Predictors of locoregional recurrence in early stage buccal cancer with pathologically clear surgical margins and negative neck.

Objective: To identify the significant predictors of locoregional recurrence in early stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of buccal mucosa with pathologically clear surgical margins and negative neck.

Method: Seventy-three patients who underwent per oral wide excision and supraomohyoid neck dissection for early stage buccal SCC with clear surgical margins (>5mm margins each) and negative neck (N0) were included. None of the patients received postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent predictors of locoregional recurrence.

Results: Recurrence was observed in 22 of 73 (30%) cases. Twelve had local, seven had regional and three developed locoregional recurrences. Both univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and non-T4 muscular invasion (non-T4MI) were independent predictors affecting locoregional control.

Conclusion: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and non-T4 muscular invasion (non-T4MI) significantly increased the locoregional recurrence rate in early stage buccal SCC with clear surgical margins and negative nodal status. Adjuvant treatment with either radiation or chemoradiation should be considered when one or both of these factors present.