P0094 Tumour budding in oral squamous cell carcinomas as a prognostic factor

Abstract

Background Small oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are characterised by a highly variable prognosis. New prognostic factors are needed to give patients the optimum treatment. Budding is defined as a small group of tumour cells or buds with 1–5 cells at the tumour to stroma border, and is accepted as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if tumour budding can be a prognostic factor for OSCCs. Methods Tumour-tissue from 58 patients with primary, small OSCC, at stages T1/T2, N0, and M0, was collected from the ENT department, Rikshospitalet, Oslo. After diagnosis, patients were primarily treated by surgery and 62% with postoperative radiotherapy. Follow-up information was obtained from their medical records. Budding was detected by immunohistochemistry using anti-pan-keratin antibodies, and tumour budding was scored in the most invasive part of the tumour, registrating the field with most buds (200× magnification). Findings were correlated with treatment and follow-up information. Findings All the carcinomas stained positively for pan-keratin. The tumours were split into two groups: low-budding ( Interpretation Tumour budding in the tumour front was detected in most of the OSCCs, and a high number of buds were associated with a higher frequency of recurrent disease. This indicates a possible clinical value for use of such scoring.