Carcinoma of the dorsum of the tongue

Background. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anterior two thirds of the tongue is the second most common oral cancer, with the lateral border bein g the most common location. Squamous cell carcinoma of the dorsum of the to ngue is exceedingly rare and has been described in the past as a myth or mi sdiagnosis. The clinical diagnosis of SCC on the dorsum of the tongue is di fficult because it may be mimicked by a wide variety of benign and premalig nant lesions, including granular cell myoblastoma, erosive lichen planus, m edial rhomboid glossitis, and amyloidosis. In this study we re-evaluate the entity of SCC of the dorsum of the tongue. Methods. We reviewed 5 large series of carcinoma of the tongue, which inclu de accurate documentation of the topographic location of the carcinoma. We also describe 5 cases of SCC of the dorsum of the tongue from our own serie s of 99 patients with carcinoma of the tongue. Results. In all 6 series, carcinoma of the dorsum of the tongue was present in 3 to 5% of the carcinomas of the tongue. Conclusion. Although rare, SCC of the dorsum of the tongue exists and may b e mimicked by benign conditions, thus SCC should be suspected when diagnosi ng lesions of this area of the tongue. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.