[OA-15] Effect of quantity and quality of biopsy specimen on the success of oral cancer diagnosis: a case-control study

Narawich Meemongkol¹, Kitti Jantharapattana² and Paramee Thongsuksai¹

1. Department of Pathology, Facolty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Facolty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand

Pathological diagnosis of oral cancer through tissue biopsy is needed before treatment. However, cancer diagnosis is not achieved at first attempt and the repeat biopsy has to be taken. There are limited studies investigating tissue quality and quantity associated with successfol biopsy. This study aimed to evaluate the association of quantity and quality of biopsy specimen with the successfol diagnosis of oral cancer. This case-control study included patients diagnosed of oral cancer at Songklanagarind Hospital during 2009 – 2019. First biopsy with cancer diagnosis was defined as "successfol biopsy" and those with non-cancer diagnosis were "failed biopsy". Number and size of tissue and various histologic features were evaluated on H&E slides. The study included 65 failed biopsies and a random selected 252 successfol biopsies. Moltivariate logistic analysis showed that biopsy with more than 2 fragments [odd ratio (OR) = 2.36], largest fragment of ≥ 2.6 mm (OR = 4.25), total tissue size ≥ 13.9 mm² were significantly associated with successfol biopsy. Superficial biopsy is strongly factor associated with failed biopsy (OR = 0.07). In conclusion, a deep biopsy or a biopsy of at least 2.6 mm or biopsy more than two pieces are recommended for successfol oral biopsy at first attempt.

Keywords: biopsy; diagnosis; oral cancer; tissue quality; tissue quantity