[Cervical lymph nodes: surgeon's point of view]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Surgical Pathology

Context:

• Squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract present unique challenges due to their location.
• Head and neck cancers exhibit significant locoregional cervical lymph node extension.
• Cervical lymph node management is evolving towards more conservative strategies.

Purpose:

• To review current and emerging techniques in cervical lymph node management for head and neck cancers.
• To discuss the shift towards conservative surgical approaches in managing regional metastasis.
• To highlight the role of advanced imaging and sentinel node biopsy in improving surgical precision.

Summary:

• Management of cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancers is increasingly conservative.
• Selective neck dissection, aided by improved imaging, is gaining prominence.
• Sentinel lymph node techniques are under evaluation for their efficacy.
• Traditional radical dissection is now reserved for advanced cases with capsular rupture or extranodal extension.

Impact:

• Enhanced precision in surgical treatment of head and neck cancers.
• Reduced morbidity associated with extensive neck dissections.
• Potential for improved patient outcomes through tailored lymph node management.
• Advancement of minimally invasive surgical techniques in oncology.