Background: We set out to investigate how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affected the size of tumors and the duration of treatment delay in patients with surgically treated oral squamous cell carcinoma.Methods: Patients with surgically treated oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma were assessed retrospectively and divided into two groups depending on when they had first presented at our clinic. Patients presenting from 2010 to 2019, that is, before COVID‐19 onset (n = 566) were compared to patients presenting in 2020 (n = 58).Results: A total of 624 patients were included. Treatment delay was significantly longer in 2020 (median = 45 days) versus 2010–2019 (median = 35 days) (p = 0.004). We observed a higher pathological T classification in 2020 (p = 0.046), whereas pathological N classification was unchanged between groups (p = 0.843).Conclusions: While extraordinary efforts continue to be made in the context of the pandemic, it is imperative that this does not lead to significant disadvantages for many people with oral cancer.

Objectives: Survival for patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma is usually poor, and the most effective treatment has not yet been clearly defined. The present study evaluates the outcome in radiotherapy-naïve patients after recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma with respect to different treatment modalities including surgery, radiation, chemoradiation, and palliative treatment.Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, we included all patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma who received exclusively surgical therapy between 2010 and 2020 and who suffered from locoregional recurrence in their follow-up. Patients with previous adjuvant therapy were excluded from this protocol. Clinical and pathological parameters were collected and statistically evaluated. Survival analysis was performed according to Kaplan–Meier. The primary endpoints were overall and progression-free survival in dependance of treatment strategy for recurrent tumors.Results: Out of a total of 538 patients with surgically treated primary oral squamous cell carcinoma, 76 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 38 ± 32 months. Patients who received surgically based therapy had a significantly better outcome in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (DFSp < 0.001; OSp < 0.001). The presence of regional metastases and a short disease-free interval (DFI) between primary and recurrent cancer were significant predictors for adverse outcomes (DFIp < 0.001).Conclusion: We recommend primary surgical therapy for radiotherapy-naïve patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma, supplemented by risk-adapted adjuvant therapy.Clinical relevance: Surgical therapy continues to play a central role in the treatment of radiotherapy-naïve patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma.