Perifacial lymph node metastasis in the submandibular triangle of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with clinically node-positive neck

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this retrospective chart review were to investigate the rate of metastasis to the perifacial lymph node, which was defined as the nodal pads that lie anterior or posterior to the anterior facial vein on top of the facial artery in the submandibular triangle, and to identify its risk factors in patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) with clinically node-positive neck. METHODS: Beginning in July 1999, we routinely removed the perifacial lymph node pads of the submandibular triangle (level Ib) from the main therapeutic comprehensive neck dissection (level I-V) specimen for evaluation of metastatic rate to this nodal group in patients with OOSCC with clinically node-positive neck. This study is a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing perifacial node sampling from July 1999 to March 2006. A total of 66 patients (17 patients with oral cavity cancer and 49 with oropharyngeal cancer) underwent perifacial lymph node dissections. Of these, three (two with oral cavity tumors and one with an oropharynx tumor) had clinically positive node in level I. RESULTS: The incidence rate of metastasis to the perifacial lymph node was 35% in oral cavity carcinoma (six of 17) and 8% in oropharynx carcinoma (four of 49). In addition, in patients without clinically positive level I node, the occult metastasis rate of the perifacial node was 27% in oral cavity carcinoma (four of 15) and 6% in oropharynx carcinoma (three of 48). Clinical or pathologic nodal staging above the N2b advanced lesion had a statistically significant association with perifacial lymph node metastasis (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that these nodal pads should be removed thoroughly for the treatment of node-positive neck in patients with oral cavity carcinoma. In contrast, however, complete removal may be unnecessary in comprehensive neck dissection of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma with clinically node-positive neck, especially below nodal stage N2a.     

Value of the supraomohyoid neck dissection with frozen section analysis as a staging procedure in the clinically negative neck in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Summary A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate with the efficacy of elective supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOND) with frozen section (FS) analysis in 57 newly diagnosed patients (62 SONDs) with squamous cell carinoma of the oral cavity. The protocol included sampling of both the most suspect and largest node in the jugulodigastric region (if present) and the most distal jugulo-omohyoid lymph node (if present). These nodes were then studied with FS histological examination. In the absence of evident nodes for FS analysis during surgery, histological examination uncovered occult metastatic disease in 3 of 11 SOND specimens. Among the remaining patients FS analysis revealed occult metastatic disease in 10 of the 51 samples (19.6%). In these latter cases surgery was continued using standard or modified radical neck dissection en bloc with the primary tumor. In 1 specimen only a single metastasis was found outside the original extent of the SOND. Among 41 FS analysis reports stating the absence of metastatic disease, histological examination of the SOND specimens demonstrated occult nodal disease in 7 (17%). All of the cervical metastases appeared in the ipsilateral side of the neck. False FS reports did not occur. In the histologically proven absence of metastatic disease in the SOND specimens, disease recurrence in the neck occurred only in 3 cases (7%), all in the presence of local failure: once in the previous SOND area, once in the ipsilateral supraclavicular region and once on the contralateral side. The results of our analyses support the conclusion that elective SOND with FS can be a valid staging procedure and a valuable approach to the management of the clinically negative neck in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Offprint requests to: J. J. Manni     

A review of clinical and histological parameters associated with contralateral neck metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)bas a high incidence of cervical micrometastases and sometimes metastasizes contralaterally because of the rich lymphatic intercommunications relative to submucosal plexus of oral cavity that freely communicate across the midline,and it can facilitate the spread of neoplastic cells to any area of the neck consequently.Clinical and histopathologic factors continue to provide predictive information to contralateral neck metastases(CLNM)in OSCC,which determine prophylactic and adjuvant treatments for an individual patient.This review describes the predictive value of clinical-histopathologic factors,which relate to primary tumor and cervical lymph nodes,and surgical dissection and adjuvant treatments.In addition,the indications for elective contralateral neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy(aRT)and strategies for follow-up are offered,which is strongly focused by clinicians to prevent later CLNM and poor prognosis subsequently.     

Prevalence and localization of nodal metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: role and extension of neck dissection

Lymph node (LN) metastases represent the most important negative prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity, even though controversies still exist regarding their management. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze our experience in surgical management of SCC of the oral cavity with particular focus on the prevalence and localization of lymph nodal metastases and recurrences. The clinical records of 89 consecutive patients treated from 1983 to 2002 by concomitant surgery on both the T and N sites, excluding those undergoing salvage surgery, were reviewed. A total of 119 neck dissections (ND) were performed. Survival outcomes were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method, while univariate comparisons by the log-rank and non-parametric tests were performed between different groups of patients. Five-year overall and determinate survivals were 50 and 57%, respectively. LN metastases were observed in 52% (56% of these showing extracapsular spread) and their presence strongly correlated with determinate survival (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of clinical and occult nodal disease was not related to the pT status. Neck levels II (59%) and I (56%) were most frequently involved. Metastases to level IV accounted for 15% of positive LN, even though 28% of them turned out to be skip metastases. Five neck recurrences were observed, only one of which was salvaged by surgery. The high prevalence of clinical and occult LN metastases in this setting suggests that ND should be performed on a nearly routine basis, even for lesions with a low-T category and a cN0 neck. Moreover, ND should always encompass level IV due to the possibility of skip metastases, particularly in tumors involving the oral tongue. In patients with a cN+ neck, levels from I to V should be addressed, particularly in the presence of metastases at levels III and IV.     

Elective neck dissection and survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The utility of elective neck dissection in the management of patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer who present without neck metastases remains controversial. The study addressed the question of whether elective neck dissection improves regional control and survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx presenting with T1/T2 node-negative disease. STUDY DESIGN: A nonrandomized, uncontrolled retrospective chart review. METHODS: A nonrandomized, uncontrolled retrospective chart review was performed. Resection of the primary tumor was performed in all patients. The neck was observed in one group, and elective neck dissection was performed for patients in another group. RESULTS: The study data indicated that elective neck dissection significantly improves regional control and regional recurrence-free survival. Elective neck dissection when compared with observation of the neck did not improve overall survival. CONCLUSION: Elective neck dissection reduces regional recurrence and may extend disease-free survival.     

择区性颈清扫术在临床N0舌鳞状细胞癌治疗中的应用

目的比较择区性颈清扫术(selective neck dissection，SND)与经典性或改良性颈清扫术(radical neck dissection，RND)在治疗舌鳞状细胞癌颈淋巴结临床阴性(cN0)患者中的效果。方法将1998年1月-2002年12月之间采用肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术(Ⅰ～Ⅲ区)14例及Ⅰ～Ⅳ区清扫19例(SND组)共33例与1980年1月-1997年12月之间112例采用经典性或改良性颈清扫术(RND组)的病例，根据T分期、综合治疗方式和淋巴结病理情况进行随机配对分析。Kaplan—Meier方法计算复发率和颈部淋巴结复发或生存趋势。结果RND组5年颈部复发率为9．1％(3例)，SND组5年同侧颈部复发率12．1％(4例)；两组的5年生存率分别是78．8％和82．9％(分别为26例和28例)。Ⅰ-Ⅲ区清扫组5年颈部复发率为21．2％(3例)，清扫野外复发率为14．3％(2例)；Ⅰ-Ⅳ区清扫组5年同侧颈部复发率5．3％(1例)，清扫野外复发率为0。结论与经典性或改良性颈清扫术相比，择区性颈清扫术并不影响cN0舌癌患者的肿瘤治疗效果，术式以Ⅰ～Ⅳ区清扫为适宜。     

Level IIb lymph nodes metastasis in elective supraomohyoid neck dissection for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: a molecular-based study

OBJECTIVES: To identify the incidence of level IIb lymph nodes metastasis in elective supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) as a treatment for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective analysis of a case series. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with SCC of the oral cavity and with no palpable lymph nodes at the neck who underwent an elective SOHND were prospectively studied. The incidence of micrometastasis to level IIb lymph nodes after performing elective SOHND was evaluated by pathologic examination and molecular analysis. RESULTS: Of the 48 patients, 15 (31%) by pathologic analysis and 22 (46%) by molecular analysis had lymph nodes positive for metastatic SCC. By molecular analysis, 5 (10%) of the 48 patients had involvement of level IIb lymph nodes. All patients with metastasis to level IIb lymph nodes have their primary lesions in the tongue and constituted 22% of patients with tongue lesions. There was no instance of isolated metastasis to level IIb lymph nodes without involvement of other nodes in the SOHND specimens. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, level IIb lymph node metastasis was only found in association with tongue carcinoma. Although this region may be preserved in elective SOHND in patients with SCC of the oral cavity, it should be included whenever the tongue is the primary site.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a minimally invasive method to stage the regional lymphatics that has revolutionized the management of patients with intermediate-thickness cutaneous melanoma. Head and neck surgeons have been encouraged by the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma and have applied the technique to patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The objectives of the study were 1) to study the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy as a method to stage the regional lymphatics in HNSCC and 2) to determine whether there are qualitative differences between the cutaneous and mucosal lymphatics that would affect the technique used in HNSCC. STUDY DESIGN: Two methods of investigation were employed: a prospective laboratory study using a feline model for sentinel lymph node biopsy and a retrospective review of patients who received lymphoscintigraphy before neck dissection and intraoperative identification of the sentinel lymph node. METHODS: Lymphoscintigraphy and a gamma probe were used in four felines to study the kinetics of technetium-labeled sulfa colloid (Tc-SC) in the mucosal lymphatics. In the second part of the feline study, eight subjects were studied intraoperatively. Tc-SC and isosulfan blue dye were used to study the injection technique for the mucosal lymphatics and to determine the time course of the dye and Tc-SC to the sentinel lymph node. In Part II of the present study, a retrospective review of 33 patients with HNSCC was conducted. Twenty patients (stage N0) whose treatment included elective neck dissection were studied with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and underwent intraoperative identification of the sentinel lymph node to determine the accuracy and feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Eight patients with palpable neck disease and five patients with recurrent or second primary disease whose previous treatment included neck dissection were also studied with lymphoscintigraphy before neck dissection. RESULTS: In the feline study, both Tc-SC and isosulfan blue dye traversed the lymphatics rapidly, appearing in the sentinel lymph node in less than 5 minutes. Modification of the injection technique used for cutaneous melanoma was required to depict the sentinel lymph node of the base of tongue. In the human study, the sentinel lymph node was accurately identified in 19 of 20 (95%) N0 patients. On average, 2.9 sentinel lymph nodes (range, 1-5) were identified in 2.2 (range, 1-4) levels of the neck. Sentinel lymph nodes were bilateral in 4 of 19 patients. When the sentinel lymph node was identified, it accurately predicted the pathological nodal status of the regional lymphatics. Three of 20 patients had cervical metastases, and the sentinel lymph node was identified in 2 of 3 patients with pathologic nodes (pN+). Focal areas of radiotracer uptake were identified in seven of eight patients with palpable disease. These areas corresponded to the level with palpable disease in four patients. The lymphatics delineated by lymphoscintigraphy in the five patients with previous neck dissection were outside the levels that had been dissected. Lymphoscintigraphy depicted collateral patterns of lymphatic drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is technically feasible and is a promising, minimally invasive method for staging the regional lymphatics in patients with stage N0 HNSCC. Lymphoscintigraphy alone may determine the levels that require treatment in patients with disrupted or previously operated cervical lymphatics.     

肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术在临床N0口腔癌治疗中的应用

目的探讨肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术在口腔癌治疗中的应用价值。方法对27例临床N0(T1~3)口腔鳞状细胞癌患者行肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫,清扫范围为第Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ区淋巴结。记录颈清扫手术时间、术后淋巴结病理检查结果、术后肩功能及随访结果。结果手术时间平均(x±s)为(16±02)h。术后病理检查证实5例出现颈淋巴转移(19%),转移发生于第Ⅰ区2例(7%)、第Ⅱ区4例(15%),其中1例同时存在第Ⅰ、Ⅱ区转移。肩功能在术后3个月内基本恢复。术后随访2~4年,随访率100%,未见原发灶复发及颈淋巴转移。结论肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术是临床颈部N0口腔癌的合适术式,它既能达到治疗目的,又能最大程度地保留肩颈部外形与功能。     

Lymph node ratio as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

The purpose of this study is to validate the concept of lymph node ratio (LNR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Selective neck dissection for the treatment of neck metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the proportion of patients disease free in the neck, with the primary site controlled, who have been treated with a selective neck dissection (SND) for squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) of the upper aerodigestive tract, and who had cervical metastasis less than 3 cm. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort of patients who fit the inclusion/exclusion criteria was identified retrospectively. Then all surviving patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. METHODS: A group of 52 patients who had 58 selective neck dissections for cervical metastases from SCCa of the upper aerodigestive tract were identified. The mean age was 56 years (range, 20-85 y), there were 40 males and 12 females, and mean follow-up was 24.5 months (range, 1-64 mo). Twenty-six patients had clinically negative (cNo) neck examinations and 26 had clinically positive neck examinations. Postoperative radiation was given for extracapsular spread, greater than 2 positive nodes, T3, T4, or recurrent disease if the patient had not received radiation before surgery. These radiation criteria excluded 18 patients from postoperative radiation treatment. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the regional control rate with the primary site controlled was 0.94. Six patients developed recurrent neck disease. Three of these 6 patientswere surgically salvaged. Four recurrences were in the dissected field and 2 were out of the dissected field (level V). CONCLUSIONS: With similar indications for radiation therapy, the regional control rate in this cohort is comparable to control rates obtained with modified radical neck dissection.     

Level IIb lymph node metastasis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: Selective neck dissection, despite preservation of the spinal accessory nerve, can lead to some degree of postoperative shoulder dysfunction as a result of removal of level IIb lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to determine whether level IIb lymph nodes can be preserved in elective or therapeutic neck dissection as a treatment for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective analysis of a case series. METHODS: A prospective analysis of 65 patients with laryngeal SCC who underwent surgical treatment of the primary lesion with simultaneous neck dissection from January 1999 to December 2002 was performed. During the neck dissection, the contents of the level IIb lymph nodes were dissected, labeled, and processed separately from the remainder of level II nodes and the main neck dissection specimen. The incidence of pathologic metastasis to level IIb lymph nodes and the regional recurrence within this area were evaluated. In addition, several potential risk factors for metastatic disease in the level IIb lymph nodes such as sex, age, cT stage, cN stage, and the presence of other positive lymph nodes were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 125 neck dissections were performed in this series. Of these dissections, 102 (82%) were elective and 23 (18%) were therapeutic. The prevalence of metastases in the level IIb lymph nodes was 1% (one of 46) and 0% (zero of 56) in clinically node-negative (N0) ipsilateral and contralateral necks, respectively, and 37% (seven of 19) and 0% (zero of four) in clinically node-positive ipsilateral and contralateral necks, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between level IIb metastases and clinically positive N stage (P<.001). The presence of other positive lymph nodes was also shown to have a statistically significant association with metastasis in the level IIb lymph nodes (P=.001). Only two of 46 patients (4%) with clinically N0 necks developed a regional recurrence. However, three of eight cases (38%) with positive pathologic level IIb lymph nodes developed regional recurrence. CONCLUSION: Level IIb lymph node pads may be preserved in elective neck dissection in patients with laryngeal SCC. However, this area should be removed thoroughly during therapeutic neck dissection in the treatment of clinically node-positive necks.     

Results of selective neck dissection in the primary management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Selective neck dissection (SND) is known to be a valid procedure to stage the clinically N0 neck but its reliability to control metastatic neck disease remains controversial. This study analysed if selective neck dissection is a reliable procedure to prevent regional metastatic disease in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 163 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx treated initially in our departement from January 1990 to December 2002. All patients had unilateral or bilateral SND, in combination with surgical resection of the primary tumour. SND was performed in 281 necks. Finally, 146 patients who underwent 249 SND (39 I–III, I–IV, 210 II–IV, II–V) had adequate follow-up and were assessed for the regional control. The median follow-up was 37 months (1–180 months). The end points of the study were neck control following SND and overall survival. Twenty-five percent (30/119) of patients staged cN0 had lymph node (LN) metastasis. Overall, regional recurrence was observed in 2.8% of the necks (7/249): 1.6% (4/249) in dissected field and 1.2% (3/249) in undissected field. Seventy-eight percent (194/249) of the necks were staged pN0 with a subsequent failure rate of 1.5% (3/194); 16% (39/249) were staged pN1 and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) was proposed in 21 of these patients. The failure rate with PORT was 9.5% and 5.5% without PORT. Six percent (16/249) of the necks were staged pN2b and all had PORT with one subsequent recurrence. Extracapsular spread (ECS) was reported in 16.5% of positive SND specimens (9/55); all by one were treated by PORT with a subsequent failure rate of 22% (2/9). At 3 years, overall survival for the whole population was 70% and statistically highly correlated with pN stage (p<0.001). These results support the reliability of SND to stage the clinically N0 neck. SND is a definitive operation not only in pN0 but also in most pN1 and pN2b necks. PORT is not justified in pN1 neck without ECS. In pN2b necks, the low rate of recurrence supports adjuvant PORT. The presence of ECS, despite adjuvant PORT, remains associated with a higher risk of recurrence.     

颈清扫术在临床Ⅰ期舌鳞状细胞癌患者中的疗效评价

目的探讨颈清扫在临床Ⅰ期（cT1NOM0期）舌鳞状细胞癌（简称鳞癌）治疗中的作用。方法回顾性分析1984年11月-1999年11月130例临床Ⅰ期舌活动部鳞癌患者的临床病理资料，该组患者的治疗方式以手术为主，3l例（23．8％）只行原发灶手术，99例行原发灶手术加颈清扫术，包括择区性颈清扫（Ⅰ-Ⅲ区或Ⅰ～Ⅳ区颈清扫）20例和全颈清扫（Ⅰ～Ⅴ区颈清扫）79例。结果术后病理证实颈清扫组的隐匿淋巴结率为12．0％（12／99）。全组病例随访5年以上，单纯行原发灶手术组、原发灶手术加择区性颈清扫组和原发灶手术加全颈清扫组的颈部控制失败率分别为25．8％（8／31）、15．0％（3／20）和7．6％（6／79）。单纯原发灶手术组和颈清扫组之间的颈部控制失败率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。3组手术后总体生存率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论颈清扫术可能提高临床Ⅰ期舌鳞癌患者的颈部控制率，本研究未能证实颈清扫术能降低其远处转移率以及能提高其生存率。是否需要对所有临床。     

Unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: retrospective analysis of 80 cases

Objectives: The management of patients with cervical metastasis in head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) remains controversial. This current multicenter retrospective study investigated the treatment outcomes of patients with HNCUP.

Methods: The study included patients who were treated curatively at 12 institutions in Japan from January 2006 to December 2015.

Results: Eighty patients with HNCUP were included. The median follow-up period was 34 months. The three-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), regional relapse-free survival (RRFS), local progression-free survival (LPFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 72.5%, 80.3%, 74.0%, 89.7%, and 86.9%, respectively. Nodal status was a significant factor for OS, DSS, RRFS, and DMFS; and extracapsular extension (ECE) was significant for OS and DSS. There was a distinct difference between the survival rates of patients with N1–2a and N2b–3 disease. RT was a significant positive factor for LPFS (3-year LPFS, RT 93.0% vs. no RT 83.0%, p?=?.043).

Conclusions: For N2a as well as N1 disease without ECE, a single treatment modality, including ND or RT alone is acceptable. When ND alone is performed, thorough monitoring should be continued during follow-up to identify the emergence of the primary lesion.     

Management of the N0 neck in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Neck lymph node status is the chief prognostic index in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), yet the management of a clinically negative neck in this setting is still controversial, especially in patients with laryngeal SCC (LSCC).

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of selective neck dissection (SND) to control occult disease in patients with LSCC and clinically negative (cN0) necks.

Materials and methods: Medical records of 1476 patients with cN0 LSCC were analyzed. In conjunction with primary treatment, 126 (8.5%) underwent at least unilateral elective neck dissection, whereas most 1350 (91.5%) followed a wait-and-see protocol. Prognostic significance was indicated by the Kaplan–Meier survival estimates.

Results: The rate of occult neck disease was 15%. Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 74.4% and 66.7%, respectively. Prognosis was closely related to T stage, preoperative tracheotomy, and postoperative recurrence. There was no significant correlation with age, sex, or preoperative neck dissection; but in patients with supraglottic LSCC, the relation between prognosis and preoperative neck dissection was significant, with fewer neck and local recurrences than the wait-and-see group (p?<?.05).

Conclusions and significance: Selective neck dissection is serving as an accurate prognostic tool in patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancers.