Tumor invasion front in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a neoplasm that originates from the epithelial mucosa. It is usually more frequent between the fifth and sixth decades of life, and more than 90% of carcinomas of the oral cavity are squamous cell carcinoma. It is an invasive neoplasia with a significant recurrence rate; 40% of patients present with metastases in the cervical lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis. The tumor invasion front is a characteristic of tumor growth, which can be infiltrative or noninvasive. The histopathological parameters examined include the number of mitoses, depth of the tumor, invasion pattern, degree of keratinization, and nuclear pleomorphism. For the pathologist, these parameters are routinely evaluated but are not reported to the treating physician in all cases, which we consider to be useful information when determining the therapeutic route.

Keywords: Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Invasive neoplasia; Therapeutic route; Life; Tumor growth; Pleomorphism

Core Tip: The histopathological parameters of the tumor invasion front are evaluated by the pathologist at the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. This information is not part of the microscopic description that the treating physician receives in all cases. Thus, we propose the evaluation and reporting of the tumor invasion front, thus providing the medical doctor with more objective criteria when establishing the therapeutic route for each patient.