Predictive Factors of Late Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis Using Intraoral Sonography in Patients with Tongue Cancer

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of late cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with tongue cancer, based on the intraoral ultrasonographic (IUS) findings of the primary tongue lesion. Patients and Methods: Patients with T1/2N0M0 primary tongue cancer (n=106) were examined using IUS between September 2014 and September 2020. The relationships between the incidence of late cervical lymph node metastasis with the longest diameter, thickness, margin type, internal echo intensity, and internal or peripheral vascularity of the tongue lesion on Doppler IUS were assessed. Results: Multivariate analysis indicated that irregular margins of the lesion and the presence of internal echo intensity were significantly related to the incidence of late cervical lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Irregular margins and internal echo intensity of the tongue cancer lesion assessed using IUS may predict the occurrence of late cervical lymph node metastasis in T1/2N0M0 cases.