Comparison of the 7th and revised 8th UICC editions (2020) for oral squamous cell carcinoma: How does the reclassification impact staging and survival?

Abstract

Since its introduction in 1968, the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) classification established by the International Union Against Cancer has provided a consistent framework for staging of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The introduction of the 8th edition in 2017 brought about significant modifications, encompassing the integration of depth of invasion (DOI) and extranodal extension (ENE) into the T and N classifications. Further, the UICC the criteria for the T3 and T4a categories were amended in 2020. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of reclassification on staging and, subsequently, the survival of patients with OSCC. Primary OSCCs from 391 patients were classified according to the 7th and revised 8th UICC editions (2020). Stage migration was assessed, and stage-specific progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare the different stages. Cox-proportional hazard modeling was used to compare the two editions. Incorporating the DOI into the T classification resulted in an upstaging of 77 patients, constituting 19.69% of the cohort. In addition, 49 (12.53%) patients experienced an upstaging when considering ENE in the N classification. Consequently, 103 patients underwent upstaging in UICC staging, accounting for 21.74% of cases. Upstaging mainly occurred from stage III to IVA (26.92%) and from stage IVA to IVB (31.78%). Upon comparing the categories in survival analysis, significant differences in OS and PFS were especially observed between stage IVB and lower stages. When examining the hazard ratios, it became evident that UICC 8 stage IVB is burdened by a 5.59-fold greater risk of disease progression than stage I. Furthermore, UICC 8 stage IVB exhibits a 3.83 times higher likelihood of death than stage I disease. We demonstrated significant stage migration from the 7th to the revised 8th UICC edition. Overall, incorporating DOI and ENE into the T and N classifications represents a substantial clinical advancement, leading to a more accurate staging of OSCC patients. Both staging systems exhibited statistically significant discrimination between stages; however, the 8th UICC edition allowed for a more precise categorization of patients based on their prognosis and led to enhanced hazard discrimination, particularly within higher stages.

Prevalence and implications of bilateral and solely contralateral lymph node metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…The TNM classification underwent revision throughout the study period. For result consistency [ 13 ], patients initially categorized under the 7th TNM classification were restaged. Consequently, all patients were reclassified in accordance with the 8th TNM classification.…”

Diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography in assessing bone invasion in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…The TNM classification underwent revision during the study period. To maintain consistency in our findings [17], we reclassified patients initially categorized under the 7th TNM classification before 2017. As a result, all patients were categorized based on the 8th TNM classification.…”

The impact of tumor budding and single-cell invasion on survival in patients with stage III/IV locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma- results from a prospective cohort study

“…For instance, the effect of Depth Of Infiltration (DOI) as a histologic feature on disease prognosis was evident in several studies, which led to the incorporation of DOI in the T category in the current 8 th edition of both UICC and AJCC TNM classifications for oral cancer current TNM classification ( 3 ).…”