Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: subtypes and morphological features affecting prognosis

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common histological type of mobile tongue carcinoma. The incidence of mobile tongue carcinoma is decreasing in some countries owing to decreasing exposure to risk factors, but it has been reported to be increasing in younger people. The majority of mobile tongue cancers are conventional SCCs. Pathological diagnosis of conventional SCC is relatively easy. However, mobile tongue SCCs involve several subtypes that have distinct pathological features and biological behaviors. Some subtypes are relatively rare, and the pathological subtype influences treatment decision making. Therefore, the recognition of SCC subtypes is crucial for proper treatment. In this review, we summarize nine SCC subtypes, including conventional SCC, and highlight their pathological characteristics. We also report some morphological factors, such as the pattern of invasion, budding, desmoplastic reaction, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion, which could be predictive of prognosis. As some morphological factors are closely associated with prognosis, pathologists may need to evaluate additional factors in pathological reports of near features. In summary, we highlight the basic knowledge on mobile tongue SCC with an emphasis on pathological subtypes, morphological features and their relationship. We provide information to further elucidate SCC in the oral region.

Significant enhancement of swallowing function and oral hygiene following multidisciplinary team nursing in tongue cancer patients after radical resection

“…Specifically, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most frequently seen type [3]. Although multidisciplinary comprehensive therapies like surgical treatment combined with postoperative radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy has been adopted for TSCC, patients are still affected by the strong invasiveness, easy metastasis, and recurrence, resulting in a low survival rate after surgical resection and lymph node dissection [4][5][6][7][8].…”

Prediction of Prognosis of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Clinical MR Imaging Data Modeling

“…Therefore, selecting the target population for TSCC postoperative screening is extremely important for further treatment and management of TSCC. 4 – 6 Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been reported as classic indicators for evaluating the body's inflammatory and tumor immune responses. They are independent risk factors for the prognosis of salivary gland cancer, gastric cancer, and other cancers, and we found that they also affect TSCC prognosis.…”

Prognosis of the Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue Based on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database

“…It is believed that the incidence of tongue cancer rises with age. However, there has been a noticeable rise among patients under 45, particularly among women, in recent years [1]. More than 90% of tongue cancers are tongue squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC), and their mortality rate has increased dramatically in recent years.…”

“…Te prognosis of diferent histological types of TSCC is signifcantly diferent. Te 5-year survival rate of KTSCC is >80%, while the 5-year survival rate of hypokeratinizing and nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma is >50% [1,7]. Tough KTSCC has a relatively good prognosis and low malignancy, the tongue has abundant blood vessels and lymph nodes, and the primary tumor is prone to metastasizing.…”