Depth of invasion and GLUT-1 as risk predictors in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Object: Predictor of the risk of subclinical nodal metastasis in early oral cancer would be of significant benefit in determining the need for elective neck dissection or adjuvant therapy. Depth of invasion (DOI) and glucose transporter (GLUT-1) expression have been assigned an independent prognostic significance in predicting the risk of nodal metastasis. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the mechanisms linking GLUT-1 expression to DOI in progressive grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Method: The GLUT-1 expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry, and its association with the DOI was assessed in 90 patients in progressive histological grades of OSCC. Result: We hypothesized that OSCC characterized by high frequency of lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, or local recurrences showed highly significant statistical correlation of DOI with the GLUT-1 over expression at the invasion front in progressive histological grades of OSCC, thereby revealing their potential role in predicting both tumour aggressiveness and prognosis. Conclusion: The correlation of these two parameters, that is, DOI with GLUT-1 over expression at the invasion front, used simultaneously in progressive histological grades of OSCC, might have a significant prognostic value by highlighting those cases that should be subjected to further lymph node assessment, thereby predicting their risk of occult metastasis, assisting in the selection of patients requiring more aggressive therapy.