title: Squamous cell carcinomas metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head and neck mucosal site treated with radiation therapy with palliative intent.
abstract: Minimal information has been published about the results of palliative irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head and neck primary site. Forty patients with this diagnosis were treated at the University of Florida with radiation therapy with palliative intent. The nodal response rate was 65% and the symptomatic response rate was 57% at 1 year. The absolute survival rate was 25% at 1 year, as was the cause-specific survival rate. Radiotherapy successfully palliates more than half of those treated. Approximately one fourth are alive 1 year after irradiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Inönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Erkal
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Amdur
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Villaret
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stringer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006257:Head / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015182:Lymphatic Irradiation; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009333:Neck / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010166:Palliative Care; D016019:Survival Analysis