Contralateral neck failure in oral tongue cancer: Outcomes from two centers using predefined treatment criteria. Issue 7 (17th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Udovicich, Cristian; Daniell, James; Wiesenfeld, David; Bressel, Mathias; Rowe, David; Vital, Domenic; Cavanagh, Karda; Lekgabe, Ernest; Wong, Tim; Magarey, Matthew J. R.; Iseli, Tim A.; Fua, Tsien; Rischin, Danny; McDowell, Lachlan
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 43:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 2024
• Page End: 2031
• Publication Date: 2021-03-17
• Subjects: contralateral lymph node metastasis -- head and neck cancer -- oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma -- radiation therapy -- surgery; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.26671
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The objective was to determine the incidence of, and factors associated with contralateral neck failure (CNF) in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). Methods: Consecutive patients with OTSCC between 2007 and 2016 were included. The predefined policy of the contralateral neck included neck dissection (ND) where the primary tumor extended/crossed midline or the contralateral neck was involved; and elective nodal irradiation (ENI) where the primary tumor was ≤1 cm from midline/2 cm from tip. Results: This study included 258 patients. ND was ipsilateral 169 (66%) and bilateral 33 (13%). Fifty‐five patients (21%) received ENI to the undissected contralateral neck. CNF occurred in 19 patients (7%) and was similar by treatment received. Utilizing this approach, we observed higher rates of CNF with increasing N classification, perineural invasion, extracapsular extension, and depth of invasion ≥6 mm. Conclusions: Using our institutional policy of treatment to the contralateral neck, a low rate of CNF (≤10%) was observed.