The effects of tumour thickness and size on cervical lymph node metastasis in tongue cancer

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the association between cervical lymph node metastasis and histopathological parameters related with tumour in oral tongue cancer patients. Material and Method: Thirty-six patients who underwent glossectomy combined with either unilateral or bilateral neck dissection with the diagnosis of anterior 2/3 tongue cancer were enrolled in the study. Data regarding tumour size, tumour thickness, perineural invasion, degree of differentiation, pathological cervical lymph node and extracapsular spread were retrieved from patients' files. Subsequently, we analyzed the association between these parameters and nodal metastasis. Results: There were 16 (44.4%) patients with nodal metastasis. There was no significance between tumour size (T) and nodal metastasis (p=0.702). Pathological lymph node incidence increased in accordance with tumour thickness. The percentage of lymph node metastasis was 20% in patients with tumor thickness <= 5mm and it was found 27.2% in those with thickness >5mm and <= 10mm. We showed that if the tumour thickness was > 10mm, <= 20mm or >20mm then the incidence of metastasis found higher as 58.3% and 62.5% respectively. However, we did not find a cut-off value for tumour thickness. There was no significance between perineural invasion and nodal metastasis (p=0.478). Discussion: Tongue cancer shows high risk of cervical lymph node metastasis even at early stages. We suggest to perform neck dissection in all patients who have high risk of occult metastasis inrelation with poor prognosis.