Relationship of tumor thickness in punch biopsy and subsequent surgical specimens in stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.

Objective: Among the histologic features of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip, maximum tumor thickness in particular is a predictor of regional nodal metastatic spread and thus an important parameter in treatment planning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between maximum tumor thickness in punch biopsies and maximum tumor thickness in subsequent surgical specimens.

Study Design: This retrospective study examined the relationship between maximum tumor thickness in punch biopsies with that in subsequent surgical specimens obtained in 72 patients with clinical stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.

Results: A correlation between maximum tumor thickness in punch biopies and in subsequent surgical specimens was found only for tumors with a thickness less than 3 mm.

Conclusions: Reliable predictive information could be obtained from punch biopsies with a maximum tumor thickness less than 3 mm. When the maximum tumor thickness exceeds 3 mm, better information may be obtained from either a large incisional biopsy or the surgical specimen.