Pain may predict poor prognosis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective. We have previously reported that the histologic mode of invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a significant risk factor for pain. Here we sought to determine whether pain is a risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with OSCC. Study design. We evaluated the relationships between overall survival rates and clinicopathologic variables, including gender, age, T- and N-stages, pathologic findings, and pain in 109 consecutive patients with untreated OSCC. Results. Of these 109 patients, 40 (37%) reported spontaneous pain. Univariate analysis showed that the overall survival rates of patients with spontaneous pain was significantly lower than those of patients without pain (P = .002). Multivariate analysis revealed that spontaneous pain and N-stage were significant independent predictors of overall survival rates. Conclusions. This is the first report showing that spontaneous pain before treatment may be associated with poor prognosis in patients with OSCC. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011;111:587-592)