Factors predicting peri-neural invasion in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Perineural invasion (PNI) is an unfavorable pathological characteristic associated with poor prognosis. The relationship between PNI and clinicopathological features of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PNI and clinicopathological features and risk factors for PNI in HPSCC. Methods Clinicopathological data from 182 patients with HPSCC treated at our hospital between September 2019 and March 2024 were collected and analysed retrospectively. Results PNI was observed in 68 (37.4%) patients, and was associated with tumor thickness (TT), lymph node metastasis (LNM), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), number of positive nodes (pN), and lymph node density (LND). PNI was only significantly correlated with TT in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion We observed a definite correlation between PNI and TT, LVI, LNM, LND, and pN value. TT emerged as an independent risk factor for PNI, with its incidence increasing with TT.