COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY OF TONGUE AND FLOOR OF MOUTH MALIGNANCY

Abstract

Malignant tumors of the oropharynx, the floor of mouth, and the oral cavity represent 2-5 % of all malignancies. Ninety per cent of these tumors are squamous cell carcmomas. Extra-nodal manifestations of malignant lymphoma are the next most frequent malignant tumors of this region. Other histological types of tumors are rare. Adenoid cystic carcinoma arises in the minor salivary glands, and shows infiltrative growth, spreading preferably along nerves. This tumor is known for its tendency to recur, even year after apparently successful therapy. Sarcoma also can occur, in childhood, rhabdomyosarcoma is the most frequently seen malignant tumor ofthis area. Most of these tumors show a predominantly superficial

spread. Depending on their l-ocation, size, and histological differentiation, they metastasize early to the regional submandibular and jugular digastric lymph nodes. The . patient's prognosis is ultimately determined by the degree of metastasis