Prognosis in lower lip squamous cell carcinoma: Assessment of tumor factors

We studied a consecutive series of 54 cases of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC) in order to identify any variables which might predict the development of lymph node metastases. The cases were divided into 38 tumors without metastases (group I) and 16 tumors with lymph node metastases (group II). The following factors were investigated: tumor size, histologic grading maximal thickness, perineural invasion, DNA ploidy and PCNA expression. In conclusion, we found that LLSCC greater than 2 cm in diameter, with histological grading G(3)-G(4), thickness of more than 6 mm, DNA aneuploidy and high PCNA expression (PCNA LI > 0.48), were at high risk for the development of lymph node metastases.