Nodal yield in neck dissection and the likelihood of metastases

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to begin investigating the relationship between nodal yield in neck dissection and the likelihood of finding cervical metastases in T1 and T2 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). No clinical implications are drawn from this preliminary work. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This study was a retrospective analysis of 564 patients with T1 and T2 HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or hypopharynx from, the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program registry. A multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between nodal yield in neck dissection and the discovery of cervical metastases. Other independent factors included in the analysis were gender, age, race, and primary site of tumor. RESULTS: Compared with nodal yield < 13, cervical metastases were more likely to be found for nodal yield 21-28 (P > 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 3.68), 29-40 (P = 0.021, OR = 1.98), and >40 (P < 0.001, OR = 3.52). Increased age, male sex, and oropharynx and hypopharynx primaries were also associated with a significantly increased likelihood of finding cervical metastases. CONCLUSION: In T1 and T2 cases of HNSCC, nodal yield >20, increased age, male sex, and primary site correspond with an increased likelihood of finding cervical metastases.