Radiotherapy of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Portion of the Tongue

Abstract

SQUAMOUS cell carcinoma of the oral (mobile) part of the tongue is one of the most common of the oral carcinomas. Diversity of opinion has existed and still does as to how this neoplasm should be treated. At the University of Michigan during the years 1940 through 1959, most patients with this lesion have been treated primarily by radiotherapy of the lingual tumor. Surgical procedures in general have been reserved for the management of cervical nodal metastases and recurrences at the primary site after radiotherapy. During this period others^1,2 have placed increasing emphasis on radical surgical resection of the primary site including neck nodal dissection and often hemimandibulectomy. Motivation for the emphasis on surgery derived from the presumed failure of radiotherapy to produce an overall survival rate above 25%.¹ The experience at the University of Michigan for the years 1940 through 1959 is herein reported. Materials and Methods