Predictability of lymph node metastases by preoperative nuclear morphometry in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Aim: This study was undertaken to assess the predictability of lymph node metastases by analyzing preoperative nuclear morphometry of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Methods: Twenty-eight cases of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (13 cases with metastasized lymph nodes, 15 node-negative cases) were examined. Using a computerized image system, the mean nuclear area, the nuclear perimeter, the circular rate, the largest to the smallest dimension ratio (LS ratio) of the nuclei, and the coefficient of variation of the nuclear area (NACV) were measured. The relationship between these results and the lymph node involved was evaluated retrospectively. Results: The nuclear area and perimeter were significantly higher in cases with metastasized lymph nodes than in node-negative cases (P<0.05). The circular rate was also higher in cases with no metastasized lymph nodes than in node-positive cases (P<0.05). The LS ratio was higher in cases with metastasized lymph nodes than in node-negative cases (P=0.072). The NACV value was also higher in cases with metastasized lymph nodes than in node-positive cases, which showed no significant differences (P=0.322). Conclusions: Preoperative quantitative estimations of nuclear features could provide a feasible criterion for the prediction of lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.