Impact of Prior Neck Treatment Status on Salvage Treatment Outcomes in Isolated Regional Recurrence of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of prior treatment status on isolated regional recurrence (IRR) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Total 159 IRR cases after definitive treatment for HNSCC were enrolled. Patients without initial neck treatment were classified into the non-treated group (N = 42), while those who underwent initial neck treatment were classified into the treated group (N = 117). The distinct differences in 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after salvage treatment rates were identified, with 78.6% and 78.6% in the previously non-treated group and 41.0% and 47.9% in the treated group. In multivariable analysis, initial T4 and N3 stages, advanced recurred N stage, and prior neck treatment status at salvage were factors predicting adverse salvage treatment outcomes. Our findings demonstrate poorer oncologic outcomes of IRR salvage treatment rates in previously treated fields of isolated neck recurrence of HNSCC than in non-treated fields, with distinct differences in RFS and OS.