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Indications and extent of elective neck dissection in patients with early stage oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma: nationwide survey in The Netherlands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2017

R de Bree ,
I van der Waal ,
P Doornaert ,
J A Werner ,
J A Castelijns  and
C R Leemans
R de Bree*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I van der Waal
Affiliation:
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
P Doornaert
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J A Werner
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J A Castelijns
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
C R Leemans
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Remco de Bree, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Fax: +31 20 4443688 E-mail: r.bree@vumc.nl
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Abstract

Background:

Different strategies are available for the management of patients with early (i.e. tumour stage one or two) oral or oropharyngeal carcinoma and a clinically negative neck.

Material and methods:

In 2006, a questionnaire was sent to the eight head and neck cancer centres of the Dutch Head and Neck Oncology Cooperative Group. This questionnaire covered: the factors influencing the decision to perform an elective neck dissection; the neck staging procedure; and the types of neck dissection undertaken.

Results:

All eight questionnaires were returned completed. Respondents indicated that the site (n = 6), size (n = 7) and thickness (n = 6) of the primary tumour were important in decisions regarding elective neck dissection. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology was the most frequently used diagnostic technique (n = 7). Depending on the site and stage of the primary tumour presented, in the different cases 3–7 of the centres would perform an elective neck dissection. Selective neck dissections (i.e. levels I to III/IV) were more frequently performed than modified radical neck dissections.

Conclusion:

There was no uniformity regarding management of the clinically negative neck in patients with early stage oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma, within The Netherlands.

Keywords

Oral CavityOropharynxSquamous Cell CarcinomaElective Neck DissectionQuestionnairesNetherlands
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 8 , August 2009 , pp. 889 - 898
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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