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Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma neck with occult primary: A retrospective analysis

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2009; 30(04): 124-130

DOI: DOI: 10.4103/0971-5851.65334

Author : Shukla, Pragya; Gupta, Deepak; Bisht, Shyam Singh; Pant, Mohan Chand; Bhatt, Madan Lal; Srivastava, Kirti; Negi, Mahendra Pal Singh

Abstract

Introduction:Metastatic carcinoma in the lymph nodes of the neck from an unknown primary is relatively rare, accounting for about 3% of all head and neck cancers. Management of secondary neck of undetermined primary is controversial.Materials and Methods:The case records of all the patients treated in the Department of Radiotherapy, Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, from Oct 1999 to Sep 2004, were studied and the patients with secondary neck without a known primary tumor were analyzed in detail to elucidate the outcome of various treatment modalities in various stages of the disease. One hundred and forty patients were found to be eligible for this analysis. Initial treatment could be divided into two categories: concurrent chemoradiation (n=76) and radiotherapy alone (n=64).Results:The patients who had received radiotherapy alone (53.1%) had lesser complete response as compared to those who had received chemoradiotherapy (68.4%). The overall survival duration in patients of the radiotherapy treatment group ranged from 5 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 31.06 ± 21.01 months, while in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group it ranged from 6 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 39.42 ± 21.33 months. Both hematological and nonhematological toxicities, although higher in the chemoradiotherapy group, showed statistically insignificant differences.Conclusion:To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study evaluating the role of concurrent chemoradiation in cases of secondary neck with primary unknown. The improved response rates along with an increased survival (both disease free and overall) show the superiority of chemoradiotherapy in the management of such cases.

Keywords

Chemoradiotherapy - head and neck - metastatic cervical lymph node - radiotherapy - unknown primary


Publication History

Article published online:
19 November 2021

© 2009. Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.)

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Introduction:

Metastatic carcinoma in the lymph nodes of the neck from an unknown primary is relatively rare, accounting for about 3% of all head and neck cancers. Management of secondary neck of undetermined primary is controversial.

Materials and Methods:

The case records of all the patients treated in the Department of Radiotherapy, Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, from Oct 1999 to Sep 2004, were studied and the patients with secondary neck without a known primary tumor were analyzed in detail to elucidate the outcome of various treatment modalities in various stages of the disease. One hundred and forty patients were found to be eligible for this analysis. Initial treatment could be divided into two categories: concurrent chemoradiation (n=76) and radiotherapy alone (n=64).

Results:

The patients who had received radiotherapy alone (53.1%) had lesser complete response as compared to those who had received chemoradiotherapy (68.4%). The overall survival duration in patients of the radiotherapy treatment group ranged from 5 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 31.06 ± 21.01 months, while in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group it ranged from 6 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 39.42 ± 21.33 months. Both hematological and nonhematological toxicities, although higher in the chemoradiotherapy group, showed statistically insignificant differences.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study evaluating the role of concurrent chemoradiation in cases of secondary neck with primary unknown. The improved response rates along with an increased survival (both disease free and overall) show the superiority of chemoradiotherapy in the management of such cases.

Keywords: Chemoradiotherapy, head and neck, metastatic cervical lymph node, radiotherapy, unknown primary

INTRODUCTION

Metastasis to the lymph nodes of the neck with an occult primary is relatively rare, accounting for about 3% of all head and neck cancers. Metastasis of unknown primary on the whole carries a very poor prognosis, but in the head and neck region this is not the case.[–] The 5-year disease-specific survival rates range upwards to 74% in modern series, with overall survival rates being in the 40–66% range.[–]

Patients who have a metastatic neck lymph node will have their primary tumors discovered in more than 90% of the cases through a careful physical examination,[] computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopy and biopsies[] and, more recently, by elective tonsillectomies and newer imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography scans.[] Metastasis in the upper and middle neck (levels I, II, III and V) are generally attributed to head and neck cancers, whereas level IV is often associated with primaries below the clavicle.

Extended field radiotherapy can be used to treat the potential primary site of origin in a case of head and neck. This aggressive approach, although associated with significant morbidity, has been advocated by many oncologic centers[–] and has also been challenged by others.[]

In patients with early-stage neck disease (N1 or small mobile N2a disease), surgery alone can be used for treatment, but based on tenets established by Fletcher et al,[] and expanded by Wang et al,[] postop RT is recommended in patients when there is connective tissue invasion, multiple involved nodes or a suspicion of residual microscopic disease in the neck without clinically detectable tumor. Bataini et al.[] had reported 48 patients treated with neck dissection followed by radiotherapy to head and neck mucosa and bilateral lymph nodes and 90 patients treated with radiotherapy alone. They had reported a 4% rate of developing carcinomas in head and neck mucosal sites Colletier et al.[] had reported 136 patients treated with neck dissection followed by radiotherapy to head and neck mucosal sites and bilateral lymph nodes. In their study, 6% of the patients developed carcinomas in head and neck mucosal sites within radiotherapy portals and 4% of the patients developed carcinomas outside radiotherapy portals. The absolute survival achieved at 5 years was 60%. Reddy and Marks[] had reported 16 patients treated with radiotherapy to ipsilateral lymph nodes and 36 patients treated with RT to head and neck mucosal sites and bilateral lymph nodes and had concluded that RT reduced the rate of developing head and neck cancer.

Management of secondary neck of undetermined primary is controversial as the best treatment for such cases remains unclear because of the heterogenous pathological condition. Various therapeutic regimens are present, but no clear-cut consensus has evolved. To assess the outcome of patients in a real-world situation, we retrospectively reviewed the database in our department to analyze the response rate, disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate of various treatment modalities along with an assessment of the associated toxicities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The case records of all the patients treated in the Department of Radiotherapy of CSMMU (erstwhile KGMU) during a period of 5 years (Oct 1999 to Sep 2006) were studied and the patients with metastatic neck malignancies without a known primary tumor were analyzed in detail to elucidate the outcome of various treatment modalities like radiation and chemotherapy (singly or in combination) in various stages of the disease. Classification of a patient as having an unknown primary tumor was carried out if adequate investigations failed to detect a possible primary tumor site at the time when a final treatment decision was made. Twenty-six patients were excluded from the analysis on the basis of the following criteria: patients who were treated with palliative intent (n = 16), nonsquamous cell histology (n = 2) and took incomplete treatment (n = 8). All patients included in the study had cytologically proven squamous cell carcinoma, treated with curative intent, had no evidence of any distant metastasis and had not received any previous chemo or radiotherapy. Patients who had primarily been treated by surgical modality were not included in this analysis. Eventually, only 140 patients were found to be eligible for this analysis.

Of the 140 patients, 114 were men and 26 were women. Seventy-eight (55.71%) had a history of tobacco intake in some form or the other. Mean duration of symptoms was 3 months. Most common presentation was ipsilateral adenopathy. All patients had chest X-ray and panendoscopy performed as part of their work-up and 62 (44%) patients had a CT of the head and neck region. Other investigations performed were high-resolution ultrasonography of neck and biopsies. The work-up procedures were not significantly different between the different treatment groups. All available clinical and diagnostic information was used for clinical staging. For this report, all patients were nodal staged according to the AJCC, 1998 classification. Initial treatment of the patients could be divided into two categories: concurrent chemoradiation (n=76) and radiotherapy alone (n = 64). The patients had been regularly followed-up with endoscopy and/or imaging. For those patients for whom complete follow-up data was not available, contact was established with the help of phone calls and letters.

The median dose of radiotherapy in patients treated with radiotherapy alone was 67 Gy (range, 60–70 Gy) as opposed to a value of 66 Gy (range, 60–70 Gy) for the concurrent chemoradiotherapy arm.

RT was delivered with megavoltage equipment using parallel opposed lateral portals treating head and neck mucosal sites (the main potential primary sites of nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx) and upper cervical lymph nodes and en face anterior portals treating lower cervical and supraclavicular lymph nodes by once-daily fractionation. Chemoradiotherapy patients were given weekly IV Cisplatin in a dose of 35 mg/m2 along with radiation.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis

Continuous variables were compared by two-sample t-test while categorical variables were compared by the χ2 test. Difference between the two proportions was compared by proportion Z test using its correction for continuity. The Logrank test and Cox proportional hazard ratio were used to compare the two survival curves. A two-tailed (α = 2) probability (P) value less than 0.05 (P< 0>

Physical characteristics

Patient baseline demographic characteristics of both groups are summarized in Table 1. In both groups, the proportion of males was comparatively higher than that of females. Similarly, in both groups, stage N2b patients were the maximum and stage N3 were the minimum. On comparing all baseline characteristics of the patients in the two groups, they were found to be the same, i.e. they did not differ significantly (P>0.05).

Table 1

Baseline demographic characteristics of patients of both groups

Treatment response

The treatment responses, either complete or partial, in patients of both groups are summarized in Table 2. A complete response rate of 53.1% was seen in patients who had been treated with radiotherapy whereas the patients who had been treated with chemoradiotherapy showed a complete response of 68.4%. The complete response was 1.3-times higher in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group, but their proportions in the two groups did not differ significantly (53.1% vs. 68.4%, Z=1.68; P>0.05).
Characteristics Radiotherapy (n = 64) Chemoradiotherapy (n = 76) Statistic
Male (No.) 53 (82.8) 61 (80.3) Z = 0.17ns
Female (No.) 11 (17.2) 15 (19.7) Z = 0.17ns
Age (years) (mean ± SD) 52.24 ± 11.60 55.10 ± 61.40 T = 1.81ns
Node (No.)
 I 12 (18.8) 16 (21.1) Z = 0.13ns
 IIa 16 (25.0) 20 (26.3) Z = 0.02ns
 IIb 20 (31.3) 24 (31.6) Z = 0.14ns
 IIc 12 (18.8) 10 (13.2) Z = 0.67ns
 III 4 (6.3) 6 (7.9) Z = 0.05ns
Table 2

Treatment response in patients of both groups

Survival

Disease-free survival 

The disease-free duration in patients of the radiotherapy treatment group ranged from 14 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 41.59 ± 18.43 months, while in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group it also ranged from 14 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 44.85 ± 17.29 months. The mean duration of disease free survival in patients of the chemoradiotherapy treatment group was 3.26 months higher than that in the radiotherapy treatment group, but the disease-free duration between both groups did not differ significantly (P>0.05), i.e. it was found to be the same (41.59 ± 18.43 vs. 44.85 ± 17.29; t = 0.83, P>0.05).

The disease-free proportion and its duration (months) in patients of both groups are summarized in Table 3. Of 64 patients in the radiotherapy treatment group, 34 (53.1%) patients were disease free and of 76, 52 (68.4%) were disease free in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group. In other words, the odds of disease free were 1.9-times higher in the radiotherapy treatment group as compared to the chemoradiotherapy group (OR = 1.912, 95% CI = 0.959–3.809; χ2 = 3.431, P>0.05).
Response Radiotherapy (n = 64) No. (%) Chemoradiotherapy (n = 76) No. (%)
Partial response 30 (46.9) 24 (31.6)
Complete response 34 (53.1) 52 (68.4)
Table 3

The number and disease-free duration (months) in patients of both groups

Similarly, of 34 disease-free patients in the radiotherapy treatment group, 16 (47.1%) patients were found alive at the final evaluation (6 years) while out of 52, 29 (55.8%) in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group were found to be alive. The proportion of survival was 1.2-times higher in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group, but the increase was found to be insignificant when compared with the survival proportion of the radiotherapy treatment group (55.8% vs. 47.1%; Z = 0.57, P>0.05). In other words, the odds of survival is 1.4-times higher in the radiotherapy treatment group as compared to chemoradiotherapy (OR = 1.418, 95% CI = 0.596–3.379; χ2 = 0.625, P>0.05).

The disease-free survival (percent survival as a function of time) in patients of both groups was again analyzed by survival curve analysis and has been summarized graphically in Figure 1. The survival curve analysis also shows that the disease-free survival (%) between the two groups was the same (Log rank test: χ2 = 0.833; P>0.05). The hazard ratio indicates that the rate of death was 1.3-times higher in the radiotherapy treatment group as compared to the rate of death in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group (hazard ratio = 1.324; 95% CI of ratio = 0.708–2.575).
Disease-free survival Radiotherapy (n = 64) Chemoradiotherapy (n = 76)
No. 34 (53.1) 52 (68.4)
Mean ± SD 41.59 ± 18.43 44.85 ± 17.29
Median 42 54
Death 18 (52.9) 23 (44.2)
Live 16 (47.1) 29 (55.8)

| Figure 1 Disease-free survival (%) in patients


Survival with recurrence

The recurrence duration in patients of the radiotherapy treatment group ranged from 14 to 52 months, with an average (±SD) of 28.70 ± 12.86 months, while in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group it ranged from 14 to 48 months, with an average (±SD) of 29.69 ± 11.48 months. The duration of recurrence was 1.0 month earlier in radiotherapy treatment group as compared to the chemoradiotherapy treatment group, but the duration of recurrence between the groups did not differ significantly (P>0.05), i.e. it was found to be the same (28.70 ± 12.86 vs. 29.69 ± 11.48, t = 0.28; P>0.05).

The recurrence proportion and its duration (months) in patients of both groups has been summarized in Table 4. Of 34 disease-free patients in the radiotherapy treatment group, the disease recurred in 20 (58.8%) patients while out of 52, 26 (50.0%) patients had disease recurrence in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group. The proportion of recurrence was 1.2-times higher in the radiotherapy treatment group as compared to the chemoradiotherapy treatment group, but the proportions between the groups was found to be the same (58.8% vs. 50.0%, Z = 0.58; P>0.05). In the radiotherapy group, six patients had recurrence at the primary site (three in oropharynx, two in hypopharynx, one in nasopharynx), 10 at the nodal site and four showed distant metastasis. In the chemoradiotherapy group, five (two in oropharynx, three in hypopharynx) patients had recurrence at the primary site, 12 at the nodal site and seven showed distant metastasis. Salvage surgery was used when feasible. For the remaining, adjuvant chemotherapy was given.



Table 4

Figures in parenthesis are in percentage


Similarly, of 20 patients showing recurrence in the radiotherapy treatment group, two (10.0%) patients were found to be alive at the final evaluation while of 26, three patients were found to be alive (11.5%) in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group. The proportion of recurrence survival was 1.2-times higher in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group, but found to be insignificant when compared with recurrence survival of the radiotherapy treatment group (11.5% vs. 10.0%; Z = 0.31, P>0.05). In other words, the odds of recurrence survival was 1.2-times higher in the radiotherapy treatment group as compared to chemoradiotherapy (OR = 1.174, 95% CI = 0.177–7.794; χ2 = 0.028, P>0.05).

The recurrence survival (%) in patients of both groups has been summarized graphically in Figure 2. The recurrence survival between the two groups was found to be the same (Log rank test: χ2 = 0.274; P>0.05). However, the death rate in recurrence patients of the radiotherapy treatment group was 1.2-times higher than the death rate in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group (hazard ratio = 1.167; 95% CI of ratio = 0.614–2.324).
Survival with recurrence Radiotherapy (n = 34) Chemoradiotherapy (n = 52)
No. 20 (58.8) 26 (50.0)
Mean ± SD 28.70 ± 12.86 29.69 ± 11.48
Median 28 26
Death 18 (90.0) 23 (88.5)
Live 2 (10.0) 3 (11.5)

| Figure 2 Recurrence survival (%) in patients of both groups

Overall survival

The overall survival duration in patients of the two groups has been summarized in Table 5. The overall survival duration in patients of the radiotherapy treatment group ranged from 5 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 31.06 ± 21.01 months, while in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group, it ranged from 6 to 60 months, with an average (±SD) of 39.42 ± 21.33 months. The mean overall survival duration of the chemoradiotherapy treatment group was 8.36 months higher and significantly greater (P< 0 xss=removed>vs. 31.06 ± 21.01, t = 2.33; P< 0>

Table 5

Figures in parenthesis are in percentage

Of 64 patients in the radiotherapy treatment group, 16 (25.0%) patients were found to be alive at the final evaluation while out of 76, 29 (38.2%) patients were alive in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group. The overall survival was 1.5-times higher in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group, but the increase was found to be insignificant when compared with the radiotherapy treatment group (25.0% vs. 38.2%; Z = 1.48, P>0.05). In other words, the odds of overall survival was 1.9-times higher in the radiotherapy treatment group as compared to the chemoradiotherapy group (OR = 1.851, 95% CI = 0.891–3.846; χ2 =2.758, P>0.05).

The overall survival (%) in patients of both groups has been summarized graphically in Figure 3. The overall survival in patients of the chemoradiotherapy treatment group was found to be significantly (P< 0 xss=removed>2 =4.013; P< 0 xss=removed xss=removed>
Overall survival Radiotherapy (n = 64) Chemoradiotherapy (n = 76)
Mean ± SD 31.06 ± 21.01 39.42 ± 21.33
Median 21.5 43
Death 48 (75.0) 47 (61.8)
Live 16 (25.0) 29 (38.2)
Live 2 (10.0) 3 (11.5)

| Figure 3 Overall survival (%) in patients of both groups

Toxicity

Grade III and IV hematological and nonhematological toxicities are summarized in Table 6. The grade III and IV toxicities were found to be higher in the chemoradiotherapy group as compared to the radiotherapy group. However, this difference is not found to be statistically significant (P>0.05).

Table 6

Grade III/IV acute (nonhematological and hematological) toxicity in both groups

DISCUSSION

Lymph node metastasis to neck from the occult primary in the head and neck region is rare. Large reported series indicated that the frequency is around 3% of the total head and neck cancer cases.[–] Owing to the rarity of the disease, all reports on treatment results of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary tumor site presenting with cervical neck nodes are retrospective.

The retrospective nature of our report is its limitation, but has an edge because of the larger number of patients and higher incidence of advanced nodal disease to those of other literature series; the most frequent lymph node 73 vs. 57% of patients had N2 stage and 16 vs. 10% of the cases had bilateral neck node involvement.[–] Also, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis evaluating the role of concurrent chemoradiation in such patients.

The mean age in our study was 54 years. The mean age at diagnosis has varied in series from 55 to 65 years, and the younger median age in some series may partially be explained by the inclusion of undifferentiated tumors. Likewise, the male preponderance in our study is very well in consistence with that reported in previous studies on head and neck carcinoma.[]

Comparing the diagnostic workup performed in our patients with that of the Danish National Study[] in which all patients underwent panendoscopy with random biopsies of the upper aerodigestive mucosa,[] this procedure was not systematically performed in all our cases.

The prognosis of unknown primary with cervical metastasis is similar to that of patients with known primary head and neck carcinoma and an identical N category, with up to 50% of these patients being long-term survivors.[,] This reasonable prognosis is crucial in determining justification for an aggressive management. However, in the absence of randomized trials, the most favorable treatment approach has not, until now, been defined. The proposed treatment options for neck metastases include neck dissection alone, radiotherapy alone or neck dissection with postoperative radiotherapy. A review of the literature suggests that the most promising results have been achieved with neck dissection followed by comprehensive irradiation whenever feasible.[,]

Evaluation of the survival obtained by the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and radiation in patients of cervical metastasis from an unknown primary was the aim of our study. The 5-year overall survival of our series was 31.6%, which is in accordance with that reported in the literature, analyzing mainly patients with lymph node metastases with squamous cell carcinoma, varying from 22% to 67%.[,,–] Studies on carcinoma head and neck in the past have established the role of concurrent chemoradiotherapy because of the achieved survival advantage.[–] However, patients of secondary neck with primary unknown were excluded from most of these studies. In a phase II study, Jeremic et al. had reported that 12 of 21 patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of an unknown primary tumor localized to the neck and who were treated with bilateral neck and mucosal irradiation and concurrent weekly Cisplatin were found to be without evidence of disease.[]

The neck nodes (22.5%), followed by distant metastases (16.1%) and primary tumor (15.8%), were the most frequent sites of relapse in our study. This is in accordance with previous studies that have shown that the most frequent site of recurrence was neck nodes, followed by distant metastases.[,,,,] Colletier et al.[] had shown a neck node recurrence rate of 9% with a distant metastasis rate of 18% and onset of primary tumor of 14%. However, Reddy and Marks[] found that the rate of relapse at the primary tumor site was higher than that of nodal recurrence.

The most frequent site of primary tumor occurrence was the oropharynx, followed by the nasopharynx, hypopharynx and the larynx. The most frequent sites that have been reported in the literature were oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx and larynx.[,] The incidence of distant metastases in our series (16.1%) was similar to that of other studies, in which incidence varied from 11% to 33%.[,]

The nonhematological toxicities of mucositis, skin, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were 41%, 11%, 16%, 3% and 0%, respectively, in the radiotherapy arm and 53%, 17%, 24%, 7% and 5% in the chemoradiotherapy arm. The difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, hematological toxicities like anemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in the chemoradiotherapy arm were 8%, 0%, 0% and 13%, 4%, 7% in the radiotherapy arm. The difference again was not significant. Late toxicities like dysphagia, xerostomia and neck fibrosis in the chemoradiotherapy arm were 6.6%, 9.2%, 7.9% and 6.2%, 7.8%, 7.8% in the radiotherapy arm, the difference being statistically insignificant. The toxicity values of both acute and late reactions is similar to those that have been reported previously.[]

Our study too has shown that patients who had been treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy fared better than those who had received radiotherapy alone. The toxicity, although higher in the chemoradiotherapy arm than in the radiotherapy-alone arm, was not found to be significantly different.

CONCLUSION

The improved response rates along with an increased survival (both disease free and overall) at manageable toxicity clearly show the superiority of chemoradiotherapy in the management of secondary neck with primary unknown.

Footnotes

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

  • References
Toxicity Chemoradiotherapy arm (n = 76) Radiotherapy arm (n = 64) P
Nonhematological
 Mucositis 40 (53) 26 (41) 0.4525
 Skin 13 (17) 7 (11) 0.4725
 Nausea 18 (24) 10 (16) 0.406
 Vomiting 5 (7) 2 (3) 0.4594
 Diarrhea 4 (5) 0 (0) 0.1291
Hematological
 Anemia 10 (13) 5 (8) 0.422
 Thrombocytopenia 3 (4) 0 (0) 0.2530
 Neutropenia 5 (7) 0 (0) 0.07
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  21.  Erkal HS, Mendenhall WM, Amdur RJ, Villaret DB, Stringer SP. Squamous cell carcinomas metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head-and-neck mucosal site treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with neck dissection. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2001;50:55-63.
  22.  Erkal HS, Mendenhall WM, Amdur RJ, Villaret DB, Stringer SP. Squamous cell carcinomas metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head and neck mucosal site treated with radiation therapy with palliative intent. Radiother Oncol 2001;59:319-21.
  23.  Sinnathamby K, Peters LJ, Laidlaw C, Hughes PG. The occult head and neck primary: To treat or not to treat? Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 1997;9:322-9.
  24.  Beldμ D, Jereczek-Fossa BA, D′Onofrio A, Gambaro G, Fiore MR, Pia F, et al. Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary site: Retrospective analysis of 113 patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2007;69:1051-8.
  25.  Grau C, Johansen LV, Jakobsen J, Geertsen P, Andersen E, Jensen BB. Cervical lymph node metastases from unknown primary tumours. Results from a national survey by the Danish Society for Head and Neck Oncology. Radiother Oncol 2000;55:121-9.
  26.  Mintzer DM, Warhol M, Martin AM, Greene G. Cancer of unknown primary: Changing approaches. A multidisciplinary case presentation from the Joan Karnell cancer center of pennsylvania hospital. Oncologist 2004;9:330-8.
  27.  Haas I, Hoffmann TK, Engers R, Ganzer U. Diagnostic strategies in cervical carcinoma of an unknown primary (CUP). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2002;259:325-33.
  28.  Jereczek-Fossa BA, Jassem J, Orecchia R. Cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary. Cancer Treat Rev 2004;30:153-64.
  29.  Nieder C, Gregoire V, Ang KK. Cervical lymph node metastases from occult squamous cell carcinoma: Cut down a tree to get an apple? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2001;50:727-33.
  30.  Kirschner MJ, Fietkau R, Waldfahrer F, Iro H, Sauer R. Therapy of cervical lymph node metastases of unknown primary tumour. Strahlenther Onkol 1997;173:362-8.
  31.  Tong CC, Luk MY, Chow SM, Ngan KC, Lau WH. Cervical nodal metastases from occult primary: Undifferentiated carcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma. Head Neck 2002;24:361-9.
  32.  Fernandez JA, Suarez C, Martinez JA, Llorente JL, Rodrigo JP, Alvarez JC. Metastatic squmaous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary tumour: Prognostic factors. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 1998;23:158-63.
  33.  Klop WM, Balm AJ, Keus RB, Hilgers FJ, Tan IB. Diagnosis and treatment of 39 patients with cervical lymph node metastases of squmaous cell carcinoma of unknown origin, referred to Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1979-98. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2000;144:1355-60.
  34.  Brizel DM, Albers ME, Fisher SR, Scher RL, Richtsmeier WJ, Hars V, et al. Hyperfractionated irradiation with or without concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer. N Engl J Med 1998;338:1798-804.
  35.  Merlano M, Benasso M, Corvς R, Rosso R, Vitale V, Blengio F, et al. Five-year update of a randomized trial of alternating radiotherapy and chemotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone in treatment of unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. J Natl Cancer Inst 1996;88:583-9.
  36.  Weissler MC, Melin S, Sailer SL, Qaqish BF, Rosenman JG, Pillsbury HC 3 rd . Simultaneous chemoradiation in the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1992;118:806-10.
  37.  Wendt CD, Peters LJ, Ang KK, Morrison WH, Maor MH, Goepfert H, et al. Hyperfractionated radiotherapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1989;17:1057-62.
  38.  Pignon JP, Bourhis J, Domenge C, Designι L. Chemotherapy added to locoregional treatment for head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma: Three meta-analyses of updated individual data. MACH-NC Collaborative Group. Meta-Analysis of Chemotherapy on Head and Neck Cancer. Lancet 2000;355:949-55.
  39.  Jeremic B, Zivic L, Jevremovic S. Radiotherapy and cisplatin in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of an unknown primary tumor localized to the neck. A phase II study. J Chemother 1992;4:399-402.
  40.  Sobin LH, Wittekind CH, editors UICC TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, 6 th ed. New York: Wiley-Liss; 2002.
  41.  Strojan P, Anicin A. Combined surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumour. Radiother Oncol 1998;49:33-40.
  42.  Medini E, Medini AM, Lee CK, Gapany M, Levitt SH. The management of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary. Am J Clin Oncol 1998;21:121-5.

| Figure 1 Disease-free survival (%) in patients

| Figure 2 Recurrence survival (%) in patients of both groups

| Figure 3 Overall survival (%) in patients of both groups

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  19.  Freeman D, Mendenhall WM, Parsons JT, Million RR. Unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Is mucosal irradiation necessary? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1992;23:889-90.
  20.  Fletcher GH, Jesse RH, Lindberg RD, Westbrook KC. Neck nodes. 3 rd ed. Textbook of Radiotherapy. In: Fletcher GH, editor. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger; 1980. p. 249-71.
  21.  Erkal HS, Mendenhall WM, Amdur RJ, Villaret DB, Stringer SP. Squamous cell carcinomas metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head-and-neck mucosal site treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with neck dissection. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2001;50:55-63.
  22.  Erkal HS, Mendenhall WM, Amdur RJ, Villaret DB, Stringer SP. Squamous cell carcinomas metastatic to cervical lymph nodes from an unknown head and neck mucosal site treated with radiation therapy with palliative intent. Radiother Oncol 2001;59:319-21.
  23.  Sinnathamby K, Peters LJ, Laidlaw C, Hughes PG. The occult head and neck primary: To treat or not to treat? Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 1997;9:322-9.
  24.  Beldμ D, Jereczek-Fossa BA, D′Onofrio A, Gambaro G, Fiore MR, Pia F, et al. Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary site: Retrospective analysis of 113 patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2007;69:1051-8.
  25.  Grau C, Johansen LV, Jakobsen J, Geertsen P, Andersen E, Jensen BB. Cervical lymph node metastases from unknown primary tumours. Results from a national survey by the Danish Society for Head and Neck Oncology. Radiother Oncol 2000;55:121-9.
  26.  Mintzer DM, Warhol M, Martin AM, Greene G. Cancer of unknown primary: Changing approaches. A multidisciplinary case presentation from the Joan Karnell cancer center of pennsylvania hospital. Oncologist 2004;9:330-8.
  27.  Haas I, Hoffmann TK, Engers R, Ganzer U. Diagnostic strategies in cervical carcinoma of an unknown primary (CUP). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2002;259:325-33.
  28.  Jereczek-Fossa BA, Jassem J, Orecchia R. Cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary. Cancer Treat Rev 2004;30:153-64.
  29.  Nieder C, Gregoire V, Ang KK. Cervical lymph node metastases from occult squamous cell carcinoma: Cut down a tree to get an apple? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2001;50:727-33.
  30.  Kirschner MJ, Fietkau R, Waldfahrer F, Iro H, Sauer R. Therapy of cervical lymph node metastases of unknown primary tumour. Strahlenther Onkol 1997;173:362-8.
  31.  Tong CC, Luk MY, Chow SM, Ngan KC, Lau WH. Cervical nodal metastases from occult primary: Undifferentiated carcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma. Head Neck 2002;24:361-9.
  32.  Fernandez JA, Suarez C, Martinez JA, Llorente JL, Rodrigo JP, Alvarez JC. Metastatic squmaous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary tumour: Prognostic factors. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 1998;23:158-63.
  33.  Klop WM, Balm AJ, Keus RB, Hilgers FJ, Tan IB. Diagnosis and treatment of 39 patients with cervical lymph node metastases of squmaous cell carcinoma of unknown origin, referred to Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1979-98. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2000;144:1355-60.
  34.  Brizel DM, Albers ME, Fisher SR, Scher RL, Richtsmeier WJ, Hars V, et al. Hyperfractionated irradiation with or without concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer. N Engl J Med 1998;338:1798-804.
  35.  Merlano M, Benasso M, Corvς R, Rosso R, Vitale V, Blengio F, et al. Five-year update of a randomized trial of alternating radiotherapy and chemotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone in treatment of unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. J Natl Cancer Inst 1996;88:583-9.
  36.  Weissler MC, Melin S, Sailer SL, Qaqish BF, Rosenman JG, Pillsbury HC 3 rd . Simultaneous chemoradiation in the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1992;118:806-10.
  37.  Wendt CD, Peters LJ, Ang KK, Morrison WH, Maor MH, Goepfert H, et al. Hyperfractionated radiotherapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1989;17:1057-62.
  38.  Pignon JP, Bourhis J, Domenge C, Designι L. Chemotherapy added to locoregional treatment for head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma: Three meta-analyses of updated individual data. MACH-NC Collaborative Group. Meta-Analysis of Chemotherapy on Head and Neck Cancer. Lancet 2000;355:949-55.
  39.  Jeremic B, Zivic L, Jevremovic S. Radiotherapy and cisplatin in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of an unknown primary tumor localized to the neck. A phase II study. J Chemother 1992;4:399-402.
  40.  Sobin LH, Wittekind CH, editors UICC TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, 6 th ed. New York: Wiley-Liss; 2002.
  41.  Strojan P, Anicin A. Combined surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumour. Radiother Oncol 1998;49:33-40.
  42.  Medini E, Medini AM, Lee CK, Gapany M, Levitt SH. The management of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary. Am J Clin Oncol 1998;21:121-5.

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