Tumor-host histopathologic variables, stromal myofibroblasts and risk score, are significantly associated with recurrent disease in tongue cancer

Margin status, a major prognostic parameter in oral cancer, was analyzed vis-à-vis the histopathologic parameters of risk scores and stromal myofibroblasts. Specimens of tongue carcinoma (n = 50) were submitted to a risk score assignment consisting of the worst pattern of invasion, lymphocytic infiltration, and perineural invasion. Frequency of stromal myofibroblasts (alpha-smooth muscle actin stain) was assessed. A triple immunostaining assay with E-cadherin, Ki-67 and alpha-smooth muscle actin was used to identify carcinoma cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Margins were considered 'clean' if the tumor was >or=5 mm away from them. Patients