Site-wise Differences in Adequacy of the Surgical resection Margins in Head and Neck Cancers

Abstract

Adequacy of surgical resection decided by the margin status is important in attaining a good local control and better survival in Head and neck Cancers. Conventionally, a measured distance between the tumor edge and the cut edge of the specimen is taken as the margin. A margin more than 5  millimeter (mm) is considered clear, less than 5 mm is close and less than one mm is denoted as involved. The concept of this adequacy varies between the different sites and subsites in head and neck. The purpose of this paper is to review the current evidence that describes the adequacy of surgical margin status and their variability among the sites and sub-sites in the head and neck.