Tumor size and its relation to cervical lymph node metastasis and its significance as a prognostic indicator for oral squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

Context: Oral cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the Indian scenario, oral cancer is the second most common cancer. The presence of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy is of particular importance as with every single nodal metastasis, survival of the patient is reduced by one half. Thus, regional metastasis is one of the most important factors in the prognosis and treatment planning of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. The inaccuracies in clinical examination have been well documented and the diagnostic imaging modalities have been shown to have superior diagnostic accuracy in detecting occult nodal metastasis Considering the numerous uncertainties regarding the progression, management and outcome of oral cancers, an attempt was made to detect the role of tumor size as a predictive indicator for lymph node metastasis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Aim of the Study: The aims of the present study was to evaluate tumor size and its relation to cervical lymph node metastasis and its significance as a prognostic indicator for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs); and to identify and evaluate inaccuracies of the clinical diagnostic criteria with the help of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: A total number of 27 patients (12 oral cancer-alveolus, 8 oral cancer-tongue, 7 oral cancer-buccal mucosa) attending as out-patients were included in the study. The patients clinically diagnosed and histopathologically proven to have oral squamous cell carcinoma were examined and were evaluated for the tumour size and lymph node status with the help of MRI. Statistical Analysis Used: Values of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were calculated. Paired t-test was performed for evaluating size of the tumor and lymph node recorded on clinical and imaging findings. Results: 40% cases were found to be true positive for detecting metastasis using clinical diagnostic criteria whereas 55% cases were found to be true positive for detecting metastasis using imaging criteria. The paired t-test value for the difference in tumor size between clinical and imaging staging was statistically significant (P