Predictors of neck node control in radically irradiated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx.

Abstract

Cases of squamous cell carcinoma (171) of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx with clinically positive neck nodes, treated primarily by radiotherapy, were used for a multivariate analysis of the factors related to the regional outcome. All patients were staged according to the UICC-TNM (1982) classification. Lymph node size (P < 0.01), TNM nodal category (P < 0.05), and stage of the disease (P < 0.05) were significant in univariate analysis. Patient- and disease-related factors (age, sex, and histology) and treatment related factors (radiation dose (5000-6000 rads), radiation schedule, and concurrent chemotherapy) did not reach statistical significance. The stepwise logistic regression resulted in a final model with node size as the most important predictor of neck node control (P < 0.01). Patients with neck nodes up to 1 cm can receive radical radiotherapeutic management for treating the primary as well as nodal disease.