Role of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in recurrent cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck cancers and locoregional recurrence in OSCC is related to lowest survival rate. The present study was undertaken to compare the clinicopathological findings and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in recurrent and non-recurrent cases of OSCC.

A total of 64 cases of OSCC were studied and immunohistochemistry was done, of which, 33 cases recurred at end of follow up. Categorical variables for each case included age, gender, site of primary lesion, neck metastasis, AJCC stage, locoregional recurrence, histological grade and pattern of invasion.

In quantitative analysis, 7 cases (21.2%) of recurrent OSCC and one case (3.2%) of non recurrent OSCC with EGFR extent score 4 was observed. In qualitative analysis, 5 cases (3.22%) of recurrent group and one case (0.64%) of non recurrent group with strong intensity was observed. Recurrent cases of OSCC showed higher score of EGFR expression [extent {p-value 0.001} and intensity {p-value 0.03}]. However, on clinicopathological correlation of EGFR expression, no significant correlation was observed. In TNM stage IV, out of 22 cases only 7 cases (4.48%) showed recurrence. Among 26 cases, 17 Cases (10.88%) of recurrent OSCC with H/P grade I showed recurrence. Recurrence was frequently observed in 15 cases (9.6%) with pattern of invasion (POI) type II.

The EGFR expression in between recurrent and non-recurrent OSCC can be exploited as prognostic/or predictive parameter despite its role as therapeutic marker.