Functional and oncologic results following transoral laser microsurgical excision of base of tongue carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine survival and functional results in patients who underwent transoral laser excision of base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a case series with chart review.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with biopsy-proven base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma primarily treated with transoral laser excision and followed for at least 24 months were included. Disease-specific and overall survival data were determined. Quality-of-life data were obtained using the University of Washington Quality of Life instrument.

RESULTS: Of the 71 patients treated, one (1.4%), nine (12.7%), seven (9.9%), and 54 (76.1%) were stage I, II, III, and IV, respectively, at diagnosis. At 24 months, overall survival was 90 percent; disease-specific survival was 94 percent. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 10 percent. Given the low number of deaths, no significance was detectable between survival and gender, overall stage, tumor size, nodal status, or adjuvant therapy. Quality-of-life data, obtained for 46 patients, revealed the majority of patients had mild or no pain, minimally impaired to normal swallowing, and normal speech.

CONCLUSION: Transoral laser excision offers an acceptable treatment approach in terms of survival and quality of life for patients with base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.