Histopathology
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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) prognosis depends upon lymph node metastasis (LNM). We have reported recently that tumour budding is a good predictive factor for LNM in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue and floor of the mouth (FOM). Our aim was to evaluate whether tumour budding is a good prognostic factor in OSCC. ⋯ The assessment of tumour budding is effective in predicting prognosis in cN0 early stage OSCC. In T1/2 stage and cN0 cancer, prophylactic neck dissection to prevent LNM should be considered when the tumour budding score regarding pre-operative biopsy specimens is intermediate or high.