Sakata J, et al. - This research was executed in order to detect the predictive factors for occult neck metastasis arising from tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). In addition, experts intended to evaluate the patient prognosis. For the detection of populations at high risk of occult neck metastasis, the analysis of tumor budding was found to be effective. This, in turn, would enable the planning of appropriate therapeutic strategies for patients with cT2N0 TSCC. Findings suggested cytokeratin staining over hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) for simpler and more precise assessment of tumor budding.