Head Neck. 2022 Mar 18. doi: 10.1002/hed.27030. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The extent of cervical lymphadenectomy required for primary parotid cancer is not well-established.
METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 84 patients who underwent primary parotidectomy and neck dissection for primary parotid cancer between 2010 and 2019 were identified and analyzed.
RESULTS: Of the 84 patients, 37 underwent elective level V neck dissection. All six (16.0%) who had occult level V nodes had clinically evident, preoperative anterior cervical metastases, a statistically significant finding. No other clinical factors are correlated with posterior neck involvement. There was no significant difference in disease-free or overall survival for patients with occult level V disease relative to positive lymph nodes in other levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with clinically evident anterolateral cervical lymphatic metastases from parotid cancer preoperatively have high rates of occult level V nodes. Level V neck dissection can be avoided in cN0 patients and offered no survival advantage.
PMID:35302270 | DOI:10.1002/hed.27030
