Adjuvant Radiotherapy After Surgery for Buccal Mucosa Cancer
Following surgical resection of buccal mucosa cancer, the decision to pursue adjuvant treatment depends on specific histopathological findings from the operative specimen. This protocol addresses that post-surgical decision point.
Clinical Scenario
Patient has undergone surgical resection for buccal mucosa cancer (ICD-10 C06.0 / ICD-11 2B66.Z). Evaluation of pathological findings from the resected specimen is required to determine whether adjuvant radiotherapy is indicated.
Treatment Approach
Adjuvant radiotherapy is considered based on the evaluation of histopathological features identified in the surgical specimen — including margin status and certain tumour characteristics.
Full criteria, sequencing, and protocol details available via the link below →
References
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1081
All surgeons would give adjuvant treatment to a patient with a pT2 tumor without adverse histopathological features, if the histological margin proved to be involved (<1 mm).
Our current guideline for adjuvant radiotherapy in oral carcinomas advises adjuvant treatment if there is an involved margin, and suggests considering it if three or more of the following characteristics are present: T3/4 tumor, close tumor-free margins, perineural growth, vascular invasion or non-cohesive growth.
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