Neck dissection following radiochemotherapy of advanced head and neck cancer--for selected cases only?
OBJECTIVE
To address the value of neck dissection (ND) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer following primary radiochemotherapy and to specifically analyse its impact on locoregional tumour control, survival and toxicity.


METHODS
Between 1987 and 1997 (9,335), a total of 142 patients (pts) were treated by primary radiochemotherapy (RCT) according to prospective protocols. There were 64 pts with involvement of the hypopharynx, 57 pts with oropharyngeal and 21 with oral cavity carcinoma. UICC (1997) stages included: 16 pts in stage III, 113 pts in stage IV A, 13 pts in stage IV B. All pts received platin-based RCT up to a median total dose of 70 Gy (range, 60-72 Gy). Six weeks after RCT, pts with complete response of the primary tumour (N=97) were offered a uni- or bilateral ND depending on the initially diagnosed nodal disease as part of a strict institutional policy. Fifty-six pts consented to ND and 41 refused. These two groups were analysed in terms of characteristics, local and regional tumour control, survival and long-term side effects. Median follow-up was 37 months (range, 22-124 months).


RESULTS
Among the 56 pts receiving ND, a total of 13 (23%) was found to have residual tumour in the neck specimen. The rates of positive histology according to clinical N category after RCT were: yN0 (2/22[9%]), yN1 (2/10[20%]), yN2a-b (2/10[20%), yN2c-3 (7/14[54%]). Five-year overall survival and disease-specific survival rates for pts with ND were 44 and 55%, for pts without ND 42 and 47%, respectively (P=0.9). No difference was seen for long-term local and regional control between the two patient groups. Comparing the group of patients with and without ND, a trend towards higher subjective morbidity of grade 3 and 4 (LENT-SOMA), i.e. pain recording (24% vs. 17%), dysphagia (48% vs. 35%) and hoarseness (20% vs. 9%) was evident in patients with ND.


CONCLUSIONS
No clear evidence for routine clinical use of ND after RCT in advanced head and neck tumours can be derived from these data. ND may be contemplated in selected cases with multiple residual nodes only.
Grabenbauer
Gerhard G
GG
Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospitals of Erlangen, Universitätsstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Rödel
Claus
C
Ernst-Stecken
Antje
A
Brunner
Thomas
T
Hornung
Joachim
J
Kittel
Karsten
K
Steinhart
Helmut
H
Iro
Heiner
H
Sauer
Rolf
R
Schultze-Mosgau
Stefan
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome