Treatment of T1–T2 Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Clinically Node-Negative Neck (cN0)

This protocol addresses patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) at primary tumor stage T1 or T2, where the neck is clinically and radiographically node-negative (cN0) and there is no distant metastasis.

Clinical Scenario

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, primary tumor stage T1–T2, clinically and radiographically node-negative neck (cN0), no distant metastasis. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is under active investigation for this stage group, with particular applicability to tumors that can be resected with adequate margins without requiring direct neck access.

Treatment Approach — Partial Overview

In this setting, a neck surgical intervention is indicated under specific pathological conditions identified through sentinel lymph node assessment — including findings of microscopic nodal involvement. The complete criteria, sequencing, and scope of the recommended approach are detailed in the full protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1200/EDBK_389810

Utilization of SLN biopsy for head and neck cancer (HNC) is under active investigation with appealing applications, particularly for stage I to II (cT1-2N0M0) OSCC.
Primary T1-2 tumors that can be reliably resected with appropriate margins without requiring neck access have been deemed appropriate for SLN biopsy.
Patients with early OSCC and positive SLN biopsy results merit a CND.
This includes proceeding with CND for micrometastases (<2 mm) and isolated tumor cells found on SLN biopsy.

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