Radiotherapy of lymph node metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region.

The results of radiotherapy alone in 233 patients with lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region were examined. It appeared that the recurrence rate in the neck was mainly related to: localization of the primary tumor; the recurrence of the primary tumor; the radiation dose; and the presence of a residual palpable tumor mass in the neck 6 weeks after radiation. The optimum radiation dose was about 2000 ret. An isoeffect curve was calculated, which differed only slightly with the nominal standard dose (NSD) formula. Elective irradiation of the contralateral neck appeared to diminish the outgrowth of neck node metastases at the side. Changes in the radiation treatment in the last treatment period, such as a higher radiation dose and a larger treatment area, resulted in a lower recurrence rate for the neck node metastases, and also in a higher survival rate.