?Elective Neck Dissection in T1T2 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Proven N0 Neck: Essential or Not

Abstract

he Oral cavity is the most predominant location in the head and neck region for primary malignant tumors. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is characterized by a high risk of metastases to lymph nodes in the neck. Tobacco smoking and alcohol are the main etiologic factors in SCC of the oral cavity. The most important prognostic factor of tumor biologic aggressiveness and survival in oral cavity cancer is the presence of cervical metastases. Recommending elective treatment of the neck in stage I and stage II squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth is controversial. OSCC is characterized by a poor prognosis and a low overall survival.