Cervical Node Metastasis In Early Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of Oral Tongue.

In this study we have tried to analyze the the pattern and risk factors associated with, lymph node metastasis in T1 tongue cancer. A retrospective review of the record of fifteen patients undergoing surgery for treatment of T1 squamous cell carcinoma oral tongue was carried out the clinic pathological future of the tumour, pattern of nodal metastasis and the risk factor associated with lymph node metastasis. were studied at sree balaji dental. college. & hospital., Chennai, totally fifteen patients with T1 tumour underwent excision of the primary and modified neck dissection (MRND type 1). The lymph node metastasis was found in 31.8% of the patients, level 1 and level. 2 were the commonest site of metastasis. The skip metastasis at level3 and level4 was found in 6.5% of the patients and isolated skip metastasis at level 4 in 1.5 % of the patients. The risk factors associated. with the lymph node metastasis on study were;higher grade, tumour size is more than 1 cm and tumour thickness is more than 3 mm. On present study analysis only the tumour thickness was found to be the risk factor for lymph node metastasis. the T1 squamous cell carcinoma of tongue is associated with a high incidence of lymph node metastasis. Elective neck dissection should be considered in all patients with tumours in-between 3mm to 5mm in thickness.