What is the rate of occult nodal metastasis in squamous cell carcinomas of the sinonasal tract? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The role of elective neck dissection (END) in the management of clinical N0 (cN0) squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the sinonasal tract is unclear. In this systematic review, we evaluate the risk of occult nodal metastasis in sinonasal SCCs with cN0M0 tumors to support clinical decision making. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the following three electronic databases: Medline/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Articles were assessed for eligibility in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Two independent authors extracted the data. The Methodological Items for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) tool was used for the assessment of biases of each included study. RESULTS: Our systematic review included six studies that met the inclusion criteria, all retrospective in design. The rate of histologically proven metastasis of sinonasal SCC to the clinically negative neck is 12.5%. Almost half of the positive cases are pathologically staged as N2 (6.5%). CONCLUSION: Our systematic review provides the rate of sinonasal SCC occult metastasis to the neck so that the surgeons can discuss with patients the risks and possible merits of adding an elective neck management in the surgical plan.

Critical Review of the Current Evidence on Sentinel Node Biopsy in Oral Cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With contemporary surgery of the cN0 neck in early oral cancer becoming more selective, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is gaining popularity as a possible alternate option to elective neck dissection (END). This review attempts to critically appraise the current evidence and highlight pertinent arguments for the use of SNB in early oral cancers. RECENT FINDINGS: Based on the recent randomized trials, it is imperative to perform an END at the time of primary resection in cN0 oral cancers. The much criticized false negative rate of SNB can be argued to be equal to the regional failure rate after END for pN0 necks, possibly making a case for SNB due to the reduction in number of neck dissections. There still lies ambiguity on the technique, protocols, and benefit of SNB over END. The role of extended histopathological techniques and the implications of micrometastasis and isolated tumor cells for treatment intensification remain questionable. Currently, SNB is an intermediary between routine imaging and END that needs to evolve before it can become a practice changing alternative to END itself. More efforts are needed in standardizing the protocols for SNB.

Elective neck dissection in T1/T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma with N0 neck: essential or not? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is characterized by a high risk of cervical lymph node metastasis with a high incidence of occult metastasis. A strong debate is still present regarding the best treatment for early oral cavity cancer with N0 neck. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare between the results of elective neck dissection (END) and watchful waiting (observation or therapeutic neck dissection) in patients with early-stage (T1/T2) oral squamous cell carcinoma with N0 neck. DATA SOURCES: Medline database (https://www.pubmed.com), Google Scholar and Scopus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis for the evaluation of regional recurrence rate and 5-year survival rate after elective neck dissection (END) or watchful waiting in early oral cancers were conducted. This study included published English medical articles (which met our predetermined inclusion criteria) in the last 30 years, concerning early oral SCC with N0 neck. 24 articles were included (4 randomized studies and 20 observational "retrospective" studies) with a total number of 2190 of patients who underwent END and 1619 who underwent watchful waiting. Regarding the 5-year survival rate, (10) studies were included with a total number of 1211 patients who underwent END and 948 who underwent watchful waiting. RESULTS: Regarding the regional recurrence rate, (END) was associated with significantly lower risk of recurrence when compared with observation. Regarding the 5-year survival rate, END was associated with a better survival rate than the observational group. CONCLUSIONS: Elective neck dissection is better than watchful waiting in early (T1/T2) stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma with N0 neck, regarding regional recurrence and 5-year survival rate.

The Depth of Invasion and Level IV Cervical Node Metastasis in Patients with Clinically N0 Tongue Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The accurate indication for level IV dissection is crucial for preventing complications such as phrenic nerve damage and chylous fistulas in clinically N0 tongue cancer. Although the depth of invasion is an established independent risk factor for occult lymph node metastasis in tongue cancer, its relationship with level IV metastasis has not been evaluated. This study investigated the relationship between the depth of invasion and level IV nodal metastasis in clinically N0 tongue cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated clinical N0 patients who underwent glossectomy and level I-IV neck dissection. We examined lymph node metastasis, risk factors, and the relationship between depth of invasion and metastasis. RESULTS: Our study included 58 patients, and no patient had isolated level IV metastasis. Additionally, there was no level IV metastasis in well-differentiated tumors. Tumor size, depth of invasion, differentiation, and perineural invasion were significantly associated with level IV neck metastasis. We found a critical tumor size of 2.5 cm and depth of invasion of 8 mm for level IV neck metastasis. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, we recommend that level IV dissection should be considered for poorly differentiated tumors, tumors greater than 2.5 cm in size, and those deeper than 8 mm. This study highlights the importance of depth of invasion as a prognostic factor for predicting level IV metastasis and suggests that our findings can be used to prevent unnecessary level IV dissections that may lead to complications in tongue cancer surgery.

Elective management of the N0 neck in maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate adequacy of radiation therapy alone to the neck in patients with maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma (MS-SCC) without clinical evidence of regional metastasis. METHODS: Retrospective review between 2000 and 2018 from a single high-volume tertiary academic head and neck cancer center of all patients with MS-SCC. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were treated for MS-SCC at our center. A clinically uninvolved neck on presentation was found in 46 patients (83.6%) in the initial dataset. Of the 39 patients with radiologic N0 disease who were treated with primary surgical resection, 15.4% (6 patients) did not undergo any treatment of the neck, 2.6% (1 patient) underwent a neck dissection only, 69.2% (27 patients) received RT only, and 12.8% (5 patients) were treated with both a neck dissection followed by RT. Median follow-up was 26 months (mean 48 months, interquartile range 9-76 months). Five-year overall survival of all patients with N0 necks treated with upfront surgical resection was 46.5% (95% CI, 32.3%-66.9%). No patients with N0 necks had isolated regional recurrence regardless of neck management. CONCLUSIONS: Regional recurrence is rare for patients with radiologic N0 MS-SCC. Single-modality elective neck radiation provides excellent regional disease control in these patients.

A Clinicopathological Evaluation of the Correlation of Carcinoma Oral Tongue (Anterior Two Thirds) with Cervical Nodal Metastasis to Assess the Level of Neck Dissection: A Hospital Based Prospective Study.

Aims: Being an important prognostic predictor in carcinoma oral tongue, neck metastasis poses an adverse impact on prognosis.The management of neck is still controversial. Neck metastasis depends on features like tumor thickness, depth of invasion, lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion. Thus by correlating these features with the level of nodal metastasis and by correlating clinical and pathological staging, a preoperative assumption for a more conservative neck dissection may be done. Objectives: To correlate clinical staging, pathological staging and depth of invasion (DOI) of tumor with cervical nodal metastasis, for a preoperative assumption of a more conservative neck dissection.To study the correlation of additional prognostic features like lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, positive resection margin, worst pattern of invasion, lymphocytic infiltration and presence of necrosis with that of cervical nodal metastasis. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 24 patients of carcinoma oral tongue who underwent resection of the primary with an appropriate neck dissection and their clinical, imaging, and postoperative histopathological findings were correlated. Results: We found a significant association of the CC (craniocaudal) dimension and radiologically determined DOI (depth of invasion) with the pN also significant association of clinical and radiological DOI with histological DOI. The probability of occult metastasis was found to be more when the MRI-DOI is > 5 mm. The sensitivity and specificity of cN staging were 66.67% and 73.33% respectively. The accuracy of cN was 70.8%. Conclusion: In the present study a good sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of cN (clinical nodal stage) was found. Craniocaudal (CC) dimension and DOI of the primary tumor measured by MRI is a strong predictor of the disease extension and nodal metastasis. MRI-DOI > 5 mm warrants an elective neck dissection of level I-III. For tumors MRI DOI < 5 mm observation can be recommended with adherence to a strict follow-up.

Comparison of PET/CT with conventional imaging modalities (USG, CECT) in evaluation of N0 neck in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of a clinically N0 neck is mandatory in cases of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck region in order to determine the need to address the neck. The study was designed to compare the accuracy of PET/CT scan with that of USG and CECT Neck in assessing clinically N0 neck in cases of squamous cell carcinoma of upper aerodigestive tract. METHODS: Single center, prospective, study over a 2 year period. All Cases of squamous cell carcinoma of upper aerodigestive tract with no palpable neck lymphadenopathy and who were scheduled for surgery were evaluated with USG, CECT and 18F-FDG PET/CT, of the neck. Post operative histopathology was correlated with pre-operative nodal status. Statistical analysis was done using the chi square test. RESULTS: In the 49 patients enrolled, 51 neck sides underwent dissections. Sensitivity of USG, CECT and PET-CT was 4.76%, 23.80% and 71.43% respectively while the specificity was 93.33%, 93.33% and 96.67% respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) calculated for USG, CECT and PET-CT was 33.33%, 71%, 93.5% respectively while the negative predictive value (NPV) 58.33%, 63.63% and 82.85% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In N0 neck in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, though FDG-PET-CT is more accurate than either USG or CECT in staging of the neck, it is not accurate enough to alter the current treatment paradigm.

Predictors of Extracapsular Spread in T1/T2 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A retrospective study.

Introduction: In the N0 neck the incidence of ECS might range from 13 to 60%. In this retrospective study we intended at evaluating the primary tumor and nodal characteristics that might influence the presence of ECS in early stage OSCC. Methods: The predictor variables were tumor and nodal features and the incidence of ENE was the outcome. Univariate and multivariate regression models along with ROC curve and Youden's J statistics was used for analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The cut off value for DOI was 6.5 mm and LN size was 12.5 mm with overall accuracy of 80.15% and 84.93% respectively. Primary tumor features and LN size was significantly associated with ENE. Discussion: Oral tongue tumors and PNI are independent risk factors for ENE. An elective neck dissection remains the standard of care from both diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoints.

A new combined index of SUVmax of lymph node in PET / CT by a weighting coefficient plus its maximum minor axis in CECT to evaluate occult lymph node metastasis in clinical N0 patients with tongue cancer.

To predict occult nodal metastasis in clinical N0 patients with tongue cancer, we developed combined index (CI) : SUVmax of the largest lymph node in PET / CT by weighting coefficient plus its maximum minor axis (< 10 mm) in contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). In this retrospective study, 57 clinical N0 patients with tongue cancer, who underwent elective supraomohyoid neck dissection at cervical levels of I-III were enrolled. The cutoff value of SUVmax of 2.0 obtained using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis predicted the postoperative positive cervical levels containing metastatic lymph nodes from clinical N0 cervical levels in tongue cancer patients with a sensitivity of 54.5% and a specificity of 78.2%. The cutoff value of CI with weighting coefficient of 1.5 obtained using ROC analysis was 9.8 at the maximum area under the curve of 0.750. The cutoff value of 9.8 predicted the postoperative positive cervical levels containing metastatic lymph nodes from clinical N0 cervical levels in tongue cancer patients with a sensitivity of 68.2% and a specificity of 81.5%. These findings suggest that CI of functional PET / CT and morphological CECT components might improve the diagnostic performance of occult nodal metastasis to select clinical N0 patients with tongue cancer preferable for elective neck dissection. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 154-158, February, 2021.

Nodal metastases distribution in laryngeal cancer requiring total laryngectomy: Therapeutic implications for the N0 Neck.

OBJECTIVES: Neck dissection is a controversial surgical procedure in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the Larynx free of any node metastasis detected in preoperative staging. The aim of this study was to investigate the distributions of lymph node metastases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and improve the rationale for elective treatment of N0 neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective single-center series of Seventy-eight successive patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent neck dissection between 2008 and 2015. RESULTS: Surgery was first-line treatment in 37 patients (47%) and for recurrent disease in 41 (53%). The rate of occult nodal metastasis was 14% (n=11): levels IIa and/or III were affected in 9 cases (11.5%) compared with single cases of IIb and IV involvement (1.3% each). The rate of occult nodal metastasis was significantly lower among patients operated on for recurrent disease after radiotherapy than in patients who never had any radiotherapy of the cervical lymph nodes (0% vs. 16.7%, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Selective cervical lymph node dissection in levels IIa and III sparing levels IIb and IV seems to be ideal in total laryngectomy in patients with cN0 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Omitting lymph node dissection altogether may be considered in total laryngectomy on a cN0 patient showing recurrence after radiotherapy.

Management of N0 neck in early oral squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The role of elective neck dissection (END) in patients with stage I (T1N0) and II (T2N0) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity remains a controversial topic. We investigate the need for END by establishing a true incidence of occult nodal disease as a function of T stage DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus. REVIEW METHODS: Studies were selected using a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was employed to generate an odds ratio (OR) comparing the incidence of occult metastasis between T1 and T2 tumors, as well as regional recurrence rates between patients receiving END versus observation. RESULTS: Thirty-nine publications comprising five randomized controlled trials and 34 retrospective studies were selected for inclusion, yielding over 4,300 patients for analysis. The overall incidence of occult nodal metastasis, weighted by study size, was found to be 23%. Patients with T2 tumors have a significantly higher odds of having occult nodal disease (OR: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0-3.4) over patients with T1 tumors. We also demonstrate that for patients who are observed, the odds of recurrence are significantly higher (OR: 4.18, 95% CI: 2.78-6.28) compared to those who undergo END, although statistically significant interstudy heterogeneity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: END should be reserved for stage II tumors given the significantly higher rate of occult metastasis. Observation may be more appropriate for stage I cancers. Laryngoscope, 129:E284-E298, 2019.

Correlating the depth of invasion at specific anatomic locations with the risk for regional metastatic disease to lymph nodes in the neck for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the critical primary tumor depth of invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma that would lead to a 20% or greater risk of nodal metastasis. METHODS: An institutional review board approved retrospective review of our head and neck database was performed from 2009 to 2014 and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-six patients with a diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma who met our inclusion criteria underwent primary excision and neck dissection. For a depth of invasion of 1 mm or less, there were no patients with a positive node. From 1.1 mm to 2 mm of depth of invasion, there was 1 of 11 patients (9%) who had at least 1 positive node. At 2.1 mm to 3 mm, 5 of 25 patients (20%) had at least 1 positive node. CONCLUSION: Depth of invasion and the location of the tumor are 2 important variables to consider when making treatment recommendations to patients with clinical N0 disease. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 974-979, 2017.

The effectiveness of elective neck dissection on early (stage I, II) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the treatment outcomes of partial glossectomy with or without elective neck dissection in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 98 patients who were diagnosed with tongue SCCa and underwent partial glossectomy between 2005 and 2014 were evaluated. Only 14 patients received elective neck dissection, and 84 patients received only partial glossectomy. RESULTS: There were 56 men and 42 women with a mean age of 57 years and mean follow-up period of 33.7 months. There were 70 patients graded as T1 and 28 as T2. The total occult metastasis rate was 17.3%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 83.3% with elective neck dissection and 92.4% with observation. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was in 70.7% in the elective neck dissection group and 65.3% in the observation group. CONCLUSION: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 98 patients with tongue SCCa. These patients were divided into two groups, those who underwent elective neck dissection and those who did not. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups undergoing partial glossectomy with or without elective neck dissection.

Analysis of sentinel node biopsy combined with other diagnostic tools in staging cN0 head and neck cancer: A diagnostic meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this was to find a staging strategy sensitive enough to reduce the risk of occult metastases in cN0 head and neck cancer to below 15% to 20%. METHODS: A total of 73 articles were selected for analysis of the diagnostic performance in staging cN0 head and neck cancer. Hypothetical estimation of negative predictive value (NPV) was calculated based on the Bayesian theory. RESULTS: The pooled estimates for sensitivity were 56.4% and 84.9% for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and sentinel node biopsy (SNB). The pooled estimates for sensitivity were 47.0%, 56.6%, 48.3%, and 63.3% for CT, MRI, positron emission tomography (PET), and ultrasound, respectively. The pooled estimates for specificity were 88.9%, 82.5%, 86.2%, and 79.1% for CT, MRI, PET, and ultrasound. In estimation, the CT or MRI with SNB strategies had NPV higher than 85% even when the pretest metastatic rate was 60%. CONCLUSION: The SNB procedure has the best performance. A combination of CT/MRI and SNB for cN0 head and neck cancer is preferred.

Macroscopic technique for the evaluation of oral tongue tumour thickness: a reliable intraoperative method.

There is no reliable method to assess tumour thickness preoperatively or intraoperatively in cases of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a macroscopic technique to measure tumour thickness. This was a prospective study of 51 consecutive patients with T1/T2 primary SCC of the oral tongue. All patients underwent primary resection with ipsilateral neck dissection. Thickness measurements were obtained using Vernier calipers on the fresh specimen. The technique was correlated with the microscopic evaluation statistically using (1) Pearson's correlation coefficient, (2) intra-class correlation, and (3) Bland-Altman plot with 95% confidence intervals. On comparing the macroscopic technique to the microscopic evaluation, Pearson's correlation (r) was 0.915 (P<0.001). The inter-rater reliability using the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.955. The Bland-Altman plot to test the agreement between the techniques showed the average difference between macroscopic thickness and microscopic thickness (bias) to be -0.421, with 95% limits of agreement of -3.166 and 2.82. There was a significant correlation and agreement between the macroscopic and microscopic measures of tumour thickness. The macroscopic technique could be used as a reliable tool to measure tumour thickness intraoperatively, prior to neck dissection.

Sentinel lymph node localization using 1 % isosulfan blue dye in cases of early oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

To study the use of 1 % isosulfan blue dye in identifying sentinel node, sensitivity and specificity of frozen section and predictive value of sentinel node in predicting other nodal status in the cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. 15 patients of oral cavity and oropharyngeal SCC with clinically N0 neck, who required WLE of the primary lesion as well as neck dissection as per recommended treatment protocol, were selected from OPD. 1 % Isosulfan dye was injected peritumorally intraoperatively after the induction of general anaesthesia. Neck dissection was performed and first node taking up the blue dye was identified, dissected, removed and was sent for frozen section. In two of the 15 cases a sentinel node was identified (sensitivity of the technique-13 %). Both the sentinel nodes were positive for presence of metastasis on final histopathology (specificity-100 %). However, five cases had nodal metastasis on final histopathological examination of the neck dissection specimen (sensitivity of sentinel lymph node biopsy-40 %). Frozen section examination had a sensitivity and specificity of 100 %. All data was analyzed using SPSS 16 software. Use of 1 % Isosulfan Dye for identification of sentinel node is a simple and cheap technique, however, it has low sensitivity as compared to the use of triple diagnostic procedure consisting of lymphoscintigraphy, per op gamma probe localization and using isosulfan dye for sentinel node identification. Sentinel lymph node is representative of nodal status and correlates well with the final histopathological examination of the dissected neck nodes.

Elective Neck Dissection in patients with stage T1-T2N0 carcinoma of the anterior tongue.

OBJECTIVES: The presence of neck metastases represents one of the most important prognostic factors for carcinomas of the anterior tongue, the five-year survival rate being under 20% in patients with regional metastases. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of prophylactic selective neck dissection in patients without detectable nodal metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A matched case-control study with prospective follow up was conducted in ENT Department of Coltea Clinical Hospital for 86 patients with T1-T2N0 stage carcinoma of the anterior tongue surgically treated between January 2000 and January 2005 with or without concurrent selective supraomohyoid neck dissection (SND). The patients were divided in two groups, comparable in age and sex distribution. Descriptive statistics, risk of recurrences, Kaplan Maier five-year survival curves and the global and specific mortality rates were performed using EpiInfo software. The level of significance was established at p<0.05. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up time of 90.5 months, for all variables considered as outcomes of SND efficacy evaluation, significance differences (p < 0.05) were registered between groups: the frequency of patients who developed neck metastases was lower in the group of subjects who underwent prophylactic selective neck dissection; the all-cause mortality rate at the end of the follow-up period was three times lower in SND study group compared with controls; the specific mortality rate due to regional recurrences was five times lower in test-group compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggest that prophylactic selective neck dissection could be indicated for patients with T1-T2N0 carcinomas of the anterior tongue in order to increase both overall and free of recurrence survival time, respectivelly.

Indications for reconstruction of mucosal defects in oropharyngeal cancer using a supraclavicular island flap.

The use of the supraclavicular island flap (SCIF) for the reconstruction of facial and neck skin defects is increasing. The value of this fasciocutaneous flap as a reconstructive modality for oropharyngeal defects in cancer patients is unclear. In the present study, a SCIF was used for reconstruction of mucosal defects following resection of the tumour in a group of four patients with T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and a clinical N0 neck. Reconstruction was performed following transoral tumour resection and selective neck dissection at levels I-III in the same session. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed, and functional and aesthetic results for the neck and shoulder region were evaluated in follow-up examinations. In addition, sensation to the flap was evaluated. No flap failures were observed. Only minor surgical complications were evident, which did not cause any relevant functional or aesthetic impairments. Sensation to the flap was observed in all cases. The SCIF appears to be a good and time-saving alternative to free flaps for oropharyngeal reconstruction following oncological resection in selected patients.

Sentinel node biopsy in relation to survival in floor of the mouth carcinoma.

Promising results have been obtained with sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in early oral carcinoma, but the floor of the mouth remains a site at risk of misdiagnosis. A retrospective and prospective study was designed to test the safety of SNB by comparing survival among patients with early stage carcinoma of the floor of the mouth (FOM) undergoing SNB, to a control group managed traditionally by a combination of clinical observation and elective neck dissection (END). A total of 63 patients with early stage carcinoma of the FOM were treated between 1991 and 2005. In the control group, 26 patients were managed with END and nine by close observation. In the test group, 28 patients were managed prospectively with SNB. Regional recurrence occurred in 23% (8/35) of control patients and 25% (7/28) of test patients. Approximately 25% of patients were successfully treated by salvage surgery. Disease-specific survival was 65.5% for control patients and 85% for SNB patients; the difference was not statistically significant. The use of SNB in the management of cancers of the FOM did not adversely affect survival and prevented 69.5% of patients undergoing unnecessary neck dissections, while clinical progress was better in the SNB group than in controls.

Methods of investigating metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck cancer.

ABSTRACT: When dealing with patients who have head and neck cancer - squamous cell carcinoma and have clinically N0 neck disease it is very difficult to assess the real extension of the malignant proccess. This is why several techniques are curently in use to determine the actual TNM clasiffication for each patient in order to apply best suited therapy management. Up until today the staging of the neck has been done by using a combination of the physical exam and conventional imaging studies. Recent studies and research have tried to determine weather the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy is a more reliable tool in predicting occult metastasis in cancer patients with clinically N0 neck disease. There are no guidelines in this matter and as such the use of the sentinel lymph node detection technique is yet to be used on a routine basis. The authors are trying to assess the benefits of different paraclinical investigation regarding the improvement of overall survival rates in patients with T1/T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and N0 neck disease.