Tongue cancer pathophysiology: Difference between revisions
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==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
===Pathogenesis=== | ===Pathogenesis=== | ||
*The two most common types of pre-cancerous conditions on the tongue are called leukoplakia and erythroplakia and they can usually be easily spotted by a dentist or dental hygienist. [[Leukoplakia]] and [[erythroplakia]] have the greatest potential for malignant transformation in tongue cancer. Leukoplakia is defined as a white patch of the mucosa that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease. | *The two most common types of pre-cancerous conditions on the tongue are called [[leukoplakia]] and [[erythroplakia]] and they can usually be easily spotted by a dentist or dental hygienist. [[Leukoplakia]] and [[erythroplakia]] have the greatest potential for [[malignant]] transformation in tongue cancer. | ||
*[[Leukoplakia]] is considered a premalignant condition from the chronic irritation of the mucous membranes, resulting in increased rates of [[epithelial]] and connective tissue proliferation. [[Leukoplakia]] usually occurs after the age of 40 years, with the peak incidence before age 50 years. Leukoplakia is 2-3 times more common in men than in women. | *[[Leukoplakia]] is defined as a white patch of the [[Mucosal|mucosa]] that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease. | ||
*The rates of malignant transformation of | *[[Leukoplakia]] is considered a [[premalignant condition]] from the chronic irritation of the [[mucous membranes]], resulting in increased rates of [[epithelial]] and [[connective tissue]] proliferation. [[Leukoplakia]] usually occurs after the age of 40 years, with the peak incidence before age 50 years. | ||
*Erythroplakia is defined as a red, velvety plaque found on the oral mucosa that cannot be ascribed to any other predetermined condition. No sex predilection is recognized in erythroplakia and it is rarely found on the tongue compared with other sites in the oral cavity. | *[[Leukoplakia]] is 2-3 times more common in men than in women. | ||
*The rates of [[malignant]] transformation of [[leukoplakia]] lesions range from less than 1% to as high as 17.5%, averaging 4.5-6%. | |||
*Erythroleukoplakia and nodular [[leukoplakia]] exhibit the highest rate of [[malignant]] transformation. | |||
*[[Erythroplakia]] is defined as a red, velvety plaque found on the oral mucosa that cannot be ascribed to any other predetermined condition. | |||
*No sex predilection is recognized in erythroplakia and it is rarely found on the tongue compared with other sites in the oral cavity. | |||
*[[Erythroplakia]] is considered as the earliest sign of asymptomatic cancer by Mashberg.<ref name="aaa">{{Cite journal | author = [[A. Mashberg]] | title = Erythroplasia: the earliest sign of asymptomatic oral cancer | journal = [[Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)]] | volume = 96 | issue = 4 | pages = 615–620 | year = 1978 | month = April | pmid = 0273632}}</ref> | |||
=== Tumor spread === | === Tumor spread === | ||
==== Local spread ==== | ==== Local spread ==== | ||
* | * '''Floor of mouth SCC''' spreads superficially without invading into the [[mylohyoid muscle]] or the sublingual gland until a late stage. | ||
* Tumor involving '''the lateral margin of tongue''' tends to spread in depth. | |||
* The '''intrinsic muscles of tongue''' run in all directions. | |||
* | * Tumours of palate spread superficially rather than in depth. | ||
* The intrinsic muscles of tongue run | |||
==== Lymphatic spread ==== | ==== Lymphatic spread ==== | ||
* The mechanism of spread from the primary site to [[Lymph node|lymph nodes]] is almost always by [[embolism]] or by permeation. | |||
* The mechanism of spread from the primary site to lymph nodes is almost always by embolism. | * Spread to local [[Lymph node|lymph nodes]] worsens the prognosis in oral and oropharyngeal cancer. | ||
* The [[Lymph node|lymph nodes]] in the neck are divided into levels. Levels at high risk for metastasis from oral cavity SCC are Levels I, II and III, and to a lesser extent Level IV. | |||
* The lymph nodes in the neck are divided into levels | |||
==== | ==== Hematogenous spread ==== | ||
* | * Hematogenous spread is less important than local and lymphatic spread. | ||
* The best predictor of the likelihood of this spread is involvement of the neck at multiple levels. | * The best predictor of the likelihood of this spread is involvement of the neck at multiple levels. | ||
* This suggests that the route of entry of tumours into the circulation is most often via the large veins in the neck and that | * This suggests that the route of entry of tumours into the circulation is most often via the large veins in the neck and that hematogenous spread is in effect tertiary spread following extracapsular spread from neck lymph nodes. | ||
===Genetics=== | ===Genetics=== | ||
* Genes involved in the pathogenesis of tongue cancer include ''[[TP53]]'', which is located on [[chromosome 17]]. The carcinogens in tobacco smoke, for example, increase the prevalence and spectrum of TP53 mutations.<ref name="pmid20534998">{{cite journal| author=Stelow EB, Jo VY, Stoler MH, Mills SE| title=Human papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. | journal=Am J Surg Pathol | year= 2010 | volume= 34 | issue= 7 | pages= e15-24 | pmid=20534998 | doi=10.1097/PAS.0b013e3181e21478 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20534998 }}</ref> | * Genes involved in the pathogenesis of tongue cancer include ''[[TP53]]'', which is located on [[chromosome 17]]. | ||
* Other oncogenes associated with squamous cell cancers of the tongue include ''[[c-myc]]'' and ''erb -b1''. | * The [[carcinogens]] in tobacco smoke, for example, increase the [[prevalence]] and spectrum of [[TP53 (gene)|TP53]] [[mutations]].<ref name="pmid20534998">{{cite journal| author=Stelow EB, Jo VY, Stoler MH, Mills SE| title=Human papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. | journal=Am J Surg Pathol | year= 2010 | volume= 34 | issue= 7 | pages= e15-24 | pmid=20534998 | doi=10.1097/PAS.0b013e3181e21478 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20534998 }}</ref> | ||
* More than 50% of oropharyngeal carcinomas harbour integrated HPV DNA. The E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins bind and inactivate the TP53 and retinoblastoma gene products respectively, disengaging two of the more critical pathways involved in cell cycle regulation. | * Other [[oncogenes]] associated with squamous cell cancers of the tongue include ''[[c-myc]]'' and ''[[ErbB|erb -b1]]''. | ||
* | * More than 50% of [[Oropharyngeal carcinoma|oropharyngeal carcinomas]] harbour integrated [[Human papillomavirus|HPV]] [[DNA]]. | ||
* | * The E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins bind and inactivate the [[TP53 (gene)|TP53]] and [[Retinoblastoma-like protein 1|retinoblastoma gene]] products respectively, disengaging two of the more critical pathways involved in [[cell cycle]] regulation. | ||
* Local tumor recurrence reflects extension of genetically damaged cells beyond the clinical and microscopic boundaries of carcinoma to the margins of surgical resection.<ref name="pmid21572401">{{cite journal| author=Schlecht NF, Brandwein-Gensler M, Nuovo GJ, Li M, Dunne A, Kawachi N et al.| title=A comparison of clinically utilized human papillomavirus detection methods in head and neck cancer. | journal=Mod Pathol | year= 2011 | volume= 24 | issue= 10 | pages= 1295-305 | pmid=21572401 | doi=10.1038/modpathol.2011.91 | pmc=3157570 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=21572401 }}</ref> | |||
* Head and neck SCC have been identified by circulating plasma or serum clonal changes which can be used for follow-up and screening. | |||
===Gross pathology=== | ===Gross pathology=== | ||
* [[Squamous cell carcinoma]] is the most common malignancy of the tongue. | * [[Squamous cell carcinoma]] is the most common malignancy of the tongue. | ||
* It typically has three gross morphologic growth patterns: exophytic, ulcerative, and infiltrative. The infiltrative and ulcerative are the types most commonly observed on the tongue.The macroscopic appearance of tongue cancer depends on the following: | * It typically has three gross morphologic growth patterns: exophytic, [[Ulcerated lesion|ulcerative]], and infiltrative. The infiltrative and ulcerative are the types most commonly observed on the tongue. | ||
* The macroscopic appearance of tongue cancer depends on the following: | |||
*Duration of the [[lesion]] | *Duration of the [[lesion]] | ||
*The amount of [[keratinization]] | *The amount of [[keratinization]] | ||
*The changes in the adjoining mucosa | *The changes in the adjoining [[Mucosal|mucosa]] | ||
*A fully developed tongue lesion appears as an exophytic bulky lesion that is gray to grayish-red and has a rough, shaggy, or papillomatous surface. | *A fully developed tongue lesion appears as an exophytic bulky lesion that is gray to grayish-red and has a rough, shaggy, or [[Papilloma|papillomatous]] surface. | ||
[[File:PLoS oral cancer.png|300px|center|thumb|Gross pathology of oral SCC, source: By Luca Pastore, Maria Luisa Fiorella, Raffaele Fiorella, Lorenzo Lo Muzio - http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/showImageLarge.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0050212.g001, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15252632]] | [[File:PLoS oral cancer.png|300px|center|thumb|Gross pathology of oral SCC, source: By Luca Pastore, Maria Luisa Fiorella, Raffaele Fiorella, Lorenzo Lo Muzio - http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/showImageLarge.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0050212.g001, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15252632]] | ||
===Microscopic Pathology=== | ===Microscopic Pathology=== | ||
*Microscopically, tongue cancers are broadly based and invasive through papillary fronds. | *Microscopically, tongue cancers are broadly based and invasive through [[papillary]] fronds. | ||
*Tongue cancer constitutes of highly differentiated squamous cells lacking frank cytologic criteria of malignancy with rare mitoses. The surface of the lesion is covered with compressed invaginating folds of [[keratin]] layers. A stroma-like inflammatory reaction and a blunt pushing margin may be seen. | *Tongue cancer constitutes of highly differentiated squamous cells lacking frank cytologic criteria of [[malignancy]] with rare mitoses. The surface of the lesion is covered with compressed invaginating folds of [[keratin]] layers. A stroma-like inflammatory reaction and a blunt pushing margin may be seen. | ||
* SCC is subdivided by the WHO into: | * SCC is subdivided by the WHO into:<ref name="pmid23015393">{{cite journal| author=Peterson BR, Nelson BL| title=Nonkeratinizing undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. | journal=Head Neck Pathol | year= 2013 | volume= 7 | issue= 1 | pages= 73-5 | pmid=23015393 | doi=10.1007/s12105-012-0401-4 | pmc=3597164 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23015393 }}</ref> | ||
* Keratinizing type: Worst prognosis. | * [[Keratinized|Keratinizing]] type: Worst prognosis. | ||
* Undifferentiated type: Intermediate prognosis, EBV association. | * Undifferentiated type: Intermediate prognosis, [[Epstein Barr virus|EBV]] association.<ref name="pmid7778675">{{cite journal| author=Pathmanathan R, Prasad U, Chandrika G, Sadler R, Flynn K, Raab-Traub N| title=Undifferentiated, nonkeratinizing, and squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Variants of Epstein-Barr virus-infected neoplasia. | journal=Am J Pathol | year= 1995 | volume= 146 | issue= 6 | pages= 1355-67 | pmid=7778675 | doi= | pmc=1870892 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=7778675 }}</ref> | ||
* Nonkeratinizing type: Good prognosis, EBV association. | * Nonkeratinizing type: Good prognosis, [[Epstein Barr virus|EBV]] association. | ||
[[File:Oral cancer (1) squamous cell carcinoma histopathology.jpg|300px|center|thumb|Microscopic picture of oral SCC, source: By No machine-readable author provided. KGH assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=486166]] | [[File:Oral cancer (1) squamous cell carcinoma histopathology.jpg|300px|center|thumb|Microscopic picture of oral SCC, source: By No machine-readable author provided. KGH assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=486166]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} |
Revision as of 23:22, 3 December 2017
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]
Overview
Genes involved in the pathogenesis of tongue cancer include TP53, c-myc, and erb-b1. On gross pathology, exophytic, ulcerative, and infiltarative growth patterns are characteristic findings of tongue cancer.[1]
Pathophysiology
Pathogenesis
- The two most common types of pre-cancerous conditions on the tongue are called leukoplakia and erythroplakia and they can usually be easily spotted by a dentist or dental hygienist. Leukoplakia and erythroplakia have the greatest potential for malignant transformation in tongue cancer.
- Leukoplakia is defined as a white patch of the mucosa that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease.
- Leukoplakia is considered a premalignant condition from the chronic irritation of the mucous membranes, resulting in increased rates of epithelial and connective tissue proliferation. Leukoplakia usually occurs after the age of 40 years, with the peak incidence before age 50 years.
- Leukoplakia is 2-3 times more common in men than in women.
- The rates of malignant transformation of leukoplakia lesions range from less than 1% to as high as 17.5%, averaging 4.5-6%.
- Erythroleukoplakia and nodular leukoplakia exhibit the highest rate of malignant transformation.
- Erythroplakia is defined as a red, velvety plaque found on the oral mucosa that cannot be ascribed to any other predetermined condition.
- No sex predilection is recognized in erythroplakia and it is rarely found on the tongue compared with other sites in the oral cavity.
- Erythroplakia is considered as the earliest sign of asymptomatic cancer by Mashberg.[1]
Tumor spread
Local spread
- Floor of mouth SCC spreads superficially without invading into the mylohyoid muscle or the sublingual gland until a late stage.
- Tumor involving the lateral margin of tongue tends to spread in depth.
- The intrinsic muscles of tongue run in all directions.
- Tumours of palate spread superficially rather than in depth.
Lymphatic spread
- The mechanism of spread from the primary site to lymph nodes is almost always by embolism or by permeation.
- Spread to local lymph nodes worsens the prognosis in oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
- The lymph nodes in the neck are divided into levels. Levels at high risk for metastasis from oral cavity SCC are Levels I, II and III, and to a lesser extent Level IV.
Hematogenous spread
- Hematogenous spread is less important than local and lymphatic spread.
- The best predictor of the likelihood of this spread is involvement of the neck at multiple levels.
- This suggests that the route of entry of tumours into the circulation is most often via the large veins in the neck and that hematogenous spread is in effect tertiary spread following extracapsular spread from neck lymph nodes.
Genetics
- Genes involved in the pathogenesis of tongue cancer include TP53, which is located on chromosome 17.
- The carcinogens in tobacco smoke, for example, increase the prevalence and spectrum of TP53 mutations.[2]
- Other oncogenes associated with squamous cell cancers of the tongue include c-myc and erb -b1.
- More than 50% of oropharyngeal carcinomas harbour integrated HPV DNA.
- The E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins bind and inactivate the TP53 and retinoblastoma gene products respectively, disengaging two of the more critical pathways involved in cell cycle regulation.
- Local tumor recurrence reflects extension of genetically damaged cells beyond the clinical and microscopic boundaries of carcinoma to the margins of surgical resection.[3]
- Head and neck SCC have been identified by circulating plasma or serum clonal changes which can be used for follow-up and screening.
Gross pathology
- Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the tongue.
- It typically has three gross morphologic growth patterns: exophytic, ulcerative, and infiltrative. The infiltrative and ulcerative are the types most commonly observed on the tongue.
- The macroscopic appearance of tongue cancer depends on the following:
- Duration of the lesion
- The amount of keratinization
- The changes in the adjoining mucosa
- A fully developed tongue lesion appears as an exophytic bulky lesion that is gray to grayish-red and has a rough, shaggy, or papillomatous surface.
Microscopic Pathology
- Microscopically, tongue cancers are broadly based and invasive through papillary fronds.
- Tongue cancer constitutes of highly differentiated squamous cells lacking frank cytologic criteria of malignancy with rare mitoses. The surface of the lesion is covered with compressed invaginating folds of keratin layers. A stroma-like inflammatory reaction and a blunt pushing margin may be seen.
- SCC is subdivided by the WHO into:[4]
- Keratinizing type: Worst prognosis.
- Undifferentiated type: Intermediate prognosis, EBV association.[5]
- Nonkeratinizing type: Good prognosis, EBV association.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A. Mashberg (1978). "Erythroplasia: the earliest sign of asymptomatic oral cancer". Journal of the American Dental Association (1939). 96 (4): 615–620. PMID 0273632. Unknown parameter
|month=
ignored (help) - ↑ Stelow EB, Jo VY, Stoler MH, Mills SE (2010). "Human papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract". Am J Surg Pathol. 34 (7): e15–24. doi:10.1097/PAS.0b013e3181e21478. PMID 20534998.
- ↑ Schlecht NF, Brandwein-Gensler M, Nuovo GJ, Li M, Dunne A, Kawachi N; et al. (2011). "A comparison of clinically utilized human papillomavirus detection methods in head and neck cancer". Mod Pathol. 24 (10): 1295–305. doi:10.1038/modpathol.2011.91. PMC 3157570. PMID 21572401.
- ↑ Peterson BR, Nelson BL (2013). "Nonkeratinizing undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma". Head Neck Pathol. 7 (1): 73–5. doi:10.1007/s12105-012-0401-4. PMC 3597164. PMID 23015393.
- ↑ Pathmanathan R, Prasad U, Chandrika G, Sadler R, Flynn K, Raab-Traub N (1995). "Undifferentiated, nonkeratinizing, and squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Variants of Epstein-Barr virus-infected neoplasia". Am J Pathol. 146 (6): 1355–67. PMC 1870892. PMID 7778675.