COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF NODAL RECURRENCE OF ADVANCED LARYNGEAL CARCINOMA FOLLOWING SURGERY

The problems of nodal recurrence after surgical treatment of T3-4 lary ngeal carcinoma were analysed. There were 133 NO and 66 N + patients. The 5-year actuarial nodal recurrence rate of NO patients was 18% and N + patients was 31%. Nodal recurrence was the commonest site of recur rence. The sites of nodal recurrence of NO patients were at the level II, III, and IV nodes. Both ipsilateral and contralateral nodal recurr ences were common. Of those patients who developed nodal recurrence, 6 3% patients were feasible for surgical salvage. Surgical salvage with radical neck dissection was the preferred treatment for nodal recurren ce with 38% 5-year survival rate. The 'watchful waiting policy' in the management of NO neck is an acceptable option with eventual nodal fai lure rate of 10% after surgical salvage. Close follow-up of patients i s mandatory for the early detection of surgically salvageable nodal re currence.