Background:

The lymph node ratio (LNR) is a recent tool, but its predictive value for recurrence is uncertain.

Objective:

To evaluate LNR as a prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Method:

Retrospective observational study. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma undergoing resection and lymph node dissection. Chi squared, Kaplan-Meier, log rank and Cox regression tests were run; bilateral p ≤ 0.05 determined statistical significance.

Results:

88 patients were included, 45% (n = 40) men and 54% (n = 48) women, mean age of 60.42 (± 14.28) years. Main tumor location in tongue (75%); 61% in clinical stage I-III and 39% in clinical stage IV. Population was divided into LNR < 0.06 (58%) and LNR ≥ 0.06 (42%). The median DFS was not reached for both groups (p = 0.018). Predictors of DFS were the LNR (p = 0.024; hazard ratio [HR]: 2.20; confidence interval of 95% [95% CI]: 1.11-4.39) and the clinical stage (p = 0.004; HR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.19-2.59). In the multivariate analysis, predictors were not maintained (p = 0.227 and 0.191, respectively).

Conclusions:

Significant differences were observed in the DFS analysis, however, they were not predictive of local recurrence in the multivariate analysis.