Prognostic implications of mucosal and deep margin distances according to T‐status in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma: A single‐center retrospective study

Objective To elucidate the prognostic implications of mucosal and deep margin distances in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), and to assess a different margin cut‐off value in T1‐T2 versus T3‐T4 tumors. Methods This single‐center retrospective study included 223 patients who received surgery for a primary OTSCC between January 2017 and December 2021. Results Multivariable analysis showed that deep margin distance ≥3 mm in T1‐T2 tumors and ≥5 mm in T3‐T4 tumors was significantly associated with better RFS and OS. Mucosal and deep margin distances were globally clinically useful for 2‐year RFS prediction of T1‐T2 tumors, for which deep margins seemed to have more clinical utility than mucosal margins. The influence of margin distances on 2‐year RFS seemed greater for T1‐T2 tumors than T3‐T4 tumors. Conclusion Mucosal and deep margin distances were associated with OS and RFS in OTSCC. Shorter deep margin distances may be aimed for in T1‐T2 versus T3‐T4 tumors.