CANCER OF THE ORAL CAVITY, JAWS AND THROAT

Abstract

Electrothermic methods are peculiarly adapted to the treatment of cancer within the mouth. Malignant tissue (including bone) occurring in any part of the oral cavity, comprising the lips, buccal surface, tongue, floor of the mouth, alveolus, hard palate, antrum, tonsils, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx and proximal end of the esophagus, may be destroyed with one electrothermic operation. It is not necessary to split the cheek surgically to render a growth accessible to treatment, since the exposure secured by the use of a mouth gag, cheek retractors, traction on tongue by means of a suture or tongue forceps, or by the use of an endoscope is sufficient to permit the destruction of a growth. A tongue may be coagulated to the base and then excised without hemorrhage. In addition to the desiccation or coagulation of tissues and the sealing of blood and lymph channels, the heat penetrates beyond the area totally destroyed