Downloads: 1
Narrative Review | Oncology Science | Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026 | Pages: 1128 - 1131 | Bulgaria
Management of the cN0 Neck in Early Oral Cancer: An Overview
Abstract: The management of the clinically negative (cN0) neck in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a debated topic in head and neck oncology. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on elective neck dissection (END) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the context of the 8th edition of the TNM staging system, which incorporates depth of invasion (DOI). While END demonstrates improved survival outcomes, especially for tumors with DOI greater than 4 mm, SLNB offers a less invasive diagnostic alternative with comparable survival results and reduced morbidity, though its accuracy is subsite-dependent and institution-specific. The article emphasizes a risk-adapted approach grounded in tumor biology, patient-specific factors, and surgical expertise, while underscoring the need for future studies explicitly aligned with TNM 8 to refine current protocols.
Keywords: oral squamous cell carcinoma, cN0 neck, elective neck dissection, sentinel lymph node biopsy, depth of invasion
How to Cite?: Konstantin Stamatov, "Management of the cN0 Neck in Early Oral Cancer: An Overview", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1128-1131, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26113161257, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26113161257