Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Prognostic value of lymph node count from selective neck dissection in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Unlike the levels of anatomical exploration, there is no consensus on the extent of lymph node dissection, or lymph node count (LNC), during selective neck dissection (SND). The aim of this study was to validate the prognostic impact of LNC on survival and to determine an optimal LNC cut-off value for SND. A retrospective investigation identified 78 patients with a diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who underwent SND (levels I-III or levels I-IV). LNC and clinicopathological variables were analyzed for any association with survival in Cox proportional hazards models. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off value of 19 lymph nodes was found to predict overall survival (OS) (area under the curve 0.732, sensitivity 67.8%, specificity 75.0%; P=0.026) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (area under the curve 0.762, sensitivity 68.1%, specificity 77.8%; P=0.011). On Cox regression, LNC (≥19 vs. <19) was the only independent predictor of OS (hazard ratio 5.29, 95% confidence interval 1.39-20.05; P=0.014) and DSS (hazard ratio 6.76, 95% confidence interval 1.40-32.77; P=0.018). Similar results were obtained in the pathologically lymph node-negative subgroup (n=66). Based on the study findings, SND should include 19 or more lymph nodes for a survival benefit.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app