Radiotherapy for cervical node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck

Results of radiotherapy for cervical node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck were analysed. The results were as follows; (1) 21 of 62 cases (33.8 %) were controlled by radiotherapy. (2) The first factor influencing controlle rate was primary lesion; nasopharynx, 56.5 % (13/22), mesopharynx, 45.5 % (5/11), hypopharynx, 16.6 % (1/6) and tongue, 9.1 % (2/22). (3) The second factor was the size of metastatic node; 30 mm or less, 29.0 % (9/31), 30 mm - 60 mm, 41.7 % (10/24) and 60 mm or more, 28.6 % (2/7). (4) A tissue dose of 6,000 rad or more was considered optinum. (author)