Sentinel node biopsy in early oral squamous cell carcinomas: Long-term follow-up and nodal failure analysis

The management of T1/T2 cN0 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains controversial, with the two historical attitudes of watchful waiting and neck dissection (ND). The presence of lymph node metastases in the neck represents one of the most important adverse prognostic factors for patients with OSCC [1]. However, current imaging techniques are not considered to be sufficiently sensitive to detect occult lymphatic disease in cN0 neck [2]. With ND, it is expected that approximately 20% of cN0 patients will be harboring lymphatic metastases [3,4], and therefore benefit from this procedure.

Source: Oral Oncology - June 6, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: A. Moya-Plana, A. Aup érin, J. Guerlain, P. Gorphe, O. Casiraghi, G. Mamelle, A. Melkane, J. Lumbroso, F. Janot, S. Temam Source Type: research