Abstract
Objective: Evaluate the necessity of planned neck dissection in patients with oropharyngeal cancer by analyzing N2, N3 with complete response after primary treatment.
Method: A retrospective chart review of 327 patients with oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma over a 24-year period was conducted. Overall survival rate was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: Among the 64 patients, all the recurrent cases had T staging more than 3, and N staging more than N2b without any evidence of metastasis except 1 case. Recurrence varied from 3 to 43 months. Disease recurrence was reported in 8 cases which include 3 primary recurrences, 2 neck recurrences, and 3 both primary and neck recurrences. Distant metastasis was reported in 2 cases. Survival according to initial treatment modality didn’t show any statistical significance. Overall 5 year survival rate reached 80% using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Conclusion: Neck metastasis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is well treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulting in low neck recurrence and high 5-year survival rate. Patients with oropharyngeal cancer with complete cervical response can be safely observed without planned neck dissection.
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