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Prognostic significance of venous invasion in node‐negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Gopinath Arun,
Mubeen Aysha,
Baskovich Brett,
Mohammed Ibraheem,
Makary Raafat,
Hoy Erica S.,
Dagan Roi,
Smotherman Carmen,
Gautam Shiva,
Fernandes Rui P.,
Bunnell Anthony M.,
Pirgousis Phillip,
Alkhasawneh Ahmad
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/jop.12975
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , lymph node , univariate analysis , stain , pathology , oncology , clinical significance , head and neck cancer , carcinoma , cancer , staining , multivariate analysis
Background Venous invasion (VI) is not frequently evaluated on routine histologic examination of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the prognostic significance is largely unknown. Studies have shown that extramural venous invasion is an adverse prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the prognostic significance of venous invasion in node‐negative (without clinical or pathologic evidence of lymph node involvement) HNSCC, utilizing the elastic stain. Methods A total of 105 consecutive lymph node‐negative (N0) HNSCC were evaluated for the presence of venous channel invasion by tumor utilizing the elastin stain. Clinical, demographic, and follow‐up data were recorded. Results Of 37 patients with venous invasion, 19% had loco‐regional recurrence, as opposed to 12% of those without. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant decreased recurrence‐free survival in the presence of venous invasion (log‐rank [Mantel‐Cox] test P ‐value .025). Conclusion Identification of VI is greatly aided by elastic stain. In patients with node‐negative HNSCC, presence of VI resulted in decreased recurrence‐free survival on univariate analysis. The impact of VI as a prognostic marker should be further evaluated.