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Prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue/floor of mouth
Author(s) -
Woolgar Julia A.,
Scott John
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.2880170603
Subject(s) - floor of mouth , tongue , lymph node metastasis , basal cell , medicine , cervical lymph nodes , tongue neoplasm , metastasis , lymph node , carcinoma , oncology , pathology , cancer
Background. Cervical lymph node metastasis has a major influence on survival in oral cancer. However, the factors influencing its occurrence are uncertain. Our aim was to improve the prognostic efficiency of the histologic assessment of the primary tumor in predicting metastasis in an individual patient. Methods. The relationship between selected clinical and histologic features of the primary tumor of tongue/floor of the mouth and the actual metastatic status was investigated in 45 patients. Invasive cell grading was supplemented by histologic measurements of tumor size and assessments of vascular and perineural invasion. Results. Ten histologic features showed significant differences in relation to metastasis. A logistic regression model with two predictor variables (total histologic malignancy score and vascular invasion) classified correctly 39 (87%) of the 45 cases. Conclusions. Histologic assessment of tumor size and malignancy grade are useful in predicting metastasis. Vascular and perineural invasion are important predictors and should be included in multifactorial malignancy grading schemes. Application of the prognostic index to the biopsy specimen would aid in treatment planning. © 1995 Jons Wiley & Sons, Inc.