Association of lymph vessel density with occult lymph node metastasis and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Author(s)

Faustino, Simone E. S. ^[1] ; Tjioe, Kellen C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Assao, Agnes ^[1] ; Pereira, Michele C. ^[3] ; Carvalho, Andre L. ^[4] ; Kowalski, Luiz P. ^[5] ; Oliveira, Denise T. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Bauru Sch Dent, Dept Surg Stomatol Pathol & Radiol, Area Pathol, Alameda Octavio Pinheiro Brisolla 9-75, BR-17012901 Bauru, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Aracatuba Sch Dent, Oral Oncol Ctr, Aracatuba, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Joao del Rei, Midwest Campus Dona Lindu, Divinopolis, MG - Brazil

^[4] Barretos Canc Hosp, Dept Head & Neck Surg, Barretos, SP - Brazil

^[5] AC Camargo Hosp, Dept Head & Neck Surg & Otorhinolaryngol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BMC ORAL HEALTH; v. 21, n. 1 MAR 11 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to determine intra (ILVD) and peritumoral (PLVD) lymphatic vessel density (LVD), and to investigate the relationship of LVD with occult metastasis and prognosis.MethodsEighty-seven oral squamous cell carcinomas, in clinical stages I or II, arising in the tongue or floor of the mouth were stained with podoplanin. Lymphatic vessels were quantified in intra and peritumoral areas by sequential analysis and hot spot evaluation. Associations of the ILVD and PLVD with clinicopathologic parameters were determined by Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. The 5 and 10-year survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier and compared using the log-rank test.ResultsNo significant association was observed between ILVD or PLDV and clinicopathologic variables including occult lymph node metastasis, or clinical follow-up. However, ILVD showed a significant association with regional recurrence (p=0.040). The perineural invasion was associated with PLVD (p=0.041). Disease-specific (p=0.044) and disease-free survivals (p=0.016) had significant association with PLVD.ConclusionsThe intra or peritumoral lymphatic vessel density had no predictive value for occult lymph node metastasis in the early stages of oral cancer arising in the tongue or floor of mouth. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/04577-4 - Influence of VEGF-C and lymphatic vessel density on regional metastasis and prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
• Grantee: Denise Tostes Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/04907-0 - VEGF-C and lymphatic vessel density in oral squamous cell carcinoma: association with occult lymph node metastases and patients' prognosis
• Grantee: Simone Eloiza Sita Faustino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate