Prognostic significance of extracapsular spread of lymph node metastasis from oral squamous cell carcinoma in the clinically negative neck

The presence of extracapsular spread (ECS) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) indicates a poor prognosis and is associated with a higher risk of regional recurrence and distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyse this important feature of cervical lymph nodes in the clinically node-negative setting. The study included 61 patients with clinically T1–T3N0 OSCC who underwent primary surgical treatment; 52 were male and nine were female, and their median age was 57 years.

http://ift.tt/2n3i6BF