To Evaluate whether Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor is an Independent Prognostic Marker in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma – A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Squamous cell carcinomasare the most common type of oral cancer contributing for around 90%. The overall survival is below 50% for these patients. There is a requirement for a non-invasive marker to predict the prognosis. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and theirreceptors (EGFR, ErbB-1) are not only documented to play a critical and an influential role in cell growth and differentiation in normal/ healthy tissues, but may also plays an important role in  malignant disease progression and tumorigenesis.

OJBECTIVE:This study is done to find whether expression of epidermal growth factor receptor affect the patient’s prognosis with oral squamous cell carcinomas as an independent prognostic marker.

MATERIALS & METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 25 patients was performed in biopsy proven oral squamous cell carcinoma patients who reported to our department from July 2017 to June 2019. The data were collected from their histopathological report, they were- pTNM staging, surgical margins (superior and inferior,anterior, posterior), nodal status and scoring of EGFR expression on wax blocks was done.

RESULT:EGFR showed a statistically significant p value 0.002 as independent prognostic marker with sensitivity of 97.7% and specificity of 61.2%.

CONCLUSION-This cohort study concludes that EGFR is an independent prognostic marker and must be done in advanced oral squamous cell carcinomas for the need for addition of anti-EGFR agents in adjuvant treatment.