Prognostic impact of tumor-stroma ratio in oral squamous cell carcinoma - A pilot study

Background: Several prognostic indicators have been used for many decades in an attempt to predict clinical behaviour of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). The prognostic value of TSR is yet to be explored in OSCC. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of TSR in OSCC patients. Methodology: A cohort of 60 histologically diagnosed cases of OSCC who underwent Radical Neck Dissection was included in the study. TSR was assessed and patients with > 50% intratumor stroma were quantified as the stroma-poor group and those with < 50% as the stroma-rich group. Results: The parametric tests were performed for the statistical evaluation of TSR with the clinico-pathological variables and the survival. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 95.23% and 69.04%, respectively, in stroma-poor group and 77% and 44%, respectively in the stroma-rich group. Conclusion: TSR may serve as a reliable histologic prognostic indicator in OSCC and could be used in routine diagnostic pathology.