Sentinel Lymph Node Centered Selective Neck Dissection Does Not Have Benefits Over Supraomohyoid Neck Dissection in Patients with cT1T2N0 Tongue Cancer

Patients with early stage tongue cancer (T1T2N0) experience satisfactory treatment outcomes, with reported 5-year survival rates ranging from 75% to 86%. Cervical lymph node metastasis is the most significant prognostic factor in squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity. However, diagnostic modalities, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and ultrasonography, are not sufficiently sensitive to detect lymph nodes <2 mm thick [known as micrometastasis (0.2-2 mm)], and isolated tumor cells <0.2 mm. Consequently, the rate of occult metastasis has been reported to be approximately 10% to 42%. Generally, tumor thicknesses >4 mm, tumor size >2 cm, or the presence of vascular and perineural invasion, are associated with an increased risk for cervical lymph node metastasis. Much debate surrounds neck surgery in cN0 tongue cancer patients including treatment versus observation, the extent of Sentinel Lymph Node Centered Selective Neck Dissection Does Not Have Benefits Over Supraomohyoid Neck Dissection in Patients with cT1T2N0 Tongue Cancer