Cervical lymph node dissection fails to improve survival in T2N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma: a large-scale real-world study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of cervical lymph node dissection in patients with T2N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Among 260,068 head and neck cancer patients, 861 cases of T2N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma were selected, of which 113 underwent selective lymph node dissection, and 748 did not receive dissection. The overall survival rates and disease-specific survival rates were compared between the two groups to assess efficacy.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in overall survival rates (median survival time of 57 months vs. 62 months, p = 0.34) and disease-specific survival rates (p = 0.79) between the two groups. Patients aged ≥ 60 years were at a higher risk, whereas neck dissection, gender, and degree of differentiation did not show significant risk differences in this study.

CONCLUSION

Cervical lymph node dissection in patients with T2N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma did not demonstrate a significant advantage in survival rates.