Unresectable primary tumor of head and neck: does neck dissection combined with chemoradiotherapy improve survival?

J Craniofac Surg. 2001 Sep;12(5):438-43. doi: 10.1097/00001665-200109000-00007.

Abstract

A study regarding patients with primary and previously untreated advanced histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck was performed to compare two treatment modalities: neck dissection followed by chemoradiotherapy (Group I) versus chemoradiotherapy alone (Group II). Fifty-four patients were randomly chosen to receive Group I or II treatment. Our results demonstrate that Group I treatment has a higher and statistically significant disease-specific survival rate. We suggest that an association of neck dissection plus chemoradiotherapy can be useful in the event of unresectable advanced carcinomas.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Lymph Node Excision*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck / surgery
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Proportional Hazards Models

Substances

  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil