Hallmarks of cancer: Tumor budding as a sign of invasion and metastasis in head and neck cancer

Antti A. Mäkitie MD, PhD  Alhadi Almangush DDS, PhD  Juan P. Rodrigo MD, PhD  Alfio Ferlito MD, DLO, DPath, FRCSEd ad hominem, FRCS (Eng, Glasg, Ir) ad eundem, FDSRCS ad eundem, FHKCORL, FRCPath, FASCP, IFCAP  Ilmo Leivo MD, PhD … See fewer authors
First published: 22 July 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.25872
This article was written by members and invitees of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group (www.IHNSG.com).
Funding information: Finska Läkaresällskapet; Helsinki University Research Fund
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Abstract
Invasion and metastasis are hallmarks of cancer. The concept of tumor budding at tumor‐host interface has been documented in many carcinomas. A growing body of evidence indicates that tumor budding is a sign of invasion and early step for metastasis of many epithelial cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In addition, recent research has underlined the importance of tumor budding as a promising prognosticator in HNSCC. This review summarizes the findings regarding tumor budding in HNSCC and focuses on the role of tumor budding in invasion and metastasis. Also, we highlight the prognostic significance of tumor budding in HNSCC and its potential for improving clinical decision making in terms of recommending optimal individualized treatment for this patient population.