Approach to the risk-adapted management of node positive HNSCC post RT

HNSCC: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; RT: radiation therapy; PET: positron emission tomography; CT: computed tomography; OPSCC: oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma; HPV: human papilloma virus.
* High risk: where the perceived risk of residual nodal disease is high, such as suboptimally treated patients due to premature cessation of treatment, unplanned treatment interruptions, or the presence of high-risk primary disease, such as non-OPSCC.
¶ Low risk: where the perceived risk of residual nodal disease is low, such as HPV associated OPSCC treated optimally.
Δ Ongoing clinical and imaging observation until residuum is <1 to 1.5 cm or stable for >6 months.
◊ The frequency of follow-up is based on institutional policy.