Distant metastasis is an uncommon but critical determinant of prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to evaluate clinicopathological risk factors associated with distant metastasis and overall survival (OS) in surgically treated patients with OSCC. A retrospective review was conducted on 116 patients who underwent surgery for oral cancer at Samsung Medical Center between 2018 and 2024. Clinicopathological variables—including depth of invasion (DOI), extranodal extension (ENE), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), and worst pattern of invasion (WPI)—were analyzed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to assess prognostic factors. Distant metastasis occurred in 9.1% of patients and was significantly associated with inferior OS (P < 0.0001). In univariate analysis, LVI, ENE, WPI, and multiple metastatic lymph nodes were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified focal LVI as an independent predictor of OS (HR = 14.23, 95% CI: 1.85–109.67, P = 0.011). Subgroup analysis showed a higher frequency of distant metastasis among patients without neck dissection and those with deeper tumor invasion, although statistical significance was not consistently achieved due to limited events. The lung was the most common site of metastasis, and median post-metastatic survival was 5 months. LVI, ENE, WPI, and nodal burden are significant prognostic factors for OSCC. Focal LVI was independently associated with survival. These findings support the integration of high-risk pathological features into postoperative surveillance and treatment planning.

Background: mTeSR1 is a fully-defined, serum-free medium for the derivation and maintenance of Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). This study investigates the impact of incorporating mTeSR1 supplement during in vitro culture (IVC) on blastocyst productivity, qualitative characteristics, and outgrowth potential of bovine blastocysts. Methods: In vitro fertilized (IVF) eggs were cultured in IVC medium (control) with the addition of mTeSR1 supplement at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 5%, respectively. The development rates of fertilized eggs and gene expression patterns of blastocysts were assessed on day 9 of culture. For outgrowth culture, blastocysts were cultured on a mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder cells (MEFs) for 7 days. Results: In vitro development of bovine preimplantation embryos in the 2% mTeSR1 group was significantly higher than in the control (p < 0.05). The apoptotic index in the 2% mTeSR1 group was significantly lower compared to the control (p < 0.05). RTqPCR indicated that SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2 (Sox2) gene expression in the 5% mTeSR1 group was significantly higher than in the control (p < 0.05). The 5% mTeSR1 group also showed significantly higher BCL2 associated X (Bax) expression compared to the control and other mTeSR1 groups. On day 9 pi, blastocysts from the control and 2% mTeSR1 groups were cultured for 7 days. The 2% mTeSR1 group showed higher efficiency in forming dome-shaped colonies with stronger SOX2 expression compared to the control. Conclusions: The mTeSR1 supplement supports preimplantation embryo development and prevents apoptosis in blastocysts, leading to the efficient formation of domeshaped inner cell mass (ICM) colonies.

Extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMPs) are rare soft tissue malignant neoplasms composed of plasma cells. They are sometimes found in soft tissues. The majority of primary EMPs occur in the head and neck region, especially in the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity. We present a case of a 52-year-old female with an EMP. The patient’s initial chief complaint was swelling of the soft palate. An excisional biopsy was performed under general anesthesia. Final pathologic diagnosis was EMP of the soft palate with partial involvement of the resection margin. In order to exclude the possibility of multiple myeloma, a bone marrow exam with chromosomal study was completed. The patient was also referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology for postoperative radiation therapy (PORT); however, the patient refused to undergo PORT. The patient is currently under close observation for signs and symptoms of recurrence or metastases through regular follow-up visits and imaging studies.