title: Prognostic biological features in neck dissection specimens.
abstract: The superior prognostic value offered by routine histopathological staging of neck dissections, as compared to clinical staging using palpation and modern imaging techniques, is well established in the literature concerning the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In this review, we discuss the definitions and criteria used in standardised routine histopathological reporting and explore additional potential nodal prognostic features. In addition, we critically appraise the value of immunohistochemistry, histochemistry, molecular and other non-morphological techniques and suggest tumour and host features that merit further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Hospital, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Julia A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Woolgar
authors.forename: Asterios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Triantafyllou
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Michelle D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Takes
authors.forename: Lester D R
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Pieter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Slootweg
authors.forename: Kenneth O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Devaney
authors.forename: Alfio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferlito
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D037981:Neck Dissection; D011379:Prognosis; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck