A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF TONGUE CARCINOMA: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES

Abstract

Background: Carcinoma of the tongue is a common and aggressive malignancy of the oral cavity, predominantly arising as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It is associated with high morbidity due to functional impairment of speech, swallowing, and aesthetics. Risk factors include tobacco use, betel quid chewing, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Despite advances in treatment, late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in improving survival outcomes.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, staging, and therapeutic outcomes of patients with carcinoma of the tongue in a tertiary care hospital setting.

Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 60 patients with histopathologically confirmed tongue carcinoma, conducted over 12 months in the Departments of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and ENT. Patients aged ≥18 years with primary tongue SCC were enrolled, while those with recurrent disease, metastatic lesions from other sites, or prior chemo-radiotherapy were excluded. Data on demographics, risk factors, clinical features, TNM staging, and treatment modalities were collected using a structured proforma and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were calculated as frequencies and percentages.

Results: Among 60 patients, 70% were male and 53.3% were aged 41–60 years. The lateral border of the tongue was the most commonly affected site (63.3%). Tobacco use was the predominant risk factor (66.7%), followed by smokeless tobacco (58.3%) and betel quid/areca nut chewing (50%). Clinically, non-healing ulcers (75%) and pain (63.3%) were the most frequent presentations, with cervical lymphadenopathy observed in 50% of patients. Most cases presented at advanced stages, with Stage III and IV accounting for 61.6% of patients. Treatment primarily involved surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (41.7%), while early-stage disease was managed with surgery alone (30%).

Conclusion: Tongue carcinoma predominantly affects middle-aged males and is strongly associated with tobacco, betel quid, and alcohol use. Late-stage presentation is common, contributing to increased morbidity and complex treatment requirements. Implementation of early detection programs, public awareness campaigns, and lifestyle modification initiatives is essential to reduce disease burden and improve clinical outcomes.