ELECTIVE IRRADIATION OF THE NO NECK IN SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THEUPPER AERODIGESTIVE TRACT

The decision of how to optimally manage the clinically negative neck i s based on the likelihood of clinically inapparent disease and the eff icacy of salvage therapy. The criteria of decision for elective manage ment of the neck takes into account the site, size, depth of infiltrat ion, grading of the primary lesion, clinical and radiologic evaluation , and patient wishes. Diagnostic procedures currently used in evaluati ng head and neck cancer patients with nodal disease are reviewed. Elec tive irradiation of the NO neck in patients with squamous cell carcino ma of the head and neck is an effective means of maintaining locoregio nal control. The impact of elective nodal treatment on disease free su rvival and overall survival is discussed.