Occult metastases detected by sentinel node biopsy in patients with early oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas: Impact on survival

Abstract

Our study is the first to demonstrate that even small tumor deposits only detectable by the extensive histopathologic workup of the SLNB protocol have a significant impact on tumor control and survival in early Oropharyngeal SCC. Whether these findings will translate into different treatment strategies based on the upstaged neck has to be further investigated.