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

This retrospective study evaluated tumour volume, estimated by computed tomography (CT), as a predictive factor in carcinoma of the tongue. Tumour volume was measured from pretreatment CT scans of 20 consecutive patients, followed up for at least 3 years, and this measurement was compared with tumour volume estimated from pathological specimens. T-stage and CT-derived tumour volume were compared with the clinical and pathological status of the nodes, and with the outcome of treatment. The measurement of tumour volume derived from CT correlated well with measurements derived from pathological examination, and tumour volume also predicted 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-metastases staging system. Copyright 2000 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons