Cervical Lymph Node Metastatic Factors in the Preoperative Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

The cervical lymph node (N) status is an important determinant of the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The treatment strategy administered with regard to the N status of a patient greatly affects prognosis. However, it is difficult to completely diagnose the N status preoperatively and the development of secondary cervical lymph node metastasis.