Tumour volume estimated by computed tomography as a predictive factor in carcinoma of the tongue

This retrospective study evaluated tumour volume, estimated by computed tom ography (CT), as a predictive factor in carcinoma of the tongue, Tumour vol ume was measured from pretreatment CT scans of 20 consecutive patients, fol lowed up for at least 3 years, and this measurement was compared with tumou r volume estimated from pathological specimens. T-stage and CT-derived tumo ur volume were compared with the clinical and pathological status of the no des, and with the outcome of treatment. The measurement of tumour volume derived from CT correlated well with measu rements derived from pathological examination, and tumour volume also predi cted overall treatment failure, The disease-specific survival rate was 100% for patients with low-volume tumours (<13 cc) compared with 79% for those with stage T1 and T2 tumours. CT is a reliable way of measuring the volume of tumours in carcinoma of the tongue, and tumour volume is useful adjunct to the clinical tumour-node-me tastases staging system. (C) 2000 The British Association of Oral and Maxil lofacial Surgeons.