Therapeutic implications of tumor free margins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The resection status is one of the most important prognostic factors for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) concerning overall survival (OS) and recurrence free interval (RFI). To assess whether therapy concepts changed depending on different resection margins and extracapsular extension, OS and RFI data were set into clinical context.

All HNSCC patients who underwent head and neck surgery with/without adjuvant therapy (n=534) were selected over a ten-year period (2001-2011). Clinical parameters and survival data were collected retrospectively and histopathological analysis of tumor free margins and extracapsular extension were done.

Patients with microscopic in-sano resection showed mean OS/RFI of 95/96 months. OS/RFI decreased in microscopic non-in-sano and macroscopic non-in-sano (56/58 and 35/39 months) as well as in unclear resection margins (63/60 months). Patients with extracapsular extension, microscopic non-in-sano resection as well as patients with in-sano resection after follow up resection demonstrated therapy escalation by adjuvant (chemo-) radiation.

Insufficient surgical margins and extracapsular extension are main risks for a reduced overall and recurrence free survival. Although there is no measure to prevent positive extracapsular extension, clear margins at first pass protect patients from adjuvant therapy escalation.