Risk of submandibular gland metastasis in early-stage oral cavity cancer: A national multicentric study

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of preserving the submandibular gland in early-stage oral cavity cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data for all patients who present with early-stage oral cavity cancer and underwent local wide excision with concomitant neck dissection over 8 years from 2008 to 2016 at two tertiary oncology centers in Saudi Arabia. Results: Forty-seven patients, comprising 26 males (55.3%) and 21 females (44.7%), were included in the study; the primary presentation, documented risk factors, and postoperative pathological results were evaluated. Conclusion: The present study showed that risk of submandibular gland metastasis in clinically early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma was almost nil.