title: Predictors of neck node control in radically irradiated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx.
abstract: Cases of squamous cell carcinoma (171) of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx with clinically positive neck nodes, treated primarily by radiotherapy, were used for a multivariate analysis of the factors related to the regional outcome. All patients were staged according to the UICC-TNM (1982) classification. Lymph node size (P < 0.01), TNM nodal category (P < 0.05), and stage of the disease (P < 0.05) were significant in univariate analysis. Patient- and disease-related factors (age, sex, and histology) and treatment related factors (radiation dose (5000-6000 rads), radiation schedule, and concurrent chemotherapy) did not reach statistical significance. The stepwise logistic regression resulted in a final model with node size as the most important predictor of neck node control (P < 0.01). Patients with neck nodes up to 1 cm can receive radical radiotherapeutic management for treating the primary as well as nodal disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, South India.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sankaranarayanan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes