Prognostic factors in oral squamous cell carcinoma. A review of the literature

Despite diagnostic and therapeutic progress, the overall prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poor and prognostic information is essentia l for the evaluation and optimal treatment of patients. The prognosis of or al carcinoma depends primarily on clinicopathological factors, that however , have showed a limited predictive value for the identification of patients with high risk of disease relapse. In recent years, the analysis of DNA pl oidy, cellular proliferation and oncogenes amplification have been used in attempt to identify new prognostic indicators. The review of the literature shows that TNM stage, tumor grading evaluated at the deep invasive margins and maximal tumor thickness effect on the prognosis. Moreover, the assessm ent of DNA ploidy and proliferative activity can be used to obtain addition al prognostic informations. In contrast, additional studies are needed to u nderstand the prognostic value of oncogenes expression in oral carcinoma.