Relationship between tumor thickness on images and cellular dissociation grading composing of tumor budding and cell nest size in early tongue cancer

Abstract

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study is to clarify whether the image analysis using contrast enhanced CT, contrast enhanced T1‐weighted MR imaging and ultrasonography (US), is related with the cellular dissociation grade (CDG) based on tumor budding grade and cell nest size in stage I and II tongue oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).MethodSeventeen cases of T1N0M0 and T2N0M0 tongue OSCC with the completion of more than 1‐year follow‐up were retrospectively enrolled. The satisfactory data, including contrast enhanced CT images, contrast enhanced T1‐weighted MR images, and US images as well as histopathological specimens could be taken from 16 cases and analyzed by the specialists of oral pathologist, oral radiologist, and oral and maxillofacial surgeon.ResultsThe differences between tumor thickness (TT) on US images and TT on contrast enhanced CT images or contrast enhanced T1‐weighted MR images were larger in the lower tumor budding grade cases rather than in the higher budding grade. Likely, such image‐measured TT differences were larger in the bigger nest cases than in the smaller nest cases. The occurrence of delayed nodal metastasis was related to the small TT differences of CT–US or MRI–US and the higher CDG score (≧5 points). All the cases with delayed nodal metastasis were CDG score ≧5 points.ConclusionsTT differences between on contrast enhanced CT/MR imaging, and US imaging may predict the cell dissociation activity and nodal metastasis.