Prediction of Extranodal Extension in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Demographic and Clinicopathological...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Oral Pathology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Cervical lymph node metastasis is a key prognostic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
• Extranodal extension (ENE) in metastatic nodes significantly worsens patient prognosis.
• Accurate preoperative prediction of ENE is crucial for treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, preoperative model for predicting ENE in OSCC.
• To identify demographic and clinicopathological factors associated with ENE.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1098 OSCC patients who underwent neck dissection (ND).
• Statistical analysis using Chi-square tests, univariable, and multivariable logistic regressions.
• Evaluation of predictive model accuracy using 10-fold cross-validation and AUC.

Main Results:

• 16.85% of patients exhibited ENE.
• Multivariable analysis identified female gender, tongue OSCC, increasing T category, DOI, and dyscohesive WPOI as predictors of ENE.
• The developed model demonstrated acceptable diagnostic accuracy with AUCs ranging from 0.655 to 0.842.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully developed a predictive model for ENE in OSCC.
• Female gender, tongue tumors, increasing tumor size, DOI, and dyscohesive WPOI are associated with a higher risk of ENE.
• This model can aid in preoperative risk stratification and treatment decisions for OSCC patients.