声门上型喉癌颈淋巴结转移方式及其对预后的影响

目的：探讨影响声门上型喉癌颈淋巴结转移的临床病理因素及颈淋巴结转移对预后的影响。方法：用x^2检验和Logistic回归分析，对55例声门上型喉癌患者的肿瘤临床病理学因素与颈淋巴结转移的关系进行回顾性分析；并对颈淋巴结转移状态，转移颈淋巴结大小、数目、累及区域、最低受累区域等病理学因素对预后的影响进行Cox回归分析。结果：单因素分析显示，肿瘤病理分级、肿瘤大小、肿瘤浸润深度与发生颈淋巴结转移有关；多因素分析显示，肿瘤病理分级、肿瘤大小与发生颈淋巴结转移明显相关；声门上型喉癌患者5年生存率为52．7％。Cox回归分析表明，临床N分期、颈淋巴结转移状态、转移颈淋巴结大小影响患者预后。结论：声门上型喉癌颈淋巴结转移的发生受原发癌病理学因素的影响，它从多个角度明显影响患者预后；对影响预后的淋巴结因素采取相应治疗措施，对提高声门上型喉癌的治疗效果具有重要意义。     

喉癌喉咽癌哨位淋巴结的临床初步研究

目的 探讨喉癌喉咽癌哨位淋巴结的检测及其对颈淋巴结转移的预测价值。方法 用手术中注射蓝染料的方法,对29例颈淋巴结NO的喉癌喉咽癌患者进行了哨位淋巴结的临床研究。手术中取蓝染的哨位淋巴结作快速冰冻病理检查,并与HE染色病理检查结果及颈清扫切除的淋巴结病理检查对照,观察哨位淋巴结转移对颈淋巴结转移癌的预测值。结果 29例中28例成功地显示了哨位淋巴结,成功率达96．6％。每例发现蓝染的哨位淋巴结1－4个,平均每例则检出2．5个。有3例患者的哨位淋巴结检测有肿瘤转移,HE染色病理检查及颈清扫切除的淋巴结病理检查均证实颈淋巴结转移。25例哨位淋巴结冰冻病理检查阴性患者,颈淋巴结清扫标本亦未查见淋巴结转移。哨位淋巴结对颈淋巴结转移的阳性正确率和阴性预测率为100％。结论 哨痊淋巴结检测对喉咽癌的淋巴结转移有重要的预测价值。     

Adenoid cystic carcinoma secondary to heterotopic salivary gland tissue of the cervical lymph nodes

BACKGROUND: The presence of heterotopic salivary gland tissue in intra-, periparotideal and cervical lymph nodes is not an uncommen finding. In some rare cases the salivary gland inclusions in lymph nodes may undergo neoplastic transformation. PATIENT AND METHODS: An isolated and indolent tumor was detected in level III in the right cervical area in a 60 year-old male patient. The histological assessment of the extirpated node seemed to indicate lymph node metastasis of an adenoid cystic carcinoma. The radiological and endoscopic findings did not reveal a primary tumor. RESULTS: Due to the fact of missing of a primary tumor, the diagnosis of an adenoid cystic carcinoma in heterotopic salivary gland tissue of the cervical lymph node was established after long-term observation. CONCLUSION: After exclusion of an occult carcinoma of the salivary glands, the possibility of malignant transformation of heterotopic intranodal salivary gland inclusions should be considered in patients suffering from salivary gland carcinoma in the area of the cervical lymph nodes.     

Die Bewertung der Metastasen in den zervikalen Lymphknoten bei Malignomen im Kopf- und Halsbereich

Summary Metastases in the cervical lymph nodes in cancerous head and neck cases burden both the treatment and the prognosis. On 50 patients suffering from cancer of the head and the neck, there takes place a clinical and histological evaluation of the removed cervical lymph nodes. The palpable mobile cervical lymph nodes do not always indicate a metastasis. The number of stricken lymph nodes as well as the degree of their cancerous infiltration and histological differentiation of the neoplasm are studied and compared with the patients survival rate.     

Simultaneous metastasized primary unknown signet ring cell carcinoma of the cervical lymph node and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland as double cancers

Lymph node metastasis from signet ring cellcarcinoma (SRCC) primary unknown is extremely rare. We here report a case of primary-unknown SRCC that metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes, co-existing with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the parotid gland as a simultaneous double cancer. A 68-year-old female patient with right swollen cervical lymph nodes consulted our medical center. A diagnosis of bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis and a right parotid tumor was made. After bilateral neck dissection and right parotidectomy, the pathological diagnosis was SRCC of primary unknown with metastasis to the cervical lymph node and MEC of the parotid gland. Examination of the CRTC1/3-MAML2 fusion gene showed no relation between SRCC of primary unknown with metastasis to the cervical lymph node and MEC of the parotid gland. Ten months after the first treatment, there was recurrence in the left neck lymph node, and left neck dissection was performed. Fourteen months after the first treatment, the patient is alive and cancer-free. This case is the fourth report of SRCC with lymph node metastasis, and highlights the value of fusion gene detection to determine relatedness between simultaneous cancers. Moreover, such cases should be closely monitored for the subsequent appearance of distant metastases.     

Studies on significance of sentinel lymphadenectomy in pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Management of the suspected N0-neck (sonography and CT) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is discussed controversially. The question arises whether the sentinel node (SN) concept as it is performed in different areas of clinical oncology is applicable to ear, nose, and throat medicine. METHODS: Nine male patients with SCC were studied (4 oropharynx, 2 hypopharynx, and 3 larynx) in whom different lymph node status was diagnosed clinically (5 x N0, 2 x N1, 2 x N2c). After intraoperative scintillation probe detection, the histological examination of the SN with neck dissection (ND) specimen followed. RESULTS: In 7 of 9 cases SN detection was successful. In 4 of 5 cases of clinical N0 status, SN, and ND specimens were free of tumor histologically, while in one patient radiolabel-identified SN showed tumor cells in histological examination. In 2 patients with clinical N1 neck, SN, and ND were histologically tumor-free in one patient and contained one single tumor metastasis located in the SN in the other patient. In 2 patients with clinically and histologically proven N2c neck, lymph nodes located in regions II and III showed metastasis including capsular rupture. In both cases no lymph node radioactivity was detectable during the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that sentinel lymphonodectomy may be suited for ear, nose, and throat medicine. Before it is applied to clinical practice, further problems must be resolved. These include the short distance between the primary injection side and lymph nodes and the influence of intranodal tumor metastasis on the uptake of the radiolabeled tracer.     

Diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastatic to mediastinal lymph nodes by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy

We report the case of a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who was diagnosed as having metastasis in mediastinal lymph nodes and successfully underwent systemic chemotherapy without surgery. A 61-year-old male with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with odynophagia. Examination revealed two palpable lymph nodes in the right neck. Pharyngoscopy showed a mass in the left inferior pharyngeal mucosa, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed only chronic gastritis, with no sign of esophageal disease. Chest CT confirmed the presence of a non-enhancing 20-mm soft tissue mass in the paraesophageal area, with increased attenuation compared with the adjacent esophagus. To evaluate this lesion we applied endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA). Two passes were made with a 21-gauge fine needle and the patient tolerated the procedure well, without complications. Cytological findings were compatible with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from a nasopharyngeal tumor, and the clinical stage was determined as T3N2bM1 (stage IVC) because of mediastinal lymph node metastasis. We thus determined the nodal status of a head and neck tumor by means of EUS-FNA. In conclusion, EUS-FNA is a safe and reliable technique for evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and is especially valuable for head and neck tumors with suspected metastasis.     

Diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastatic to mediastinal lymph nodes by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy

We report the case of a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who was diagnosed as having metastasis in mediastinal lymph nodes and successfully underwent systemic chemotherapy without surgery. A 61-year-old male with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with odynophagia. Examination revealed two palpable lymph nodes in the right neck. Pharyngoscopy showed a mass in the left inferior pharyngeal mucosa, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed only chronic gastritis, with no sign of esophageal disease. Chest CT confirmed the presence of a non-enhancing 20-mm soft tissue mass in the paraesophageal area, with increased attenuation compared with the adjacent esophagus. To evaluate this lesion we applied endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA). Two passes were made with a 21-gauge fine needle and the patient tolerated the procedure well, without complications. Cytological findings were compatible with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from a nasopharyngeal tumor, and the clinical stage was determined as T3N2bM1 (stage IVC) because of mediastinal lymph node metastasis. We thus determined the nodal status of a head and neck tumor by means of EUS-FNA. In conclusion, EUS-FNA is a safe and reliable technique for evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and is especially valuable for head and neck tumors with suspected metastasis.     

Value of the supraomohyoid neck dissection with frozen section analysis as a staging procedure in the clinically negative neck in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Summary A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate with the efficacy of elective supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOND) with frozen section (FS) analysis in 57 newly diagnosed patients (62 SONDs) with squamous cell carinoma of the oral cavity. The protocol included sampling of both the most suspect and largest node in the jugulodigastric region (if present) and the most distal jugulo-omohyoid lymph node (if present). These nodes were then studied with FS histological examination. In the absence of evident nodes for FS analysis during surgery, histological examination uncovered occult metastatic disease in 3 of 11 SOND specimens. Among the remaining patients FS analysis revealed occult metastatic disease in 10 of the 51 samples (19.6%). In these latter cases surgery was continued using standard or modified radical neck dissection en bloc with the primary tumor. In 1 specimen only a single metastasis was found outside the original extent of the SOND. Among 41 FS analysis reports stating the absence of metastatic disease, histological examination of the SOND specimens demonstrated occult nodal disease in 7 (17%). All of the cervical metastases appeared in the ipsilateral side of the neck. False FS reports did not occur. In the histologically proven absence of metastatic disease in the SOND specimens, disease recurrence in the neck occurred only in 3 cases (7%), all in the presence of local failure: once in the previous SOND area, once in the ipsilateral supraclavicular region and once on the contralateral side. The results of our analyses support the conclusion that elective SOND with FS can be a valid staging procedure and a valuable approach to the management of the clinically negative neck in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Offprint requests to: J. J. Manni     

Clinical study on papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with lymph node metastasi

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) may metastasize to cervical lymph nodes. It is, however, uncommon for a palpable neck node alone to lead to the diagnosis of this disease when it is not apparent at presentation. Standard treatment for such cases has not yet been established. We retrospectively analyzed clinical courses in 8 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma presenting with palpable lymph node metastasis at Hokkaido University Hospital between 1990 and 2003. Three had high thyrogloblin in cervical cystic lesions, leading to the diagnosis of PTC with lymph node metastasis. In 4, PTC was diagnosed by pathological examination of cervical lymph nodes initially diagnosed as lateral cervical cysts. Preoperative examination did not indicate PTC within the gland in any case. All 8 were alive at the last visit after follow-up from 23 to 150 months (mean: 78 months). Total thyroidectomy was done on 4 and thyroid lobectomy on 3. Pathological examination of resected thyroid glands confirmed multifocal papillary carcinoma from 4 mm to 15 mm in diameter. Six underwent unilateral neck dissection and 1 chose bilateral dissection. The other patient received no additional surgery on either the thyroid or neck after the single enlarged lymph node initially diagnosed as a lateral cervical cyst was resected. Postoperative radioiodine treatment was done in 2 undergoing total thyroidectomy. Recurrence in the cervical area were observed in 1 whose neck dissection was insufficient. Based on these observations, we concluded that patients who undergo thyroid lobectomy and adequate neck dissection may enjoy longer survival than those treated with total thyroidectomy without sacrificing thyroid and parathyroid function. We therefore propose a prospective study on the effectiveness of thyroid lobectomy with neck dissection including positive nodes in patients with occult PTC presenting with lymph node metastasis.     

Pathological basis of surgery in the management of postradiotherapy cervical metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Radical neck dissection was performed on 43 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in whom persistent or recurrent cervical metastasis developed after radiotherapy. The pathologic nature of the tumor in the cervical lymph nodes was studied with step serial sectioning of the entire radical neck dissection specimen at 3-mm intervals. In 70% of patients, more tumor-harboring lymph nodes were detected in the specimen when compared with clinical examination. The extensive behavior of the tumor in the cervical metastases was reflected by the presence of extracapsular spread in 70% of the lymph nodes and the existence of isolated clusters of tumor cells in 35% of the specimens studied. Tumor tissue lying in close proximity to the spinal accessory nerve was demonstrated in 27.5% of the specimens, and 72% of the tumor-bearing lymph nodes were located in the posterior triangle. Radical neck dissection is recommended as the salvage procedure for these patients.     

Resection of the sternocleidomastoid muscle during radical neck dissection

Background: Surgical therapy of lymph node metastasis is based on accessibility for en bloc resection. First described as “radical neck dissection”, this original approach has since undergone various modifications. This has produced controversy about the particular indications for the individual techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intraoperative macroscopic inspection of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in regard to tumor infiltration is sufficient to decide about muscle resection and whether there are prognostic differences between patients undergoing radical-versus modified radical (selective) neck dissection. Materials and methods: In a retrospective study, data on the surgical treatment of cervical lymph nodes and survival rates from 438 patients with head and neck malignancies managed in our department between 1988 and 1994 were analyzed in 1994 and again in 1999. Results: 337 patients (76.9%) underwent unilateral or bilateral selective neck dissection. In 101 patients (23.1%) a radical neck dissection was performed and the SCM was completely resected. Analysis of these cases showed intraoperative macroscopic tumor invasion of the SCM in 12 patients (11.9%), which could be confirmed histologically. In the remaining 89 cases (88.1%), a macroscopically intact muscle was resected; in none of these cases did histopathological examination show tumor infiltration of the SCM. Analysis of radically or selectively neck dissected stage III or IV patients with oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal or laryngeal carcinomas did not show statistical differences in 2-, 5- and 10-year survival (54.8%, 23.7%, 18.7% versus 62.6%, 25.6%, 21.8%, respectively). Conclusions: (1) Intraoperative inspection of the SCM constitutes a valid parameter for deciding whether tumor infiltration is present or not. (2) There were no prognostic differences (2-year, 5-year and 10-year-survival) between stage III and IV patients with oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas treated by either radical or selective neck dissection. Received: 23 January 2001 / Accepted: 8 March 2001     

The first report of bilateral retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma and review of the literature

The sites of lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinomas are typically the paratracheal and jugular lymph nodes. On the other hand, metastasis to the retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal nodes from papillary thyroid carcinomas is very rare. During the last two decades, limited to cases with a histologically definite diagnosis by surgery, only 39 cases have been reported. All reported cases were unilateral retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal node metastasis except one metachronous bilateral case, and there were no reports of simultaneous bilateral cases within our literature review. We report three cases of retropharyngeal node metastasis from thyroid papillary carcinoma, including a case of bilateral nodal metastasis. Retropharyngeal node metastasis was successfully resected in all three patients by the transcervical approach. As pointed out in past reports, this report also suggests that prior neck dissection and/or metastasis to cervical lymph nodes might alter the direction of lymphatic drainage to the retrograde fashion, resulting in the unusual metastasis to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and there is a possibility of a bilateral pattern. Also, it is necessary to consider the possibility of metastasis from a papillary thyroid carcinoma in the differential diagnosis of lymph node swelling in the parapharyngeal space.     

甲状腺乳头状癌临床NO患者颈部淋巴结转移规律

目的 探讨甲状腺乳头状癌临床NO( clinical NO,cN0)患者颈部淋巴结转移规律和外科处理方式.方法 前瞻性研究2007年8月至2010年9月51例甲状腺乳头状癌cNO患者.术前采用核素法和染料法定位前哨淋巴结,并行术中冰冻病理检查,与术后颈清扫标本常规病理进行对照.记录51例患者53侧颈部淋巴结清扫转移淋巴结的数量及在Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区的分布情况.研究患者年龄、肿瘤多中心病灶、被膜外侵、肿瘤大小、中央区淋巴转移数目与颈侧区淋巴转移的关系,影响颈侧区淋巴转移率单因素差异比较采用x2检验,Logistic模型进行多因素分析.结果 颈部淋巴结隐匿性转移率77.4％ (41/53),颈侧隐匿性转移率58.5％(31/53),中央区淋巴转移≥3枚是颈侧区淋巴转移的独立危险因素.pNO 12侧,pN+41侧,17侧仅有1个分区转移,占pN+的41.5％( 17/41);2个或2个以上分区转移24侧,占pN+的58.5％( 24/41).转移淋巴结分布以Ⅵ区最常见,为62.3％(33/53),其次为Ⅲ区52.8％(28/53),Ⅳ区30.2％(16/53),Ⅱ区18.9％(10/53),Ⅴ区0％ (0/53).结论 甲状腺乳头状癌cNO患者隐匿性淋巴结转移以多区转移为主,Ⅵ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅱ区常见.中央区淋巴转移≥3枚较易出现颈侧淋巴转移,对cNO患者选择性清扫Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区能清除大部分存在的颈部隐匿性转移淋巴结.     

The history of radical dissection of cervical lymph nodes--in centenary of George Crile publication

The history of surgical management of cervical lymph nodes metastases evolved from the XIX century period, when the lymph nodes metastases in head and neck cancer had been recognized as a stage of disease above the limits of rational surgical treatment. Among the Pioneers of surgery of that time was Franciszek Jawdyński. The second period dated from 1906 publication of George Crile, who postulated the necessity of surgical resection of primary tumor as well as regional head and neck lymph nodes and defined a procedure of radical block dissection of cervical lymph nodes ended, when Hughes Martin and his contemporaries established a comprehensive radical neck dissection as a universal standard procedure of head and neck surgery. At present, not forgetting the value of radical neck dissection in treatment of cervical lymph nodes metastases, we return back to less mutilating surgical procedures, with preservation of non lymphatic structures and selective resections of regional group of nodes, due to the progress in non surgical treatment modalities (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and new techniques of imaging and pathology.     

Multidisciplinary management of cervical neuroblastoma in infants

ObjectivesNeuroblastoma is the most common malignancy in infancy, it is a histologically and genetically heterogeneous tumor, the therapy and outcome of which is influenced by age, histological variant and genetic background as well.MethodsWe present two consecutive infant patients with neuroblastoma of the neck discussing the etiology, the diagnosis and the surgical and oncological treatment of the tumor, which was observed in a relatively rare manifestation in the head–neck region.ResultsOur first patient (age: 5.5 months) was MYCN (v-myc myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene, neuroblastoma derived) negative, INSS (International Neuroblastoma Staging System) Stage 3 and INRGSS (International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System) Stage 3 because of the contralateral lymph node involvement while the complete gross resection of the primary tumor mass was feasible. The patient is tumor free after three years of follow-up. Our second patient (age: 5 months) was MYCN negative, INSS Stage 2 and INRGSS Stage 1, as both the primary tumor and the ipsilateral lymph nodes were totally removed via a modified radical neck dissection. The patient is tumor free after three years of follow-up.ConclusionFor MYCN negative patients, especially in early age, the prognosis of neuroblastoma is good, surgical resection and chemotherapy together is an adequate treatment protocol (as in our two patients). While MYCN-amplified patients require a combined and aggressive treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to be able to obtain a favorable survival rate according to the literature.     

Histopathological features of occult metastasis detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been introduced for head and neck cancer with promising results. Research in breast cancer has revealed different histopathological features of occult lymph node metastasis with possibly different clinical and prognostic implications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the histopathological features of occult metastasis detected by sentinel lymph node in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: According to Hermanek (5), occult metastasis was differentiated into isolated tumor cells and infiltration of lymph node parenchyma smaller than 2 mm in diameter (micrometastasis) and larger than 2 mm in diameter (metastasis). RESULTS: Occult metastases were found in 6 of 19 (32%) sentinel lymph nodes. Three patients showed micrometastasis with a mean size of 1.4 mm (range, 1.2-1.5 mm), the first with three separate micrometastases within the same sentinel lymph node, the second with an additional cluster of isolated tumor cells within the same sentinel lymph node, and the third with an additional micrometastasis in one lymph node of the elective neck dissection. Two patients had macrometastasis (3.4 and 8 mm), both with multiple metastases in the elective neck dissection. One patient had two clusters of isolated tumor cells in the sentinel lymph node and an additional cluster of isolated tumor cells in one lymph node of the elective neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Occult metastasis can be subdivided histopathologically in isolated tumor cells, micrometastasis, and macrometastasis. We present the first study describing a great variety of these subtypes in sentinel lymph nodes from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Because the independent prognostic factor and clinical relevance of these subtypes is still unclear, we emphasize the importance of reporting these findings uniformly and according to well-established criteria.     

梨状窝癌对侧颈淋巴结转移的临床病理研究

目的:研究梨状窝癌颈淋巴结对侧转移的相关因素。方法:收集1993年10月~1999年10月同期行颈廓清术53例梨状窝癌,术后颈廓清标本采用透明淋巴结摘出连续切片法,观察颈淋巴结转移状况,再通过随访资料,分析肿瘤对侧转移与临床病理因素及同侧颈淋巴结转移状况的关系。结果:53例梨状窝癌颈淋巴结转移率为79.2%,对侧颈淋巴结转移率为35.8%。对侧转移与临床N分级、病理分化程度、同侧转移淋巴结中融合转移及破膜转移密切相关。结论:对于N2~3病例及肿瘤分化程度中、低病例,或者同侧转移淋巴结发现融合转移及破膜转移,都应该积极地作肿瘤对侧颈廓清术。     

Indications for and extent of elective neck dissection for lymph node metastasis from external auditory canal carcinoma

ObjectivesWe aim to clarify the frequency of lymph node metastasis of external auditory canal (EAC) carcinoma, including susceptible locations, adequate extent of elective neck dissection, and the relationship between the tumor infiltration site and lymph node metastasis.Patients and MethodsFrom 2003 to 2018, 63 patients with EAC carcinoma at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital were enrolled in this study. The T and N stages, locations of clinically positive lymph nodes, prognoses, and anatomic site of tumor infiltration were analyzed after treatment.ResultsClinically positive lymph node metastasis (cN+) was detected in 18 patients (28.6%), consisting of T1, T2, T3, and T4 disease in 1 (6%), 2 (22%), 8 (38%), and 7 (41%) patients, respectively. The metastatic locations were at level II in 10 patients, parotid gland nodes in 7, preauricular nodes in 5, level Ib in 3, level Va in 3, level III in 1, and superficial cervical nodes in 1. Neck recurrence was determined in two of 45 patients with clinically negative lymph nodes (cN0), with the metastatic locations being levels II, Ib, and III. Among 18 cN+ cases, neck recurrence was noted in 2 of 9 patients who underwent neck dissection. Neck lesions were found to be manageable in all five patients who underwent docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and radiation therapy (TPF-RT). No relationship was noted between the tumor infiltration site and lymph node metastasis among T3/4 canrcinoma patients.ConclusionsElective neck dissection could be indicated only in T3/4 patients with free flap reconstruction. Levels Ib to III are considered appropriate for elective neck dissection in cN0 cases. Levels Ib to III and Va indicated favorable sites, even in cases with metastasis in the parotid gland or preauricular area. Furthermore, TPF-RT could be a useful option even in cN+ cases.