Histopathological Analysis of Nodal Disease After Chemoradiation Reveals Viable Tumor Cells as the most Important Prognostic Factor in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

ConclusionWe could confirm the presence of viable tumor cells as a relevant negative prognostic factor after (chemo) radiation. The amount (area) of viable tumor cells further substratified patients with worse LRRFS. None of the other parameters correlated with a distinctive worse outcome. Importantly, the presence of (swirled) keratin debris alone should not be considered viable tumor cells (ypN0).
Source: Head and Neck Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research