Though neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has not improved survival in oral cancers, its role in tongue cancer remains uncertain. This was a retrospective study of patients with locally advanced oral tongue cancer (Stage III-IVB) to assess response rates, mandibular preservation, and surgical extent post-NACT, along with recurrence and survival outcomes. Of 72 patients, 20 (27.8%) received NACT, while 52 (72.2%) underwent upfront surgery. In the NACT group, 15 (75%) received TPF chemotherapy for a median of 3 cycles. One patient (5%) had a complete response, and 13 (65%) had a partial response. The clinical benefit rate was 85%. Tumor downstaging occurred in 14 (70%) patients, with 6 (42.9%) requiring less extensive surgery. The mandibular preservation rate was 75%. The pathological complete response was 10%. Local and distant control rates, disease-free survival, and overall survival were comparable. Despite its retrospective design and small sample size, this study suggests that NACT can downstage tumors, improve response rates, and enable less extensive surgery in locally advanced tongue cancer.
Deshpande et al. (Tue,) studied this question.