Presentation and outcomes of patients with clinically T1-2, N0 parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma: The roles of elective neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy

Objectives Examine the role of elective neck dissection (END) and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in early-stage clinically N0 parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). Methods The study is a retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database, 2004-2016. The study population included adult patients with MEC who underwent parotidectomy. Results A total of 1233 patients were included. Histopathology demonstrated well, moderately, and poorly differentiated MEC 47.12%, 39.98%, and 12.90% of the time, respectively. END was performed in 78.67% of patients, resulting in nodal upstaging in 4.43% and identification of extracapsular extension (ECE) in 0.72%. RT was utilized in 67.33% of patients with advanced pathological features. Neither END nor RT improved overall survival separately (p < 0.05) or combined (adjusted HR: 1.19, 95%CI: 0.52, 2.70, p = 0.68). Conclusion This study provides an epidemiological perspective regarding patients with clinically T1-2, N0 MEC. There was no observed survival advantage with END and RT.