Treatment of the clinically negative neck in oral squamous cell carcinoma

To define the most effect treatment plan of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma with clinically negative (NO) neck staging.

Retrospective review of 54 patients with NO neck staging who underwent resection of an oral cavity primary tumor with or without elective neck dissection between January 1982 and December 1992 and with a minimum follow-up of 3 years.

The records of 54 patients with previously untreated oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma and NO neck staging were retrospectively reviewed to determine the impact of elective neck dissection on patient outcomes including regional recurrence and overall survival.

All patients underwent surgical resection of their oral cavity tumors, with 33 patients undergoing "watchful waiting" observation for the development of neck disease while 21 patients had elective neck dissections. The most controversial group of patients were those with intermediate-sized (T2 and T3) primary tumors. Eighteen of these patients underwent elective neck dissection, with two patients developing recurrent neck disease and an ultimate prognosis of 72%. Twelve patients had observation of their necks, with five of these patients subsequently requiring neck dissection. An additional seven patients did not undergo neck dissection, and this group had four survivors free of disease. The prognosis was 42% in patients not having elective neck dissections.

T1 tumors do well with neck treatment other than careful observation. The data suggest that patients with T2 and T3 oral squamous cell carcinoma should undergo surgical resection of their primary tumor site and elective neck dissection. Patients with T4 oral cavity lesions should routinely undergo neck dissection.