LAUSR

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Sri Lanka among men. Surgical resection of the primary tumor with adequate margins is an essential component of the treatment. Failure to achieve a clear surgical margin results in an increased risk of local recurrence and disease-related deaths. Objective To analyze the impact of surgical margins on survival in patients treated for OSCC. Methods Data of patients diagnosed with OSCC over a 13-year period were retrieved. Both mucosal and deeper surgical margins were measured histologically and grouped as follows: group A (6 mm and above), group B (5-6 mm), and group C (1-5 mm), and group D ( Results Out of a total of 351 patients with a male/female ratio of 3.1:1, 250 (groups A, B, C, D: 8, 37, 120, 85, respectively) with 5-year survival data were included. The commonest site was the buccal mucosa (53%), followed by the tongue (20%). Clinical staging consisted of stages 4 and 3 with 48% and 17%, respectively. Group D had the highest recurrence rate (59%) and the lowest survival for 3 (41%) and 5 (31%) years. Groups B and C showed no significant difference in the incidence of recurrences or 3- and 5-year survival. Group A had no recurrences, and all in the group survived over 5 years. Further, logistic regression revealed that age, stage, and deep margin status are the determinants of survival. Conclusions Margin status has a direct influence on survival and recurrence. Further, it was revealed that increasing the margin status to 6 mm or more improves the 5-year survival.