Background: Recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (rOSCC) is associated with a poor prognosis, and evidence supporting risk stratification in the salvage setting remains limited. The prognostic value of conventional staging systems and tumor-related characteristics after recurrence has not yet been fully established. Methods: We conducted a single-center observational study including patients with rOSCC who had previously undergone treatment for pT1–2 N0M0 OSCC, all subsequently surgically salvaged. Clinical, histopathological, and recurrence-related variables were collected. Recurrent tumors were classified according to the AJCC TNM staging system, the Composite Oral Cavity and Oropharynx Recurrence Staging System (CORSS), and the Same–Up–Down staging system (SUDss), a novel staging system developed by our group. Results: A total of 49 patients were included. Several pathological characteristics, including the rT3–4 category (p = 0.025), perineural invasion (p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.003), greater depth of invasion (p = 0.011), nodal involvement (p = 0.002), and higher rTNM (p = 0.004) and CORSS stage (stage II p = 0.012; stage III p = 0.038) were associated with poorer OS in univariable analyses. In multivariable analysis, CORSS stage II (HR 2.89, 95% CI 1.04–8.04; p = 0.041) and stage III (HR 12.73, 95% CI 2.11–76.68; p = 0.005), as well as close/positive surgical margins (HR 2.57, 95% CI 0.99–6.71; p = 0.045) and pathological nodal involvement (HR 4.82, 95% CI 1.77–13.14; p = 0.002), were independently associated with poorer OS. Conclusions: CORSS appears to offer complementary prognostic value compared with conventional rTNM in patients with surgically treated rOSCC, although formal comparative validation of discrimination and calibration is warranted. Pathological lymph node involvement and close or positive surgical margins were the most relevant independent adverse prognostic factors. These findings identify higher-risk patients but do not, by themselves, establish a benefit from treatment intensification.

BACKGROUND: This study presents the clinical experience in the management of pediatric cholesteatoma, specifically evaluating whether a delay in surgical intervention following symptom onset negatively affects prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of children who underwent surgical treatment for chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma between March 2017 and July 2018, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. For staging purposes and to correlate disease severity with clinical outcomes, the 2017 European Academy of Otology and Neurotology/Japan Otological Society Joint Consensus guidelines were applied. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included. Disease-free survival was 100% at 9 months and 83% at 41 months. CONCLUSION: In pediatric cases, a conservative surgical approach is often preferable to preserve quality of life. Early-stage diagnosis plays a crucial role, as delayed detection may adversely affect both the choice of surgical technique and auditory outcomes.