Oncological Feasibility of Limited Neck Dissection in cN0 Supraglottic Laryngeal Cancer.

BACKGROUND

Supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a significant portion of head and neck cancers, with the management of clinically negative necks (cN0) through selective neck dissection (SND) being debated due to potential morbidities and low metastasis rates in levels IIb and IV.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective, multicenter examination of the potential feasibility of limited neck dissection (LND), including only levels IIa and III in cN0 supraglottic SCC patients. It analyzed occult metastasis rates and explored relapse occurrences alongside potential predictors of lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS

Among 425 patients, predominantly male (85.6%) with a mean age of 63 years, the occult metastasis rate was 28.9%, and 13.7% experienced relapses during a mean follow-up of 52 months. Advanced clinical stage, higher grading, and other risk factors emerged as predictors of occult lymph node metastasis at level IIb.

CONCLUSIONS

The study supports LND potential feasibility for cN0 supraglottic SCC, suggesting level IIb dissection can be omitted in specific early-stage cases to reduce morbidity without affecting outcomes.