoma of the anterior tongue in adolescence

Abstract

Carcinoma of the oropharyngeal region is one of the most common malignant lesions seen in western India, comprising about 47% of all cases seen at the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute. Of these, carcinoma of the tongue has the maximum incidence. In India the ratio between carcinoma of the anterior and posterior tongue is 33:66, the reverse of that published in Europe and America. The highest incidence of carcinoma of the anterior tongue appears in males 50 to 60 years of age; only 11 cases have been reported in patients under 20 years of age. From 1969 to 1974, 218 cases of carcinoma of the anterior tongue were seen at the M.P. Shah Hospital. This paper reports five cases of carcinoma of the anterior tongue found in patients under 20 years of age. Although the anterior tongue is a visible and approachable site, all five lesions were too advanced to cure. There did not seem to be any contributory factor to produce this malignant lesion at such a young age. The patients were all male, the youngest 11 years old. Two cases were treated with surgery; one also received postoperative radiotherapy. The remaining three cases were treated with palliative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The pathology and the current view of management are discussed.