From the Guidelines
Carcinoma glossus should be treated with a multidisciplinary approach, including surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, with the goal of preserving organ function and improving survival rates, as recommended by the ESMO guidelines 1.
Diagnosis and Staging
The diagnosis of carcinoma glossus involves staging the tumor according to the TNM system, which categorizes tumors into different stages based on their size, location, and spread to lymph nodes or distant sites 1. This staging system helps guide treatment decisions and predict outcomes.
Treatment Options
Treatment options for carcinoma glossus depend on the stage and location of the tumor. For early-stage disease, surgery alone may be sufficient, while advanced cases require multimodal therapy, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy 1.
- Surgical approaches include partial glossectomy or total glossectomy for extensive disease.
- Radiation therapy typically involves 60-70 Gy delivered over 6-7 weeks.
- Chemotherapy agents like cisplatin may be added for advanced cases.
Chemoradiotherapy
Chemoradiotherapy, concomitant or alternated treatment, is recommended for unresectable tumors, as it has been shown to be superior to radiotherapy alone for response rate, disease-free, and overall survival 1. Platinum-based regimens remain the standard chemotherapy for concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Follow-up and Rehabilitation
Post-treatment follow-up and rehabilitation are crucial for maintaining quality of life and detecting any potential recurrences early. This includes regular surveillance and rehabilitation focusing on speech and swallowing.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Risk factors for carcinoma glossus include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, HPV infection, and chronic irritation. Early detection significantly improves prognosis, with 5-year survival rates ranging from over 80% for early-stage disease to less than 40% for advanced cases.
From the Research
Carcinoma Glossus
- Carcinoma of the tongue, also known as carcinoma glossus, is a type of oral cancer that affects the tongue.
- The treatment options for carcinoma glossus include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the stage and location of the tumor 2.
- Surgical resection is considered the primary treatment for early-stage tongue cancer, with the goal of removing the tumor and preserving the function of the tongue 3, 2.
- The classification of glossectomy, which is the surgical removal of part or all of the tongue, can help predict the oncological outcomes of patients with tongue cancer 3.
- Imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, and intraoral US can be used to evaluate the depth of invasion of the tumor, with intraoral US being the most accurate method for T1 and T2 tumors 4.
- The treatment of carcinoma glossus should be individualized based on the specific characteristics of the tumor and the patient, and may involve a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy 5, 2.