Node-positive hypopharyngeal cancer treated by (chemo)radiotherapy: impact of up-front neck dissection on outcome, toxicity, and quality of life.

Background: To investigate the impact of up-front neck dissection on the outcome of patients with node-positive hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) treated with (chemo)radiation.

Methods: Of 135 consecutive patients with node-positive HPC, 32 patients underwent up-front neck dissection followed by (chemo)radiation (group 1), and 103 patients received definitive (chemo)radiation (group 2).

Results: The 3-year regional, local and distant control for groups 1 and 2 were 92% versus 87% (p = .