THE ASSOCIATION OF CARCINOMA OF THE TONGUE AND SYPHILIS

Clinical experience at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, where both cancer and syphilis are seen in large numbers, has generally confirmed the opinion as to the frequency of the association of the two conditions in the tongue.

Abstract

Recent literature contains many references to the frequent association of carcinoma of the tongue and syphilis of the tongue. In discussing this subject in 1929, Parounagian 1 made the following statement: The majority of cases I have seen of cancer of the tongue usually begin on a syphilitic base, i. e., gumma turning to cancer. Eller and Anderson 2 state their belief that cancer of the tongue and tertiary syphilis of this organ are associated in 60 per cent of the cases. These two statements substantially confirm earlier German figures relating to the occurrence of cancer of the oral cavity on preexisting syphilitic lesions or their residua. Clinical experience at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, where both cancer and syphilis are seen in large numbers, has generally confirmed our opinion as to the frequency of the association of the two conditions in the tongue. Many cases of cancer arising