These aggressive traits may be influenced by cancer stem cells (CSC) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).<h4>Methods</h4>This study investigated the prognostic significance of the CSC marker CD44 and EMT-related proteins (Snail1, Snail2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin) in 132 OSCCs using immunohistochemistry. Here, SNAI1 is linked to cancer.