The Effect of Correlation Between Prognostic Factors and Long-Term Mortality in Tongue Cancers

Abstract

The incidence of head and neck cancer is increasing in many parts of the world. Oral cavity cancer comprises approximately 3% of all types of cancer, and tongue cancer is the most common type of oral cavity cancer (1). Because a reliable epidemiological study has not yet been conducted, it is not possible to give a clear description of this subject in our country. Although head and neck cancer is usually diagnosed in the sixth decade of the patient's life, the prevalence among young patients (younger than 40 years) is increasing (2). Tongue cancer is more common in men; however, due to an increase in tobacco use, some studies have reported that the incidence of tongue cancer has increased among women as well.90% of the etiological factors of tongue cancer are associated with cigarettes, cigars, pipes, tobacco use, passive smoking, and alcohol consumption. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is also an infectious agent whose carcinogenic effects have been well proven (3). Other etiological factors are suppression of the immune system due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), long-term trauma secondary to the long-term use of inappropriate dentures, and poor oral hygiene.Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents over 90% of oral cavity and tongue cancer cases (4). Premalignant lesions are classified as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucosal fibrosis, and oral lichen planus; studies conducted on this subject state that 6.6%-36.4% of premalignant lesions progress to invasive carcinoma within 1.5-8.5 years. Compared to leukoplakia, erythroplakia has a higher risk of malignancy (5).The tumor stage, histopathologic stage, growth pattern, lymph nodes in the neck and distant metastasis, and classification of the tumor as secondary or primary are important factors in determining the prognosis and survival in neck cancer cases. In cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, lymph node metastasis in the neck is quite common, and patients clinically diagnosed with non-metastatic lymph nodes in the neck (N0) have a high rate of occult metastasis.After histopathological diagnosis, for staging, computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed. Positron emission tomography (PET) is used in the determination of distant metastases in advanced stage disease (6).The choice of treatment varies depending on the status of the primary tumor and locoregional lymph node involvement. Surgery and radiotherapy (RT) can be applied as primary treatments The Effect of Correlation Between Prognostic Factors and Long-Term Mortality in Tongue CancersObjective: The aim of this study was to review demographic data, prognostic factors, and the effect on mortality of patients who were treated for tongue cancer and followed up at our clinic.Methods: Data between 2000 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. This report includes data from 96 patients. Demographic data, dental prostheses, smoking and drinking habits, CVs, tumor characteristics, treatment methods, recurrence, distant metastasis, second primary tumor pre...