Elective neck irradiation for TxN0 squamous carcinoma of the oral tongue and floor of mouth

The primary lesion was controlled for a minimum of 2 years in 32 of 43 patients with TxN0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue/floor of mouth. Eight of 23 without elective neck irradiation subsequently developed neck metastasis with the primary controlled; radical neck dissection salvaged only 4 of the 8. The neck remained free of disease in all 9 patients with 4500–5000 R elective neck irradiation and the primary controlled. Techniques are suggested for concomitant irradiation of the primary and neck.