Evaluation of neck node metastasis from oral cancer in an Indian population: A comparative pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical node metastasis in oral cancer is anindicatorofadvanceddisease.Itisthereforeimportant to evaluate neck node involvement as a predictor of progressionandtreatmentplanning. Materials & Methods: Eleven patients with age range between38to63years(medianage54years)undergoing neck dissection simultaneously with the resection of primaryintraoralsquamouscellcarcinomaformedthebasis of the present study.A pre-operative assessment of neck by clinical examination, ultrasonography and computed tomographyscanwasdone,whichwasthencomparedto the histopathological assessment. The histopathological examinationformedthereference. Results: The percentage of sensitivity by clinical examination was 46%. The percentage of sensitivity by ultrasonogramwas69%.Thepercentageofsensitivityby computed tomography (CT scan) was 85%. These were againstthehistopathologicalexamination. Conclusion: The study reported an error of almost 50%for the clinical examination alone. The margin of error decreases when combining ultrasonography or CT scan in the examination. However, in the existing economic condition in India, even the use of CT scan can be prohibitive. Nevertheless, it is advised to combine other diagnostic modalities during the clinical examination of cervicalmetastasis.