The results of aggressive regional operation in the treatment of cancer of the floor of the mouth.

We reviewed the records of 94 patients with cancer of the floor of the mouth who were treated during a 15-year period to assess the results of an aggressive regional surgical approach. The primary tumor was excised with a 2 cm margin of normal tissue. A marginal or segmental mandibulectomy was performed in 84 of 94 patients. An ipsilateral radical neck dissection was performed in 86 of 94 patients. Contralateral suprahyoid dissection was combined with ipsilateral radical neck dissection in 52 patients. Bilateral radical neck dissection was performed in 10 patients. In the 1 to 16-year follow-up period, local/regional control was achieved in 91% of stage I patients, 83% of stage II patients, 68% of stage III patients, and 48% of stage IV patients. Determinant 5-year survival rates were T1--72%, T2--47%, T3--25%, and T4--28%.