Pathologic evaluation of tumor budding as a prognostic factor for Stage I–II tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) has the tendency of rapid locoregional invasion and high cervical lymph node metastasis compared with other squamous cell carcinomas. Tumor budding has been reported as a useful prognostic factor for various cancers. In this study, we reported the usefulness of tumor budding evaluation as a prognostic factor for Stage I–II TSCC, in comparison with the Yamamoto-Kohama mode of invasion (YK classification). Materials and methods A total of 23 patients with Stage I–II TSCC were evaluated for tumor budding and YK classification. Tumor budding was classified as low or high-grade based on presence of Results Low-grade BD and YK classifications were confirmed in 15 and 11 patients (65.2% and 47.8%), respectively, while high-grade BD and YK classifications were confirmed in 8 and 12 patients (34.8% and 52.2%), respectively. DFS of patients with low-grade BD and YK classifications were significantly longer than those with high-grades ( p  = 0.047 and p  = 0.017, respectively). Conclusion High-grade BD and YK classifications were associated with poor prognosis in patients with Stage I–II TSCC. Strict follow-up observation or postoperative adjuvant therapy should be considered when high-grade BD and YK classifications are confirmed.