Current standards in the diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma - a multicenter analysis.

Abstract

The German guideline for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) describes the recommended diagnosis and treatment procedures for OSCC and ensures the highest quality patient care. However, the current German guideline for OSCC is indistinct and therapy planning is not standardized in detail between centers. To address this, the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in different oral and maxillofacial surgery departments in Germany were summarized using a uniform questionnaire. The results revealed high standards in oncologic maxillofacial care, but non-uniform standards exist between centers. Moreover, an increasing use of diagnostic and treatment methods that are not included in the German guideline for OSCC, such as positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) and tumor biomarkers, were used by different centers. These results support the updated German guideline for OSCC but highlight the need to consider other additive methods to improve patient care and outcomes. Furthermore, a recommendation to introduce tumor passports to simplify OSCC diagnosis and treatment should be discussed. These changes will improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with OSCC.