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Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Intraoperative Assessment of Resection Margins in Oral Cavity Cancer: This is the Way
Published on: May 10, 2021
[Clear resection margins to avoid escalation of adjuvant therapy in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]
N Mansour1,2, C Backes3, C Becker4
1Klinik für Hals, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland. naglaa.mansour@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Background:
Resection margins in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are a predictive marker for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free interval (RFI). Adjuvant therapy is influenced by TNM status, extracapsular extension (ECE), and resection margin status (R) of the primary tumor. The R status can be directly influenced by the head and neck surgeon. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of R status on treatment decisions, RFI, and OS.
Materials And Methods:
All patients with OPSCC who underwent surgery (with/without adjuvant therapy) between 2001 and 2011 were enrolled. Clinical data, survival parameters, histologic data such as ECE, resection margin status, and tumor size were retrospectively collected and analyzed.
Results:
A total of 208 patients were enrolled. Survival parameters showed that patients with microscopically clear (R0) resection margins had an RFI/OS of 89/87 months. These values decreased in patients with R1 (65/65 months), R2 (38/33 months), and Rx (unclear) resections (59/45 months; p = 0.036/p = 0.001). In patients with ECE and R1 resection, but also in those with R0 resections achieved by follow-up resection and those with Rx resections, adjuvant therapy was escalated.
Conclusion:
Unclear resection status reduces OS and RFI in patients with OPSCC. Therefore, in surgical therapy, clear resection status in the first pass should be strived for to avoid escalation of adjuvant therapy due to an unclear R status.
