Correlation between radiological, macroscopic and microscopic depth of invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A prospective study using contrast-enhanced computed tomography

• Published in: Oral oncology 2025-02, Vol.161, p.107159, Article 107159
• Main Authors: Gopinath Thilak, P.S., Mande, Tanaya, Rajendra, Vinay Kumar J., Kishan Prasad, H.L., Hegde, Padmaraj J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computed Tomography; Contrast-Enhanced Imaging; Depth of Invasion; Diagnostic Imaging; Head and neck cancer; Neoplasm Staging; Oral cancer; Oral cavity; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Pathology, Microscopic
• ISSN: 1368-8375; 1879-0593; 1879-0593
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.107159

•54 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients prospectively evaluated.•First study to compare macroscopic depth of invasion (DOI) with other methods.•CECT overestimated DOI compared to histopathology, with a mean difference of 3.3 mm.•Mean DOI measurements were 14.42 mm (CT-derived), 12.55 mm (macroscopic), and 11.12 mm (microscopic).•Tumors were down-staged in 31.25% of cases when DOI ranged from 5 to 10 mm, emphasizing the importance of biopsy after radiological evaluation. Depth of invasion (DOI) significantly influences prognosis and treatment strategies in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Accurate preoperative imaging, such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), alongside postoperative histopathological evaluations, aids in determining DOI. This study evaluates the correlation between radiological DOI (rDOI), macroscopic DOI (PDOI), and microscopic DOI (pDOI) in OSCC. This study included 54 OSCC patients from April 2022 to November 2023. rDOI was assessed using preoperative CECT, while PDOI and pDOI were measured through histopathological examination of resected specimens. Spearman correlation analysis and Bland-Altman plots assessed agreement between DOI measurements, with statistical significance set at p