Total glossectomy in the organ preservation era

Total or subtotal glossectomy is considered a highly morbid procedure. However, in some institutions and in selected cases of unsuccessful chemoradiation regimens, it is performed with acceptable oncological and functional outcomes.Chemoradiation for advanced oral and oropharyngeal cancers is also highly morbid and some authors reported reasonable functional results after major glossectomies. Also, there is a lack of prospective trials comparing the long-term outcome between chemoradiation and major glossectomies.Total and/or subtotal glossectomies with immediate reconstruction can be performed in highly selected patients with advanced oral or base of the tongue carcinomas, as a primary or salvage procedure, with acceptable outcomes.