Clinicopathologic parameters in predicting cervical nodal metastasis in early squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

A retrospective study of ninety patients with early squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity was undertaken to evaluate clinical and histopathologic parameters in predicting cervical lymph node metastasis. Medical records were examined for age, sex, primary site, growth pattern, and size. The specimens from biopsy and surgical excision were examined for the degree of differentiation, mode of invasion, tumor thickness, muscular invasion, vascular invasion, and inflammatory response. The mode of invasion and tumor thickness were important indicators in the prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis. Tumors with Grade 4 mode of invasion exceeding 3 mm in thickness or with Grade 3 and 4 modes of invasion and more than 6 mm in thickness had a high incidence of cervical nodal metastasis. These important prognostic variables were best evaluated in the deeper portions of the lesions.