Study Comparing Different Neck Treatment Approaches in Patients With Oral Cancer Without Visible Neck Spread

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age21-75
SponsorKolhapur Cancer Centre - Cancer Centers of America

About this trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether selective neck dissection involving lymph node levels I-III is as effective as selective neck dissection involving levels I-IV in treating adults with clinically node-negative (cN0) oral squamous cell carcinoma undergoing curative surgery. It will also evaluate whether extending the neck dissection to level IV affects cancer control, surgical complications, shoulder function, and quality of life. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does selective neck dissection of levels I-III provide regional recurrence-free survival comparable to selective neck dissection of levels I-IV? * Does extending the neck dissection to level IV improve overall survival, disease-free survival, or reduce regional recurrence? * Does selective neck dissection of levels I-III result in less postoperative morbidity, better shoulder function, and improved quality of life compared with selective neck dissection of levels I-IV?

Researchers will compare patients undergoing selective neck dissection of levels I-III with those undergoing selective neck dissection of levels I-IV to determine whether routine removal of level IV lymph nodes provides additional oncological benefit while maintaining acceptable functional outcomes.

Participants will:

* Undergo surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma with random assignment to selective neck dissection of either levels I-III or levels I-IV. * Receive standard postoperative treatment, including radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy when indicated according to the final pathology report. * Attend scheduled follow-up visits for clinical examinations and surveillance for cancer recurrence. * Undergo assessments of shoulder function, sensory function, postoperative complications, and quality of life using validated questionnaires at predefined follow-up intervals.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Patients aged over 21 years will be included.

Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity will be included

Clinical stage T1-T4, N0, M0

cN0 neck on clinical examination and imaging (CT/MRI)

Disqualifiers

Recurrent cases

FNAC proven Positive cervical nodes

Patients with history of head and neck radiation therapy treatment

Previous neck surgery or radiotherapy

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Selective Neck Dissection (Levels I-IV)
  • Intervention : Selective Neck Dissection (Levels I-III)

Treatment groups

267 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups