Incidence of Perineural Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Worst Pattern of Invasion and Staging of Tumor: A Retrospective Study

Background: Histological parameters are the most reliable factors in diagnosis, management and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The incidence of perineural invasion (PNI) and its association with staging of tumor and worst pattern of invasion (WPOI) have influenced the outcome of the disease. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the association of PNI with staging of tumor and WPOI.

Methodology: Sixty-six cases of histopathologically confirmed OSCC treated surgically without neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy between 2019 Jan -2020 June were included in the study. The subjects were divided into group A with PNI negative subjects and Group B with PNI positive subjects.

Results: Out of 66 cases, 42 patient were PNI negative (63.6%) and 24 patients were PNI positive (36.4%). WPOIIV-V was present in 38 (57.6 %) of the cases and I-III was seen in 28 (42.4%) of the 66 patients.

Conclusion: WPOI and PNI are significantly important risk factors for predicting LN metastasis in all stages of Oral squamous cell carcinoma and are associated with a poorer outcome in early-stage tumors.