Outcomes of N0 Necks in Primary Parotid carcinoma: A Multi-institution
Study over ten years
Abstract
Aims To determine in patients with clinical and radiological N0 necks in
primary parotid carcinoma: 1.) Rate of occult node positivity post-neck
dissection 2.) Outcomes following elective neck dissection +/-
radiotherapy. 3.) Factors predicting recurrence and mortality following
treatment. Methods A retrospective study on patients diagnosed with
malignant neoplasm of the parotid between 01/2007 – 12/2018 from 3 UK
tertiary centres. Results 134 patients were identified. 6% (4/62) of
patients who underwent neck dissection for radiologically N0 neck had
positive lymph nodes. There was no statistically significant feature
associated with recurrence and disease-related mortality, but recurrence
was associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.444).
Conclusion This study has demonstrated a low rate of occult nodal
disease in N0 parotid malignancy and suggests that high-grade disease
has a higher risk of nodal disease and recurrence. These patients may
benefit from elective neck treatment, but more prospective data is
required.