The Journal of the Kentucky Medical Association
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Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma presenting in the neck from an unknown primary site represetns 2% to 6% of head and neck cancers. Optimal management of these cases remains controversial and continues to evolve with experience. We performed a retrospective analysis involving patients treated for unknown primary squamous cell carcinomas with metastases to cervical lymph nodes who presented to either the University of Kentucky or the Veterans Affairs Hospital of Lexington, Kentucky, from 1990 to 2000. ⋯ The presence of extracapsular spread, increased number of positive lymph nodes, and eventual discovery of a primary tumor did not significantly decrease survival in this series. The mean follow-up period for patients in this study was 54.8 months. We continue to refine our diagnostic and treatment strategies in this group of patients in an effort to improve long-term survival and reduce patient morbidity.