A retrospective study of correlation of tumour thickness with nodal spread in anterior tongue cancer

Vidhyasagar M. Sharma; Sushil D. Akruwala

doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20180834

Authors

Vidhyasagar M. Sharma Department of Surgery, GCS Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Sushil D. Akruwala Department of Surgery, GCS Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20180834

Keywords:

Carcinoma, Neck dissection, Tongue

Abstract

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue is characterized by a high propensity for cervical nodal metastasis, which affects the probability of regional control and survival. Many histopathologic parameters in tongue squamous cell carcinoma have been identified as predictive factors for cervical metastasis. Several studies focused on tumor thickness, and the depth of invasion was suggested to have a relationship to the occurrence of cervical metastasis.

Methods: The medical records of 134 primary tongue carcinomas operated without any preoperative therapy. Author conducted a retrospective study of anterior tongue cancer cases operated at the institute in the department of surgery between April 2012 till March 2017 and studied the correlation between tumour thickness and nodal spread. Each patient's tumor type, tumor location, tumor size, invasion mode, depth of invasion, intralymphatic tumor emboli, and perineural invasion were evaluated.

Results: The overall cervical metastatic rate was 56.71%. In the group in which tumor depth exceeded 5mm, the metastatic rate was 77.77% (70/90). In contrast, when the depth of invasion was less than 5mm, the incidence of cervical metastasis was 13.63% (6/44). Clinically negative necks turned out pathologically positive in 28.39%.

Conclusions: It was observed that there is a discerning point at 5mm of tumor depth at which cervical metastasis is probable. Elective neck therapy (surgery or irradiation) is strongly indicated for tumors exceeding 5mm invasion.

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