How Often Does Lateralized Early Stage BOT Cancer Spread to Contralateral Neck?

Background: Rates of contralateral neck metastasis in well lateralized early stage base of tongue (BOT) cancer are unclear. Objective: To understand rates of occult contralateral neck metastases in well lateralized early stage BOT cancer and compare recurrence and survival in patients who did not undergo contralateral neck treatment. Design: Single-institution retrospective study. Methods: Patients at a single institution were evaluated for pT1-2, PN0-1 human papillomavirus–associated BOT squamous cell carcinoma who had underwent transoral resection of their tumor with ipsilateral neck dissection. The 7 th edition AJCC was used for staging. Patients were examined for contralateral neck metastasis and survival was compared between those who did and did not undergo contralateral neck treatment. Results: 106 patients were identified of whom 46 did not undergo contralateral neck treatment. Of patients who did receive contralateral neck treatment, 29 had radiation alone, and 31 unde more...