Outcomes of N0 Necks in Primary Parotid Carcinoma: A Multi-Institution Study Over Ten Years.

AIMS: To determine in patients with clinical and radiological N0 necks in primary parotid carcinoma: (1) Rate of occult node positivity post-neck dissection. (2) Outcomes following elective neck dissection ± radiotherapy. (3) Factors predicting recurrence and mortality following treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective study on patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the parotid between January 2007 and December 2018 from three UK tertiary centres.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-four patients were identified. 6% (4/62) of patients who underwent neck dissection for radiologically N0 neck had positive lymph nodes. There was no statistically significant feature associated with recurrence and disease-related mortality, but recurrence was associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.444).

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated a low rate of occult nodal disease in N0 parotid malignancy and suggests that high-grade disease has a higher risk of nodal disease and recurrence. These patients may benefit from elective neck treatment, but more prospective data is required.