Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42707761›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in oncology2026

Risk-adapted neck dissection in salivary gland carcinoma: integrating occult nodal metastasis patterns with contemporary guidelines.

Felix Johnson, Lea Stecher, Nora-Maria Burian, Marcel Kloppenburg, Rubens Thölken, Benjamin Freytag, Patrick Schuler, Benedikt Hofauer

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Felix JohnsonDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Lea StecherUniversity Hospital for Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Nora-Maria BurianUniversity Hospital for Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Marcel KloppenburgUniversity Hospital for Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Rubens ThölkenDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Benjamin FreytagDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Patrick SchulerDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Benedikt HofauerUniversity Hospital for Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) are rare and histologically diverse malignancies of the head and neck. They present significant challenges for standardized treatment due to varied metastatic behavior and limited high-level evidence. The extent of neck dissection remains controversial, influenced by tumor grade, histological subtype, and anatomical origin. This review evaluates current evidence and guideline recommendations to define an evidence-based, risk-adapted approach to neck dissection in SGC. Methods: A comprehensive review of epidemiological data, retrospective cohort studies, meta-analyses, and major clinical guidelines was conducted. Particular attention was given to patterns of cervical metastasis, the impact of histological grading on management, complication rates, and diagnostic tools that guide surgical planning. Results: The incidence of occult nodal metastases (ONM) varies widely by tumor type and grade, ranging from 10% to over 60% in aggressive subtypes. Low-grade tumors with intraglandular spread often warrant selective neck dissection (levels I-III), while high-grade or T3-T4 tumors benefit from more comprehensive neck dissection (levels I-V) due to increased risk of skip metastases. Preoperative imaging, Core Needle Biopsy (CNB), and intraoperative frozen sections are essential to accurately assess risk and avoid the morbidity associated with delayed or revision surgery. Conclusion: A one-stage, risk-adapted neck dissection strategy tailored to tumor biology and diagnostic findings improves oncological outcomes and minimizes complications. While low-risk cases may be managed with selective or limited neck dissection, high-risk SGCs require comprehensive management to achieve regional control. Standardized protocols based on robust prospective data remain an unmet need.

Indexed as

clinical guidelinesfrozen section analysisneck dissectionoccult nodal metastasisparotid gland carcinomasalivary gland carcinomasubmandibular gland tumor

Identifiers

PMID42707761
PMCPMC13548038

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.