A Cytomorphological Study of Metastatic Deposits of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - With Unusual Case Presentations

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been estimated to be the sixth most common cancer worldwide. The distant metastasis of OSCC is more lethal then regional and plays a critical role in the management and prognosis in oral cancer patients. Aim: This study evaluates the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for assessing metastatic deposits of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a tertiary care center, India. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was done in an Indian tertiary care center’s pathology department. Fifty patients with metastasis deposit of oral squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Cytology and histopathological examination was done in all cases. Results: In the present study oral squamous cell carcinoma is more common in males (62%) then female (38%) and predominantly found in elderly age groups after >40 yrs (84%). Regional metastasis is more commonly seen rather than distance metastasis. Level I & II Lymph nodes involve early. Lung is the most common site in distance metastasis. Survival and outcome is less with distance metastasis. Conclusion: OSCC has the potential for regional as well as distant metastasis, and distant metastasis of OSCC lead to significant mortality as compared to regional metastasis.