Hallmarks of cancer: Tumor budding as a sign of invasion and metastasis in head and neck cancer

Head Neck. 2019 Oct;41(10):3712-3718. doi: 10.1002/hed.25872. Epub 2019 Jul 22.

Abstract

Invasion and metastasis are hallmarks of cancer. The concept of tumor budding at tumor-host interface has been documented in many carcinomas. A growing body of evidence indicates that tumor budding is a sign of invasion and early step for metastasis of many epithelial cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In addition, recent research has underlined the importance of tumor budding as a promising prognosticator in HNSCC. This review summarizes the findings regarding tumor budding in HNSCC and focuses on the role of tumor budding in invasion and metastasis. Also, we highlight the prognostic significance of tumor budding in HNSCC and its potential for improving clinical decision making in terms of recommending optimal individualized treatment for this patient population.

Keywords: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); invasion; metastasis; tumor budding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Disease Progression
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / mortality
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / pathology*
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / therapy*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tumor Burden