Management of the N3 neck

Management options for patients with advanced neck node metastasis from head and neck cancer are controversial. Typically, N3 disease suggests a poor outcome because of difficulty with regional control and the high likelihood of distant metastases. Patients who are treated for cure are treated with aggressive multimodality treatment. Therefore, a critical assessment of the potential for cure or measurable palliation, patient comorbidity, and the risk of complications when considering treatment for patients with N3 disease figures prominently in treatment planning. The pretreatment evaluation and contemporary management of patients with N3 disease are discussed in this review.