Is total glossectomy for advanced carcinoma of the tongue justified?
Advanced SCC of the tongue is a devastating disease causing severe pain and disorders of speech and swallowing. Total glossectomy (with or without total laryngectomy) and postoperative radiotherapy is a reasonable treatment option, particularly in the developing world setting. It has cure rates superior to primary radiotherapy, and provides motivated patients with excellent pain relief and a reasonable quality of life.
Helium might be an alternative to CO2 insufflation in patients with peritonitis if these results are confirmed by further experimental and clinical trials.