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Study Comparing Limited and Extensive Neck Surgery in Oral Cancer Patients With Neck Spread

NCT07717307 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 80

Last updated 2026-08-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) frequently metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes, and the extent of neck dissection remains an area of ongoing debate in patients with clinically node-positive (cN1) disease. While modified neck dissection (MND, levels I-V) is widely practiced, selective neck dissection (SND, levels I-IV) may provide equivalent oncologic outcomes with reduced surgical morbidity. However, high-quality randomized evidence comparing these approaches is lacking.

The ExteNT N1 Trial is a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group clinical trial designed to compare selective neck dissection (levels I-IV) with modified neck dissection (levels I-V, preserving the spinal accessory nerve, internal jugular vein, and sternocleidomastoid muscle) in patients with resectable cN1 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either treatment arm.

The primary endpoint is 3-year regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS), along with postoperative quality of life measured using the Neck Dissection Impairment Index (NDII). Secondary endpoints include overall survival, disease-free survival, level-wise nodal involvement, nodal yield, shoulder function (Constant-Murley Score, SPADI, and Arm Abduction Score), postoperative complications including chyle leak, and other surgical morbidities.

This trial aims to generate level I evidence regarding the optimal extent of neck dissection for cN1 OCSCC, balancing oncologic safety with preservation of postoperative function and quality of life.

Conditions

  • Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Selective Neck Dissection (Levels I-IV)

Selective neck dissection will include removal of cervical lymph node levels Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, III, and IV on the ipsilateral side while preserving uninvolved non-lymphatic structures. The primary oral cavity tumor will be resected according to oncologic principles with reconstruction as required. Contralateral neck management and adjuvant therapy will be provided according to institutional protocols and final histopathological findings.

PROCEDURE

Modified Neck Dissection (Levels I-V)

Modified neck dissection will include removal of cervical lymph node levels Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, III, IV, and V on the ipsilateral side while preserving the spinal accessory nerve, internal jugular vein, and sternocleidomastoid muscle whenever oncologically appropriate. The primary oral cavity tumor will be resected according to oncologic principles with reconstruction as required. Contralateral neck management and adjuvant therapy will be provided according to institutional protocols and final histopathological findings.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Kolhapur Cancer Centre - Cancer Centers of America

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
21 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-08-01
Primary Completion
2031-04-22
Completion
2031-04-23

Countries

  • India

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07717307 on ClinicalTrials.gov