Cervical Metastases Behavior of T1–2 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue

Abstract

Introduction: The cervical lymph node metastasis (CM) is one of the most important prognostic factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Although the frequency and distribution of CM for tongue carcinoma (TC) are well documented in the literature, there is only little data on metastasis patterns depending on the location of the cancer within the tongue. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study all patients with a T1–T2 TC who were treated between 1997 and 2013 were analysed regarding epidemiological data, risk factors, and tumour parameters such as exact localization, CM. Results: 204 patients (59 ± 15 years; ♀37 %, ♂63 %) were included. At the initial diagnosis 23 % had an advanced tumour stage (III–IV) due to CM. The occurrence of CM was significantly higher for T2, advanced G-status and the localization in the posterior area of the tongue. The presence of CM—but not the recurrence—had a significant influence on the survival rate. Conclusion: The small TC has an aggressive metastatic behaviour depending not only on the classical prognostic factors such as grading and tumour size, but is also strongly influenced by the posterior location within the tongue.