Management of the clinically negative neck in early squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth leading cause of cancer worldwide [1]. It accounts for 0.6% to 5% of all cancers in Europe. United States, and Australia, respectively.. but up to 45% of cancers in India (2). It mostly affects males, but its incidence is growing among females. It usually occurs in the seventh decade of life. The most common causative factors associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity are alcohol and tobacco abuse. Betel nut and tobacco chewing are responsible for the high incidence in the Indian subcontinent.