OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of four types of neck dissections for the recurrent and persistent lymph nodes of NPC after radiotherapy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 88 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with recurrent and persistent lymph nodes after radiotherapy were analyzed retrospectively, the 5-year survival rate, recurrent rate, distant metastatic rate and surgical complications were analyzed. The survival rate and recurrent rate of the radical neck dissection (RND), modified radical neck dissection (MRND), selective neck dissection (SND) and lymph node resection (LNR) were compared. The survival and recurrent rate between those with and without postoperative radiotherapy were investigated as well.

RESULTSThe 5-year survival rate and recurrent rate of whole group were 42.8% and 22.7%, respectively. As for the patients with disease staged II, III, IV, the 5-year survival rates were 56.7%, 36.1% and 32.4%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of groups of RND, MRND, SND and LMR were 39.8%, 60.0%, 37.9% and 44.1%, respectively, the differences were insignificant (Log Rank = 1.0, P = 0.8011), the recurrent rate of the lymph node among the 4 groups were insignificant either (chi2 = 0.470, P = 0.493). The 5-year survival rates of those with and without postoperative radiotherapy were 39.1% and 45.3%, respectively, the differences were insignificant (Log Rank = 0.06, P = 0.8138), the recurrent rate of the two groups were insignificant (chi2 = 0.593, P = 0.441).

CONCLUSIONSThe four types of neck dissection were effective and safe to control the recurrent and persistent lymph nodes in the neck after radiotherapy, as long as choosing patients rationally and gave postoperative radiotherapy if necessary.