[The suprahyoid approach for carcinoma of the base of the tongue].

From 1989 till 1993 10 patients with cancer of the base of the tongue were treated surgically. The surgical approach was suprahyoid pharyngotomy in 3 cases expand to intraoral approach and lateral pharyngotomy. Three patients died 3 years after surgery. All patients underwent adjunctive irradiation. The suprahyoid pharyngotomy is an ideal surgical approach in the management of T1 or T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue.