Observation versus neck dissection for positron-emission tomography-negative lymphadenopathy after chemoradiotherapy

To analyze outcomes among patients with residual positron-emission tomography (PET)-negative lymphadenopathy after chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer based on whether or not they underwent neck dissection.

Retrospective review.

Fifty-five patients with stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were identified with residual PET-negative lymphadenopathy based on standardized uptake value of <3. All patients had been treated with chemoradiotherapy to a median dose of 70 Gy (range, 60-4 Gy).

With a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 6-67 months), the 3-year overall survival (85% vs. 81%, P = .57), progression-free survival (88% vs. 88%, P = .42), and local-regional control (96% vs. 100%, P = .68), did not differ between patients treated by neck dissection or observation.

Omission of neck dissection appears to be reasonable for patients with residual lymphadenopathy but negative PET after chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

4.