RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: We have previously reported that the histologic mode of invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a significant risk factor for pain. Here we sought to determine whether pain is a risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with OSCC. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the relationships between overall survival rates and clinicopathologic variables, including gender, age, T- and N-stages, pathologic findings, and pain in 109 consecutive patients with untreated OSCC. RESULTS: Of these 109 patients, 40 (37%) reported spontaneous pain. Univariate analysis showed that the overall survival rates of patients with spontaneous pain was significantly lower than those of patients without pain (P = .002). Multivariate analysis revealed that spontaneous pain and N-stage were significant independent predictors of overall survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report showing that spontaneous pain before treatment may be associated with poor prognosis in patients with OSCC.
