Investigating therapeutic possibilities for treatment of perineural invasion

Abstract

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a pathological diagnosis whereby tumour cells infiltrate the perineural space of a peripheral nerve. This can lead to perineural spread (PNS) with dissemination of tumour cells away from the original tumour mass eventuating in a sensory or motor deficit. PNI is an accepted risk factor for poorer prognosis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN) with increased locoregional recurrence, more aggressive disease and metastasis. Not exclusive to cutaneous malignancies, it also portends poorer prognosis in colorectal, cervical, gastric and prostate cancers. Despite its prognostic ramifications, PNI and PNS are poorly understood forms of I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.