Year : 2024

Volume : Volume 16

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Shah Sweta Bipinchandra
bhagwannikita@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: The presence of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) plays a pivotal role in determining prognosis and is essential for enhancing survival rates among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to explore the relationship between the depth of tumor invasion and the likelihood of cervical LNM in patients with OSCC. Material and Methods: A total of 100 cases of OSCC, clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed, were gathered from the Bharat Cancer and Research Institute in Saroli, Surat. The primary focus of the study was the depth of invasion (DOI), while additional factors examined included age, sex, tumor location, and tumor size. Two histological parameters, namely the degree of differentiation and perineural invasion, were also evaluated to determine their relationship with cervical LNM. The latest American Joint Committee on Cancer system was utilized for microscopic measurement of tumor depth. Results: Approximately, 31% of patients with clinical negative and pathological positive lymph nodes exhibited a tumor depth of ≥10 mm, a result that holds statistical significance. Statistical significance was observed with a P ≤ 0.05. The prevalence of perineural invasion was observed in approximately 34% of clinical and pathological positive lymph nodes; however, this association did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). A notable correlation was identified between the degree of differentiation and the occurrence of cervical LNM. Conclusion: The DOI of OSCC (DOI) emerges as a significant prognostic indicator for the early identification of this malignancy