title: Regression rate of metastatic neck lymph nodes after radiation treatment as a prognostic factor for local control.
abstract: This study was carried out to assess whether the regression rate of neck node metastases after radiotherapy could be a prognostic factor for local control. Measurements of 283 neck nodes were made before and at completion of treatment and at intervals during 3 years follow-up. The results indicate that complete regression at the end of treatment correlates strongly with local control. A false negative rate of 0.1 was calculated. Partial regression seems to be a prognostic factor for failure in lymph nodes because of a true positive rate of 0.8. The results suggest that accurate measurements of the response of neck lymph nodes could give early prognostic information, useful for the choice of optimal treatment.
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009333:Neck; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction