Morphometrical characteristics of tumor cells are prognostic determinants for oral squamous cell carcinomas

Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) holds poor prognosis, mainly due to its delayed detection. Computer aided image analysis can serve as a useful adjunct to routine histological diagnosis for early diagnosis and efficient treatment planning. Aim: To quantitate the nuclear and cellular morphological features in advancing grades OSCC to establish a reliable adjunct for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Material and Methods: 105 OSCC tissue sections, graded according to WHO grading system as well differentiated OSCCs (n=35), moderately differentiated OSCCs (n=35), poorly differentiated OSCCs (n=35) selected. 6 morph metrical parameters assessed using “image J 1.34 software”, Namely the Nuclear Area (NA), Cell Area (CA), Nuclear to Cell Area Ratio (NA/CA), nuclear perimeter (NP), Cell Perimeter (CP) and nuclear to cell perimeter ratio (NP/CP). The data was statistically analysed. Results: Nuclear area, cell area, nuclear perimeter and cell perimeter showed statistically significant alterations. Follow up analysis revealed nuclear area and cell area to be higher in the recurrent cases than the non recurrent ones Conclusion: Nuclear and cellular features show significant alterations in tumor cells during the advancement of OSCC which hold diagnostic and prognostic importance.