A

T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral oral tongue carries a substantial (≈20-30 %) risk of occult metastasis in levels I–III, while disease beyond level III is rare. Therefore, the standard management is wide excision of the primary plus an elective supraomohyoid (selective levels I–III) neck dissection rather than observation or more extensive dissections [Wensing 2010, PMID 20060774].