Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - comparative evaluation of pathological parameters in young and old patients

To evaluate pathological features of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to compare these pathological features in patients younger and older than 40 years.

All resection specimens of HNSCC between 2010 and 2013 evaluated. Tumor characteristics - grade, location (site) cervical node status, alongwith presence or absence of extranodal extension, lymphovascular invasion, gender and age - were extracted from surgical pathology reports.

Among these n=19 patients (21.8%) were 40 years or younger and n=68 patients (78.2%) were above 40 years of age. The mean age was 34 (20-40 years) in the younger group and 56 (42-86) in the older group. The most common location of HNSCC in both groups was the oral cavity. The analysis of histopathological features including grade of tumor, tumor size, extranodal extension and comparison between two groups do not show any significant difference.

There are no specific pathological characteristics of HNSCC in young patients. An interesting observation is that exposure to expected risk factors is similar in both groups, in younger patients they have less time to act and yet tumors are the same in terms of tumor size, lymph node status and lymphovascular invasion. Therefore further research is recommended to look for potentiating factors.