Carotid Resection and Reconstruction Associated with Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer (Report‪)‬

Tumor involvement of the carotid artery is considered stage IVB disease with a grave prognosis. Kennedy reported a 7% 5-year survival, a 46% local recurrence rate if treated by methods other than resection, and a 56% to 68% rate of distant metastases (1). Interestingly, 18% of those with local recurrence die from uncontrolled disease in the neck, even in the absence of distant metastases, which is why we support an aggressive approach with stage IVB disease. Yet, resecting and reconstructing the carotid artery to obtain an R0 resection (R0 defined as no residual disease) remains a controversial issue and is dependent on the surgeon's philosophy and skills as well as the patient's desire and fortitude. Here we report our experience with carotid resection associated with treatment of head and neck cancer. METHODS