Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Predicting Lymph Node Metastases in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background Oral cancer is a common malignancy worldwide, with approximately 3,50,000 new cases diagnosed yearly. Out of many factors which affect the survival in patients with oral cancer, lymph node metastases are a major factor that reduces survival by 50%. Even though many biomarkers have been studied to predict lymph node metastasis, none have yet been accepted for routine use.