constructed a prediction model for nodal metastasis based on molecular panel and clinicopathological factors in 112 cN0 OSCC patients, the model with the combination of CDKN2A, PLAU, T stage and pathological grade was the best in predicting lymph node metastasis (AUC = 0.807). Here, CDKN2A is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.