Histopathological Grading Systems In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review

The prognostic value of histopathologic grading of oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) has varied from not any to highly significant. BRODERS' method of grading was compared with a modification of a recent malignancy grading system recommended by ANNEROTH et al. which was performed only within the histologically most invasive areas of the tumors. Cox's multivariate survival analyses showed that this grading in the invasive sites had highly significant prognostic value. BRODERS grade had no prognostic value. The stage of tumor had also prognostic value. Bryne M. presented a hypothesis suggesting that molecular and morphological characteristics at the invasive front area of various squamous cell carcinomas may reflect tumor prognosis better than other parts of the tumor. He further states that several molecular events of importance for tumor spread. These highly significant results indicate that the histologically invasive areas may be primarily responsible for the clinical behavior of the tumor, and this may be of importance for the choice of therapy for oral SCC.