Purpose of review: 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.
Recent findings: 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.
Summary: 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.