Malignancy grading and cytophotometric evaluation of T1 lip carcinomas

Histological malignancy grading using the score system set out by Jakobsson et al. in combination with static DNA cytofluorometry was applied to 20 T1 squamous cell carcinomas of the lower lip, 11 with and 9 without lymph node metastases. The mean malignancy score was 18.0 for tumours with metastases and 13.0 for those without (P less than 0.05, chi square test). Nuclear polymorphism, mode of invasion, vascular invasion, and cellular response were the single factors with the strongest influence. All but 3 carcinomas were DNA diploid, but DNA ploidy and proliferative activity (S-phase) yielded no prognostic information. However, hypertetraploid cells were found in all DNA diploid carcinomas with metastases, but in only half of those without (P less than 0.05).