Clinical analysis of advanced (Stage III and IV) tongue cancer

We analyzed stage III and IV advanced oral tongue cancer. A total of 59 patients were analyzed from 1987 to 2002 (Stage III 37 cases, stage IV 22 cases). The five-year survival rates were 81.1% (stage III) and 50.0% (stage IV). In stage III, a recurrence occurred in seven of 36 (19.4%) patients, only one patient was controlled. In stage IV, a recurrence occurred in eight of 19 (42.1%) patients, all were uncontrolled. Most recurrence occurred at the parapharyngeal space in stage III (cervical recurrence). In stage IV the recurrence sites were the deep site of the tongue, oropharyngeal mucosa, cervical skin, lung metastasis, systemic multiple metastasis. The effectiveness of post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy were not presented clearly. (author)