Comparison of grading systems of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and the impact on patient survival

Method: Haematoxylin and eosin stained slides of 34 patients with MEC were used to grade the tumours according to the criteria specified in the three grading systems. Survival period in months and the outcome including if the patient had died due to disease or whether the patient is living with or without disease was obtained by sending a questionnaire to the patients/relatives of the patient.

Results: Statistically significant higher recurrence and poor survival rates could be observed in high grade MECs compared to low/intermediate grade tumours when MECs were graded according to AFIP (Recurrence rate - p=0.0036, survival - p=0.0067) and Modified Healey (Recurrence rate - p=0.031, survival - p=0.0067) system. However, no statistically significant differences could be demonstrated when the tumours were graded according to Brandwein classification (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The histopathological grade carries a high prognostic significance, when MECs are graded according to AFIP and Modified Healey classifications, while Brandwein system was unsuitable to predict the survival and prognosis of patients.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jdp.v7i1.5595

Journal of Diagnostic Pathology 2012 (7); 1: 42-49