[Follow-up after histologically verified radical resection of early cancers of the mouth cavity: results of a prospective multicenter study].

Introduction: Early stage oral cavity carcinoma is curable in most cases. This study follows the course of early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity after radical surgical resection, in order to assess the necessity of further treatment modalities.

Material and methods: In a prospective multicentric study, 110 patients with T1-T2 and N0-N1 (without capsular invasion) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were enrolled. All patients were treated exclusively by surgical resection with histopathologically proven negative margins.

Results: Among 96 patients (14 excluded because of positive margins), followed-up for 3 years, 18 presented a local or regional recurrence. In 12 of these 18 loco-regional control was reestablished by second treatment. Overall, the 4-year disease-specific survival probability was 94%. Patients treated initially by selective neck dissection had significantly lower recurrence rates than those without neck surgery.

Conclusion: Early (T1-2, N0-1) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is adequately treated by surgery alone. The surgical procedure should include margin-free resection of the primary combined with selective neck dissection. Systematic postoperative radiotherapy does not appear necessary. Neck dissection is advocated in N0 patients as well.