The importance of margins in head and neck cancer

J Surg Oncol. 2016 Mar;113(3):248-55. doi: 10.1002/jso.24134. Epub 2016 Mar 9.

Abstract

An estimated 200,000 deaths each year worldwide are due to cancer of the head and neck, mostly mucosal squamous cell carcinoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. The status of surgical margins is important for prognosis and need for adjuvant therapy. We will discuss how margin status impacts outcomes and therapy, and the conundrum of determining margin status.

Keywords: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck; surgical margins in head and neck cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / prevention & control*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Frozen Sections*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Period
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / methods
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control*
  • Neoplasm, Residual / prevention & control
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Respiratory Mucosa / pathology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / standards*
  • Survival Rate