Abstract
INTRODUCTION: "Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)" is one of the most common malignancies of the oral cavity, often requiring aggressive surgical intervention. "Photodynamic therapy (PDT)" has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option to enhance the efficacy of surgical treatments. The combination of PDT with surgery has been suggested to reduce recurrence rates and improve overall outcomes. METHODS: This research aims to evaluate the efficacy of PDT as an adjunct to surgery in treating OSCC, using three key parameters: tumor recurrence rates, survival outcomes, and postoperative complications. A cohort of OSCC patients treated with surgery alone was compared with a cohort treated with both surgery and PDT. RESULTS: Patients treated with surgery and PDT demonstrated significantly lower tumor recurrence rates (P < 0.05) and improved 3-year survival outcomes (P < 0.01) compared to surgery alone. Postoperative complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PDT as an adjunct to surgery shows promise in improving recurrence rates and survival outcomes in OSCC without increasing postoperative complications. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.