Submandibular gland involvement in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.3117Keywords:
Squamous cell carcinoma, submandibular glandAbstract
According to the classification by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, excision of the submandibular gland is included in level IB neck dissection (ND). However, the routine removal of this gland in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) remains a subject of debate. This study aims to characterize the OCSCC patient population and assess the incidence of submandibular gland involvement in this context. We conducted a retrospective study of patients with OCSCC who underwent ND between 2019 and 2024. A total of 104 patients were included, all of whom underwent ND involving levels I–III or I–IV. Positive lymph nodes were identified in 51.9% of cases. Submandibular gland invasion was observed in only one patient (1.0%), representing a case of direct extension. These findings suggest that submandibular gland involvement in OCSCC is rare. Preservation of the gland may be considered in the absence of radiological or intraoperative evidence of tumor involvement.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Rita Peça, Mariana Correia, Cláudia Rosa, Carolina Arede, Maria José Santos, Mafalda Correia de Oliveira, Paulo Pereira, Ana Rita Santos, Mariana Calha, Leonel Luís
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