Successful salvage surgery of the residual tumor after boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): A case report

Salvage surgery after radiation therapy is known to be associated with a high incidence of postoperative complications. We describe a case of a successful salvage surgery after BNCT. In our patient with head and neck carcinoma, cervical lymph node recurrence with adhesion to a large vessel occurred after conventional radiotherapy. This lesion responded well to BNCT. Salvage surgery was subsequently performed to remove the residual tumor. Histopathologically, the isolated tissue contained tumor cells in its center and the surrounding tissue showed severe fibrosis. However, the tissue outside of the irradiation area had almost no fibrosis. BNCT may facilitate salvage surgery after radiotherapy because it causes less injury to the surrounding tissue than conventional radiotherapy. Our experience suggests that BNCT may be a feasible preoperative treatment in patients with inoperable lesions or in those who strongly desire preservation of function. •In our patient with head and neck carcinoma, cervical lymph node recurrence with adhesion to a large vessel occurred after conventional irradiation.•This lesion responded well to BNCT irradiation and was subsequently treated by tumor resection.•Tissues surrounding the tumor could easily be detached.•Histopathologically, the isolated tissue contained tumor cells in its center and the surrounding tissue showed severe fibrosis.•However, the tissue outside of the irradiation area had almost no fibrosis.