Planned neck dissection after definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation for base of tongue cancers.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The study goal was to analyze the role of planned neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue treated with definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue undergoing planned neck dissection after definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation.

RESULTS:

Twenty-two of 41 (53.7%) patients had one to six positive residual lymph nodes after receiving definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Neck control rates were 92.3% and 88.3% at two and five years, respectively. Three of 22 (13.6%) patients with pathological residual nodal disease had regional or locoregional failures, compared with 1 of 19 (5.3%) patients with a pathologically complete response (P = 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS:

We observed a high incidence of pathologically residual lymph nodes after definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation.

SIGNIFICANCE:

Planned neck dissection following definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation is highly effective in achieving regional control of squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue.

• Authors: Ying J Hitchcock, Brandon G Bentz, Pramod K Sharma, Christine Fang, Jonathan D Tward, Lisa Pappas, Jergin Chen, John K Hayes, Dennis C Shrieve
• Journal: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) Vol. 137 Issue 3 Pg. 422-7 (Sep 2007) ISSN: 0194-5998 [Print] England
• PMID: 17765769 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (pathology, therapy)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neck Dissection
• Neoadjuvant Therapy
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Retrospective Studies
• Tongue Neoplasms (pathology, therapy)
• Treatment Outcome