Cancer of the tongue. Report of the management of 1,554 patients

XPERIENCE in the diagnosis and treatment E of cancer of the tongue was last reported from this Service in 1940.9 During the period covered by the previous review, irradiation, employed alone or in varying combinations with surgery, dominated as the treatment method. The cure rate of 25%, based on determinate cases, though comparable to contemporary results,ls 2. must be considered unsatisfactory. In an effort to improve results, treatment methods in our Clinic have been varied. Currently the primary emphasis on irradiation has been replaced by a more aggressive surgical program. It is the purpose of this study to record the treatment methods employed, the clinical course, and the end results for 1,554 patients with cancer of the tongue who were observed during a 15-year period.