Depth of Invasion as Tumor Indicator in Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in OSCC

Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity is the 6th common cancer of the world and a major source of malignancy around the world. The best prognostic indicators for the occult lymph node metastasis are tumor depth of invasion and lymph node biopsies. SAMPLE ABSTRACT: Aims:. This study was conducted to assess the association of tumor depth of invasion and lymph nodes metastasis in oral cancer diagnosis at its initial stage. Study design: Cross-Sectional Study design. Place and Duration of Study:. Ziauddin Hospital, North Nazimabad campus, Karachi. January 2021 to January 2022. Methodology: This Cross sectional study was conducted at the Ziauddin hospital, North nazimabad after Ziauddin University Ethical Review Committee approval (Reference Code: 0330618FAOM).140 biopsied surgical resection specimen slides were included the slides were evaluated by 3 investigators. Results: . The mean age of 140 OSCC was found to be 46.87 ± 12.25 years. 80.7% of study population comprised of males. 50% of patients had T4 stage. Moderately differentiated grade (89.3%) was the most predominnant grade observed in this study. on the basis of DOI the patients were divided into 2 groups. One Group with Depth of invasion upto 4 mm and second group with Depth of invasion >4 mm. depth of invasion above 4 mm was found in 82.1% and without nodal metastasis(40.7%). The mean tumor size was was found to be 4.36± 2.433 mm and tumor thickness was 1.95±1.48 mm. and the most common anatomical site was found to be buccal mucosa (73.6%). T Stage and Nodal status,Tumour thicknes showed significant association with depth of invasion with p values 0.001, 0.023 and 0.002 respectively. Conclusion: The tumor depth of invasion is found to be an important variable that can be related with metastasis in Oral cancer as our study showed its significant association with lymph node meatastasis.