Squamous-cell carcinoma of the tongue: preoperative interstitial radium and external irradiation. Part I: Local and regional control.

Results of therapy in 300 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of the tongue are presented in terms of control of the primary tumor (local) and metastases to the lymph nodes of the neck (regional). Correlation between clinical stage and control was good, with the best results being obtained in stage T1N0 (84% control of tongue, 69% control of neck) and the poorest results in TX N2N3 (9% and 11%, respectively). Different methods of treatment were analyzed separately for various stages of disease and compared with results from other institutions. Possible methods of improving treatment are discussed.