BMJ Open (Sep 2022)

Protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational study of elective neck dissection for clinically node-negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (END-TC study)

  • Masahiro Umeda,
  • Akira Tanaka,
  • Tadaaki Kirita,
  • Souichi Yanamoto,
  • Kenichiro Uchida,
  • Seiji Asoda,
  • Koji Kawaguchi,
  • Mitsunobu Otsuru,
  • Yoshiko Yamamura,
  • Takumi Hasegawa,
  • Shin-ichi Yamada,
  • Yasuyuki Michi,
  • Toru Inomata,
  • Hideki Nakayama,
  • Takeshi Nomura,
  • Jingo Kusukawa,
  • Nobuhiro Yamakawa,
  • On Hasegawa,
  • Michihiro Ueda,
  • Yoshimasa Kitagawa,
  • Akimitsu Hiraki,
  • Toshihiro Hasegawa,
  • Yoichi Ohiro,
  • Wataru Kobayashi,
  • Takanori Kobayashi,
  • Mitsuyoshi Iino,
  • Masayuki Fukuda,
  • Naomi Ishibashi-Kanno,
  • Reona Aijima,
  • Kazuma Noguchi,
  • Masaya Okura,
  • Tsuyoshi Sugiura,
  • Yukari Shintani,
  • Kazuhiro Yagihara,
  • Masashi Yamashiro,
  • Yoshihide Ota,
  • Akihiro Miyazaki,
  • Akinori Takeshita,
  • Hitoshi Kawamata,
  • Iwabuchi Hiroshi,
  • Hiroshi Kurita

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059615
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 9

Abstract

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Introduction In early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), elective neck dissection (END) is recommended when occult lymph node metastasis is suspected; however, there is no unanimous consensus on the risks and benefits of END in such cases. The management of clinically node-negative (cN0) OTSCC remains controversial. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of END and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cN0 OTSCC.Methods and analysis This is a prospective, multicentre, nonrandomised observational study. The choice of whether to perform END at the same time as resection of the primary tumour is based on institutional policy and patient preference. The primary endpoint of this study is 3-year overall survival. The secondary endpoints are 3-year disease-specific survival, 3-year relapse-free survival and the impact on patient QoL. Propensity score-matching analysis will be performed to reduce selection bias.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Clinical Research Review Board of the Nagasaki University. The protocol of this study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry. The datasets generated during the current study will be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The results will be disseminated internationally, through scientific and professional conferences and in peer-reviewed medical journals.Trial registration number UMIN000027875.