A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Tertiary lymphoid structures associate with improved survival in early oral tongue cancer
Authors: Almangush Alhadi, Bello Ibrahim O, Elseragy Amr, Hagström Jaana, Haglund Caj, Kowalski Luiz Paulo, Nieminen Pentti, Coletta Ricardo D, Mäkitie Antti A, Salo Tuula, Leivo Ilmo
Publication year: 2022
Journal: BMC Cancer
Journal name in source: BMC cancer
Journal acronym: BMC Cancer
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1471-2407
eISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-10208-z
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/176896930
Background: The clinical significance of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) is not well-documented in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC).
Methods: A total of 310 cases of early (cT1-2N0) OTSCC were included in this multicenter study. Assessment of TLSs was conducted on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. TLSs were assessed both in the central part of the tumor and at the invasive front area.
Results: The presence of TLSs associated with improved survival of early OTSCC as presented by Kaplan-Meier survival analyses for disease-specific survival (P = 0.01) and overall survival (P = 0.006). In multivariable analyses, which included conventional prognostic factors, the absence of TLSs associated with worse disease-specific survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.96 (95% CI 1.09-3.54; P = 0.025) and poor overall survival (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.11-2.48; P = 0.014).
Conclusion: Histological evaluation of TLSs predicts survival in early OTSCC. TLSs showed superior prognostic power independent of routine WHO grading and TNM staging system.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
