CD44 and neoplasm: The presence of lymphovascular invasion (HR = 8.68, 95% CI 3.81-19.75, p < 0.0001) and a positive surgical margin (< 5 mm; HR = 4.45, 95% CI 1.99-9.96, p = 0.0003) were also independently associated with DSS.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The results of this study highlight the prognostic significance of CD44 and Snail1 in OSCC, emphasizing their potential interplay in tumor aggressiveness.