NCT Number: NCT07726199
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.
Interested in participating?
Request Info21 year–75 year
All sexes
Interventional
Not applicable
Kolhāpur, Maharashtra, 416234, India
Location status: Recruiting
Maroti B Wadewale, MDS, FHNO
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Parag J Watve, MS, FHNS
SUB_INVESTIGATOR
Parag Watve, MS, FHNS
CONTACT
Yogesh Anap, MD
CONTACT
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignancies of the head and neck, with cervical lymph node metastasis being the most important prognostic factor affecting survival. In patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) neck disease, elective selective neck dissection is the standard of care because of the substantial risk of occult cervical metastasis. However, the optimal inferior extent of elective neck dissection remains controversial.
Selective neck dissection involving levels I-III is widely accepted for early-stage oral cavity cancer, while some surgeons routinely extend the dissection to level IV based on concerns regarding skip metastasis and the potential for improved regional disease control. Extending the dissection may increase operative time and postoperative morbidity, including shoulder dysfunction and sensory impairment, without providing additional oncological benefit. High-quality prospective evidence comparing these two approaches is limited.
The EXTENT N0 Trial is a prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial designed to compare selective neck dissection of levels I-III with selective neck dissection of levels I-IV in adults with clinically node-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma undergoing primary curative surgery. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of the two surgical approaches. Tumor resection, reconstruction, perioperative care, and adjuvant treatment will be provided according to institutional standards and multidisciplinary tumor board recommendations.
Participants will undergo regular postoperative follow-up with clinical examination and appropriate imaging according to the study schedule. Functional outcomes, postoperative complications, and quality of life will be assessed using validated instruments at predefined time points. The study aims to determine whether limiting elective neck dissection to levels I-III provides regional disease control comparable to levels I-IV while reducing treatment-related morbidity and preserving postoperative function and quality of life.
Healthy volunteers accepted: No
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Selective Neck Dissection (Levels I-IV)- Selective neck dissection (Levels I-IV) involves surgical removal of ipsilateral cervical lymphatic tissue from neck levels I, II, III, and IV during primary resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma in patients with a clinically node-negative (cN0) neck. The procedure is performed according to standard oncological principles with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve, internal jugular vein, and sternocleidomastoid muscle unless their sacrifice is required because of direct tumor involvement.
Selective neck dissection (Levels I-III) involves surgical removal of ipsilateral cervical lymphatic tissue from neck levels I, II, and III during primary resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma in patients with a clinically node-negative (cN0) neck. The procedure is performed according to standard oncological principles with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve, internal jugular vein, and sternocleidomastoid muscle unless their sacrifice is required because of direct tumor involvement.
Time frame: From the date of surgery to 3 years after surgery
Regional recurrence-free survival is defined as the time from the date of surgery to the first documented regional recurrence in the cervical lymph nodes or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Participants without an event will be censored at the date of the last disease assessment.
Time frame: From the date of surgery to 3 years after surgery.
Overall survival is defined as the time from the date of surgery to death from any cause. Participants who are alive at the time of the last follow-up will be censored on that date.
Time frame: From the date of surgery to 3 years after surgery.
Disease-free survival is defined as the time from the date of surgery to the first documented recurrence of disease (local, regional, or distant), the occurrence of a second primary malignancy, or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Participants without an event will be censored at the date of the last disease assessment.
Time frame: Within 4 weeks after surgery (following final histopathological examination).
Occult nodal metastasis rate is defined as the proportion of participants with histopathologically confirmed cervical lymph node metastasis identified on final pathological examination despite a clinically node-negative (cN0) neck before surgery.
Time frame: From the date of surgery to 3 years after surgery.
Patterns of regional nodal failure will be assessed by documenting the anatomical neck level(s), laterality, and timing of regional lymph node recurrence confirmed by clinical examination, imaging, or histopathological evaluation, and comparing their distribution between the two treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline (preoperatively) and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after surgery.
Shoulder function will be assessed using the Constant-Murley Score (0-100 points), with higher scores indicating better shoulder function.
Time frame: assessed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperatively.
Neck dissection-related quality of life will be assessed using the (Neck Dissection Impairment index), a validated patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates the impact of neck dissection on physical function, symptoms, and overall quality of life. Outcomes will be compared between the two treatment groups.
Time frame: Preoperatively; 1 week; 1 month; 3 months; 6 months; 1 year; and 2 years after surgery
Shoulder pain and disability will be assessed using theShoulder pain and disability index questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater pain and disability.
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Maroti B Wadewale, MDS, FHNO
CONTACT
Parag J Watve, MS, FHNS
CONTACT
Kolhapur Cancer Centre - Cancer Centers of America
Other
ExteNT N0 Trial- Extent of Neck Treatment in Clinically N0 Oral Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Acronym: ExtentN0
OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.
View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.
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