Complications From Planned, Posttreatment Neck Dissections

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Abstract
THE TREATMENT of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma involves combined modality therapy to maximize locoregional control. The morbidity of surgical resection for primary cancers of the tongue base, larynx, and hypopharynx has led many institutions to explore organ preservation treatment. This may include combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy or high-dose radiotherapy with the use of altered fractionation schemes, brachytherapy, or other boost techniques to improve control of the primary tumor. The utility of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in avoiding surgical resection of the larynx and hypopharynx has been shown through multi-institutional, randomized studies in the United States1 and Europe.2 Brachytherapy boost techniques for base of tongue carcinoma have shown efficacy in a single-institution case series,3 and improved quality of life over surgical resection has been suggested.4

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