Objectives: The study goal was to analyze the role of planned neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue treated with definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue undergoing planned neck dissection after definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation.
Results: Twenty-two of 41 (53.7%) patients had one to six positive residual lymph nodes after receiving definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Neck control rates were 92.3% and 88.3% at two and five years, respectively. Three of 22 (13.6%) patients with pathological residual nodal disease had regional or locoregional failures, compared with 1 of 19 (5.3%) patients with a pathologically complete response (P = 0.39).
Conclusions: We observed a high incidence of pathologically residual lymph nodes after definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation.
Significance: Planned neck dissection following definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiation is highly effective in achieving regional control of squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue.