Alternatives to radical neck dissection. The M.D. Anderson Approach
Peters, L.J.; Withers, H.R.; Fletcher, G.H.
Australasian Radiology 24(3): 303-306
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-8461 PMID: 7236172 Document Number: 156916
Moderate doses of radiation therapy have been shown to be effective in preventing the clinical manifestation of occult metastases in the neck and of preventing the development of contralateral metastases in patients whose primary and ipsilateral nodes are controlled. The addition of radiotherapy to radical neck dissection decreases the incidence of local recurrence. Appropriately defined and limited (functional) neck dissections are at least equal to the classical (Crile) procedure in terms of therapeutic effectiveness. Guidelines are suggested for the combination of limited neck dissections with radiotherapy aimed at minimizing the morbidity of radial neck dissection, while insuring that the chances of control of cancer in the neck remain optimal.