Objective: To evaluate the value of the invasive front grading (IFG), the proliferative activity of cells at the invasive tumor front (ITF) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tongue.
Methods: All the tumors were graded using IFG grading. The expression of PCNA, Ki67 and staining and measurement of AgNOR number were evaluated at the ITF and the other parts of the same tumor.
Results: The expression of PCNA (P < 0.001), Ki67 (P < 0.001), AgNOR number (P < 0.001) at the ITF were higher than those of other parts. The IFG score was significantly correlated with the expression of PCNA (P < 0.05), AgNOR number (P < 0.01) at the ITF. The complete IFG score (P < 0.01) was significant in both univariate and multivariate cox analysis; the AgNOR number at the ITF (P < 0.05) was only significant in univariate analysis (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The ITF of SCCs of tongue differentiate poorer than the other parts and is active in proliferation. The complete IFG score and the AgNOR number at the ITF could be a valuable indication to predict the prognosis of SCCs of tongue.