Prognostic factors in young patients with oral cavity cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies

Among young patients with oral and tongue cancer, nodal involvement, high-grade or poorly differentiated tumors, increased depth of invasion, and larger tumor size were the most consistently associated with poorer survival. Evidence for molecular and treatment-related factors is limited and requires further validation. These findings highlight the need for standardized reporting and prospective studies tailored to young-onset disease.