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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

Clinical significance of tumor-stroma ratio in head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Alhadi Almangush, Rasheed Omobolaji Alabi, Giuseppe Troiano, Ricardo D. Coletta, Tuula Salo, Matti Pirinen, Antti A. Mäkitie, Ilmo Leivo

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The clinical significance of tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) has been examined in many tumors. Here we systematically reviewed all studies that evaluated TSR in head and neck cancer.

Methods

Four databases (Scopus, Medline, PubMed and Web of Science) were searched using the term tumo(u)r-stroma ratio. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) were followed.

Results

TSR was studied in nine studies of different subsites (including cohorts of nasopharyngeal, oral, laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinomas). In all studies, TSR was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Classifying tumors based on TSR seems to allow for identification of high-risk cases. In oral cancer, specifically, our meta-analysis showed that TSR is significantly associated with both cancer-related mortality (HR 2.10, 95%CI 1.56–2.84) and disease-free survival (HR 1.84, 95%CI 1.38–2.46).

Conclusions

The assessment of TSR has a promising prognostic value and can be implemented with minimum efforts in routine head and neck pathology.

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Title: Clinical significance of tumor-stroma ratio in head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alhadi Almangush
Rasheed Omobolaji Alabi
Giuseppe Troiano
Ricardo D. Coletta
Tuula Salo
Matti Pirinen
Antti A. Mäkitie
Ilmo Leivo
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08222-8

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