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Is a close but negative for margin (<5 mm) an indication for adjuvant radiation in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma?

NCCN guidelines lists adverse features as positive margin, but does not appears to include close margin. If felt to be an indication similiar to a positive margin, is it also an indication for chemoradiation?
3 Answers
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Radiation Oncology · NYC Health + Hospitals
Answered on

I treat a close margin in the high-risk post-op PTV (66Gy) but I do not ask med onc to add chemotherapy unless the margin is a true positive.

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Radiation Oncology · University of Florida
Answered on

Hi, I treat close and positive but reexcised negative as positive. The likelihood of salvage is low so go whole hog.

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Radiation Oncology · Bon Secours Mercy Health
Answered on · Updated on

It depends on other factors. In the era of a greater understanding of the biology of SCCHN & given the long-term consequences of therapy, we need to critically assess the role of adjuvant therapies such as these. So what are the factors that would play into my recommendation of adjuvant RT in this s...

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