Title: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation of Tumor Thickness and Depth of Invasion in

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity: A Prospective Study

Introduction:
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity,
accounting for more than 90% of all oral cancers. Accurate assessment of tumor thickness
and depth of invasion is critical for proper staging and treatment planning in SCC of the oral
cavity. Radiologic imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), are commonly used in the evaluation of oral cavity SCC. However, their
correlation with pathologic findings, particularly tumor thickness and depth of invasion, is not
well-established. Therefore, this prospective study aims to investigate the
radiologic-pathologic correlation of tumor thickness and depth of invasion in SCC of the oral
cavity.

Objectives:

To evaluate the accuracy of CT and MRI in determining tumor thickness and depth of
invasion in SCC of the oral cavity.
To determine the correlation between radiologic measurements of tumor thickness and depth
of invasion with pathologic measurements.
To identify any potential discrepancies between radiologic and pathologic measurements of
tumor thickness and depth of invasion and analyze the possible reasons for these
discrepancies.
To assess the impact of radiologic-pathologic correlation on treatment planning and clinical
outcomes in patients with SCC of the oral cavity.

Methods:
This will be a prospective, observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Patients
with biopsy-proven SCC of the oral cavity who undergo preoperative CT and/or MRI will be
enrolled. Radiologic measurements of tumor thickness and depth of invasion will be obtained
from CT and/or MRI reports. After surgical resection, the surgical specimens will be
processed and examined by a pathologist to determine the pathologic measurements of
tumor thickness and depth of invasion. The radiologic and pathologic measurements will be
compared and correlated. Any discrepancies between radiologic and pathologic
measurements will be analyzed, and potential reasons for these discrepancies will be
investigated. Data on treatment planning, including the impact of radiologic-pathologic
correlation on treatment decisions, and clinical outcomes such as recurrence and survival
rates will be collected and analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

● Patients with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity.
● Patients who undergo preoperative computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of the oral cavity SCC.
● Patients aged 18 years or older.
● Patients who are able to provide informed consent for participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:
 ● Patients with a history of prior treatment for oral cavity SCC, such as surgery,
radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
● Patients with contraindications to CT or MRI, such as severe claustrophobia, metallic
implants that are not compatible with MRI, or severe renal impairment that precludes
the use of intravenous contrast agents.
● Patients with incomplete or inadequate imaging studies that cannot be accurately
assessed for tumor thickness and depth of invasion.
● Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, due to potential risks associated with
imaging and contrast agents.
● Patients with cognitive or communication impairments that may affect their ability to
provide informed consent or comply with study requirements.

Note: The inclusion and exclusion criteria may be further refined or modified based on the
specific research design, institutional guidelines, and availability of resources. It is important
to carefully consider and clearly define the criteria to ensure appropriate selection of
participants for the study and to minimize potential confounding factors that may affect the
validity and generalizability of the research findings.

Expected Results:
We anticipate that there may be discrepancies between radiologic and pathologic
measurements of tumor thickness and depth of invasion in SCC of the oral cavity. Factors
such as tumor heterogeneity, imaging artifacts, and observer variability may contribute to
these discrepancies. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the accuracy
of radiologic imaging in determining tumor thickness and depth of invasion in SCC of the oral
cavity and its impact on treatment planning and clinical outcomes.

Significance:
This study will contribute to the existing literature by providing evidence-based data on the
radiologic-pathologic correlation of tumor thickness and depth of invasion in SCC of the oral
cavity. The findings of this study may help clinicians in accurately staging oral cavity SCC,
which is crucial for optimal treatment planning. Furthermore, this study may identify any
potential limitations or challenges in radiologic imaging of oral cavity SCC, and help improve
the accuracy of radiologic assessment in these cases. Ultimately, the results of this study
may have implications for clinical practice, leading to improved patient outcomes and quality
of care.

Conclusion:
This prospective study aims to investigate the radiologic-pathologic correlation of tumor
thickness and depth of invasion in SCC of the oral cavity. The findings of this study may
provide valuable insights into the accuracy of radiologic imaging in assessing tumor
characteristics in oral cavity SCC and its impact on treatment planning and clinical
outcomes. The results of this study may have potential implications for clinical practice and
contribute to the existing knowledge in the field of oral cavity SCC.