Abstract
Background
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is characterized by a high risk of metastases to lymph nodes in the neck. The incidence of occult cervical metastases is relatively high. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Our study included patients with early oral cancer (T1/T2) Squamous cell carcinoma with proven N0 Neck.
Objective
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the need for elective neck dissection (END) in T1/T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma with proven N0 Neck.
Patients and Methods
a meta-analysis for the evaluation of recurrence rate after neck dissection in early oral cancers was conducted. This study included published English medical articles in the last 30 years, concerning early oral SCC with proven N0 Neck. (24) articles were included with a total number of 2192 of patients and 1619 controls.
Results
There was a significant heterogeneity among the included studies. Regarding the regional recurrence rate, neck dissection (ND) was associated with significantly lower risk of recurrence when being compared with observation. Regarding the 5-year survival rate, (10) studies were included with a total number of 1211 of patients and 948 controls. There was no significant heterogeneity among the included. There was a statistically significant difference between ND and Control.
Conclusion
Elective neck dissection is better than observation in early oral cancers T1/T2 N0 neck.
Neck nodal recurrence and survival of clinical T1-2 N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma in comparison of elective neck dissection versus observation: A meta-analysis