Low Lymphatic Vessel Density Correlates with Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that lymphangiogenesis varies within the tumor. Lymphatic vessels are either compressed, collapsed, destroyed or absent in deep intratumoral region. Decrease in LVD predicts cervical lymph node metastasis both in superficial and deep areas. Lymphatics in superficial areas are probably major conduit for nodal metastasis in OSCCs. Keywords●Mouth neoplasms  ●Lymphatic vessels  ●Lymph nodes  ●Lymphangiogenesis  ●Immunohistochemistry
Source: Journal of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences - Category: Dentistry Source Type: research