Cervical lymph node metastasis: Unknown primary cancer

Abstract

Of 210 patients who received definitive therapy for a node in the neck for which no primary cancer was found, 48% survived 3 years free of cancer. A surgical procedure or radiation therapy was equally effective in controlling the disease in nodes clinically staged in the more favorable categories. More advanced neck cancer is best treated by delivering 5,000 rads to the entire neck, pharynx, and at times the larynx, followed by partial or radical neck dissection. The dose of radiation delivered to the contralateral side of the neck prevents the subsequent appearance of nodes, and almost completely eliminates the appearance of a primary cancer in the nasopharynx and oropharynx. Copyright © 1973 American Cancer Society