Bioelectric Impedance Phase Angle as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Carcinoma Tongue: a Hospital-based Study

Background: Malignancies of tongue represent one of the greatest management challenges for the head and neck oncologists because of the adverse effects of treatment on oral and pharyngeal functions. Diagnosis at later stages results in poor treatment outcomes and considerable costs to patients. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)-derived phase angle offers an emerging opportunity to assess prognosis in these malignancies. Aims and Objectives: To compare the phase angle between patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue spanning anterior two-thirds and their matched controls with the help of BIA. Materials and Methods: After obtaining clearance from ethics committee, we examined 37 male patients of histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and matched controls for phase angle by BIA Bodystat QuadScan 4000. Results: In the control group, phase angle showed a mean ± SEM of 5.659 (0.0713) whereas in the test group it was 3.643(0.0548). One-way analysis of variance was applied and the results were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: This study showed that phase angle is a strong predictor of presence and severity of carcinoma of the tongue in patients.