Shrinkage in oral squamous cell carcinoma: An analysis of tumor and margin measurements in vivo, post-resection, and post-formalin fixation

Mucosal dimensions of both tumor and tumor-free margins in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma specimens decrease between surgical resection and pathologic analysis. Most of this decrease occurs prior to fixation, especially for margins, and may be due to intrinsic tissue properties rather than formalin effects.