Is elective neck dissection necessary for patients with cT3-4N0 parotid gland cancer?

OBJECTIVE

Management of the cervical lymph nodes in patients with cT3-4N0 parotid gland cancer (PGC) has been controversial. This study investigated the need for elective neck dissection (END) in patients with cT3-4N0 PGC.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined cervical lymph node metastasis, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) rates in 40 patients with cT3-4N0 PGC according to whether or not END was performed.

RESULTS

Cervical lymph node metastasis occurred in 27.5% of patients and level II was the most common area. Recurrence could be treated by salvage neck dissection. There was no significant difference in OS (P=0.581) or DFS (P=0.728) between the group that underwent END and the group that did not.

CONCLUSION

END at level II is worth performing because of the occult lymph node metastasis rate. The area of neck dissection should be limited because there is no evidence that END improves the prognosis of cT3-4N0 PGC.