Distant lymph node metastasis in head and neck cancer: incidence, predictors, and survival outcomes in a population-based cohort
Background Distant lymph node metastasis (DLM) is rare in head and neck cancer (HNC), occurring in only 0.76% of cases, underscoring the importance of understanding its clinical behavior. However, population-based data on the incidence, predictors, and prognostic implications of DLM relative to other metastatic pattern...