Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Oral Oncology, cilt.177, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Objective: This study evaluated long-term oncologic outcomes of functional suprahyoid neck dissection (FSND) in patients with early-stage (T1-T2 N0) lower lip squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients treated surgically for early-stage lower lip cancer at a tertiary center between 1996 and 2023. A total of 107 patients with T1-T2 clinically N0 disease who underwent FSND and had 24 months follow-up were included. Cervical evaluation consisted of physical examination and ultrasonography. Tumors were staged according to the AJCC 2010 criteria. Histopathologic findings, occult metastasis, recurrence, and oncologic outcomes were analyzed. Results: The cohort consisted of 102 men (95.3%) and 5 women (4.7%), with a mean age of 61.3 years. Tumor stage was T1 in 59.8% and T2 in 40.2% of patients. A total of 146 FSND procedures were performed, including 68 unilateral and 39 bilateral dissections. Occult metastasis was detected in 1.86% of cases. Two patients with histopathologically confirmed N0 disease developed level I nodal recurrence during follow-up; both achieved locoregional control with salvage surgery and/or adjuvant therapy. No FSND-related mortality was observed. Recurrence rates were comparable to those reported for classical suprahyoid and other neck dissection techniques. Conclusion: Although a wait-and-see approach may be appropriate for selected patients with early-stage lower lip cancer, management of the clinically N0 neck remains controversial. Ultrasonography-guided surveillance is effective in patients compliant with close follow-up, whereas FSND represents a safe and reliable option for higher-risk patients or those with limited follow-up compliance, providing accurate staging without compromising oncologic safety.