Positive or negative surgical margins of excision cannot predict the clinical course of patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Local recurrences are increased in frequency and number when invasive or in situ carcinoma or severe dysplasia is present at the margins. Histologic grade of the carcinoma has no influence. In patients with negative margins, 2- and 5-year survivals are dependent on the clinical stage and size of the primary tumor.
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