Tumor cell viability in salvage neck dissections: Poor prognosis predicted by high postradiation nodal SUVmax , p16-negativity, and low nodal shrinkage.

Viable tumor cells can be predicted by high residual metabolic activity in the lymph nodes, negative p16 status, and low nodal shrinkage. Viable tumor cells in neck dissection specimens are associated with a poor survival and provide important prognostic information.