Insight into the Latest Concepts of Neurotrophism and Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Cancer.
The hallmark of cancer includes an aggressive growth pattern, higher rate of locoregional recurrence and an increased propensity to disseminate and involve distant structures. It is a common feature for many cancers, especially head and neck malignant tumors, to involve neural structures. The invasion was attributed to be a part of its local aggressive nature. But, several studies have demonstrated certain tumors to show specific affinity toward neural tissues, while sparing other vital tissues in its vicinity. This affinity towards neural structures is termed as neurotrophism.(1) Studies estimating the rate of neural invasion have largely been biased. This is due to the lack of a standard definition and diagnosing criteria for evaluating neural invasion. The terminologies used to denote neural invasion include neurotrophic carcinomatous spread and perineural spread.
Associate Professor Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology Faculty of Dental Sciences MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Shankargouda
S
Patil
Professor and Head Department of Oral Pathology Faculty of Dental Sciences MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Roopa S
RS
Rao
Final Year Postgraduate Student Department of Oral Pathology Faculty of Dental Sciences MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
A Thirumal
AT
Raj
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D016501:Neurites / Q000473:pathology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors