Predictive Factors for Submandibular Gland Involvement in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma—a Prospective Study from a Tertiary Cancer Center

• Published in: Indian journal of surgical oncology 2021-12, Vol.12 (4), p.737-744
• Main Authors: Basha, Saleem Shaik, Nayak, Vikash, Goel, Ashish, Panda, Sangram Keshari, Sharma, Tapasvini Pradhan, Pande, Pankaj Kumar, Kumar, Kapil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original; Original Article; Surgery; Surgical Oncology
• ISSN: 0975-7651; 0976-6952
• DOI: 10.1007/s13193-021-01414-5

The oncological necessity of submandibular gland removal during neck dissection for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma surgery has remained controversial. This study was aimed to determine the rate of SMG involvement and assess the feasibility of submandibular gland (SMG) preservation. We present a prospective study conducted at a tertiary cancer center from June 2017 to May 2019. All patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma who underwent primary surgery with neck dissection were included and analyzed for incidence and predictive factors for incidence of level IB nodal and SMG involvement as per CAP guidelines. A total of 60 patients were inducted in the study, wherein 63 neck dissections were performed including bilateral dissection in three cases. There was involvement of SMG in 6 patients with two cases each in floor of mouth cancer, gingivo-buccal, and alveolar lesions. The SMG was involved by direct contiguous spread from the primary lesion in two cases, extra-capsular extension from level IB lymph nodes in one and by both mode of spread in three glands. Perineural invasion was seen in 83.33% ( n  = 5) patients with SMG involvement ( p -