A Study of the Surface Roughness of Tongue Cancer and Leukoplakia Using a Non-contact Three-dimensional Curved Shape Measuring System

Abstract

The surface roughness (SR) of the tongue intonguettdicates various aspects of abnormal epithelial hyperplasia, including leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Quantification of surface roughness value (SRV) would provide clinicians with more precise estimates of lesions than visual inspection alone. SRV was measured and calculated for 40 tongues with SCC, 20 tongues with leukoplakia and 14 normal tongues, using a non-contact, three-dimensional curved shape measuring and data analysis system. SCC and leukoplakiaaffected tongues showed a higher SRV than normal tongues, and SCC showed the highest SRV (p<0.05). The mean SRVs of normal tongue, leukoplakia and SCC were 51.1 μm, 203.5 (m, and 300.9μm, respectively. Well differentiated SCC showed higher SRV than moderately or poorly differentiated SCC (p<0.05). Our results demonstrate that SRV is an excellent indicator of SR and can be used by clinicians to support the correct diagnosis and proper treatment of abnormal epithelial hyperplasia.