Perineural spread in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: a clinicopathological study

Perineural spread of tumour has been demonstrated in 24% of an unselected series of 70 patients with squamous carcinomas of the head and neck treated by surgery. Slightly more than half the patients had primary tumours arising within the buccal cavity. Clinical features suggesting perineural infiltration were found in about two thirds of the cases; the symptoms and signs were usually sensory and occurred early in the disease. The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve was most commonly affected. Perineural spread was more likely to occur with large carcinomas, moderate or poorly differentiated, showing local invasion and lymph node metastases. The associated pathological changes are described and a high incidence of damage to nerve fibres is recorded. The practical implications of perineural spread of tumour are discussed with reference to indications for more radical surgery or for more conservative measures supplemented with other modes of treatment.