A 62-year-old alcoholic presents with an indurated ulcer, 1.5 cm in length, in the left lateral aspect of her tongue (not fixed to the alveolar ridge). There are no clinically abnormal glands palpable in the neck, and a biopsy of the tongue lesion reveals squamous cell carcinoma What should she undergo?Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma
High-Yield Explanation
Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue frequently (40-60%) metastasizes to the lymph glands. Carcinoma of the tongue usually commences at the tip or side. The 5-year survival rate for carcinoma of the tongue is 40%, but it improves to 55% if lymph nodes are not involved.