Perineural Invasion in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity: Histology, Tumor Stage, and Outcome. (14th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laske, Roman D.; Scholz, Irene; Ikenberg, Kristian; Meerwein, Christian; Vital, Domenic G.; Studer, Gabriela; Rössle, Matthias; Huber, Gerhard F.
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology. Volume 1:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2016-01-14
• Subjects: Perineural invasion -- head and neck -- squamous cell carcinoma -- oral -- histology; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Laryngoscopy -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology; Otolaryngology; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1002/lio2.4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2378-8038

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives/Hypothesis: To analyze the impact of different types of perineural invasion (PNI) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity on overall survival and recurrence rate, with a special focus on histologic subtypes and tumor stage. Study Design: Retrospective case‐control study with clinicopathological analysis. Methods: Seventeen patients who received primary surgical treatment for SCC of the oral cavity with PNI were matched to a control group. In a histologic review, PNI was classified into subtypes according to an adapted Liebig classification. The term type A was used to describe tumor invasion into the nerve, whereas type B was used to describe circumferential growth around the nerve. Clinical charts were reviewed, and a Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was performed. Results: The recurrence‐free survival rates were 47.1% versus 80.4% (PNI vs. matched control group, P < 0.05), 60.0% versus 94.1% (PNI in stage I and II disease vs. matched control group, P < 0.05) and 41.7% versus 73.5% (PNI in stage III and IV disease vs. matched control group, P < 0.05). In most cases (n = 9) of PNI, both histologic subtypes (type A and type B) were present. Five cases exclusively showed type A, and three cases exclusively showed type B. Conclusions: Perineural invasion in early disease oral carcinoma has a particularly high impact on survival. Both histologic subtypes showed a significantly worse recurrence‐free survival rate when compared to the control group. Level of Evidence: 3.