Oral Dis. 2022 Mar 22. doi: 10.1111/odi.14193. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) represents the most common malignancy of the oral cavity. Tumor budding (TB) is a reliable prognostic factor in OTSCC; however, a standardized scoring system is not still validated. The study aims to evaluate the prognostic role of TB in 211 OTSCC patients treated between 1997-2018. TB was evaluated on haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections in the hotspot area of the infiltrative front (×200-magnification). It was scored using a two-tier, a three-tier system, and according to BD-model and revised-Grading system. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses of disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were performed. A p-values<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The two-tier and three-tier system resulted an independent prognostic factor of DSS. High-risk patients had a 2.21 and 3.08 times-increased probability of poor DSS compared to low-risk group. It is significantly increased even for intermediate-risk group. No significant differences emerged classifying patients according to BD-model and revised-Grading. These data confirm the prognostic value of TB in predicting DSS in OTSCC. Classifying patients in two groups using the 5-buds cut-off significantly discriminates their outcomes. Since the established role of DOI and the poor prognostic value of grading, TB could be considered an independent prognostic marker.
PMID:35316866 | DOI:10.1111/odi.14193
