Relation between tumor depth and cervical lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

The relation between tumor depth and cervical lymph node metastasis was retrospectively investigated in 68 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue who underwent surgical treatment from 1981 through 1996.The results were as follows:1. There was a correlation between tumor depth and cervical lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.2. The incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis increased markedly when the tumor depth was 4mm or greater and tumor diameter was 30 mm or greater.These findings suggest that tumor depth is a risk factor for cervical lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.