title: Management of the clinically negative (N0) neck.
abstract: The clinically negative (N0) neck is defined by its absence of palpable or radiographically suspicious lymph nodes. Management of patients staged N0 is controversial. Clinical studies have lacked sufficient power and follow-up time to show a survival benefit for any particular option. Current options include observation, elective neck irradiation, and elective neck dissection. Treatment plans are based on treatment of the primary tumor and surgeon preference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, St. Louis University Hospital, 3635 Vista at Brand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63110-0250, USA. pitmank@slucare1.sluh.edu
authors.forename: Karen T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Pitman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dean
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005544:Forecasting; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed