Objective
This study was undertaken to gain insight into the distinctive features of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (LSCC) and oral cavity (OCSCC).
Study design
A total of 37 cases of LSCC and 54 of OCSCC were compared regarding clinical and microscopic findings.
Results
Predominance of head and neck TNM stages (HNTNM) T1-T2 in LSCC and T3-T4 in OCSCC was observed. A significant percentage (33.3 % ) of patients with OCSCC at HNTNM T1-T2 presented cervical lymph node metastasis and 18.75 % died, whereas lymph node metastasis was absent and no patient died with LSCC at HNTNM T1-T2. LSCC demonstrated a higher number of cases with intense peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate compared with OCSCC. The analysis of the proliferative index demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of PCNA+ and Ki-67+ cells in OCSCC compared with LSCC.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that OCSCC and LSCC demonstrate distinct clinical and microscopic characteristics that reflect different biologic behavior and prognosis.
