title: p16 status and interval neck dissection findings after a 'clinically complete response' to chemoradiotherapy in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the histopathological findings from post-treatment neck dissection of p16 positive and negative oropharyngeal carcinoma cases, after completion of chemoradiotherapy, and to question the role of neck dissection after a 'clinically complete response' to chemoradiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected retrospectively from a cohort of patients treated with curative intent using chemoradiotherapy and post-treatment neck dissection. Primary tumours underwent p16 immunohistochemistry. Neck dissection specimens were examined for viable cancer cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 76 cases were assessed. Viable cancer cells were detected from neck dissection in 29 per cent of p16 negative cases. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 12.9 per cent of p16 negative cases. The association between p16 positivity in the primary tumour and histopathologically negative neck dissection was significant (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  p16 status appeared to be an independent marker of disease control for the cohort in this study. The data raise questions about the role of post-treatment neck dissection in p16 positive cases with a 'clinically complete response' to chemoradiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Miah
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spielmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kernohan
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mountain
authors.affiliation: Tayside Cancer Centre,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cassasola
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School,Scotland,UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahendran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C000614131:CDKN2A protein, human; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins
keywords: Chemoradiotherapy; Neck Dissection; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms