What Is the Role of Elective Neck Dissection in the Management of Patients With Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Clinically Negative Neck?

Purpose: Buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is rare in the United States. Given its location, few anatomic barriers to spread exist and it has been found to have a high locoregional recurrence rate. The role of elective neck dissection (END) in patients with clinically negative neck (N0) is not clear. This study aims to answer the following research question: Among patients with N0 BSCC, does END improve locoregional control rates, distant metastasis rates, and 2- and 5-year survival rates? Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The sample included patients who received a diagnosis of BSCC. The primary predictor variable was END status (yes or no). Five institutions participated between June 2001 and June 2011: University of Washington, University of Michigan, University of Tennessee, North Memorial Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Minnesota, and Head and Neck Surgical Associates (Portland, OR). The primary outcome variable was locoregional recurrence. Secondary outcome variables were distant metastasis and 2- and 5-year survival rates. Other variables collected were demographic characteristics, initial operation, adjuvant therapy, clinical and pathologic data, and staging. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards statistics were computed. Results: The sample was composed of 98 patients with clinical N0 BSCC. The mean age was 66 years (range, 30-88 years), and 54% were men. Of the patients, 74 (76%) underwent END. The locoregional recurrence–free rate was 61% for END versus 38% for no END (P =.042). The distant metastasis rate was 4% for END versus 9% for no END. The 2- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 91% and 75% (P =.042), respectively, for END and 85% and 63% (P =.019), respectively, for no END. Conclusions: END had a therapeutic effect, as evidenced by a lower locoregional recurrence rate, lower distant metastasis rate, and improved 2- and 5-year survival rates.