Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the tumor consistency and cervical lymph node metastasis in tongue carcinoma.
Methods: Fifty-three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were examined with an instrument capable of measuring consistency. These cases were compared in relation to TN classification, pathologic status of nodes, and consistency.
Results: The mean values of consistency in tongue carcinoma were 19. 7 +/- 2.9 g, 13.6 +/- 3.7 g, 27.4 +/- 4.5 g, and 21.2 +/- 6.7 g, corresponding to pathologically positive node group (PN[+]) in T1, pathologically negative node group (PN[-]) in T1, PN(+) in T2, and PN(-) in T2, respectively. Difference in consistency between PN(+) and PN(-) was significant (T1: p <.01, T2: p <.05). In the N0 patients, difference in consistency between PN(+) and PN(-) was also significant (p <.01).
Conclusions: We suggest that quantitative evaluation of tumor consistency would be useful in determining whether selective neck dissections can safely be omitted in some patients.