Prognostic impact of lymphovascular and perineural invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of lymphovascular and perineural invasions in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue who received surgery-based treatment at our institution between January 2013 and December 2020. Patients were divided into four groups based on the presence of perineural (P−/P +) and lymphovascular invasions (V−/V +): P–V−, P–V + , P + V−, and P + V + . Log-rank and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between perineural /lymphovascular invasion and overall survival (OS). Altogether, 127 patients were included, and 95 (74.8%), 8 (6.3%), 18 (14.2%), and 6 (4.7%) cases were classified as P–V−, P–V + , P + V−, and P + V + , respectively. Pathologic N stage (pN stage), tumor stage, histological grade, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and postoperative radiotherapy were significantly associated with OS (p < 0.05). OS was significantly different among the four groups (p < 0.05). Significant between-group differences in OS were detected for node-positive (p < 0.05) and stage III–IV (p < 0.05) cases. OS was the worst in the P + V + group. Lymphovascular and perineural invasions are independent negative prognostic factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Patients with lymphovascular and/or perineural invasion may have significantly poorer overall survival than those without neurovascular involvement.

Tumor Neurobiology in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer

“…Perineural invasion (PNI) is a common pathological feature found in cancers of nerverich regions, such as prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and head and neck cancers [40]. PNI has long been a focus of research because it is considered a route of metastasis in addition to the vascular and lymphatic channels, and multiple studies have associated PNI with an unfavorable prognosis [40][41][42][43]. In this chapter, the main features and mechanisms of PNI are presented, and the limitations in diagnosis are also discussed.…”

Heavy metal exposure as a risk factor in oral cancer

“…Oral cancer, accounting for approximately 355,000 cases annually, ranks as the 16th most prevalent malignant neoplasm globally 3 Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 90% of oral cancers, with two-thirds of these cases occurring in developing nations. 4 The asymptomatic and benign conditions in the early stages of oral cancer prevent patients from seeking early care.…”