Does N stage predict survival?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between N stage and survival in head and neck cancer to see if N stage has prognostic value.


METHODS
Database analysis using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model.


METHODS
Five hundred and twenty-three consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck prospectively entered into a clinical database are analyzed for the outcome of dead with disease.


RESULTS
There is no difference in survival between some increments of N stage, specifically N1 and N2, controlling for T stage and site.


CONCLUSIONS
A modified N stage system consisting of N0, N(limited), and N(extended) appears to have a better prognostic value.
Hall
S F
SF
Department of Otolaryngology, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, ON.
Groome
P A
PA
Dixon
P F
PF
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000592:standards*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis