Carcinomas of the base of tongue: analysis of treatment results in 115 patients

Between 1976 and 1986, we have treated 115 patients with base of the tongue carcinomas. The mean age was 53.8 years. Staging system used was the UICC TNM classification of 1979. 70% of the tumors were T3 or T4 and 42% had N2 or N3 lymph nodes. Loco-regional treatment was irradiation alone (98/115) or surgery and post-operative radiotherapy (17/115). 67 patients received an induction chemotherapy. 3 and 5 years actuarial survival was 25% and 23%, and 42, 48, 20 and 17% at 3 years for T1, T2, T3 and T4 lesions respectively. Local control rate at the primary sites was 55%, local control rate in the neck was 78%. Distant metastases occurred for 10% and 8% had a second primary. Nodal status was the only other prognostic factor. Local control rate obtained with irradiation alone was not good. For limited tumors T1 and T2, a better local control rate can be obtained with interstitial therapy or surgery.