Retrospective analysis of the prognostic significance of depth of invasion of advanced oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas with lymph node metastases

Background. The often documented prognostic influence of the depth of invasion of oral and and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas should be examined using more advanced lymphogenic metastasized tumours. This should be compared with the established prognostic factors T stage and capsular rupture of the lymph node metastases. Methods. Five-year postoperative follow-ups of 66 patients treated consecutively were studied retrospectively. Results. There was no significant relationship for the depth of invasion of the primary tumour. Survival rate was significantly related only to the T stage. Conclusion. In the presence of lymph node metastases and in particular of capsular rupture, T stage and depth of tumour invasion lose their prognostic value. The prognostic value of features of the primary tumor such as size and depth of invasion is limited to early non-metastasized oral and and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.