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Tumor budding is an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a single center retrospective study
Author(s) -
Fujimoto Masakazu,
Yamamoto Yuki,
Matsuzaki Ibu,
Warigaya Kenji,
Iwahashi Yoshifumi,
Kojima Fumiyoshi,
Furukawa Fukumi,
Murata Shinichi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/cup.12740
Subject(s) - tumor budding , pathology , medicine , metastasis , nodal , h&e stain , budding , cancer , oncology , lymph node metastasis , immunohistochemistry , biology , genetics
Background Although tumor budding is acknowledged as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis in certain types of carcinoma, it is not well investigated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In this study, we analyzed the correlation between tumor budding and nodal metastasis in cutaneous SCC. Methods Histopathologic specimens of 15 metastasizing and 144 non‐metastasizing cutaneous SCC were retrospectively reviewed. Cut‐off point for tumor budding was determined at five or more foci of an isolated cancer cell or a cluster comprising <5 cells /1.23 mm 2 in the invasive front of the tumor under hematoxylin and eosin sections. Results Tumor budding was positive in 93.3% of metastasizing cutaneous SCC and 25.7% of non‐metastasizing cutaneous SCC, respectively (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, tumor budding was an independent risk factor for nodal metastasis among the other risk factors (tumor size, tumor thickness, Clark level and poor differentiation) (p = 0.0021). In combination with tumor thickness >4 mm, tumor budding became a better marker for predicting nodal metastasis (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 84.7%). Conclusions In our cohort, tumor budding was an independent risk factor for nodal metastasis. Our data suggests the promising role of tumor budding in risk evaluation of cutaneous SCC.