State of the Russian Oncology Service: malignant neoplasms of the tongue (C01, 02), age-specific incidence rate, localization and histological structure. Part 1

Malignant tongue neoplasms (C01, 02) belong to the group of rare visual tumor localizations. Only data on the primary tongue cancer registration can be obtained by the state statistics, mortality rate data are summarized and presented in the list of 14 headings of ICD-10-C00-14 - malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx, it is impossible to obtain any analytical characteristics at the All-Russian or regional level (the distribution of patients by stages of the disease, mortality of patients in the first year of observation, accumulated patient population, etc.). This information can be obtained only from the databases created by the Population-based Cancer Registries (PCR) of a country. Aim. The aim is to study the prevalence of tongue cancer and the detailed structure of morbidity, to calculate a number of analytical indicators characterizing tongue cancer at the population level of the Federal District for the first time in Russia. Materials and methods. Based on the materials of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), statistical reference books of the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncological Research Institute, our own extensive materials and the newly created PCR database at the level of the Northwestern Federal District of Russia, to study all the possible aspects set in the research objectives, using a set of methodological techniques recommended by the IARC, of which we are a member No. 221. Results. The study has shown that tongue cancer morbidity rate of the population (standardized indicator the world standard) in the various countries from 1970 to 2010 has increased slightly or maintained its level. In Russia, such an assessment can be carried out only from 1989 to 2018. During this period, the incidence of tongue cancer among males has increased from 2.2 to 2.43 0/0000, among females from 0.4 to 0.71 0/0000. In the Northwestern Federal District of the Russian Federation, the incidence of males has reached 2.69, females 0.82 0/0000. The mortality rate of patients in the first year of observation (PCR database) has decreased from 2000 to 2018 from 59.5 to 43.1%, but remains significantly above the EU average.

The First Pull-through Approach to a Tongue Tumor by Giorgio Regnoli in 1838

The aim of this article is to describe the first report of a “pull-through” submental approach for excision of a tongue tumor, performed by Giorgio Regnoli in 1838 on a 14-year-old girl affected by a huge swelling of the tongue, which obstructed the upper airway and hindered swallowing and speech. Regnoli made a midline submental incision, divided the mylohyoid muscle and the oral mucosa, and entered the floor of the mouth. The tongue was pulled into the neck through the newly created opening, and the tumor was circumscribed by thread loops to prevent bleeding and was excised. Then the tongue stump was repositioned in the oral cavity. The skin margins were approximated by bandages. Despite limited armamentarium, the operation was successful. The described approach, subsequently named “pull-through,” is still utilized nowadays for selected cases of tongue neoplasms when mandibular splitting is not required.