舌癌颈淋巴结转移的处理

选择性颈清扫在舌癌颈部的处理是目前的流行趋势，对于提高舌癌患者生存率的意义是明确的，为探讨临床颈淋巴结阴性（ｃＮ０）的病人是否一概需作选择性颈清扫，本文回顾我院１９７０年￣１９９０年期间外科收治的１６０例舌活动部鳞状细胞癌病人，分析其颈淋巴结的转移、处理及其转归，结果发现１４３例颈清扫组中ｃＮ０ ８７例，术后病理阳性（ｐＮ＾＋）为１９例（２１．８％）；放疗能降低颈部复发率；对于３０例Ｔ１Ｎ０选择性     

甲状腺乳头状癌术式探讨

目的：回顾分析甲状腺乳头状癌治疗效果，探讨外科治疗最佳方案。方法：对我院1984－1996年收治的228例甲状腺乳头状癌患者手术治疗结果进行分析。228例患者中肿瘤位于单侧叶者162例，狭部18例，双叶34例，侵犯甲状软骨及气管14例。颈淋巴cN0148例，cN^ 80例，术后均随访5年以上。结果：cN^ 者行功能性（41例）和根治性颈清扫（39例）的5年生存率分别为87．8％（36／41）和87．2％（34／39）。。腺内型cN0伴被膜侵犯者行选择性颈清扫21例，随诊观察20例，其5年生存率分别为90．5％（19／21）和90．0％（18／20），腺内型cN0不伴被膜侵犯者均未行颈清扫，其5年生存率为99．0％（99／100），5年内发生颈淋巴结转移率为1．0％（1／100）；腺外型cN0行颈清扫4例，5年内发生对侧转移为1／4，3例未行颈清扫者5年内发生颈淋巴转移为2／3。腺叶切除术后对侧复发率为2．47％（4／162）。行全甲状腺切除的5年生存率为85．7％（12／14），被膜内全甲状腺切除的5年生存率为85．0％（17／20）。侵犯甲状软骨板及气管者，行喉全切除，其5年生存率为3／5，保留喉功能的5年生存为6／9。结论：对甲状腺乳头状癌提倡功能性颈清扫；腺内型cN0者主张随访观察，发现淋巴转移再生颈清扫；腺外型cN0病人主张同期颈清扫。原发灶位于单侧行腺叶及峡部切除，位于峡部及左，右叶各1／3切除，位于双侧行被膜内全甲状腺切除，侵犯甲状软骨板及气管者尽可能保留喉功能。     

舌鳞状细胞癌颈部淋巴结转移的治疗

目的 分析舌鳞状细胞癌颈部淋巴结转移性的分布规律,探讨舌鳞状细胞癌cN0患者的颈部处理。方法 回顾性分析1975年1月-2000年12月初次在我院诊治的329例舌鳞状细胞癌患者的临床资料。cN0 179例,cN1 131例,cN2＋3 19例（2例出现双侧颈淋巴结转移）。在cN0患者中,肩胛舌骨肌上清扫或单纯颔下清扫20例,根治性颈清扫93例,扩大的肩胛舌骨上（包括Ⅳ区）清扫8例。在cN1患者中,30例接受颈部单纯放疗;肩胛舌骨肌上清扫6例,根治性颈清扫94例,扩大的肩胛舌骨上清扫1例。所有cN2＋3患者均行根治性颈清扫。结果 舌鳞状细胞癌颈部淋巴结隐性转移率为8．3％（10／121）,其中T1为1．3％（1／76）,T2为4．3％（4／93）,T3为44．4％（4／9）,T4 100％（1／1）。实际颈部淋巴结转移率为71．7％（81／113）。91例患者组织学检查发现颈清扫标本中淋巴结转移阳性,Ⅰ区淋巴结转移占39．6％（36／91）、Ⅱ区71．4％（65／91）、Ⅲ区19．8％（18／91）和Ⅳ区8．8％（8／91）。有2例患者发生对侧Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅳ区的淋巴结转移。在cN0患者中,颈部单纯放疗的同侧颈部复发率为7．5％（3／40）,综合治疗为7．5％（6／80）,单纯手术为2．4％（1／41）,等待观察为16．7％（3／18）;颈部单纯放疗的5年生存率分别为42.0％,综合治疗为55．6％,单纯手术为79．6％,等待观察为48．6％。结论 Ⅱ区是舌鳞状细胞癌最易转移的部位,不主张对所有cN0患者实施择区性颈清扫,对T3和T4患者可考虑扩大的肩胛舌骨肌上清扫（Ⅰ～Ⅳ）。     

择区性颈清扫术在临床N0舌鳞状细胞癌治疗中的应用

目的比较择区性颈清扫术(selective neck dissection，SND)与经典性或改良性颈清扫术(radical neck dissection，RND)在治疗舌鳞状细胞癌颈淋巴结临床阴性(cN0)患者中的效果。方法将1998年1月-2002年12月之间采用肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术(Ⅰ～Ⅲ区)14例及Ⅰ～Ⅳ区清扫19例(SND组)共33例与1980年1月-1997年12月之间112例采用经典性或改良性颈清扫术(RND组)的病例，根据T分期、综合治疗方式和淋巴结病理情况进行随机配对分析。Kaplan—Meier方法计算复发率和颈部淋巴结复发或生存趋势。结果RND组5年颈部复发率为9．1％(3例)，SND组5年同侧颈部复发率12．1％(4例)；两组的5年生存率分别是78．8％和82．9％(分别为26例和28例)。Ⅰ-Ⅲ区清扫组5年颈部复发率为21．2％(3例)，清扫野外复发率为14．3％(2例)；Ⅰ-Ⅳ区清扫组5年同侧颈部复发率5．3％(1例)，清扫野外复发率为0。结论与经典性或改良性颈清扫术相比，择区性颈清扫术并不影响cN0舌癌患者的肿瘤治疗效果，术式以Ⅰ～Ⅳ区清扫为适宜。     

舌及口底鳞癌治疗分析

目的探讨舌及口底鳞癌淋巴转移的手术时机与方式对预后的影响。方法舌及口底鳞癌67例，非手术组12例(为cN2-3患者)，手术组55例。cN028例行原发灶切除，其中23例行选择性颈淋巴清扫。27例cN1-3(cNl5例、cN2-3222例)行原发灶切除加根治性颈淋巴清扫，其中16例cN2-3行岛状肌皮瓣修复术；结果在34例患者中(cN2-3)，手术组5年生存率为54．55％(12／22)，非手术组5年生存率为41．67％(5／12)。28例cN0患者中，4例单纯癌肿切除者术后45～60天出现淋巴转移；23例行选择性颈淋巴结清扫术者，证实13例有隐匿性淋巴结转移，10例未见淋巴结转移。结论对cN0患者应尽早行选择性颈淋巴结清扫术。对多区域淋巴结或一个区域多个淋巴结转移的cN2-3患者，手术比非手术组的生存率更高，但后者对提高5年生存质量有一定作用。     

舌鳞状细胞癌临床N0颈清扫模式的探讨

目的 探讨舌鳞状细胞癌(简称鳞癌)临床N0(clinical N0，cN0)颈部合理的治疗模式，避免过度治疗和治疗不足。方法 回顾性分析1985年1月-2001年4月cN0舌鳞癌327例的临床病理资料，比较不同治疗方法对颈部控制率的影响，并进行预后和死因分析。结果 全部病例随访3年以上，总的3年生存率为69．7％(228／327)，颈部治疗失败组和颈部控制组的3年生存率分别为39．1％(25／64)和77．2％(203／263)；51．5％(51／99)死亡与颈部治疗失败有关；总的颈部控制率为80．4％(263／327)，采取观察随访、Ⅰ区清扫、Ⅰ Ⅱ区清扫、肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术、经典性颈清扫术、功能性颈清扫术的颈部控制率分别为67．5％(27／40)、72．7％(24／33)、60．0％(15／25)、84．9％(45／55)、86．8％(131／151)、84．0％(21／25)，影响颈部控制率的独立因素为颈部治疗方法和术后N分期。结论 颈部控制是cN0舌鳞癌预后的关键因素；舌鳞癌cN0颈部的治疗首选肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术；对于术后病理提示有多个淋巴结转移和(或)包膜外侵犯者应考虑术后放疗。     

分化型甲状腺癌的颈淋巴转移规律

目的探讨分化型甲状腺癌颈部淋巴转移的规律及临床阳性淋巴结（cN＋）的颈部治疗模式；评价术前彩超在诊断甲状腺癌颈转移中的作用。方法回顾性分析我院2003年7月-2005年7月诊治93例（113侧）cN＋分化型甲状腺癌患者的临床资料，分为术前颈部淋巴结触诊阳性患者（64侧）和术前颈部触诊阴性，彩超诊断为颈淋巴转移患者（49侧）两组。记录术后颈清扫标本中转移淋巴结的数量及在Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区的分布。结果93例患者中双侧颈转移占21．5％（20／93），113侧颈清扫标本中92侧（81．4％）为多分区转移；转移淋巴结在颈部的分布以Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区为主，分别为60．2％（68／113）、70．8％（80／113）、61．9％（70／113）、58．4％（66／113）；Ⅴ区较少分布22．1％（25／113），差异有统计学意义（χ^2=64．597，P〈0．001）。颈部触诊阳性患者颈清扫标本中转移淋巴结数量（10．1个），多于颈触诊阴性、彩超检查阳性患者（6．9个）；淋巴转移区域也多于后者（3．18区与2．61区）；术前彩超检查可以发现43．4％（49／113）的颈部触诊漏诊的颈部淋巴转移。结论分化型甲状腺癌的颈部淋巴转移为多分区分布，Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区为主要的转移部位；彩超在甲状腺癌颈淋巴转移的诊断中具有重要的价值；对cN＋的分化型甲状腺癌患者，应进行包括Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区的改良性颈清扫术。     

颈部淋巴结处理方式对cN0声门上型喉癌患者预后的影响

目的:总结颈部淋巴结的处理方式对cN0声门上型喉癌患者预后的影响,探讨cN0声门上型喉癌患者行选择性颈部Ⅱ、Ⅲ和(或)Ⅳ区淋巴结清扫的意义。方法:回顾性分析我院2003-01-2007-05确诊为cN0声门上型喉鳞状细胞癌且有完整病历资料的83例患者,原发灶均经手术切除,随访5年以上或至患者死亡。分析择区性颈部淋巴结清扫术与其他方法(放疗、综合治疗、随诊观察)处理颈部淋巴结后,患者生存率有无统计学意义。结果:cN0声门上型喉癌颈部淋巴结转移率为30.77%,且随着T分期的增加,颈淋巴结的转移率也逐渐增高。采取干预措施的患者颈部淋巴结复发率明显低于未采取干预措施者(P<0.05)。清扫组与放疗组、综合组5年生存率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组与清扫组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:择区性颈清扫术是临床上处理cN0声门上型喉癌患者颈部淋巴结的有效措施之一。     

头颈部鳞状上皮细胞癌颈部N_0的处理──声门上型喉癌

对声门上型喉癌颈部无肿大转移淋巴结患者，进行回顾性分析，探讨适宜的处理方案。我院自1976年至1990年共外科治疗162例T1~4N0患者。原发处进行各类手术治疗，颈部做上颈淋巴结切除术。有13例冰冻病理检查阳性，即做颈清扫术。149例病理阴性者观察随诊5年。颈部复发或转移者15例，颈部失败率为10．1％。全组5年生存率：T1N0为92．8％，T2N0为86．5％，T3N0为69．7％，T4N0为54．4％。对N0患者，可以避免选择性颈清扫术，先做诊断性上颈淋巴结切除术，病理阳性者做须清扫术，病理明性者密切观察。     

舌活动部鳞癌颈淋巴结阴性（cN0）的处理

目的：通过分析舌活动部鳞癌病人临床检查颈淋巴结阴性（cN0)的隐匿性淋巴结转移在颈部各区的分布，显示舌活动部鳞癌的淋巴结转移规律，并指导舌活动部鳞癌cN0的分区性颈淋巴清扫的范围。方法：回顾分析33例cN0的舌活动部鳞癌行选择性全颈淋巴结清扫和挽救性颈淋巴结清扫术的病例，分析手术后病理阳性淋巴结（pN^ )在颈部各区的分布。结果：病理证实单个淋巴结转移14例，其中Ⅰ区淋巴结转移3例，Ⅱ区淋巴结转移7例，Ⅲ区淋巴结转移4例，Ⅳ区和Ⅴ区未见淋巴结转移，多个淋巴结转移19例，各区转移频率分别为：Ⅰ区27.45%,Ⅱ区39.22%，Ⅲ区31.37%,Ⅳ区0%，Ⅴ区1.96%。结论：舌活动部鳞癌cN0的颈部处理没有必要采用经典性全颈清扫术，建议行肩胛舌骨肌上的分区性清扫，即Ⅰ区清扫 Ⅱ区清扫 Ⅲ区清扫即可，避免全颈清术给患者造成的术后损害。     

Review of treatment modalities and outcomes of patients with basal cell adenocarcinoma

PurposeThis study summarizes the treatment modalities of basal cell adenocarcinoma (BCAC) of the parotid gland and subsequent outcome at a single institution to better define the treatment of this rare tumor.Material and methodsA retrospective review of patients treated for BCAC of the parotid gland from 1/01/1996 to 08/1/2018 was performed. Patients were identified using our institution's Cancer Registry.ResultsA total of thirteen patients (46% female, median age of 56) treated for BCAC of the parotid gland were identified. Eight patients (57%) were staged as T1, four were staged as T2 (29%), and two were stage T4a (14%) due to tumor involvement of the facial nerve. None of the patients had nodal involvement or distant metastases. Three patients (21%) underwent radiation therapy ranging from 60-70Gy for positive margin or facial nerve involvement by tumor. Five patients (36%) underwent a neck dissection (ND) ranging from just a level IIb dissection up to levels IIa, IIb, and III with none of the nodes being positive for disease. The remainder of patients did not undergo a neck dissection. Follow-up was 8.1 ± 6.2 (mean ± SD) years with no local or regional recurrence at time of last follow-up in any patient cohort.ConclusionsOur review suggests that elective neck dissections are not necessary following resection of T1/T2N0M0 basal cell adenocarcinoma for the prevention of local or regional recurrence. No longer performing neck dissections for T1/T2N0M0 BCAC would reduce the morbidity associated with the treatment of this rare parotid tumor.     

Management of contralateral N0 neck in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: It is well established that tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas have a high probability of disseminating to the neck. An ipsilateral neck treatment is mandatory during initial treatment of stages II to IV tonsillar carcinomas. However, as of yet, no consensus exists whether to perform elective contralateral neck management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 43 N0-3 tonsillar cancer patients with contralateral clinically negative necks from 1992 to 2002 was performed. All patients had a contralateral elective neck dissection. Surgical treatment was followed by postoperative radiotherapy in 33 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 120 (mean 38) months. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to calculate the disease-specific survival rates and prognostic significance of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Clinically negative, but pathologically positive, contralateral lymph nodes occurred in 16% (7 of 43). Of the 33 cases with an ipsilateral node positive neck, contralateral occult lymph node metastases developed in 21% (7 of 33), in contrast with 0% in ipsilateral N0 necks. On the basis of the clinical staging of the tumor, 5% (1 of 22) of the cases showed lymph node metastases in T2 tumors, 36% (5 of 14) in T3, and 25% (1 of 4) in T4. None of the T1 tumors (3 cases) had pathologically positive lymph nodes (T1 + T2 vs. T3 + T4, P < .05). Patients with no evidence of contralateral nodal cancer had significantly improved disease-specific survival over patients with any pathologically positive nodes (5 year disease-specific survival rate 92% vs. 28%, P = < .05). CONCLUSION: The risk of contralateral occult neck involvement in above T3 staged tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas with unilateral metastases was high (approximately 21%), and patients who present with a contralateral metastatic neck have a worse prognosis than those who are staged as N0. Therefore, we advocate an elective contralateral neck treatment in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma patients with ipsilateral node metastases.     

Treatment of the clinically negative neck in floor of the mouth carcinoma

A retrospective study of 61 consecutive patients with floor of mouth carcinoma and a clinically negative neck was done to determine the value of elective treatment to the neck. Subsequent histologically proven nodal disease was analyzed according to initial treatment modality (23 surgical, 38 irradiation), stage (29--T1,27--T2,5--T3), hemi-neck at risk (midline lesions placed both hemi-necks at risk), and primary control for a minimum of 2 years (50 patients, 78 hemi-necks at risk). Neck failures were classified by T stage, extent of neck treatment (upper neck or complete) and by primary control at the time of manifest neck metastasis. Of the hemi-necks at risk with the primary controlled, 10% (17% of patients) developed nodal disease without complete neck treatment; 86% (6/7) of these patients were salvaged. The occult positive node incidence, conservatively calculated by elimination of all patients treated with elective partial or total neck irradiation, was 10% for patients with T1 and T2 lesions (7% for hemi-necks at risk). Based on the clinical course of patients with primary control, only 1 patient (2%) might have benefited from initial complete elective neck treatment. These results suggest that elective neck treatment in early (T1 and T2, N0) floor of mouth carcinoma is of doubtful value. Supraomohyoid , rather than suprahyoid dissection, is recommended if surgical treatment of the neck is undertaken.     

Elective treatment of the neck for second primary tumors of the head and neck

The aim of this study was to define the role of elective neck dissection in patients with a second N0 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We carried out a retrospective study in 74 patients with a second N0 HNSCC treated with an elective neck dissection. Thirteen patients (17.6 %) had occult neck node metastases. The risk of occult neck nodes was low for patients with a second glottic tumor (0 %), and for patients with non-glottic T1–T2 tumors who had received previous radiotherapy in the neck (5.3 %). Patients with non-glottic locally advanced tumors (T3–T4) and non-glottic T1–T2 tumors who had not received previous radiotherapy in the neck had a risk of occult neck nodes of 28.1 and 33.3 %, respectively. Elective neck dissection could be omitted in patients with glottic tumors and in patients with an early tumor (T1–T2) who had received previous radiotherapy in the neck.     

Elective neck dissection and survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The utility of elective neck dissection in the management of patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer who present without neck metastases remains controversial. The study addressed the question of whether elective neck dissection improves regional control and survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx presenting with T1/T2 node-negative disease. STUDY DESIGN: A nonrandomized, uncontrolled retrospective chart review. METHODS: A nonrandomized, uncontrolled retrospective chart review was performed. Resection of the primary tumor was performed in all patients. The neck was observed in one group, and elective neck dissection was performed for patients in another group. RESULTS: The study data indicated that elective neck dissection significantly improves regional control and regional recurrence-free survival. Elective neck dissection when compared with observation of the neck did not improve overall survival. CONCLUSION: Elective neck dissection reduces regional recurrence and may extend disease-free survival.     

颈清扫术在临床Ⅰ期舌鳞状细胞癌患者中的疗效评价

目的探讨颈清扫在临床Ⅰ期（cT1NOM0期）舌鳞状细胞癌（简称鳞癌）治疗中的作用。方法回顾性分析1984年11月-1999年11月130例临床Ⅰ期舌活动部鳞癌患者的临床病理资料，该组患者的治疗方式以手术为主，3l例（23．8％）只行原发灶手术，99例行原发灶手术加颈清扫术，包括择区性颈清扫（Ⅰ-Ⅲ区或Ⅰ～Ⅳ区颈清扫）20例和全颈清扫（Ⅰ～Ⅴ区颈清扫）79例。结果术后病理证实颈清扫组的隐匿淋巴结率为12．0％（12／99）。全组病例随访5年以上，单纯行原发灶手术组、原发灶手术加择区性颈清扫组和原发灶手术加全颈清扫组的颈部控制失败率分别为25．8％（8／31）、15．0％（3／20）和7．6％（6／79）。单纯原发灶手术组和颈清扫组之间的颈部控制失败率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。3组手术后总体生存率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论颈清扫术可能提高临床Ⅰ期舌鳞癌患者的颈部控制率，本研究未能证实颈清扫术能降低其远处转移率以及能提高其生存率。是否需要对所有临床。     

环后癌的手术治疗

目的 探讨环后癌手术治疗的相关技术方法。方法对21例环后癌患者进行手术治疗，其中T3NOM0 5例，T3N1M0 1例，13N2M0 2例，T4NOM0 7例，T4N1M0 4例，T4N2M0 1例。T4N3M0 1例。在彻底切除肿瘤的前提下，保留可利用的正常组织进行咽喉功能重建。共行保留喉功能手术10例，不保留喉功能手术11例，同时行单侧颈清扫术8例，双侧颈清扫术3例，术后行辅助放疗。结果随访时间60～276个月，平均96个月。全组患者3年生存率61．9％(13／21)，5年生存率52．4％(11／21)。随访期间死于颈淋巴结转移4例，肿瘤局部复发3例，心肺功能衰竭1例，原因不明2例。喉功能保留病例仅恢复了发音和吞咽保护功能。术后出现咽瘘5例，下咽狭窄3例，严重误吸1例。结论在彻底切除肿瘤的前提下谨慎选择环后癌手术方法，利用保留下来的正常喉组织进行喉功能重建，从而恢复喉的部分功能是可行的。患者可获得较好的生存率和生存质量。     

Carcinoid tumor of the larynx: clinical analysis of 33 cases in Japan

CONCLUSION: In regard to the treatment of carcinoid tumor of the larynx, irradiation is not effective and tumor excision with a minimum surgical margin is associated with a high risk of local recurrence. Lymph node metastases to the neck are associated with worsening of the prognosis. To improve the survival rate, primary resection with a sufficient surgical margin (e.g. partial laryngectomy) and (elective) neck dissection is recommended, even for patients with early stage carcinoid tumors of the larynx. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to clarify the prognostic factors, modalities of treatment for the primary lesions, and importance of neck dissection in the treatment of carcinoid tumors of the larynx. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 33 cases of carcinoid of the larynx reported from Japan (including 2 of our cases) were analyzed. RESULTS: The distributions of the T and N classifications of the lesions were as follows T1, 50.0%; T2, 32.2%; T3, 14.3%; T4, 3.6%; N0, 57.1%; N1, 17.9%; N2, 25.0%; and N3, 0%. Fifteen patients underwent radiation therapy, of whom five underwent curative radiotherapy. While complete remission (CR) was maintained in one of these patients (T1N0), the remaining four patients developed recurrence. Five patients underwent preoperative radiation therapy. The response to the treatment was rated as no change in four patients and as progressive disease in the remaining one patient. Among the patients with N0 disease, seven patients (43.8%) developed lymph node metastases in the neck postoperatively. Distant metastases were the most frequent cause of death in the patients. The 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates of the patients were 58.5%, 36.5%, and 12.2%, respectively. Significant differences were recognized in the survival rates between patients with and without neck lymph node involvement at the first treatment (p=0.008), and between patients with and without postoperative lymph node recurrence in the neck (p=0.037).     

The influence of lymph node metastasis in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx: N0 versus N+

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Management of the N0 neck is a continuing controversy. The study compares the influence of N0 and N+ disease on the results of treating squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) of the oral cavity (OC), oropharynx (OP), larynx (LX), and hypopharynx (HP) with five different treatment modalities. The study also compares the results of four different approaches to the treatment of the N0 neck. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of 3887 patients. METHODS: Patients in the Tumor Research Project of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO) with biopsy-proven previously untreated SCCA of one of the four above-mentioned regions who were treated with curative intent by one of five modalities and who were eligible for 5-year follow-up were included in the study. The treatment modalities included local resection of primary alone (LR), composite resection (primary with neck dissection) (CR), radiation therapy alone (RT), local resection with radiation therapy (LR/RT), and composite resection with radiation therapy (CR/RT). The N0 neck was treated with one of four approaches: observation with close follow-up reserving treatment only for subsequent neck disease, neck dissection, RT to the neck region, and a combination of neck dissection with RT. Multiple diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up parameters were studied using standard statistical analyses to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) for the all-sites group (ASG) was 59%. The DSS for the subsites included the following: OC, 53%; OP, 47%; LX, 70%; and HP, 42%. Patients with N0 disease had significantly better DSS than patients with N+ disease at all sites. Occult neck disease in N0 patients was low with 4% pN1 for ASG, OC, and LX and with 11% pN1 for OP and HP. There was 3% pN2 for LX, 4% pN2 for ASG and OC, and 6% pN2 for OP and HP. The DSS for patients with occult neck disease was statistically similar to that of N+ patients. Prognostic survival indicators included age, decade of treatment, T stage, N stage, TN stage, treatment modality, and recurrence. Patients over 65 years of age had poorer DSS than younger patients. Staging T, N, and TN affected survival at all sites. Local resection produced better DSS for ASG, OC, LX, and HP patients. Local resection with radiation therapy produced increased DSS for ASG and OC patients. There was no survival advantage for HP patients related to treatment modality. Treatment of the N0 neck with observation and later treatment for subsequent neck disease produced a survival advantage for patients in the ASG. This advantage was specific for ASG and LX patients staged T1N0. For patients staged T2N0, T3N0, and T4N0 at all four subsites there was no survival advantage for any of the four neck approaches. CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastasis significantly and negatively affects DSS in patients with SCCA of the OC, OP, LX and HP. The rate of occult neck disease (pN+) in N0 patients receiving meticulous workup is low. When present, it produces DSS rates similar to those found in N+ patients. In the study series, there was decreased survival in patients older than 65 years of age, in patients with advanced tumor (T, N, TN), and in patients with recurrent disease. None of the four current approaches to treatment of the N0 neck produces a significant survival advantage. Close observation with later treatment reserved for subsequent neck disease produces statistically similar survival (DSS) to the three elective (prophylactic) treatments and is a valid form of treatment. It may preclude unnecessary treatment of the neck with its attendant risks and complications.     

Treatment of the Clinically Negative Neck in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: To define the most effect treatment plan of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma with clinically negative (N0) neck staging. Study Design: Retrospective review of 54 patients with N0 neck staging who underwent resection of an oral cavity primary tumor with or without elective neck dissection between January 1982 and December 1992 and with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Methods: The records of 54 patients with previously untreated oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma and N0 neck staging were retrospectively reviewed to determine the impact of elective neck dissection on patient outcomes including regional recurrence and overall survival. Results: All patients underwent surgical resection of their oral cavity tumors, with 33 patients undergoing “watchful waiting” observation for the development of neck disease while 21 patients had elective neck dissections. The most controversial group of patients were those with intermediate-sized (T2 and T3) primary tumors. Eighteen of these patients underwent elective neck dissection, with two patients developing recurrent neck disease and an ultimate prognosis of 72%. Twelve patients had observation of their necks, with five of these patients subsequently requiring neck dissection. An additional seven patients did not undergo neck dissection, and this group had four survivors free of disease. The prognosis was 42% in patients not having elective neck dissections. Conclusions: Tl tumors do well with neck treatment other than careful observation. The data suggest that patients with T2 and T3 oral squamous cell carcinoma should undergo surgical resection of their primary tumor site and elective neck dissection. Patients with T4 oral cavity lesions should routinely undergo neck dissection.