Journal article

Contralateral neck failure in oral tongue cancer: Outcomes from two centers using predefined treatment criteria

C Udovicich, J Daniell, D Wiesenfeld, M Bressel, D Rowe, D Vital, K Cavanagh, E Lekgabe, T Wong, MJR Magarey, TA Iseli, T Fua, D Rischin, L McDowell

Head and Neck | WILEY | Published : 2021

Abstract

Background: The objective was to determine the incidence of, and factors associated with contralateral neck failure (CNF) in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). Methods: Consecutive patients with OTSCC between 2007 and 2016 were included. The predefined policy of the contralateral neck included neck dissection (ND) where the primary tumor extended/crossed midline or the contralateral neck was involved; and elective nodal irradiation (ENI) where the primary tumor was ≤1 cm from midline/2 cm from tip. Results: This study included 258 patients. ND was ipsilateral 169 (66%) and bilateral 33 (13%). Fifty-five patients (21%) received ENI to the undissected contralateral neck. CNF occurred..

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