High‐risk early‐stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma, when free margins are not enough: Critical review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader High‐risk early‐stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma, when free margins are not enough: Critical review Via Head & Neck Abstract Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is a quite peculiar disease from an anatomical and biological standpoint. An increasing amount of literature highlights the existence of a small subset of T1‐T2N0 OTSCC, properly resected on a margin‐dependent basis, which conversely proved higher than expected rates of loco‐regional/distant failure and disease‐specific mortality. These specific high‐risk tumors might not have a margin‐dependent disease and could possibly benefit from a more aggressive upfront loco‐regional treatment, especially addressing the so‐called T‐N tract. Widespread adoption of a histopathological risk model would allow early recognition of these high‐risk diseases and, consequently, intensification of the traditional treatment strategies in that specific niche. We reviewed the available knowledge trying to shed light on the potential determinants of the dismal prognosis of these high‐risk OTSCC, with special reference to the role of overlo oked T‐N tract involvement and possible alternatives in terms of elective neck management and risk stratification. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.