Frequency of Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Cavity Cancer with Clinically Node Negative

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of lymph node metastasis in oral cavity cancer with clinically node
negative (N_O).

Study Design: Descriptive / cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology, Sindh Government Lyari General Hospital, Karachi from January 2015 to June 2016.

Materials and Methods: All patients with aged 20 years or more with either gender presented with more than 3 months oral cavity cancer with clinically N_O diagnosed on histopathology having stage T1 or T2 were enrolled. Presence of abnormal cells in lymph nodes was taken as metastasis positive.

Results: Mean age of the patients was 43.93 ±7.87 years. Male preponderance was found to be higher 71 (75.50%) as compared to females 23 (24.50%).Betel quid chewing was found in majority 56 (59.60%) patients followed by cigarette smoking 52 (55.30%), areca nut 42 (44.70%), gutka 36 (38.30%) and naswar 33 (35.10%). Lymph node metastasis was found in 39 (41.50%) patients.

Conclusion: The frequency of lymph node metastasis was noted in 41.50% oral cavity cancer with clinically node negative (N_O).