Does adverse histopathological features like perineural invasion, depth of invasion and lymphovascular invasion warrant adjuvant treatment in early oral squamous cell carcinoma?

Abstract

Background: We know from the existing literature that perineural invasion (PNI), lymphovascular invasion , and depth of invasion (DOI) are important prognostic factor that influence locoregional control in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, there is a lack of robust data in literature to recommend adjuvant treatment when one or more of these soft adverse factors are present in early stage OSCC. Patients and Methods: All treatment naive, early OSCC who received definitive treatment in the form of surgery in the institute between March 2010 and December 2013. The clinical and demographic details, histopathological features, and follow-up details were collected. Factors influencing the recurrence-free survival (RFS), including the soft adverse factors, were analyzed. Results: Of the 332 OSCC patients, 70 patients satisfied the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. Majority of them were men (54%), with a mean age of 59 years. All of them underwent surgery and a few received adjuvant treatment (n = 9). PNI was seen in 9% (n = 6) of the cases, median DOI was 6 mm, lymphovascular emboli was seen in only one patients. PNI was the only soft adverse factor, which influenced the RFS on univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusion: In the present study, PNI seems to be an important soft adverse factor, which influences the RFS. Adding adjuvant radiotherapy may benefit these patients. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the need for adjuvant treatment in presence of soft adverse factors, especially PNI, in early OSCC to prevent recurrence.