The prognosis of neck residue nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients: results from a case-cohort study.

Background: To assess the prognosis of neck residue nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and the efficacy of neck dissection in the treatment of these patients. Methods: We recruited 68 neck residue NPC patients. For each neck residue patient we had three matched NPC patients without neck residue as controls (n = 204). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and multivariable analysis was used to test the independent statistical significance of NPC patients. Results: Compared to controls, the neck residue patients showed significantly lower 3-year PFS (46.7% vs. 87.6%; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that neck residue was an independent prognostic factor for PFS. Conclusions: NPC patients who had pathologically proven neck residue are associated with poor prognosis. Management with neck dissection alone seems not to be sufficient for these patients.