Neck surgery in patients with primary oropharyngeal cancer treated by radiotherapy

Advances and residual knowledge gaps in the neck management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with advanced nodal disease undergoing definitive (chemo)radiotherapy for their primary

PURPOSE

Substantial changes have been made in the neck management of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) in the past century. These have been fostered by changes in cancer epidemiology and technological progress in imaging, surgery, or radiotherapy, as well as disruptive concepts in oncology. We aimed to review changes in nodal management, with a focus on HNSCC patients with nodal involvement (cN+) undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy.

METHODS

A narrative review was conducted to review current advances and address knowledge gaps in the multidisciplinary management of the cN+ neck in the context of (chemo)radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Metastatic neck nodes are associated with poorer prognosis and poorer response to radiotherapy, and have therefore been systematically treated by surgery. Radical neck dissection (ND) has gradually evolved toward more personalized and less morbid approaches, i.e., from functional to selective ND. Omission of ND has been made feasible by use of positron-emission tomography/computed tomography to monitor the radiation response in cN+ patients. Human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal cancers and their cystic nodes have shown dramatically better prognosis than tobacco-related cancers, justifying a specific prognostic classification (AJCC) creation. Finally, considering the role of lymph nodes in anti-tumor immunity, de-escalation of ND and prophylactic nodal irradiation in combination are intense areas of investigation. However, the management of bulky cN3 disease remains an issue, as aggressive multidisciplinary strategies or innovative combined treatments have not yet significantly improved their prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Personalized neck management is an increasingly important aspect of the overall therapeutic strategies in cN+ HNSCC.

Enhancing regional control in p16-negative oropharyngeal cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis of upfront neck dissection and definitive chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The presence of p16 and neck disease is important predictors of prognosis for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Patients who are p16-negative and have clinically node-positive (cN+) disease generally have worse oncologic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether upfront neck dissection (UFND) could provide potential benefits for patients with cN+ p16-negative OPSCC.

METHODS

Through this retrospective study, 76 patients with cN+ p16-negative OPSCC were analyzed, those who received either definite concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT group) or UFND followed by chemoradiotherapy (UFND group). The primary endpoints were regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS). Factors associated with survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival between the two groups was compared by propensity score-matched analysis.

RESULTS

Matched 23 patients in each group through propensity analysis, the UFND group showed a significantly better 5-year RRFS (94.1% vs 61.0%, p = 0.011) compared to the CCRT group. Univariate analysis revealed that UFND was the sole factor associated with regional control (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.110; 95% CI, 0.014-0.879; p = 0.037). Furthermore, the study found that the CCRT group was associated with a higher dose of radiotherapy and exhibited a significantly higher risk of mortality due to pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

The study indicated that UFND followed by CCRT may be a potential treatment option for patients with cN+ p16-negative OPSCC, as it can reduce the risk of regional recurrence. Additionally, the study highlights that definite CCRT is connected to a larger dose of radiotherapy and a higher risk of fatal pneumonia. These findings could be beneficial in informing clinical decision-making and improving treatment outcomes for patients with OPSCC.

Persistent lymph nodes after curative chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer: imaging predictors of response for decision-making

PURPOSE

To identify response predictors in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (N + HNSCC) and persistent lymph nodes after curative chemoradiotherapy treatment (CCRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with N + HNSCC treated with CCRT and persistent lymph nodes at first follow-up between 2015 and 2021 were identified and analyzed. Complete response was defined as the absence of lymph node metastatic involvement in patients with salvage lymphadenectomy or the absence of progression after 1 year of successive follow-ups. Tumour type and location, staging, and human papillomavirus (HPV) status were considered for analysis. The number and size of lymph nodes, type, shape, enhancement and margins on diagnostic and follow-up CT were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The cohort included 46 patients with 134 pathological lymph nodes. Logistic regression models showed the following variables to be significant: performance of salvage lymphadenectomy (OR 0.094, [CI 95% 0.004-0.61], p = 0.037); the type of lymphadenopathy on diagnostic CE-CT (solid vs. cystic) (N1: OR = 4.11, [CI 95% 1.11-17.93], p = 0.042 and N3: OR 6.42, [CI 95% 1.2-42.56], p = 0.036); the change of shape (round to oval) on the follow-up CE-CT (OR 9.76, [CI 95% 1.79-8.57], p = 0.016) and the time in days between CCRT and the first follow-up CE-CT (OR 1.06, [CI 95% 1.004-1.13], p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, the presence of solid lymph nodes on pre-treatment CT and the change in shape from round to oval on post-treatment CT are predictors of response to treatment in patients with N + HNSCC persistent lymph nodes after CCRT. Increasing the temporal interval between treatment and follow-up CT should be considered to avoid unnecessary nodal dissections.

Clinical outcomes of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas treated with Mohs surgery alone: An analysis of local recurrence, regional nodal metastases, progression-free survival, and disease-specific death

BACKGROUND

The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) continues to increase, and it is now predicted that the number of deaths from cSCC will surpass that of melanoma within the next 5 years. Although most cSCCs are successfully treated, there exists an important subset of high-risk tumors that have the highest propensity for local recurrence (LR), nodal metastasis (NM), and disease-specific death (DSD).

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the clinical outcomes of high-risk cSCCs treated with Mohs surgery (MS) alone, analyzing LR, NM, distant metastasis, and DSD. In addition, we analyzed progression-free survival and DSD in patients who underwent salvage head/neck dissection for regional NMs.

METHODS

Retrospective review of all high-risk cSCC treated in our clinics between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2020, with follow-up through April 1, 2020.

SETTING

Two university-affiliated, private-practice MS referral centers.

RESULTS

In total, 581 high-risk primary cSCCs were identified in 527 patients, of which follow-up data were obtained for 579 tumors. The 5-year disease-specific survival was 95.7%, with a mean survival time of 18.6 years. The 5-year LR-free survival was 96.9%, the regional NM-free survival was 93.8%, and the distant metastasis-free survival was 97.3%. The 5- and 10-year progression-free survival rates from metastatic disease were 92.6 and 90.0%, respectively. In patients who experienced regional NMs and underwent salvage head and neck dissection with or without radiation, the 2-year disease-specific survival was 90.5%.

CONCLUSION

Our cohort, which is the largest high-risk cSCC cohort treated with MS to date, experienced lower rates of LR, NM, and DSD than those reported with historical reference controls using both the Brigham and Women's Hospital and American Joint Committee on Cancer, Eighth Edition, staging systems. We demonstrated that MS confers a disease-specific survival advantage over historical wide local excision for high-risk tumors. Moreover, by improving local tumor control, MS appears to reduce the frequency of regional metastatic disease and may confer a survival advantage even for patients who develop regional metastases.

[Impact of neck dissection in N2-3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy: An observational real-life study]

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy in terms of neck failure of an initial neck dissection before definitive chemoradiotherapy in N2-3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas, as well as the dosimetric impact and the acute and delayed morbidity of this approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients consecutively treated between 2009 and 2018 with definitive chemoradiotherapy using intensity-modulated conformal radiotherapy (IMRT) for a histologically proven N2-3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas were retrospectively included. The therapeutic approach consisted of induction chemotherapy, followed by cisplatine-based chemoradiotherapy preceded or not by neck dissection. Neck dissection was discussed on a case-by-case basis in a dedicated multidisciplinary tumour board for patients with a dissociated response to induction chemotherapy, defined as a better response on the primary than on the node. Chemoradiotherapy without neck dissection was systematically performed in case of a major lymph node response to induction chemotherapy (decrease in size of 90% or more). Intensity-modulated radiotherapy using a simultaneous-integrated boost delivered 70Gy in 35 fractions on macroscopic tumour volumes, 63Gy on intermediate-risk levels or extra-nodal extension and 54Gy on prophylactic lymph node areas.

RESULTS

Two groups were constituted: 47 patients without an initial neck dissection (62.7%), and 28 patients with a neck dissection prior to definitive chemoradiotherapy (37.3%). Initial patient characteristics were not statistically different between the two groups. The median follow-up was 60.1months (range: 3.2-119months). Incidence of neck failure was higher in patients without neck dissection (P=0.015). The neck failure rate at 5years was 19.8% (95% confidence interval: 7.4-30.6%; P=0.015) without neck dissection versus 0% following neck dissection. All lymph node failures occurred in the planned target volume at 70Gy. Upfront neck dissection suggested a decrease in the mean dose received by the homolateral parotid gland (P=0.01), mandible (P=0.02), and thyroid gland (P=0.02). Acute toxicity of chemoradiotherapy after neck dissection suggested a reduction in grade≥3 adverse events (P=0.04), early discontinuation of concomitant chemotherapy (P=0.009) and feeding tube-dependence (P=0.008) in univariate analysis. During follow-up, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of xerostomia, dysgeusia, dysphagia or gastrostomy dependence in univariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Neck dissection prior to definitive chemoradiotherapy in N2-3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma was associated with high neck control without additional mid and long-term morbidity.

CT-based follow-up following radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer; outcome and development of a prognostic model for regional control

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to make a prognostic model for regional relapse in head and neck cancer using clinical and CT parameters.

METHODS

183 patients with lymph node-positive head and neck cancer were treated between 2002 and 2012 with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. CT studies pre- and post-treatment were reviewed for lymph node size and the presence of necrosis, extracapsular spread (ECS) and calcifications. For every patient, correlations with 3-year regional control (RC), metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were made.

RESULTS

3-year outcome rates were as follows: local control of 84%, RC of 80%, MFS of 74%, DFS of 61% and OS of 63%. Pre-treatment nodal size and the presence of necrosis were associated with a poorer outcome. This was also the case for post-treatment lymph node size, the presence of necrosis and ECS. We developed a CT-based prognostic model for RC with an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.63; 0.85).

CONCLUSION

We reached a good outcome in our patient cohort using a CT-based follow-up approach. A CT-based model was developed, which can aid in predicting RC. Advances in knowledge: A prognostic model is proposed, which can aid in predicting RC and the necessity for post-radiotherapy neck dissection using clinical parameters and parameters derived from the post-treatment CT study. This is the first article to propose a prognostic model for regional relapse in head and neck cancer based on these parameters.

Less may be more: nodal treatment in neck positive head neck cancer patients

Ongoing debates about the need and extent of planned neck dissection (PND), and required nodal radiation doses volumes lead to this evaluation. Aim was to assess nodal control after definitive intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT ± systemic therapy) followed by PND in our head neck cancer cohort with advanced nodal disease. Between 01/2005 and 12/2013, 99 squamous cell cancer HNC patients with pre-therapeutic nodal metastasis ≥3 cm were treated with definitive IMRT followed by PND. In addition, outcome in 103 patients with nodal relapse after IMRT and observation only (no-PND cohort) were analyzed. Prior to PND, PET-CT, fine needle aspirations, ultrasound and palpation were assessed regarding its predictive value. Patterns of nodal relapse were assessed in patients with isolated neck failure after definitive IMRT alone. 70/99 (70 %) PND specimens showed histopathological complete response (hCR), which translated into statistically significantly superior survival compared with partial response (hPR) with 4-year overall survival, disease specific survival and nodal control rates of 90/83/96 vs 67/60/78 % (p = 0.002/0.001/0.003). 1/99 patient developed isolated subsequent nodal disease. 64/2147 removed nodes contained viable tumor (3 %). Predictive information of the performed diagnostic investigations was not reliable. 17/70 hCR patients showed true negative findings in available three to four investigations (0/29 hPR). 27/103 no-PND patients developed isolated neck disease (26 %) with successful salvage in 21/24 [88 %, or 21/27 (78 %)]. Nearly all failures occurred in the prior nodal gross tumor volume area. A more restrictive approach regarding PND and/or nodal IMRT dose-volumes may be justified.

Planned Neck Dissection after Definitive Radiotherapy or Chemoradiation for Base of Tongue Cancers

OBJECTIVES: The study goal was to analyze the role of planned neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue treated with definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation.

STUDY DESIGN, SETTING: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue undergoing planned neck dissection after definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation.

RESULTS: Twenty-two of 41 (53.7%) patients had one to six positive residual lymph nodes after receiving definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Neck control rates were 92.3% and 88.3% at two and five years, respectively. Three of 22 (13.6%) patients with pathological residual nodal disease had regional or locore-gional failures, compared with 1 of 19 (5.3%) patients with a pathologically complete response ( P = 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high incidence of pathologically residual lymph nodes after definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation.

SIGNIFICANCE: Planned neck dissection following definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation is highly effective in achieving regional control of squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue.

Imaging strategy for response evaluation to chemoradiotherapy of the nodal disease in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is used to treat lymph node metastatic head and neck cancer patients. Regional control of the neck disease is important to improve the prognosis, and the accuracy of the method used to evaluate the metastatic lymph node(s) after CRT is crucial to the decision-making process for any following salvage surgery.

METHODS

Patients undergoing CRT were divided in two groups of patients of those showing complete clinical response (CR) and those showing clinical non-response (non-CR), as assessed by computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and fine needle aspiration cytology. The responses (CR vs. non-CR) were compared with the actual clinical outcomes. For the interim analysis, the study period was broken down into two periods, namely, the exploratory phase (patients treated between January 2002 and April 2012) and the validating phase (patients treated between May 2012 and January 2014).

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were as follows: CT and/or MRI, 66.7, 73.8, and 72.8 %, respectively, in the exploratory phase; ultrasonography, 91.7, 70.6, and 73.4 %, respectively, in the exploratory phase and 80.0, 82.8, and 82.4 %, respectively, in the validating phase; FDG-PET, 50.0, 97.5, and 91.3 %, respectively, in the exploratory phase and 60.0, 100, and 94.1 %, respectively, in the validating phase; cytology, 68.4, 95.9, and 90.3 %, respectively, in the exploratory phase and 66.7, 100, and 85.7 %, respectively, in the validating phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, CT and/or MRI appear to be inadequate methods for the evaluation of the response of lymph node(s) to CRT. In contrast, ultrasonography appears to be a highly sensitive and useful tool for positive screening at 6-8 weeks after CRT, and FDG-PET appears to be a highly specific and useful tool for negative screening at 8-12 weeks after CRT.

Outcomes in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Up-front Neck Dissection prior to (Chemo)Radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to compare outcomes with and without up-front neck dissection prior to (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Outcomes of oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cases with neck lymph node metastases treated from January 2001 to March 2012 were analyzed. Due to imbalances in baseline characteristics between groups treated with (n = 129) and without (n = 95) up-front neck dissection, propensity score matching was performed.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 48 months (range, 12-148). With up-front neck dissection, the hazard ratio for the primary end point, disease-free survival, was 0.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.37-1.06, P = .08). Up-front neck dissection reduced acute grade ≥3 toxicity significantly when xerostomia was excluded (odds ratio: 0.40, 95% confidence interval: 0.20-0.82, P = .012).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate less acute treatment toxicity without any significant difference in terms of oncologic outcome with up-front neck dissection prior to (chemo)radiotherapy as compared with (chemo)radiotherapy alone. Well-designed randomized trials are required to verify this result and further investigate the impact of this strategy on late toxicity and oncologic outcome.

Characteristics and kinetics of cervical lymph node regression after radiation therapy for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma: quantitative image analysis of post-radiotherapy response

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We sought to characterize the pattern of lymph node regression and morphology following definitive radiation therapy (RT) for human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma in patients with disease control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiographically positive cervical lymph nodes from patients treated with definitive RT for HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma were segmented on initial pre- and subsequent post-RT contrast enhanced CT images. Pre-specified quantitative nodal parameters were calculated. Initial nodal parameter correlates of final nodal size, final nodal volume, and time to <1 cm short-axis diameter were determined.

RESULTS

Sixty-six radiographically positive lymph node were analyzed in 36 patients. Lymph nodes exhibited initial volume decreases with size stabilization at ∼4 months. Fifteen nodes (23%) underwent complete radiographic response (median 6.4 months following RT; range 2.9-25.6 months). On multivariate time-to-event analysis, initial hypodense/fat component, nodal volume, and short-axis diameter exhibited inverse association, while higher HU standard deviation exhibited a positive association, with reaching <1 cm short-axis diameter (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed a substantial decrease in nodal volume within the first 1-2 months following RT. These findings support our current nodal imaging paradigm, propose a quantitative methodology, and describe a reference dataset for further validation and comparison studies.

[The accuracy of evaluating the response of metastatic lymph nodes after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma]

BACKGROUND

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is used to treat advanced head and neck cancer. The accuracy of evaluating lymph nodes metastases following CCRT is important for subsequent therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were divided into two groups according to the nodal status, the complete response (CR) and the non-CR groups, as determined by imaging and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) performed 4-8 weeks after the CCRT, and the findings were compared with the status 6 months after the treatment completion.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, the specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of each evaluation method were as follows: 66.7%, 73.5%, 26.7%, 93.8% and 72.5%, respectively, for computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); 91.7%, 69.9%, 30.6%, 98.3% and 72.6% for ultrasonography (US) ; 50.0%, 96.4%, 66.7%, 93.0% and 90.5% for fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) or PET-CT; and 68.4%, 96.1%, 81.3%, 92.5% and 90.6% for FNAC.

CONCLUSION

To evaluate the response of lymph node(s) treated by CCRT, US is useful as a positive screening tool and FDG-PET and PET-CT as negative screening tools. FNAC is useful in evaluating suspicious lymph nodes in both positive and negative cases.

Outcomes and patterns of care of patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma treated in the early 21st century

Background

We performed this study to assess outcomes of patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with modern therapy approaches.

Methods

Demographics, treatments and outcomes of patients diagnosed with Stage 3- 4B squamous carcinoma of the oropharynx, between 2000 – 2007 were tabulated and analyzed.

Results

The cohort consisted of 1046 patients. The 5- year actuarial overall survival, recurrence-free survival and local-regional control rates for the entire cohort were 78%, 77% and 87% respectively. More advanced disease, increasing T-stage and smoking were associated with higher rates of local-regional recurrence and poorer survival.

Conclusions

Patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer have a relatively high survival rate. Patients’ demographics and primary tumor volume were very influential on these favorable outcomes. In particular, patients with small primary tumors did very well even when treatment was not intensified with the addition of chemotherapy.

Economic analysis of FDG-PET-guided management of the neck after primary chemoradiotherapy for node-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this economic analysis was to model different strategies using pre-treatment nodal stage or nodal response assessment with CT or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT to determine the need for neck dissection.

METHODS

A cost-minimization analysis was developed on the basis of probability data from a prospective study of PET-guided management of the neck in patients achieving a complete response at the primary site. Costs were derived from our institution's activity-based clinical costing system. The effect of uncertainty was tested with sensitivity and scenario analyses including nationally representative cost data.

RESULTS

Strategies incorporating PET had a 7% rate for neck dissection compared with 44% for CT-guided and 90% for planned neck dissection. The cost per patient was A$16,502 for planned neck dissection, A$8014 for CT-guided, and A$2573 for PET-guided. A policy with PET used only for incomplete response on CT was the least-cost strategy (A$2111). Policies incorporating PET remained the most efficient for all sensitivity/scenario analyses.

CONCLUSION

The incorporation of PET/CT into nodal response assessment significantly reduced the number of unnecessary neck dissections and generated considerable cost savings in our cohort.

Node-positive hypopharyngeal cancer treated by (chemo)radiotherapy: impact of up-front neck dissection on outcome, toxicity, and quality of life

BACKGROUND

To investigate the impact of up-front neck dissection on the outcome of patients with node-positive hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) treated with (chemo)radiation.

METHODS

Of 135 consecutive patients with node-positive HPC, 32 patients underwent up-front neck dissection followed by (chemo)radiation (group 1), and 103 patients received definitive (chemo)radiation (group 2).

RESULTS

The 3-year regional, local and distant control for groups 1 and 2 were 92% versus 87% (p = .37), 84% versus 72% (p = .15), and 80% versus 62% (p = .08), respectively. High T classification was the only significant predictor for poor overall survival on multivariate analysis (OR = 3.0, p = .02). Acute and late toxicities and the prospectively assessed quality of life were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Upfront neck dissection followed by (chemo)radiation did not negatively impact on oncologic outcomes, toxicity, or quality of life and therefore is to be regarded as a safe and effective treatment option for small HPC with bulky nodal disease, especially in busy radiation departments with unacceptably long waiting time for definitive (chemo)radiation.

The contribution of neck dissection for residual neck disease after chemoradiotherapy in advanced oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

Planned neck dissection after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has remained controversial in advanced oro- and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OHSCC) patients. We evaluated the survival contribution of neck dissection (ND) in OHSCC patients with residual nodal disease following CRT.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 84 OHSCC patients with N2-3 disease treated at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital between 1995 and 2006. ND after CRT was performed for residual neck disease in 36 patients, but not in 48 patients to achieve a complete response. These two groups were analyzed in terms of both overall survival (OS) and regional control (RC), and surgical complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

The 5-year OS was 76.7 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 58.8-87.6] for the ND group and 73.9 % (58.6-84.3) for the non-ND group (P = 0.883). The 5-year RC was 91.6 % (76.1-97.2) for the ND group and 81.1 % (65.4-90.2) for the non-ND group (P = 0.252). Stratified by primary tumor site, the 5-year RC was 96.3 % (76.5-99.5) for the ND group, and 78.6 % (58.0-89.9) for the non-ND group (P = 0.072) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients, and 77.8 % (36.5-93.9) for the ND group and 85.9 % (54.0-96.3) for the non-ND group (P = 0.541) in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. In addition, the complications after ND were tolerable.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that ND was feasible, safe, and correlated with clinical outcomes in OHSCC patients with residual nodal disease after CRT.

Prediction of neck dissection requirement after definitive radiotherapy for head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This analysis was undertaken to assess the need for planned neck dissection in patients with a complete response (CR) of involved nodes after irradiation and to determine the benefit of a neck dissection in those with less than CR by tumor site.

METHODS

Our cohort included 880 patients with T1-4, N1-3M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx who received treatment between 1994 and 2004. Survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier Method, comparisons of rates with the log-rank test and prognostic factors by Cox's proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

Nodal CR occurred in 377 (43%) patients, of whom 365 patients did not undergo nodal dissection. The 5-year actuarial regional control rate of patients with CR was 92%. Two hundred sixty-eight of the remaining patients (53%) underwent neck dissections. The 5-year actuarial regional control rate for patients without a CR was 84%. Those who had a neck dissection fared better with 5-year actuarial regional control rates of 90% and 76% for those operated and those not operated (p < 0.001). Variables associated with poorer regional control rates included higher T and N stage, non-oropharynx cancers, non-CR, both clinical and pathological.

CONCLUSIONS

With 92% 5-year neck control rate without neck dissection after CR, there is little justification for systematic neck dissection. The addition of a neck dissection resulted in higher neck control after partial response though patients with viable tumor on pathology specimens had poorer outcomes. The identification of that subgroup that benefits from additional treatment remains a challenge.

Neck dissection can be avoided after sequential chemoradiotherapy and negative post-treatment positron emission tomography-computed tomography in N2 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

AIMS

This study assessed neck control in patients with N2 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with sequential chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) and the incidence of neck recurrence when neck dissection was withheld in those with negative post-treatment fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-four consecutive patients with N2 HNSCC who were treated with radical intent using SCRT were included. Twenty-seven patients received concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy with their radiotherapy. Nineteen patients were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. PET-computed tomography (PET-CT) was obtained 3 months after the completion of radical radiotherapy. Neck dissection was carried out only in those with increased FDG uptake in the neck.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 39.1 months. One patient had increased FDG uptake in the neck post-treatment, which was false positive for malignancy. The remaining 33 patients were observed without neck dissection. No regional recurrence occurred. The negative predictive value (NPV) of post-treatment PET-CT was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Good disease control in the neck can be achieved in patients with N2 HNSCC with SCRT. Post-treatment PET-CT has a high NPV. Neck dissection can be avoided if post-treatment PET-CT is negative.

Results of a prospective study of positron emission tomography-directed management of residual nodal abnormalities in node-positive head and neck cancer after definitive radiotherapy with or without systemic therapy

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to present our prospectively evaluated positron emission tomography (PET)-directed policy for managing the neck in node-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (N+HNSCC) after definitive radiotherapy (RT) with or without concurrent systemic therapy.

METHODS

One hundred twelve consecutive patients who achieved a complete response at the primary site underwent a 12-week posttherapy nodal response assessment with PET and diagnostic CT. Patients with an equivocal PET underwent a repeat PET 4 to 6 weeks later. Patients with residual CT nodal abnormalities deemed PET-negative were uniformly observed regardless of residual nodal size.

RESULTS

Median follow-up from commencement of RT was 28 months (range, 13-64 months). Residual CT nodal abnormalities were present in 50 patients (45%): 41 PET-negative and 9 PET-positive. All PET-negative residual CT nodal abnormalities were observed without subsequent isolated nodal failure.

CONCLUSION

PET-directed management of the neck after definitive RT in node-positive HNSCC appropriately spares neck dissections in patients with PET-negative residual CT nodal abnormalities.

Therapeutic options in patients with early T stage and advanced N stage of tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic role of surgery followed by radiotherapy (OPRT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with early T (T1/T2) and advanced N (N2/N3) stage tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN: Historical cohort study.

SETTING: A tertiary hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 42 patients who met the eligible criteria (24 patients were treated by OPRT, 18 patients by CCRT) were reviewed.

RESULTS: Mean overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 49.0 months and 43.0 months in OPRT group, respectively, and 39.6 months and 35.0 months in CCRT group, respectively ( P = 0.18 for OS, P = 0.29 fr DFS between the two groups). There was also no significant difference in survival estimates between OPRT and CCRT group in terms of two-year OS ( P = 0.18) and two-year DFS ( P = 0.45). In the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30, the scores for global health status and symptom scales did not differ between the two groups. However, the OPRT group reported better functional scales and significantly higher scores for cognitive ( P = 0.008) and social function ( P = 0.03). Among single items, a significantly lower score for insomnia ( P = 0.007) was noted in the OPRT group. In EORTC QLQ-H&N35 modules, there were no significantly different scales between the two groups except scores for nutritional supplements, in which the OPRT group presented lower symptom scores ( P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION: OPRT could be still a viable option for managing selected cases of advanced oropharyngeal cancer because one can expect comparable therapeutic outcome as well as quality of life.

Selective neck dissection in the management of the neck after (chemo)radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer. Proposal for a classification update

For patients with advanced regional disease, neck dissection following (chemo)radiotherapy remains controversial. Selective neck dissection (SND) was reported as suitable after chemoradiation in patients with advanced regional disease. Reduced morbidity represents the major advantage of SND. In a situation in which there is a major fibrosis around the previously invaded nodes, resection of 1 or more nonlymphatic structures may be required. The current classification of SND could be implemented by the addition of extended selective neck dissection (ESND). The standard basic procedures for SND spare the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), the internal jugular vein (IJV), and the spinal accessory nerve (SAN). When an SND is associated with the resection of 1 or more nonlymphatic structures, it should be termed ESND. All additional nonlymphatic structure(s) removed should be identified in parentheses. The proposal to subclassify SND not only in accord with the resected lymph node levels but also upon the nonlymphatic structures removed may be of some help to avoid potential misinterpretation.

T but not N stage predicts survival for patients with tonsillar carcinoma treated with external radiotherapy and brachytherapy

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to determine the efficacy of a therapeutic schedule including external radiation and brachytherapy in a consecutive and retrospective series of tonsillar carcinoma patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-six patients with tonsillar carcinoma were treated between 1988 and 2000 and were followed up for at least for three years. All patients were treated with accelerated hyperfractionated external radiotherapy, 68 patients had additional brachytherapy and 69 patients with advanced stages also received chemotherapy. There was no planned surgery even though 73% had N+ disease. Eleven patients with persistent neck nodes underwent ultimate salvage surgery.

RESULTS

The overall three-year survival (OS) was 70%. OS for the T stage was T1 90%, T2 89%, T3 54% and T4 60%. The corresponding numbers for the N stage were N0 61.5%, N1 73%, N2 78% and N3 66%. Accordingly OS was influenced by the T stage (p>0.001) rather than by N stage. Only four patients with salvage surgery had viable tumour cells in the specimen, their survival was not inferior.

DISCUSSION

The primary tumour stage is an essential determinant for survival in patients with irradiated tonsillar carcinoma. Neck dissection should be confined only as a salvage procedure.

Planned neck dissection for patients with complete response to chemoradiotherapy: a concept approaching obsolescence

The question of efficacy of "planned" neck dissection following complete response to chemoradiation of head and neck cancer is discussed. There is general agreement that preemptive neck dissection in patients who present initially with low volume (N1) neck disease is not necessary. However, routine performance of planned neck dissection for patients who present initially with high volume (> or =N2) disease remains controversial. The authors reviewed a large number of studies reported in the recent literature and discuss how they affect this debate.Twenty-four of the reviewed studies indicate a benefit in regional control obtained by "planned" neck dissection among patients who had bulky neck disease pretreatment. All these studies are retrospective, they do not assess treatment response prior to surgery, although they do show very good regional control rates. Twenty-six studies demonstrate no benefit from "planned" neck dissection after complete clinical response. The reasons for these different conclusions include the development of more effective chemoradiation regimens which have improved the initial locoregional control rates of patients undergoing primary chemoradiation treatment, and improvements in diagnostic technology which have increased ability to detect low volume persistent tumor in the post treatment period. When neck dissection is necessary for persistent or recurrent disease, recent studies have shown that selective or superselective neck dissection may produce results therapeutically equivalent to those obtained with more extensive procedures, with less morbidity.There is now a large body of evidence, based on long-term clinical outcomes, that patients who have achieved a complete clinical (including radiologic) response to chemoradiation have a low rate of isolated neck failure, and the continued use of planned neck dissection for these patients cannot be justified.

Revisiting the role of positron-emission tomography/computed tomography in determining the need for planned neck dissection following chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Planned neck dissection following chemoradiation (CR) has been advocated in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) with advanced nodal disease and a clinical complete response to CR because of the potential for residual occult nodal disease. The utility of positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) in identifying occult nodal disease in this scenario is controversial.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients treated with CR for advanced HNSCC with N2 or N3 disease from December 2003 to June 2007 were reviewed. Patients with a complete clinical response were included if PET-CT performed 8 to 11 weeks after CR showed no distant disease and they underwent planned neck dissection.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients met study criteria. PET-CT was positive for residual nodal disease in 20 patients (63%). Pathology revealed carcinoma in 10 patients (31%): six of 20 patients with positive PET-CT scans (30%) and four of 12 patients with negative PET-CT scans (33%). The sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT was 60% and 36%. Regional recurrence developed in two patients (6%) who were not successfully salvaged.

CONCLUSIONS

PET-CT performed 8 to 11 weeks after CR does not reliably predict the need for planned post-treatment neck dissection in patients with a complete clinical response following CR. Regional recurrence rates are comparable to those reported for patients observed with PET-CT, suggesting no advantage for planned neck dissection, and salvage rates were poor. These data suggest that delaying the timing of PET-CT, with surgery reserved for positive findings, is a reasonable alternative to planned neck dissection to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Outcome with neck dissection after chemoradiation for N3 head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of neck dissection (ND) after chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with N3 disease.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From March 1998 to September 2006, 70 patients with HNSCC and N3 neck disease were treated with concomitant CRT as primary therapy. Response to treatment was assessed using clinical examination and computed tomography 6 to 8 weeks posttreatment. Neck dissection was not routinely performed and considered for those with less than complete response. Of the patients, 26 (37.1%) achieved clinical complete response (cCR) after CRT. A total of 31 (44.3%) underwent ND after partial response (cPR-ND). Thirteen patients (29.5%) did not achieve cCR and did not undergo ND for the following reasons: incomplete response/progression at primary site, refusal/contraindication to surgery, metastatic progression, or death. These patients were excluded from the analysis. Outcomes were computed using Kaplan-Meier curves and were compared with log rank tests.

RESULTS

Comparing the cCR and cPR-ND groups at 2 years, the disease-free survival was respectively 62.7% and 84.9% (p = 0.048); overall survival was 63.0% and 79.4% (p = 0.26), regional relapse-free survival was 87.8% and 96.0% (p = 0.21); and distant disease-free survival was 67.1% and 92.6% (p = 0.059). In the cPR-ND group, 71.0% had no pathologic evidence of disease (PPV of 29.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with N3 disease achieving regional cPR and primary cCR who underwent ND seemed to have better outcomes than patients achieving global cCR without ND. Clinical assessment with computed tomography is not adequate for evaluating response to treatment. Because of the inherent limitations of our study, further confirmatory studies are warranted.

[Neck dissection following chemoradiation for node positive head and neck carcinomas]

The optimal timing and extent of neck dissection in the context of chemoradiation for head and neck cancer remains controversial. For some institutions, it is uncertain whether neck dissection should still be performed upfront especially for cystic nodes. For others, neck dissection can be performed after chemoradiation and can be omitted for N1 disease as long as a complete response to chemoradiation is obtained. The question is debated for N2 and N3 disease even after a complete response as the correlation between radiological and clinical assessment and pathology may not be reliable. Response rates are greater than or equal to 60% and isolated neck failures are less than or equal to 10% with current chemoradiation protocols. Some therefore consider that systematic upfront or planned neck dissection would lead to greater than or equal to 50% unnecessary neck dissections for N2-N3 disease. Positron-emission tomography (PET) scanning to assess treatment response and have shown a very high negative predictive value of greater than or equal to 95% when using a standard uptake value of 3 for patients with a negative PET at four months after the completion of therapy. These data may support the practice of observing PET-negative necks. More evidence-based data are awaited to assess the need for neck dissection on PET. Selective neck dissection based on radiological assessment and peroperative findings and not exclusively on initial nodal stage may help to limit morbidity and to improve the quality of life without increasing the risk of neck failure. Adjuvant regional radiation boosts might be discussed on an individual basis for aggressive residual nodal disease with extracapsular spread and uncertain margins but evidence is missing. Medical treatments aiming at reducing the metastatic risk especially for N3 disease are to be evaluated.

Accuracy of positron emission tomography in the evaluation of patients treated with chemoradiotherapy for mucosal head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) in assessing the patients treated with primary chemoradiotherapy for mucosal carcinoma of the head and neck.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with biopsy-proven cancer of mucosal head and neck sites receiving chemoradiotherapy with curative intent was undertaken.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients met the study criteria. Staging PET identified unsuspected distant metastatic disease in 11% of patients. Sixty-one patients (78%) had a complete metabolic response on PET, with 17 showing residual disease. Sensitivity of PET was 82% (positive predictive value: 82%) and specificity was 95% (negative predictive value: 95%). Accuracy of PET response was significantly better than clinical assessment and conventional imaging (p < .002, p < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

PET has been found to be significantly better than clinical examination or conventional imaging in restaging patients after chemoradiotherapy. Patients with a complete response on posttreatment PET have a significant survival advantage and can be safely observed.

Prospective risk-adjusted [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography assessment of radiation response in head and neck cancer

PURPOSE

[(18)F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging may improve assessment of radiation response in patients with head and neck cancer, but it is not yet known for which patients this is most useful. We conducted a prospective trial to identify patient populations likely to benefit from the addition of functional imaging to the assessment of radiotherapy response.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-eight patients with locally advanced cancer of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx were prospectively enrolled and treated with primary radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy. Patients underwent FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT imaging 8 weeks after completion of treatment. Functional and anatomic imaging response was correlated with clinical and pathologic response. Imaging accuracy was then compared between imaging modalities.

RESULTS

Although postradiation maximum standard uptake values were significantly higher in nonresponders compared with responders, the positive and negative predictive values of FDG-PET/CT scanning were similar to those for CT alone in the unselected study population. Subset analyses revealed that FDG-PET/CT outperformed CT alone in response assessment for patients at high risk for treatment failure (those with human papillomavirus [HPV] -negative disease, nonoropharyngeal primaries, or history of tobacco use). No benefit to FDG-PET/CT was seen for low-risk patients lacking these features.

CONCLUSION

These data do not support the broad application of FDG-PET/CT for radiation response assessment in unselected head and neck cancer patients. However, FDG-PET/CT may be the imaging modality of choice for patients with highest risk disease, particularly those with HPV-negative tumors. Optimal timing of FDG-PET/CT imaging after radiotherapy merits further investigation.

Neck dissection after radiochemotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

Primary chemoradiation is a frequent treatment for locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Some authors claim that a neck dissection (ND) is necessary in N2/N3 disease after this treatment in order to avoid regional recurrences. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of isolated nodal failure in patients with N2/N3 disease who achieved a complete clinical and radiological response (CR) after chemoradiation, when no planned ND was performed.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the survival rates, nodal response and subsequent neck nodal control of 28 patients with locally advanced oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx squamous cell carcinoma disease, treated with primary chemoradiation.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 28 months, 2-year global survival was 73% and disease-free survival 60%. Patients who had complete local and regional response after chemoradiotherapy were followed, with 100% neck nodal control.

CONCLUSION

Patients with N2/N3 disease who obtained a clinical and radiological CR to chemoradiation had a zero incidence of isolated neck failure without a planned ND. The continued use of planned NDs in this patient subset may not be justified. This can be further confirmed in randomised prospective trials.

[Surgical treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity]

The squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity comprises 3% of all new cancer cases. 10% have a hereditary component. Smokers stand at a 3-fold higher risk with alcohol as an additive factor. 6 to 10 independent genetic events are expected to take place until invasive carcinoma occurs. Chromosomal deletion may also be detected in premalignant lesions. Staging is performed with inspection including endoscopy, CT- and MR-Scans and biopsy for the primary tumour and chest-X-ray, CT, Ultrasound and Scintigraphy for the N and M stage routinely. Therapeutic options that are proven best are radiation or/and surgery for T1 and T2 stages with a 5-year survival rate between 80% and 100%. Multimodal therapies, also including chemotherapy for higher stages result in 5-year survival rates between 55% and 62%. Since recurrence and metastasis have very poor prognosis sufficient and radical primary therapy is crucial. Palliative chemotherapy may be applied for functional improvement and pain release without statistical prove for increased survival rates.