Yang XH, et al. - In this retrospective analysis of 72 patients with early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), researchers studied the effect of p53 expression in the dysplastic surgical margins of early OSCC (pT1-2, N0). They used the pathology report to determine margin characteristics. Using immunohistochemical method, they assessed p53 expression in dysplastic surgical margins. This was studied in correlation to clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcomes. Poor local relapse-free survival (RFS) was observed in patients with moderate/severe dysplasia vs those with mild dysplasia. At least one p53-positive margin was seen in 32 (44.4%). A significant link was noted between the expression of p53 and tumor recurrence. p53 expression was validated as an independent risk factor for early OSCC with dysplastic surgical margins. For these patients, the requirement for additional therapy and close follow-up was realized.