Journal of surgical oncology
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The importance of tumor free margins in outcome of cancer surgery is well known. Often the pathological margins are reported to be significantly smaller than the in situ margins. This discrepancy is due to margin shrinkage the quantum of which has not been studied in patients with oral cancers. ⋯ There is significant shrinkage of mucosal margins after surgery. Hence this should be considered and appropriate margins should be taken at initial resection to prevent the agony of post-operative positive surgical margins.