ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Oral cavity carcinoma is an aggressive tumor, with the tongue being one of the most common subsites of involvement. Surgery is a gold standardmethod of dealing with advanced-stage tumors. However, for early-stage carcinomas of the tongue, the management remains controversial. Several studies have indicated that early-stage cancers have a high chance of occult cervical node metastasis, which, if left untreated, can greatly affect the prognosis. Certain parameters can help identify patients with occult cervical node metastases, and can avoid unnecessary neck dissection in node negative patients. Tumor thickness is one such objective parameter. Objective To estimate the frequency of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with early-stage, node-negative (N0) squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Methods In-patient hospital data was reviewed from January 2013 until March 2014, and 78 patients who underwent primary resection of the tumor and neck dissection for biopsy-proven, early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were included. Data such as tumor thickness, tumor differentiation and presence of occult nodal metastasis in the surgical specimen were gathered from the histopathology reports. The frequency of subclinical cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue was estimated. Results A total of 69% of the patients with tumor thicknesses > 5 mm had tumor metastases in the neck nodes, while 100% of the patients with tumor thicknesses < 5 mm had no neck nodal metastasis. Conclusion A tumor thickness > 5 mm is significantly associated with subclinical metastasis, and prophylactic neck dissection is warranted in such cases.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the head and neck, with the buccal mucosa being the most common site involved. Early locoregional metastasis is a hallmark of this disease, and early stage tumors may harbor metastatic nodes that are occult. Certain parameters can help identify high-risk patients for whom the pattern of occult nodal metastasis can be predicted. Tumor thickness is one such objective parameter. Objective To determine the relationship of tumor thickness with neck node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa. Methods A retrospective chart review of 102 patients with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa with N0 Necks was performed. All patients underwent tumor resection with neck dissection, and the tumor thickness was measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results A total of 102 patients, of which 73.53% were males and 26.47% were females. Themean age of the patients was 49.3 ± 11.1 years. It was found that the risk of neck node metastasis in buccal squamous cell carcinoma increases 35.5 times for a tumor thickness ≥ 2 mm, and the risk of neck nodemetastasis in buccal squamous cell carcinoma decreases by 0.58 times for each centimeter decrease in tumor size, while the rate of occult neck lymph node metastasis was found to be 37%. Conclusion We conclude that tumor thickness is significantly related with neck nodal metastasis in buccal squamous cell carcinoma, considering the age of the patient and the size of the tumor.