Association of radiotherapy with preferential depletion of luminal epithelial cells in a BRCA1 mutation carrier.

Radiation therapy (RT) after breast conservation therapy has recently been linked with significant reduction in risk of ipsilateral breast cancer among BRCA1 mutation carriers. However, the exact mechanism by which RT reduces incidence of BRCA1-associated cancer remains unclear. Here we studied fresh breast tissue from a BRCA1 mutation carrier who was initially treated with a lumpectomy and RT for a unilateral cancer and two years later chose a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy while remaining cancer-free. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a strikingly lower luminal cell population in the irradiated breast as compared to the non-irradiated breast, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the irradiated breast tissue exhibited very low progenitor cell activity in vitro. Given the emerging evidence that BRCA1 tumors originate from luminal progenitor cells, our observations suggest that preferential and long-lasting elimination of luminal ductal epithelium may partly underlie the mechanism of RT-associated reduction in recurrence of BRCA1-associated cancer.

The surgical treatment of breast cancer in the elderly: a single institution comparative review of 5235 patients with 1028 patients ≥70 years.

As the wave of the baby boomers shifts the age demographic of patients, the current surgical management of breast cancer in elderly women (≥70 years of age) becomes relevant because deviation from standard treatment often occurs in this group. The purpose of this study was to determine the operative mortality when treated with standard surgical procedures and to investigate trends in the surgical management of breast cancer in the elderly. A total of 5,235 patients undergoing either mastectomy or breast conservation surgery (BCS) for invasive and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were identified in a retrospective review of a prospectively accrued data base between the years of 1994 and 2007 at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Of the 5,235 patients, 1,028 (20%) patients were ≥70 years of age. The 30-day and 90-day mortality in the elderly group (age ≥70 years) was 0.2% (95% CI 0.02-0.7%) and 0.7% (95% CI 0.3-1.4%), respectively. The 30-day and 90-day mortality among patients <70 years was 0 and 0.05% (2 of 4,207 patients) (95% CI 0.005-0.2), respectively. BCS rates for invasive carcinomas were the highest for patients between 40 and 70 years of age, whereas the mastectomy rates were higher among patients <40 years of age (53%). Elderly women were as likely as women <40 years to have BCS for invasive carcinoma (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.5), but more likely to have BCS for DCIS (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3). Surgical mortality in elderly women treated for breast cancer was extremely low and was related to the extent of surgery performed. Breast cancer treatment differed by age groups.

Minor salivary gland malignancies in the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Minor salivary gland malignancies in children are rare and data on treatment and outcomes are limited. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients with the pathologic diagnosis of minor salivary gland malignancy at a tertiary care cancer hospital was used to conduct this review. RESULTS: From 1952 to 2006, 35 children with minor salivary gland cancers were treated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Mean age was 15.2 +/- 2.9 years with a slight female predominance. Recurrence occurred in 4 patients and was significantly associated with positive margins, advanced stage, and high histologic grade. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were 89.3% and 88.4%, respectively, at 5 years. Advanced stage, positive margins, and high grade were associated with adverse survival. CONCLUSION: Minor salivary gland malignancies in children are rare. Surgical resection with clear margins yields excellent outcomes in patients with low-intermediate grade and early stage tumors. Patients with high-grade malignancies do poorly despite multimodality therapy.

Phyllodes tumors: race-related differences.

BACKGROUND: Phyllodes tumors (PT) are rare breast malignancies accounting for 0.5% to 1% of all breast tumors. PT have unpredictable behavior, with recurrence rates as high as 40%. A dearth of information exists about racial differences; elucidation of these differences is the objective of this study. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of patients treated for PT at either Moffitt Cancer Center or University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio from 1999 to 2010. RESULTS: Of the 124 patients, 71 (57%) were treated at Moffitt Cancer Center and 53 (42%) at University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. Mean age at diagnosis was 44 years (15 to 70 years). Thirty-three patients required mastectomy. Combining both cohorts, 42% of the patients were Caucasian, 43% were Hispanic, and 12% were black. Tumors were benign in 49% patients, borderline in 35%, and malignant in 16%, with a higher percentage of borderline and malignant tumors in Hispanic patients (p < 0.01). Hispanic patients tended to have larger tumors and higher mitotic rates (p = 0.01; p = 0.03). At a median follow-up time of 13 months, the local recurrence rate (6.4%) was associated with tumor size, tumor grade, mitotic rate, and close margin status (<2 mm) (p <0.01; p = 0.01; p = 0.01; p = 0.04). However, these findings did not translate into a survival difference by race. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-institutional review of PT we found substantial pathologic differences by race with higher-grade tumors present more often in Hispanic patients. These differences did not substantially affect outcomes at short-term follow-up. Further investigation into additional molecular, biologic factors, geographic impact, and socioeconomic factors is needed to more clearly delineate this finding.

Outcomes of pediatric patients with malignancies of the major salivary glands.

BACKGROUND: To report the outcomes and early to long term treatment complications among pediatric patients with major salivary gland malignancies treated at a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was a retrospective case review set at a tertiary referral cancer center. Patients less than 19 years of age with a diagnosis of a major salivary gland malignancy were identified at the M. D. Anderson tumor database between 1953 and 2006. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were identified, with equal gender distribution. The majority of tumors arose in the parotid gland (83%), and the most common pathology was mucoepidermoid carcinoma (46%). Lymphatic metastasis was identified in 37% of patients, nearly all with mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Although 65% of patients had prior treatment elsewhere, more than 75% of patients underwent surgical resection at our institution. External beam radiation was used in 45% of patients, with an average dose of 58.6 Gray. Average patient follow-up was 153 months. The overall survival rate was 93% at 5 years, and 26% developed a recurrence. A second primary was identified in 2 patients. Permanent facial paresis was noted in 7 patients (12%) and xerostomia in 1 patient (4%). CONCLUSIONS: Survival of pediatric patients with major salivary gland carcinomas is favorable. Adverse outcomes were best predicted by tumor grade, margin status, and neural involvement. Radiation therapy is beneficial for locoregional control of disease, with acceptable long-term treatment sequelae, and without a significant risk for developing second primary tumors. Survivorship issues need to be addressed in this patient population into adulthood.

Modern multimodality therapy for pediatric nonorbital parameningeal sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: Nonorbital parameningeal sarcomas are rare, aggressive tumors that arise predominantly in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to review their management and to clarify the role of surgery in their treatment. METHODS: Treatment, prognostic factors, and outcomes for patients over a 10-year period were reviewed. RESULTS: In all, 34 patients were identified. The most common tumor site was the maxillary sinus, and 73% were rhabdomyosarcoma. Six patients (18%) presented with positive nodal metastases and 3 patients (10%) presented with distant metastases. Overall, 18 patients were treated surgically. Locoregional recurrence rate was 43%; no patients developed distant recurrence. Five-year overall survival was 66.8%, disease-specific survival was 68.1%, and disease-free survival was 31.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric nonorbital parameningeal sarcomas require aggressive multimodality treatment. Although chemotherapy and radiation constitute the treatment of choice in most cases, surgery may have a role as salvage therapy and in cases that fail to respond to chemoradiation.

Body mass index and acute asthma severity among children presenting to the emergency department.

To determine the prevalence of obesity among children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute asthma, and to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and acute asthma severity in the ED setting. We analyzed data from a multicenter prospective cohort study during 1997-1998; 44 ED in 17 US states and two Canadian provinces enrolled 672 patients, age 5-17, with acute asthma. BMI and Pulmonary Index were collected in the ED. We defined overweight and obesity using age, sex, and race-specific BMI values from national and international databases. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among ED patients with acute asthma as compared with children from the general population (23% vs. 9-15%; p < 0.001). Obese children with acute asthma did not differ from their non-obese counterparts, by demographic factors or chronic asthma severity (all p > 0.2). Initial Pulmonary Index was the same across underweight, intermediate, and obese groups (3.7 +/- 2.4, 3.8 +/- 2.2, 3.7 +/- 2.3; p = 0.70). Admission status also did not vary across groups (22%, 22% and 23%; p = 0.98). Stratifying the analysis by age group and sex did not change these results. The prevalence of obesity among children presenting to the ED with acute asthma was significantly higher compared with children from the general population. BMI was not associated with markers of chronic and acute asthma severity. The results of this study support a positive association between obesity and asthma, and suggest that asthma exacerbations among obese children are very similar to those experienced by other children.

Pathology review of thin melanoma and melanoma in situ in a multidisciplinary melanoma clinic: impact on treatment decisions.

PURPOSE: Patients with thin melanoma (

Erratum to: Axillary recurrence rate following negative sentinel node biopsy for invasive breast cancer: long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has replaced axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) as the staging procedure for breast cancer. SLN biopsy causes less morbidity and is more cost effective than complete ALND. Lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy have a low false-negative rate, but long-term outcomes in large consecutive series of patients are unavailable. METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospectively accrued institutional breast cancer database was performed. The initial mapping of 1,528 patients with invasive breast cancer that demonstrated negative sentinel node biopsy and no axillary dissection in 1,530 cases between January 1995 and June 2003 were collated and reviewed to achieve a long-term follow-up. These 1,528 patients were reviewed for follow-up time, local recurrences, distant metastases, and survival. RESULTS: A total of 1,530 consecutively mapped invasive breast cancer cases had negative SLN biopsy and no ALND. The mean invasive tumor size of was 1.40 cm. Of patients, 1,212 (79.2%) underwent lumpectomy and 318 (20.8%) underwent mastectomy. Median follow-up was 63 months (range 0.1-144 months). There have been 4 (0.26%) cases presenting with local axillary recurrences, 54 (3.53%) cases presenting with local recurrences in the ipsilateral breast/chest wall, and 24 (1.57%) cases presenting with distant metastases. CONCLUSION: These data confirm that SLN biopsy is an effective and safe alternative to ALND for detection of nodal metastases in patients with invasive breast cancer and validates its use as the standard tool for nodal staging.

Are mastectomies on the rise? A 13-year trend analysis of the selection of mastectomy versus breast conservation therapy in 5865 patients.

BACKGROUND: The equivalency of survival between mastectomy and breast conservation therapy (BCT) has long been established, resulting in two decades of predominant BCT. Recently, surgeons have recognized a trend toward increasing mastectomy. Institutional trends of mastectomy and BCT were reviewed, confirming this perception in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. This report evaluates the factors that influence patient decisions to choose surgical therapies. METHODS: Patients who underwent mastectomy or BCT for invasive and in situ breast cancer were identified upon retrospective review of a prospectively accrued breast cancer database between 1994 and 2007. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of the association between mastectomy and patients' clinicopathologic characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 5,865 patients, 3,736 underwent BCT and 2,129 underwent mastectomy. The overall surgical volume decreased during the study period. Mastectomy rates during the periods of 1994-1998, 1999-2003, and 2004-2007 were 33%, 33%, and 44%, respectively (P < 0.01). Immediate reconstruction rates decreased during the same time periods from 16%, 5%, and 7%, respectively (P < 0.01). On logistic regression analysis, gender, age < 40 years, increase tumor size, and lymphovascular invasion were significant independent predictors of mastectomy. The mastectomy rate increased during the period 1999-2003 (OR 1.2) and during 2004-2007(OR 1.8). CONCLUSIONS: The perception of an increasing choice toward mastectomy has been confirmed at this institution. Possible reasons are younger population with higher lifetime risk, higher stage disease, and more biologically aggressive or diffuse tumors. Patient preference, fear of genetic or recurrence risk, and "intangible" factors seem to shift decisions toward mastectomy.

Predictive factors of regional toxicity and serum creatine phosphokinase levels after isolated limb infusion for melanoma: a multi-institutional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Isolated limb infusion (ILI) is a minimally invasive technique delivering regional chemotherapy to treat in-transit extremity melanoma. Determining perioperative factors that could predict toxicity is important to optimize strategies to improve clinical outcomes after regional chemotherapy in melanoma. METHODS: Perioperative factors from 171 ILI patients performed at eight centers from 2001 to 2008 were reviewed. The Wieberdink limb toxicity scale and creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels were used to measure toxicity. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between toxicity and perioperative parameters. RESULTS: Mild (grades I-II) and severe (grades >or=III) limb toxicity developed in 68% and 32% of patients, respectively. Melphalan adjusted for ideal body weight (aIBW) and papaverine were used in 47% and 63% of patients, respectively. Median peak CK for all patients was 563 U/l, and median peak occurred at postoperative day 4. On univariate analysis, papaverine and high CK levels (>563 U/l) were significantly associated with higher toxicity. On the contrary, aIBW was significantly associated with a lower risk of severe toxicity. Perfusate blood gas at 30 min [pH, PaO(2), and base excess (BE) ], limb temperature, and ischemia time were not predictive of limb toxicity. On multivariate analysis, severe toxicity was associated with female sex (P = 0.01), papaverine (P = 0.01), and high peak CK levels (P < 0.01). Independent predictors of high CK levels included younger age, unadjusted melphalan dose, and low PaO(2) at 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: ILI can be performed with an acceptable morbidity. Papaverine use, female gender, and high peak CK were associated with higher limb toxicity. CK levels can be diminished significantly with aIBW.

Phosphorylated insulin like growth factor-I receptor expression and its clinico-pathological significance in histologic subtypes of human thyroid cancer.

Overexpression of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) is seen in a multitude of human thyroid cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. However, recent studies suggest that low phospho-IGF-IR (pIGF-IR) expression rather than its overexpression may be an indicator of poorly differentiated disease. No previous study has evaluated the expression of pIGF-IR to determine if activation or loss of expression of this receptor is associated with thyroid tumor progression. Accordingly, a quantitative immunohistochemical (IHC) method was used to evaluate the clinico-pathological significance of pIGF-IR expression in archival samples of human thyroid carcinomas. Quantitative analysis of pIGF-IR levels revealed a significant difference in the median index of pIGF-IR between different histological subtypes of thyroid cancer (P < 0.001). Specifically, the median pIGF-IR index of differentiated thyroid cancers was significantly higher than the median index of other poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (P < 0.001). This was further confirmed in individual tumor sections of thyroid carcinoma where anaplastic and differentiated components co-existed. No significant difference was noted in the pIGF-IR index of tumors grouped by size or stage but a trend towards lower mean pIGF-IR index was noted in older patients. Our data indicates that pIGF-IR is upregulated in a majority of follicular thyroid carcinomas, suggesting it may be a potential target for therapy for patients with this disease. In addition, since low pIGF-IR expression was found to correlate with aggressive human thyroid carcinoma, it also suggests that IGF-IR may not be needed for progression of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma possibly because other cell signaling pathways are activated, obviating the need for IGF-IR signaling. However, more mechanistic studies would be necessary to substantiate the possibility that pIGF-IR may be important for differentiation of thyroid tissues and is lost with disease progression.

Management of familial melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer syndromes.

The clinical manifestations of hereditary skin cancer syndromes depend upon the interplay between environmental and genetic factors. Familial melanoma occurs in the setting of hereditary susceptibility, with a complex phenotype of early age of onset, multiple atypical moles, multiple primary melanomas, multiple melanomas in the family, and in some instances pancreatic cancer. Identification of individuals who may have a hereditary susceptibility for the development of melanoma is essential to provide an opportunity for primary prevention, and to target high-risk groups for early diagnosis and treatment. Consequently, the surgeon as one of the primary caregivers should be familiar with hereditary skin cancer syndromes and their pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and surveillance recommendations. This article discusses a practical approach for some of the issues likely encountered by the surgeon in the management of familial melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer represents a major public health problem worldwide. Several minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) techniques have been described and represent a safe alternative for the surgical management of esophageal cancer in selected centers with high volume and expertise in them. This article reviews the most recent and largest series evaluating MIE techniques. Recent larger series have shown MIE to be equivalent in postoperative morbidity and mortality rates to conventional surgery. MIE has been associated with less blood loss, less postoperative pain, and decreased intensive care unit and hospital length of stay compared with conventional surgery. Despite limited data, conventional surgery and MIE have shown no significant difference in survival, stage for stage. The myriad of MIE techniques complicates the debate of defining the optimal surgical approach for treating esophageal cancer. Randomized controlled trials comparing MIE with conventional open esophagectomy are needed to clarify the ideal procedure with the lowest postoperative morbidity, best quality of life after surgery, and long-term survival.

Feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy through an inframammary incision for a nipple-sparing mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) via an inframammary (IM) incision has been described for selected patients with breast cancer. However, the application of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping via an IM incision for NSM has yet to be reported. The objective of this study is to determine the technical feasibility of performing SLN through an IM incision without making an axillary counterincision. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our single-institutional experience with SLN biopsy and NSM through IM incisions between January 2006 and March 2008. Clinicopathologic factors were analyzed regarding indications, technical details, postoperative morbidity, and follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients underwent 87 NSM through an IM incision (17 unilateral, 35 bilateral) with immediate reconstruction and SLN biopsy. Indications for surgery included invasive breast cancer (n = 21), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (n = 18), and prophylactic (n = 48). Mean tumor size of invasive carcinoma was 2.1 cm. The mean mastectomy specimen weight was 437 g. Subareolar injection consisted of blue dye (n = 43), technetium sulfur colloid (n = 2), or combination injection (n = 42). SLN biopsy through an IM incision was successfully performed in 84 of 87 cases (96.6%). A mean of 2.8 SLN were removed with a positive sentinel node encountered in 8 of 21 patients (38%) with invasive cancer. No complications were observed regarding the SLN portion of the operation. With a median follow-up of 6.5 months (range, 0.4-23 months), there have been no axillary local recurrences. CONCLUSION: SLN biopsy can be performed through an IM incision during a NSM, avoiding a secondary axillary incision.

Predictors of level V metastasis in well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cervical lymphadenectomy is frequently performed in patients with lateral cervical lymph node metastases to improve regional control of disease. However, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate levels of the neck that need to be dissected. Treatment options that have been advocated include the modified radical neck dissection, limited neck dissections, and selective nodal excisions. In particular, the routine dissection of level V remains controversial due to the attendant morbidity to the spinal accessory nerve. To identify clinical and pathological predictors of cervical node metastases to level V in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, we reviewed our experience at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for the management of metastatic well-differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 70 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and neck dissection for well-differentiated thyroid cancer at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. RESULTS: In our series, 53% of neck specimens harbored metastatic thyroid carcinoma at level V. Additionally, 13 level V contralateral neck dissections were performed, and 57% were found positive for metastases. The presence of ipsilateral level V metastases was significantly associated with multifocal disease (p <.05), ipsilateral level II (p <.05), III (p <.05), or IV (p <.01) metastases. Furthermore, ipsilateral involvement of level V was associated with contralateral lymph node metastases (p <.05). Age, sex, and size of primary tumor were not found to be associated with level V metastases. Additionally, preoperative imaging was not sensitive for detecting the presence of level V metastases. CONCLUSION: In our series, cervical metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma were commonly present at level V. Patients with multifocal cancer within the thyroid gland, and cervical metastases in the ipsilateral jugular nodes have a higher risk of harboring metastatic disease at level V. We believe that routine dissection of the level V lymph nodes should be performed in the setting of a comprehensive neck dissection for patients with lateral neck metastasis from well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

PET/CT fusion scan enhances CT staging in patients with pancreatic neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: The role of fusion positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans (PET/CT) in staging of patients with pancreatic neoplasms (PN) is poorly defined. PET/CT may serve as an adjunct to standard imaging by increasing occult metastases detection. The purpose of this study was to assess the additional value, in relation to computed tomography (CT), of PET/CT imaging for patients with PN. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with potentially resectable PN underwent staging with PET/CT and CT of the chest and abdomen. Sensitivity of diagnosing pancreatic cancer by PET/CT avidity was evaluated. The sensitivity of detecting metastases was compared between PET/CT, standard CT, and the combination of PET/CT and CT. The impact of PET/CT on patient management was estimated by calculating the percentage of patients whose treatment plan was altered due to PET/CT. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT in diagnosing pancreatic cancer were 89% and 88%, respectively. Sensitivity of detecting metastatic disease for PET/CT alone, standard CT alone, and the combination of PET/CT and CT were 61%, 57%, and 87%, respectively. Findings on PET/CT influenced the clinical management in seven patients (11%), two with a supraclavicular lymph node (LN), two occult liver lesions, two peritoneal implants, and one peri-esophageal LN. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated PET/CT in the initial work-up of patients with PN. PET/CT increased sensitivity (87%) for detection of metastatic disease when combined with standard CT. In invasive cancer, PET/CT changed the management in 11% of our patients. PET/CT should be considered in the initial work-up of patients with potentially resectable pancreatic lesions.

Outcomes of locoregional recurrence after surgical chest wall resection and reconstruction for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Locoregional chest wall recurrences involving ribs and/or sternum after primary surgical treatment predict a poor outcome in patients with breast cancer. The precise natural history and surgical outcome of these chest wall recurrences are not fully understood. The objective of this study is to clarify the clinicopathological features of chest wall recurrence of breast cancer and evaluate prognostic factors predicting survival after chest wall resection and reconstruction (CWRR). METHODS: A total of 28 patients who underwent CWRR at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center between December 1999 and September 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the significance of prognostic variables was evaluated by log-rank and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity and mortality was 21% and 0%, respectively. Overall 5-year survival for the entire cohort was 18%. Disease-free interval <24 months (P = 0.03) and triple-negative phenotype (P = 0.002) were the only independent predictors of survival. Overall 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates for the triple-negative phenotype were 38%, 23%, and 0%, respectively. In contrast, overall 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates for the non-triple-negative phenotype were 100%, 70%, and 39%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Radical chest wall resection can be done without mortality and acceptable morbidity to accomplish long-term palliation. The strongest predictor of overall survival was the triple-negative phenotype. Because the triple-negative phenotype is not amenable to any form of therapy, palliative resection may be warranted. Development of appropriate targeted therapies to this population of patients is critical.

The role of interstitial brachytherapy with salvage surgery for the management of recurrent head and neck cancers.

BACKGROUND: The role of interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) in the salvage surgical management of regional lymphatic metastases for head and neck cancer has not been defined to date. To further explore its therapeutic benefit in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the authors reviewed their experience utilizing IBT at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who were received IBT for cervical recurrences of head and neck cancer was undertaken. Twenty-two patients were identified; all patients underwent neck dissection and intraoperative placement of afterloading catheters as part of the salvage treatment. Soft tissue reconstruction was performed when necessary. The duration and dosage of salvage brachytherapy was reviewed, and the overall disease-free survival rates were determined. RESULTS: All patients had been treated with external beam radiation therapy prior to recurrence, with an average dose of 65 grays (Gy), and 46% of patients had undergone prior neck dissection. The median time to regional recurrence after definitive treatment was 30 months. Soft tissue coverage of the surgical bed with a muscle flap, most commonly a pectoralis major flap, was performed in 19 of 22 patients. The median IBT dose was 60 Gy over a total duration of 4 days. Postoperative complications were few, and there were no perioperative deaths. Recurrences in the reirradiated necks occurred in 27% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Regional recurrences are common after multimodality treatment for head and neck cancer and are challenging to manage. Although its role has not been defined clearly, salvage neck dissection with IBT is beneficial in the management of recurrent lymphatic metastases of upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas.