Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Lip with Positive Cervical Lymph Nodes (cN+)
When squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip presents with clinically positive cervical lymph nodes, management must address both the primary tumour and regional nodal disease. This protocol covers that combined surgical strategy.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip with confirmed positive cervical lymph nodes (cN+), requiring treatment directed at the primary site and the involved cervical node levels.
Management includes radical excision with reconstruction of the primary lip tumour. In addition, cervical nodal disease is addressed through neck dissection, with the specific extent of nodal clearance determined by the pattern and bilaterality of involvement. The full protocol details the decision criteria and surgical scope.
References
DOI: 10.1016/j.maxilo.2015.03.006
Neck lymph node data were positive (cN+) in 16 patients who were treated with modified radical neck dissection (MRND).
Three T2N1 and six T3N1 patients underwent MRND.
Three T3N2a and four T3N2c underwent bilateral MRND.