Relationship of biopsy and final specimens in evaluation of tumor thickness in floor of mouth carcinoma.

A number of studies have suggested that tumor thickness may be a valuable prognostic indicator in the evaluation of head and neck cancers. This study examined the relationship between tumor thickness measured in preliminary biopsy specimens with the final specimens obtained in 31 patients with floor of mouth epidermoid carcinoma. There was a significant statistical correlation between biopsy and final specimens. The Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was 0.58, which corresponded to a significance level of P < .0005. The results of this study showed that those patients who had biopsies with a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm were likely to have final specimens with a thickness less than 2 mm. All patients with a thickness greater than 2 mm had a final specimen with a thickness greater than 3.5 mm. Modification of current biopsy techniques may result in values more predictive of final thickness measurements.