How do you manage locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the base of tongue?

This is typically a surgical disease being minor-salivary gland, followed by adjuvant radiation therapy as needed. These do not normally respond to radiation therapy alone well at all. The question is what if the patient cannot tolerate or refuses surgical resection?

Agree- it is likely mucosal minor salivary gland origin. It is essential to consult a pathologist specializing in HNC regarding the exact pathologic diagnosis and differentiation. Low-grade indolent entities such as polymorphous adenoca require surgery alone if negative margins. Adenoid cystic ca re...

Surgery followed by post op RT is standard for most salivary gland malignancies and adeno ca of tongue base is regarded as originating from the minor salivary glands. However, there are nuances to this case from a functional outcome viewpoint. For a relatively small and well lateralized tumor that c...

Surgery and postop RT.

Agree with the previous answers/comments. I do, however, have an interesting case to share. A patient presented with extensive bilateral base of tongue adenocarcinoma infiltrating the vallecula with bilateral neck adenopathy. Interestingly, it was p16 positive. The patient declined primary surgical ...