Unexpected findings in neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma: Incidence and implications

BACKGROUND: During the pathologic examination of neck dissections, unexpected pathologic findings may occasionally be encountered. These pathologic findings may simulate malignant disease and/or have implications on the already complicated management of patients with head and neck cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 202 consecutive patients with a preoperative diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), who underwent 307 neck …