What does the final biopsy show for my mom’s tongue surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother was diagnosed with tongue cancer, and the doctor suggested to operate. So, we operated at a cancer hospital, and we received a final biopsy report.

Squamous cell carcinoma. Moderately differentiated.
The depth of infiltration is 3 mm.
Re-revised base-unremarkable.
All mucosal and soft tissue margins are negative for malignancy
Lymph nodes (0/13) show reactive hyperplasia. Negative for malignancy.
pTNM: T1 N0 Mx.

Kindly guide.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your report (attachment removed to protect patient identity). As per it, it looks like she had stage I disease. No lymph node involvement. No other adverse factors.

I do not think there is any further need for radiation or chemotherapy. An initial three-monthly follow-up for recurrence for two years, then six-monthly, is enough.

Did she use to smoke or take alcohol? As these may increase the risk of second malignancy.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.