[Prognostic factors in epidermoid carcinoma of the mobile tongue classified as T1-T2].

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to evaluate the results and the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile part of the tongue stage T1-T2 treated by surgery and radiotherapy at the Institute Jules Bordet from January 1950 to 31th December 1993.

METHODS

According to the classification TNM (UICC 1978) 165 consecutive patients classified as follow: 73 T1No (stage I), 64 T2No (stage II), 7 T1N1 and 20 T2N1 (stage III) and 1 patient T2N2 (stage IV). All patients underwent surgery beforehand. 136 patients received additional brachytherapy.

RESULTS

In this study were included 117 men and 48 women with an average age of 60 years. The rate of relapse on the primary tumoral site amounted to 16,4% and the residual relapse to 40%. The survival note without relapse was evaluated respectively at 3 years in 67% of the tumours T1 (against 28% for the T2), at 5 years for 59% for tumours T1 (against 26% for T2). From the clinical point of view the survival rate without relapse was of 5 years for 61% of stage I, 29% of stage II and 24% of stage III. A more extensive investigation shows the statistic influence, such as age (p<0.004), size of the tumour (p<0.007) and its shape (p<0.0007) on the total survive rate. The state of the nodes (p<0.02) and the safety margins (p<0.04) are statistically less associated. The survival rate with no relapse according to a study considering statistical factors, is significantly influenced by the size (p<0.0002) and age (p<0.0003).

CONCLUSION

T1-T2 stages of the mobile tongue are characterized by a limited local spread but a more regional spread and diversified therapeutic approach with prognostic factors influencing the survival rate without forgetting the part played by the TNM classification.