TONGUE CANCER TREATED WITH BRACHYTHERAPY - IS THICKNESS OF TONGUE CANCER A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR FOR REGIONAL CONTROL

Background: We aimed to investigate the predisposing factor for lymph node metastasis and examine the influence of thickness for lymph node recurrence in oral tongue cancer. Methods: We analysed 254 patients wi th early oral tongue cancer (T1-2NO) who were treated with brachythera py from 1967 through 1985. Results: T category (p=0.005) and thickness (p=0.04) were identified as a significant predisposing factors for ne ck failure. 50%, 40% and 30% were the incidences of lymph node metasta sis for patients with thickness of tumor more than 11 mm, 6-10 mm and 5 mm or less. Furthermore, T category (largest diameter of lesion) cor relates strongly to thickness of tumor. Conclusions: Although it is no t an independent factor thickness is a significant predisposing factor for lymph node metastasis.