Impact of tumor budding in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Tumor budding (TB) has been suggested as an adverse prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic role of TB in HNSCC. We systematically reviewed the literatures of electronic databases and performed a meta-analysis to address the impact of TB on prognosis in HNSCC. Published data were extracted and organized. Then, pooled odds ratios for lymph node metastasis (LNM) and hazard ratios for survival were calculated by using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed effect model. The results showed that high TB was significantly associated with LNM and worse survival in patients with HNSCC. Moreover, high TB was also correlated with poor prognosis in patients with cT1-2N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma. TB is a promising prognostic factor associated with LNM and worse survival, which should be included in the routine pathological examination of HNSCC.

Keywords: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; lymph node metastasis; prognostic factor; survival; tumor budding.