The role of total nodal yield in recurrence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Open Access
- Author:
- Pande, Amogh
- Graduate Program:
- Clinical Research (MS)
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- March 06, 2024
- Committee Members:
- Vonn Andrew Walter, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Tonya Sharp King, Committee Member
Li Wang, Professor in Charge/Director of Graduate Studies - Keywords:
- Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Total nodal yield
Recurrence - Abstract:
- The study investigates the effect of the total number of lymph nodes removed (total nodal yield) in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) on their risk of recurrence. The relationship between total nodal yield and recurrence was analysed. Data from a de-identified joint database from Penn State Hershey Medical Centre and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre was used to conduct the analyses. This study analyzed the medical records of patients that were diagnosed with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma between the years 2005 to 2021. The analyses included were bivariate and multivariable analyses of the variables of interest. In addition to these survival analyses were performed as well. Findings include the odds ratio with males having a recurrence is 2.12 [p = 0.25 (CI- 0.59, 7.63)] times the odds of females. Multivariable logistic regression model with primary response variable being the recurrence and the explanatory variables being total nodal yield, while controlling for gender, immune compromised status and clinical T and N stages yielded a result as p = 0.02 and OR- 1.58 (CI- 1.08, 2.39) for the total nodal yield. Survival analyses specifically the Cox proportional hazards model yielded a hazards ratio of 1.001 (CI- 0.98, 1.02) for the total nodal yield which indicates a non-significant impact on the overall survival. The conclusion drawn from this project emphasizes the results of some existing studies that suggest that there is a correlation between the total nodal yield and the lymph node ratios. Implications of this project which will be reflected in the standard clinical practice, where the physicians will be able to make decisions based on the parameters mentioned in this study.