Clinical and histopathologic parameters in survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the relevance of clinical and histopathologic parameters on survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients in Sri Lanka. Study Design. A cohort of 193 previously diagnosed OSCC patients were followed for up to 5 years. Clinical and histopathologic parameters were analyzed regarding local recurrence and 5-year survival after treatment. Results. Site, stage, local recurrence, degree of differentiation, degree of keratinization, pattern of invasion, and status of the excision margins showed a significant association with the 5-year survival (P<.05). Multivariate analysis identified stage, pattern of invasion, and status of the excision margins as true independent prognostic indicators of OSCC. Pattern of invasion was the best prognosticator of both local recurrence and overall survival in the Cox regression model (P<.001). Conclusions. Stage, pattern of invasion, and status of the excision margins are superior prognostic indicators of OSCC compared with other parameters. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.