Distribution and impact of lymph node metastases in oropharyngeal cancer

Conclusions. In the treatment of oropharyngeal cancers, possible metastases to retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs) should be taken into account, especially in tumors arising in the lateral wall and/or posterior wall. Patients with multiple positive neck nodes must have intensified adjuvant therapy, especially when they have extracapsular spread (ECS). Objective. To develop optimal treatment strategies for oropharyngeal cancers, we retrospectively analyzed the lymph node metastases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients and methods. Between 1988 and 2003, 77 patients with previously untreated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent neck dissections. Results. Among the patients with tumor arising in the lateral wall or posterior wall, retropharyngeal nodes were involved in 29% (11/38), while RPLN metastasis was not observed in patients with tumors arising in the superior wall or anterior wall. The survival rate of patients with two or fewer positive lymph nodes was significantly better than that of patients with three or more positive lymph nodes (p<0.05). The survival rate of the patients who had ECS was significantly worse than that of the patients who had lymph node metastases but not ECS (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the survival rates of the patients with and without RPLN metastases.     

头颈部鳞癌颈淋巴结隐匿性转移

目的 探讨头颈部鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移的特点和规律。方法 对111例头颈部鳞癌N_0M_0患者的颈淋巴结清扫标本进行切片观察。结果 隐匿性转移总体发生率为26.12％(29/111)。其中口腔癌18.75％(15/80),口咽癌25.00％(1/4),下咽癌54.54％(6/11),喉癌43.75％(7/16)。原发癌临床分期、肿瘤细胞分化程度是影响颈淋巴结隐匿性转移的重要因素。111例N_0M_0患者5年生存率为66.7％,其中pN~-为74.39％(61/82),pN~ 为44.82％(13/29)。结论 对临床T_3和T_4期、癌组织分化程度低和深度浸润的cN_0头颈部鳞癌应行选择性颈清扫术以治疗颈淋巴结隐匿性转移并提高患者的生存率。     

Impact of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The impact of metastasis to the retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) group is poorly understood because of the difficult access of the retropharyngeal space. Previous studies concluding to the negative impact of RPLN metastasis rely heavily on radiographic assessment, which introduces the possibility of diagnostic error. OBJECTIVE: To better define the prognostic significance of metastatic retropharyngeal adenopathy in patients with non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of patients with non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who underwent resection of the RPLN group and were followed up for an average of 24 months. SETTING: Tertiary care academic medical center. PATIENTS: The 51 patients included in the study had been treated for advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and/or supraglottic larynx via a surgical approach to the primary tumor that afforded access to the RPLN group. All patients underwent dissection and pathologic interpretation of the RPLNs, most patients received postoperative radiotherapy, and 43 patients met survival analysis criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Local and regional recurrence rates, the development of distant metastasis, and disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS: Metastasis to the RPLN group was confirmed pathologically in 14 (27.5%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between patients with and without RPLN metastasis in rates of local recurrence (24.8% vs 28.4%), regional recurrence (17.5% vs 19.6%), distant metastasis (17.0% vs 11.2%), disease-free survival (40.5% vs 30.5%), and overall survival (40.6% vs 38.5%). CONCLUSION: Metastasis to the RPLN group does not impact disease control or survival in patients with advanced non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with multimodality therapy.     

Significance of retropharyngeal node dissection at radical surgery for carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the efficacy of dissection of retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs) in the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. STUDY DESIGN: We started planned dissection of the RPLN during initial radical surgery in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx or the cervical esophagus in 1988. Until 1997, we performed this procedure as a standard operation in 82 consecutive patients. METHODS: Mortality resulting from RPLN metastasis was compared between 82 patients who underwent RPLN dissection and 69 patients who did not undergo the procedure. RESULTS: Of 82 patients, 16 patients (20%) had positive RPLNs. These patients were at high risk of recurrence unless the node(s) were dissected. Although RPLN dissection did not improve the cumulative 5-year survival rate, it significantly decreased the number of patients who died of RPLN metastasis (chi2 = 3.68, P <.1). Four of the 16 patients who had positive RPLNs survived without any recurrence. CONCLUSION: Bilateral dissection of the RPLN during initial surgery is highly recommended in every surgical case of carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus.     

Distribution of metastatic lymph nodes in oropharyngeal carcinoma and its implications for the elective treatment of the neck

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the distribution of lymph node metastases in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and improve the rationale for elective treatment of the neck. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study of patients evaluated from 1990 to 1998 in a tertiary cancer care center. PATIENTS:The 81 consecutive patients who were identified from the hospital database. Patients were eligible for the study if they had a previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and histopathologically diagnosed lymph node metastases without a second primary tumor treated by an en bloc resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We analyzed the anatomic distribution of lymph node metastases. RESULTS: The clinical neck cancer stages were N0 in 22 cases, N1 in 22, N2a in 8, N2b in 14, N2c in 4, and N3 in 11. The most common sites for the metastases detected clinically as well as histopathologically were at levels II and III. Histologically, level I alone was involved in 5 cases and level IV alone was involved in none. Sixteen patients with N0 neck cancer stage underwent a radical neck dissection. There were 2 cases of metastases at level I and no level IV involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological lymph nodes in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma are more frequent at level I than at level IV. This finding suggests that elective neck dissection for patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma should be a supraomohyoid neck dissection (levels I, II, and III) rather than a lateral neck dissection (levels II, III, and IV).     

下咽癌颈淋巴结转移的临床病理学特点及其对预后的影响

目的探讨影响下咽癌颈淋巴结转移的临床病理因素和颈淋巴结转移对预后的影响。方法采用X^2检验和Logistic回归分析，对98例下咽癌患者的临床病理学因素与颈淋巴结转移的关系进行回顾性研究。并对颈淋巴结转移状态、转移颈淋巴结大小、转移颈淋巴结数目、转移颈淋巴结累及区域数、转移颈淋巴结最低受累区域等淋巴结病理学因素对生存率的影响，进行Cox回归分析。结果下咽癌患者5年生存率为28．6％。单因素和多因素分析均证实，肿瘤生长方式、肿瘤大小与发生颈淋巴结转移关系密切。而肿瘤突破基底膜达黏膜下层后对下咽癌颈淋巴结转移发生率不再产生进一步影响。Cox回归分析表明，临床N分期、颈淋巴结转移状态、转移颈淋巴结大小、转移颈淋巴结最低受累区域因素影响患者生存率，特别是转移颈淋巴结大小、转移颈淋巴结最低受累区域因素与下咽癌患者生存率明显相关。结论下咽癌颈淋巴结转移是影响患者预后的重要因素，预测下咽癌颈淋巴结，对其作出早期正确诊断，并对影响预后的淋巴结因素采取相应治疗措施是提高下咽癌治疗效果的关键。     

Functional and oncological outcomes after retropharyngeal node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Papillary thyroid carcinoma frequently metastasizes to central and lateral neck lymph nodes, but metastasis to retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLN) is...     

下咽癌颈淋巴结转移的颈侧清扫探讨

目的 为了探讨颈侧清扫可否应用于临床Ｎ＋的下咽癌的颈部治疗。方法 对９３例下咽部颈清扫标本的转移性淋巴结在颈部的分布进行了回顾性分析。结果 颌下淋巴结转移占３．２％。Ｎ０,Ｎ１,Ｎ２ａ和Ｎ２ｂ～Ｎ３的颈后三角淋巴结转移率分别为：５．９％,７．０％,３７．５％和３６．０％。病理证实仅有颌下淋巴结转移或上、中颈深淋巴结转移,而无下颈深淋巴结转移时,颈后三角淋巴结转移率为４．０％,有下颈深淋巴结转移时,     

Retropharyngeal node dissection during total pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer

To clarify the efficacy of retropharyngeal (RP) node dissection for hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC). From 1990 to 1997 (Period I), we examined the RP area preoperatively using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and dissected this region during total pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) when lymph node shadows were identified. From 1998 to 2001 (Period II), we dissected this region during TPL for all patients displaying stage IV HPC or invasion of the oropharyngeal wall. Outcomes were investigated for patients with positive RP nodes identified during TPL or postoperatively. From 1990 to 2001, positive RP nodes were identified in 41 patients during TPL and in 13 patients, postoperatively. These 54 patients represented 14.8% of all patients with HPC in our hospital. Tumors of the pyriform sinus with oropharyngeal invasion and tumors of the posterior wall both displayed high risk of positive RP nodes. Frequencies of RP nodes were: stage I, 3.0%; stage II, 10.3%; stage III, 9.8%; stage IV, 19.2%. Although preoperative imaging revealed positive RP nodes for 32 patients, positive nodes were too small nodes to detect on CT or MRI in nine patients. No significant differences in survival were noted between Periods I and II. However, 11 of the 41 patients with positive RP nodes during TPL survived >2 years without disease, while only one of the 13 patients with positive RP nodes, identified postoperatively, survived >2 years. Patients with positive RP nodes displayed poor local control rate. RP dissection did not improve survival rate.     

Survivin expression is significantly higher in pN+ oral and oropharyngeal primary squamous cell carcinomas than in pN0 carcinomas

CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results reported here suggest that survivin expression in primary oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) may identify patients at risk of disease disseminating to neck lymph nodes. If these results are confirmed in larger series of patients it may imply that elective neck dissection should be considered in clinically N0 patients with oral and oropharyngeal SCCs who show high expression of survivin. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family, in patients with primary oral and oropharyngeal SCCs with and without neck lymph node metastases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We considered 13 consecutive cases of oral and oropharyngeal SCCs with lymph node metastases (pN + ) and 13 cases of pN0 oral and oropharyngeal SCCs. The survivin reactivity of primary SCCs and lymph node metastases was evaluated immunohistochemically. A lesion was considered positive if >9.5% of the tumour cells showed diffuse strong staining. RESULTS: Sporadic groups of normal basal and parabasal epithelial cells showed weak survivin staining. In SCCs, a nuclear reaction predominated. Eight primary pN+ SCCs were survivin-positive (mean expression 34.7%), compared to 5 primary pN0 SCCs (mean expression 12.3%; p=0.017). Statistical analysis disclosed significantly higher survivin expression in primary oral and oropharyngeal SCCs that developed distant non-lymphatic metastases (p=0.012).     

Squamous carcinoma of the posterior oropharyngeal wall

We treated 9 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the posterior oropharyngeal wall at the Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo. All were men averaging 64.1 years of age. One patient each was stage I, stage II or stage III, and 6 were stage IV. Cervical lymph node metastasis was seen in 6 at initial diagnosis. Retropharyngeal lymph nodes were involved in 4, while 5 had second primary cancer such as esophageal, gastric, head and neck cancer. Radical radiotherapy was done for 3 and surgery as initial treatment in 6. Five-year local control was 50% and 5-year disease-free survival was 22%. Total laryngectomy was done for 4 patients. Six died of oropharyngeal cancer and 1 of second primary cancer. Cancer of posterior pharyngeal wall is relatively rare and the prognosis is considered poorer than other types of oropharyngeal cancer for necessitating study to determine which modality may improve treatment results.     

FDG-PET-CT based imaging of retropharyngeal lymph nodes with its impact on radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: In about 20% there is an involvement of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes in patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. A case report should demonstrate the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of FDG-PET/CT in the radiotherapeutic management of a locally advanced carcinoma of the hypopharynx in special consideration of the RPLN. PATIENT AND METHOD: A pretherapeutic FDG-PET/CT was performed with the patient fixed in the radiotherapy mask in order to integrate the anatomic and metabolic information into the radiotherapy planning system by an exact matching of the data. RESULTS: Only the FDG-PET could detect a retropharyngeal lymph node involvement (RPLN) by an intensive glucose utilisation with a consecutive modification of the target volume and dose increase in this region. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates that FDG-PET/CT facilitates the imaging of metabolic active and otherwise hardly detectable lymph nodes in locally advanced head and neck cancer with consequences on target volume definition and dose application in radiotherapy.     

Cervical node metastases in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: prospective analysis of prevalence and distribution

The treatment of cervical lymph node metastases is an important part of the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer. Metastases are already clinically present in 61 per cent (+ or -2.6 per cent) of patients at presentation. Previous studies concerning the prevalence and distribution of neck node metastases in oropharyngeal carcinoma have been retrospective, and little or no information is available about the histopathological methods used. This study has prospectively analysed 85 neck dissection specimens in 72 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, both with clinically N(0) and N+ve necks, to identify the prevalence and distribution of cervical metastases. We have used a technique to separate the neck dissection into nodal levels per-operatively, and then embedded the entire specimen for histological examination to avoid missing metastatic disease in small lymph nodes (<3mm diameter).     

Prognostic significance of nodal metastasis in advanced tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx

ObjectivesTo estimate the relevance of post-surgical neck nodal classification (pN) on the global survival of patients with advanced tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx, primarily treated with surgery including neck dissection (ND). To understand the prognostic significance of metastatic lymph nodes’ extracapsular spread (ECS) and its impact on survival.Material and methodsA retrospective review of patients primarily submitted for total laryngectomy (TL) with either elective or therapeutic bilateral ND. Overall and disease-free survival was analysed according to post-operative histopathological ND results, concerning the presence or absence of nodal involvement, number of affected nodes and the existence of ECS.ResultsOne hundred and twenty patients met the inclusion criteria of this study. Concerning nodal involvement, the histopathological evaluation demonstrated positive lymph nodes in 46.6% of the cN0 patients.The rate of patients alive after 2 years of follow-up, based on pN analysis, was 88.1% for the pN0 group, 65.4% for the group N+ without ECS, 46.2% for the N+ ECS+ (1 node) and 15.4% for the N+ ECS+ (more than 1 node) group (P<.001).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a high prevalence of occult neck disease in tumours of the larynx and hypopharynx. The involvement of metastatic cervical lymph nodes has a negative impact on survival. Patients with multinodal ECS have a poorer survival, reflected by a higher rate of loco-regional and distant metastases, when compared to ECS in one single lymph node.     

Upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma: Distribution of extracapsular spread and soft tissue deposits in the neck

Objective Extracapsular spread (ECS) and soft tissue deposits (STD) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the neck of patients with metastatic SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract have been shown to adversely affect actuarial and disease-free survival. No studies to date have detailed the distribution of ECS and STD within the neck.

Material and Methods A total of 215 neck dissections from 155 patients were prospectively collected and analysed for the presence of both STD and ECS. As no classification for STD exists, their distribution was classified according to the nodal levels used for classification of cervical lymph nodes as described by the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center.

Results A total of 81 neck dissections from 59 patients were found to have either metastatic lymph nodes with ECS, STD or both. The distribution of lymph node metastasis, ECS and STD was very similar. Level II was most frequently affected, with Levels III and IV being affected less frequently. There were very few lymph node metastases to Level V, and this level contained no evidence of either ECS or STD.

Conclusion The method of pathological assessment of neck dissection specimens and reporting on the presence of ECS and STD has not been formalized. By analysing neck dissection specimens in the manner described we can report on the presence or absence of ECS and STD with increased accuracy. This has considerable implications for patient management.     

Lymph node metastasis of glottic laryngeal carcinoma

The incidence of lymph node metastases in glottic cancer is assumed to be lower than in other head and neck cancers. In a retrospective study this statement was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This analysis was based on 910 consecutive patients with glottic carcinoma treated between 1970 and 1990 by means of surgery with special interest on regional lymph node metastases. RESULTS: 8.6 % patients had clinically positive necks (N+) and 5.9 % pathohistologically positive necks (pN+). The incidence of lymph node metastases showed correlation with pT category and vocal cord mobility. Lymph node metastases were found in 5 % of pT2, in 18 % of pT3 and in 32 % of pT4 tumors. Only one patient with pT1 cancer had metastatic lymph node involvement. The incidence of occult lymph node metastases was 18 %. Lymph node involvement, extracapsular spread and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa proved to be relevant prognostic factors. The 5 year recurrent free survival rate was 86.7 % for the whole group, 81.6 % for patients with negative nodes (pN0), and 61.8 % for patients with pN+ nodes (p < 0.001 according to logrank test). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical lymph node staging plays an important prognostic role in the staging procedure also in glottic carcinoma. At least in T3 carcinomas, elective treatment of the cervical lymph nodes seems to be necessary. T2 carcinomas with impaired cord mobility have a significant higher risk for metastatic spread; therefore neck dissection should be discussed also in these cases.     

Upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma: distribution of extracapsular spread and soft tissue deposits in the neck

OBJECTIVE: Extracapsular spread (ECS) and soft tissue deposits (STD) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the neck of patients with metastatic SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract have been shown to adversely affect actuarial and disease-free survival. No studies to date have detailed the distribution of ECS and STD within the neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 215 neck dissections from 155 patients were prospectively collected and analysed for the presence of both STD and ECS. As no classification for STD exists, their distribution was classified according to the nodal levels used for classification of cervical lymph nodes as described by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. RESULTS: A total of 81 neck dissections from 59 patients were found to have either metastatic lymph nodes with ECS, STD or both. The distribution of lymph node metastasis, ECS and STD was very similar. Level II was most frequently affected, with Levels III and IV being affected less frequently. There were very few lymph node metastases to Level V, and this level contained no evidence of either ECS or STD. CONCLUSION: The method of pathological assessment of neck dissection specimens and reporting on the presence of ECS and STD has not been formalized. By analysing neck dissection specimens in the manner described we can report on the presence or absence of ECS and STD with increased accuracy. This has considerable implications for patient management.     

Selective neck dissection (IIA, III): a rational replacement for complete functional neck dissection in patients with N0 supraglottic and glottic squamous carcinoma

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimal elective treatment of the neck for patients with supraglottic and glottic squamous carcinoma. During the past century, various types of necks dissection have been employed including conventional and modified radical neck dissection (MRND), selective neck dissection (SND) and various modifications of SND. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of studies were reviewed to compare the results of MRND and SND in regional recurrence and survival of patients with supraglottic and glottic cancers, as well as the distribution of lymph node metastases in these tumors. RESULTS: Data from seven prospective, multi-institutional, pathologic, and molecular analyses of neck dissection specimens, obtained from 272 patients with laryngeal squamous carcinoma and clinically negative necks, revealed only four patients (1.4%) with positive lymph nodes at sublevel IIB. Data was also collected from three prospective, multi-institutional, pathologic and molecular studies of neck dissection specimens which include 175 patients with laryngeal squamous carcinoma (only 2 with subglottic cancer) and clinically negative necks. Only six patients (3.4%) had positive nodes at level IV. CONCLUSIONS: SND of sublevel IIA and level III appears to be adequate for elective surgical treatment of the neck in supraglottic and glottic squamous carcinoma. Dissection of level IV lymph nodes may not be justified for elective neck dissection of stage N0 supraglottic and glottic squamous carcinoma. Bilateral neck dissection in cases of supraglottic cancer may be necessary only in patients with centrally or bilaterally located tumors.     

Sentinel node biopsy for early oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The appearance of lymph node metastases represents the most important adverse prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, accurate staging of the cervical nodes is crucial in these patients. The management of the clinically and radiologically negative neck in patients with early oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is still controversial, though most centers favor elective neck dissection for staging of the neck and removal of occult disease. As only approximately 30% of patients harbor occult disease in the neck, most of the patients have to undergo elective neck dissection with no benefit. The sentinel node biopsy concept has been adopted from the treatment of melanoma and breast cancer to early oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma during the last decade with great success. Multiple validation studies in the context of elective neck dissections revealed sentinel node detection rates above 95% and negative predictive values for negative sentinel nodes of 95%. Sentinel node biopsy has proven its ability to select patients with occult lymphatic disease for elective neck dissection, and to spare the costs and morbidity to patients with negative necks. Many centers meanwhile have abandoned routine elective neck dissection and entered in observational trials. These trials so far were able to confirm the high accuracy of the validation trials with less than 5% of the patients with negative sentinel nodes developing lymph node metastases during observation. In conclusion, sentinel node biopsy for early oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma can be considered as safe and accurate, with success rates in controlling the neck comparable to elective neck dissection. This concept has the potential to become the new standard of care in the near future.