Incidence of Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Submandibular Gland among N+ Cases of Neck Dissection: A Research Protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignant diseases of the head and neck region. Management of OSCC involves removal of the Submandibular Gland (SMG) along with lymph nodes. The submandibular salivary gland is routinely removed, considering metastatic involvement from OSCC. Many studies show there is no or rare involvement of the submandibular gland. Aim: To find the incidence of metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma in the submandibular salivary gland during neck dissection. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional observational, descriptive study will be conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Sawangi, Maharashtra, India, from November 2018. Data will be compilated in tabular form in term of descriptive statistics with frequency and proportion of submandibular gland involvement. It will be conducted on 90 operated cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma in whom one or both the submandibular glands will be removed during neck dissection. The outcome parameters will be the nature and site of lesion, clinical nodal status, clinical stage of disease, preoperative and post-operative histopathological examination of lesion, histopathological examination of resected lymph nodes and proportion of involvement of submandibular gland.