Radiat Oncol J.  2015 Dec;33(4):344-349. 10.3857/roj.2015.33.4.344.

Neck muscle atrophy and soft-tissue fibrosis after neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy for oral cancer

• Kim J
• Shin ES
• Kim JE
• Yoon SP
• Kim YS

• KMID: 2144297
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3857/roj.2015.33.4.344

Abstract

Late complications of head and neck cancer survivors include neck muscle atrophy and soft-tissue fibrosis. We present an autopsy case of neck muscle atrophy and soft-tissue fibrosis (sternocleidomastoid, omohyoid, digastric, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and platysma muscles) within the radiation field after modified radical neck dissection type I and postoperative radiotherapy for floor of mouth cancer. A 70-year-old man underwent primary tumor resection of the left floor of mouth, left marginal mandibulectomy, left modified radical neck dissection type I, and reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. The dose to the primary tumor bed and involved neck nodes was 63 Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks. Areas of subclinical disease (left lower neck) received 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not administered.

Keyword

Autopsy; Neck muscles; Atrophy; Fibrosis; Radiotherapy; Adjuvant

MeSH Terms

Aged
Atrophy*
Autopsy
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Fibrosis*
Forearm
Free Tissue Flaps
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Mouth Floor
Mouth Neoplasms*
Neck Dissection*
Neck Muscles*
Neck*
Radiotherapy*
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
Survivors