Anatomical locations in the oral cavity where surgical resections of oral squamous cell carcinomas are associated with a close or positive margin—a retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to identify anatomical areas where resections of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are significantly associated with close or positive margins.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 330 patients with a primary OSCC from 2010 to 2015. Patient and tumour data were categorised into three groups by R-status (R0 [clear], ≥ 5 mm, 185 patients [56.06%]; R1 [positive], < 1 mm, 24 patients [7.27%]; and R0 [close], 1–5 mm, 121 patients [36.67%]).

Results

Areas where resections were significantly associated with close or positive margins were the hard palate (p < 0.001), buccal mucosa (p = 0.03), floor of the mouth (p = 0.004), lower alveolar ridge (p = 0.01), retromolar triangle (p = 0.005), and dorsal tongue (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Anatomical areas were identified in the oral cavity where it is challenging to resect OSCCs with an adequate safety margin.

Clinical relevance

These results may enable surgeons to achieve a postulated safe distance during tumour resection, leading to a survival benefit for patients.

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