Does the negative node count affect disease-free survival in early-stage oral cavity cancer?

Full Abstract

PURPOSE: We performed a retrospective study to determine whether there is a relationship between disease-free survival and negative lymph node count in patients with resected early-stage oral cavity cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 526 individuals diagnosed with carcinoma of the oral cavity between 1998 and 2005, 52 had undergone primary tumor resection and lymph node dissection of the neck for stage I or II disease. With a mean count of 27 examined negative nodes, these 52 patients were separated into groups with fewer than 27 or > or = 27 uninvolved lymph nodes and compared for disease-free survival. RESULTS: The tumor recurred or progressed in 10 patients (19%) during a median follow-up of 27 months. The 2-year disease-free survival rates were 75% and 78% in individuals with fewer than 27 and > or = 27 uninvolved node counts, respectively (P > .78). CONCLUSION: The removal of a greater number of regional, uninvolved cervical lymph nodes does not correlate with disease-free survival in this particular cohort of patients.

Author information

Author/s: Ampil, Federico L (FL); Caldito, Gloria (G); Ghali, Ghali E (GE); Baluna, Roxana G (RG);

Affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA. fampil(-atsign-)lsuhsc.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (J Oral Maxillofac Surg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Nov; vol 67 (issue 11) : pp 2473-5

Dates: Created 2009/10/19; Completed 2009/11/03;

PMID: 19837320, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/3/2009, IMS Date: )

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