Study title

Impact of elective neck dissection on the outcome of oral squamous cell carcinomas arising in the maxillary alveolus and hard palate

journal

Head and Neck

study year

2016

QUESTION

Is elective lymph neck dissection (ELND) is associated with improved survival in oral squamous cell carcinomas ()SCC) of the maxillary alveolus/hard palate?

Study DESIGN

Retrospective cohort

STUDY GROUPS

ELND (n=42) vs Nodal observation (n=157)

Population

Patients with clinically node-negative OSCC of maxillary alveolus and hard palate (n=199)

Inclusion criteria

Clinically node-negative (cN0) OSCC of maxillary alveolus and hard palate

Treated with primary surgery with or without adjuvant therapy

Curative treatment intent

>12 month follow-up

Exclusion criteria

Previous head and neck cancer

Treated with primary radiotherapy

Palliative treatment intent

Inadequate follow-up (<12 months)

Clinical evidence of cervical nodal metastases (cN+)

Follow-up

Median 52.5 months

Primary endpoint(s)

5-year recurrence-free survival:

a) ELND superior (68% vs 45%, p=0.026)

Overall survival:

b) ELND superior (86% vs 62%, p=0.043)

Secondary endpoint(s)

Occult nodal metastases:

c) ELND = 29%

Neck recurrence:

d) ELND lower (6% vs 21%, p=0.031)

Weblink

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927080/pdf/nihms796708.pdf

Brief summary

ELND was associated with lower rates of recurrence and improved survival vs nodal observation in SCC of the maxillary alveolus/hard palate

Authors

Givi et al

Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, New York University, New York, USA