Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Comparitive Evaluation on Computed Tomography and Magnatic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Background: Cancers are the most common cause of death in adults. Oral cancer is any malignant neoplasm which is found on the lip, floor of the mouth, cheek lining, gingiva, palate or in the tongue. Oral cancer is among the top three types of cancers in India. In India most of the (nearly 90-95%) oral cancers is squamous cell carcinoma. Aim of our study is to detect the Pattern of tumor spread and contribution of CT and MRI in staging of oral cavity. Subjects and Methods: In this prospective study we studied 46 patients after proper informed and written consent. Clinical complaints were recorded along with other relevant demographic data. Each patient underwent CT scan and MRI. Results of radiological investigations were correlated with Histopathology. Imaging modalities were used in tumor staging, cervical lymph nodes assessment, bone (mandible) invasion & muscles of tongue invasion. Results: We have observed that Oral cavity SCC is more common in the age group of 51-60 years, with male is to female ratio 1.71. Most common location is buccal mucosa and most common risk factor is tobacco chewing. CT scan is less sensitive (67.39%) modality than MRI scan (84.78%) in detection of primary tumor stage; whereas no significant statistical difference is observed in CT and MRI for cervical lymph nodes detection. In detection of mandibular invasion MRI is more sensitive (80.01%) but equally specificity (92.31%) than to CT scan (sensitivity 68.42% & specificity 88.89%). For muscle of tongue invasion MRI is more sensitive and specific (89.47% & 88.89%, respectively) than to CT (sensitivity is 50.01% & specificity is 92.31%). Conclusion: CT and MRI are nearly similar in assessing cervical node metastasis. For bone invasion MRI is a superior over CT in our study, but this difference is not significant. MRI was considered superior to CT scan in evaluating the primary tumor extent and muscle of tongue infiltration with significant statistical difference.