A comparison of radical and conservative neck dissection.

A review is presented of the confusing terminology applied to the various types of neck dissection. It is recommended that the terms "conservative" and "radical" be based on clear definitions. The fourth prospective, randomized DOSAK therapy study deals with the controversial issue of radical as compared with conservative neck dissection. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity who had not been treated before were randomized and stratified according to the DOSAK treatment-dependent prognostic index (TPI). At present, 104 patients have been evaluated, of whom 48 had radical neck dissection, and 56 conservative neck dissection. Tumor location and patient age and sex are equally divided in both therapy groups. After an average follow-up time of 460 days, the relative mortality for both therapy groups is 23%. At this stage, there is no difference between the two groups in the percentage of patients with complete remission or in the percentage of patients alive. At this stage, there appears to be no difference between the two groups with regard to patient survival or recurrent disease.