The Use of Sentinel Node Biopsy to Upstage the Clinically N0 Neck in Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract
A CONTINUING DEBATE in head and neck cancer is the management of the clinically N0 neck.1,2 Currently accepted management policies are that patients with a greater than 20% chance of subclinical metastases, based on the anatomic site and the size of the primary tumor, should undergo elective neck dissection (END).3-5 However, such a policy might still overtreat up to 80% of patients, and ENDs carry with them an associated morbidity.6-8