Multicentre study on resection margins in carcinoma of the oral cavity, oro-hypopharynx and larynx

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic significance of the resection margins is still subject of conflicting opinions. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a study on the margins in carcinoma of the oral cavity, oro-hypopharynx and larynx. METHODS: A multicentre prospective study was carried out between 2015 and 2018 with the participation of 10 Italian reference hospitals. The primary objective was to evaluate local control in patients with well-defined clinical characteristics and comprehensive histopathological information. RESULTS: During the study period, 455 patients were enrolled; the minimum follow-up was 2 years. Previous treatment, grading and fresh specimen examination were identified as risk factors for local control in multivariate analysis. On the basis of these results, it seems possible to delineate “risk profiles” for different oncological outcomes. DISCUSSION: The prognostic significance of the margins is reduced, and other risk factors emerge, which require diversified treatment and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary treatment with adjuvant therapy, if indicated, reduces the prognostic importance of margins. Collaboration with a pathologist is an additional favourable prognostic factor and quality indicator. An appendix with literature review is present in the online version.