Introduction: Follow-up for Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC) imposes a heavy financial burden on healthcare systems.The survival benefits of recommended clinical monitoring models remains unproven.This study aimed to determine whether the mode of detection for locoregional recurrences or head and neck second primary tumors (SPT) influences tumor stages and survival outcomes.Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 351 patients surgically treated for primary OCSCC between 2015 and 2022.The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a Head and Neck Event (HNE), defined as locoregional recurrence or head and neck SPT.Post-Event Survival (PES) was analyzed using a lead-time bias correction.We calculated the Number Needed to See (NNS) to detect one asymptomatic HNE, and the average cost of a routine follow-up visit.Results: HNEs occurred in 92 (26.2%) patients.They were detected during routine visits for 48 (52.7%) patients and interval visits for 43 (47.3%).Neither HNE tumor stage (p=0.718)nor curative treatment intent (p=0.405) was significantly associated with the type of detection visit.The median PES was 10.3 months, with no significant difference observed between routine and interval detections (p=0.504).The average visit cost was 166.The NNS was 547 during the first two years (equivalent to 90,802), and 255 during the years two to five (equivalent to 42,330). Conclusion: Routine clinical follow-up is not associated with improved PES or lower tumor stage in OCSCC patients.Recommended surveillance models demonstrate a low diagnostic yield.Follow-up should transition toward risk-stratified, tailored regimens emphasizing patient empowerment and sustainability. Key-words: oral cavity
Guibert et al. (Fri,) studied this question.