Prognostic Factors for Survival, Recurrence, and Metastasis in Early-Stage Tongue Cancer: An Overview

Konstantin Stamatov

Abstract: Early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma demonstrates variable clinical behavior that cannot be fully explained by conventional TNM staging alone. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on primary tumor-related prognostic factors influencing survival, recurrence, and metastatic risk, including tumor subsite, size, depth of invasion, histologic differentiation, perineural and lymphovascular invasion, invasion pattern, host immune response, and surgical margin status. The reviewed literature highlights depth of invasion, worst pattern of invasion, and margin status as consistently influential determinants, while other parameters provide additional stratification in selected contexts. Variability in definitions and reporting practices remains a major limitation across studies, underscoring the need for standardized assessment to support individualized treatment planning in early-stage tongue carcinoma.

Keywords: tongue squamous cell carcinoma, depth of invasion, prognostic factors, surgical margins, nodal metastasis

How to Cite?: Konstantin Stamatov, "Prognostic Factors for Survival, Recurrence, and Metastasis in Early-Stage Tongue Cancer: An Overview", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1263-1268, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26119175359, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26119175359