Podoplanin expression correlates with sentinel lymph node metastasis in early squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx

In patients with early head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), occult lymph node metastasis is difficult to predict by clinical or pathological parameters. However, such parameters are necessary to select patients either for elective neck dissection or the sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure. The membrane glycoprotein podoplanin is normally expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells. Recently, expression of podoplanin by cancer cells was demonstrated to promote tumor cell motility and tumor lymphangiogenesis in vitro. The value of cancer cell-expressed podoplanin was to be determined as a predictive marker for SLN metastasis in early HNSCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx. One hundred twenty patients with HNSCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx undergoing a SLN biopsy were enrolled in this prospective clinical trial of SLN biopsy. Cancer cell-expressed podoplanin was determined by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. Podoplanin expression was quantified by the intensity reactivity score and categorized into expression and nonexpression. SLN examination revealed occult metastasis in 45 patients (37.5%). Twenty-nine of 120 (24.2%) primary HNSCC showed podoplanin expression. Podoplanin expression correlated significantly with SLN metastasis (p = 0.029) and remained a significant predictor for lymph node status even after controlling for tumor stage (p = 0.028). As a predictive marker for SLN metastasis, however, podoplanin expression reached a sensitivity of a mere 36% and a specificity of 83%. Podoplanin expression is associated with metastasis to lymph nodes in vivo. Podoplanin immunohistochemistry in early HNSCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx may help to select patients for the SLN procedure and to identify patients with increased risk for presence of occult lymph node metastasis in the neck.     

P53 expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx and its lymph node metastases: new results for an old question

BACKGROUND: Although p53 overexpression is frequent in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), controversy remains regarding the prognostic significance of that overexpression. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and prognostic significance of p53 expression in HNSCC of the same location, treated in the same way, and with long-term follow-up. METHODS: P53 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 107 consecutive patients (107 primary squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx and 46 matched lymph node metastases). All patients underwent surgical resection and bilateral neck dissection. RESULTS: A strong correlation was observed between p53 expression in the primary tumor and in the matched lymph node metastases (P=.0001). P53 overexpression in the lymph nodes was an independent predictor of regional recurrence (P=.027). Likewise, expression of p53 in the lymph nodes correlated significantly with disease-specific survival (P=.018). Five years after treatment, 70% of patients with p53-negative, metastatic lymph nodes remained alive, whereas only 30% of patients with p53-positive lymph nodes remained alive. In multivariate analysis, lymph node status and p53 expression in the lymph nodes remained associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggested that, although p53 overexpression is common in supraglottic carcinomas, its expression in the primary tumor is of limited clinical significance. However, the results supported the role of p53 in the lymph node metastases as an independent predictor of regional failure and a poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC. A prospective trial is indicated to validate these findings.     

超微超顺磁性氧化铁在头颈鳞癌淋巴转移MRI诊断中的研究进展

超微超顺磁性氧化铁（USPIO）作为磁共振对比剂，可用来评价恶性肿瘤的淋巴结转移。与常规MRI对比，USPIO增强MRI能提高转移淋巴结检测的敏感性、特异性及准确性，并且能更好地鉴别转移及非转移淋巴结。本文就近年来USPIO增强MRI在头颈鳞癌（HNSCC）淋巴结转移中的相关研究及文献进行综述，评估USPIO增强MRI对检测HNSCC转移淋巴结的临床应用潜力及发展前景。     

Unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: molecular identification of the site of origin

BACKGROUND: Unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents as a cervical lymph node metastasis without identification of the primary tumor, despite thorough diagnostic work-up that includes physical examination, computed tomography, esophagoscopy, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and multiple surveillance biopsies. We investigated whether the site of origin of the primary tumor could be localized in the upper aerodigestive tract mucosa by detection of genetic alterations identical to those found in metastatic lesions. METHODS: Microsatellite analysis was performed on metastatic tumors obtained from 18 patients with unknown primary HNSCC. Histologically benign surveillance biopsy specimens were also analyzed. Patients were followed up to 13 years with continuing surveillance for primary mucosal tumors. Most patients were treated with neck dissection followed by radiation therapy to the affected neck and ipsilateral Waldeyer's ring. RESULTS: In 10 (55%) of the 18 patients, at least one histopathologically benign mucosal biopsy specimen from defined anatomic sites (i.e., most likely sites for an occult primary tumor) demonstrated a pattern of genetic alterations identical to that present in cervical lymph node metastases. One patient harboring genetic alterations in the base of the tongue and two patients harboring genetic alterations in a tonsillar fossa subsequently developed HNSCC in the identical or adjacent mucosal region; all three of the primary head and neck mucosal tumors that eventually appeared between 1 and 13 years later in these patients had genetic changes identical to those in the benign mucosal biopsy specimens and in the metastatic lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that histopathologically benign mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract may harbor foci of clonal, preneoplastic cells that are genetically related to metastatic HNSCC and that such mucosal sites are the sites of origin of unknown primary HNSCC. Microsatellite analysis may represent a clinically useful tool for determining such sites.     

Maintenance of head and neck tumor gene expression profiles upon lymph node metastasis

Spread of cancer and development of solid metastases at distant sites is the main cause of cancer-related deaths. To understand and treat metastases, it is important to determine at which stages the most pivotal steps for development of metastases occur. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), metastasis nearly always occurs first in local lymph nodes before development of distant metastasis. Here, we have investigated gene expression patterns in HNSCC lymph node metastases using DNA microarrays. Several types of analyses show that the gene expression patterns in lymph node metastases are most similar to the corresponding primary tumors from which they arose, as long as samples contain sufficient proportions of tumor cells. Strikingly, gene expression patterns of metastatic primary HNSCC are largely maintained upon spread to the lymph node. Only a single gene, metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1), was found to show consistently changed expression between a large number of matched primary tumor-lymph node metastasis pairs. The maintained expression pattern includes the predictive signature for HNSCC lymph node metastasis. These results underscore the importance of the primary tumor gene expression profile for development and treatment of metastasis. The findings also agree with the concept that disseminated cancer cells alter the surrounding tissue into a metastatic environment that resembles the primary tumor microenvironment.     

局部晚期喉鳞癌cN0临床观察

目的：探讨喉癌cN0患者颈部处理的方法，降低颈淋巴结转移癌的复发率。方法：回顾分析87例T3、T4期cNo喉癌患者的临床资料，颈部处理方式为颈改良性清扫术或颈分区清扫术，分析手术组阳性淋巴结的分布情况及病理特点，观察颈清扫术对预后的影响，采用Kaplan—Meier方法计算肿瘤复发及生存趋势。结果：87例颈部淋巴结隐性转移率为36．8％，声门上型喉癌40．4％，声门型喉癌32．5％；淋巴结转移分布为：声门上型喉癌89．5％（17／19）位于Ⅱ和Ⅲ区，声门型喉癌92．3％（12／13）位于Ⅱ和Ⅲ区；5年颈部复发率：隐性淋巴结转移复发率为13．5％，无隐性淋巴结转移复发率6．7％；5年生存率：有淋巴结隐性转移生存率为53．8％，无隐性转移为71．1％。结论：晚期喉癌隐性转移率较高，分区清扫术后，隐性转移复发率与无隐性转移复发率无差别，分区清扫术十分必要，注意双侧Ⅱ、Ⅲ区的淋巴结清扫。     

Clinical significance of c-myc and p53 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

c-myc and p53 genes were frequently deregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). To determine if the concomitant expression of the two oncogenes might have prognostic value, the survival and free disease time of 140 consecutive HNSCC patients followed up for a median time of 29.9 months was analyzed in the light of p53 and c-myc expression assessed by immunohistochemistry. Positive c-myc and p53 staining was detected respectively in 35.7 and 50.7% of the tumors. Double positivity emerged in 16.4% of the cases. Overall-survival of patients was not associated with the immunoreactivity of p53 or c-myc considered separately or grouped in subsets. Considering only the advanced stages, the concomitant expression of both oncogenes in tumors was associated with worse disease-free survival (P = 0.004) suggesting a role for p53 and c-myc genes in progression of this HNSCC subset. Clinical parameters (presence of lymph nodes, histologic grade and tumor width) remained important indicators of overall survival (OS).     

Retroperitoneal lymph node resection in patients with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: To determine predictive factors precluding complete resection of metastatic lymph nodes identified by pre-operative imaging in patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: Retrospective clinical review of patients with cervical cancer with suspected metastases to pelvic and/or periaortic lymph nodes who underwent lymph node dissection by laparotomy at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from September 1990-December 2004. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were the subject of this analysis. Post-operatively, 25 patients (24%) had negative lymph nodes, 62 patients (60%) had macroscopically positive lymph nodes, one patient had microscopically positive (1%) and 16 patients (15%) had unresectable lymph nodes. Body mass index did not have any impact on successful resection of lymph nodes. On univariate analysis age (p=0.049) and size and location of the largest lymph node were associated with resection status (p=0.001 and 0.020). Logistic regression confirmed that chance of achieving a successful resection decreases with increasing age (p=0.046) and size of largest lymph node (0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The ability to completely resect suspected metastatic lymph nodes at the time of extraperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with cervical cancer is associated with size and location of largest lymph node.     

Oxygenation of head and neck cancer: changes during radiotherapy and impact on treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the long term clinical significance of tumor oxygenation in a population of head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and to assess changes in tumor oxygenation during the course of treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with head and neck cancer receiving primary RT underwent pretreatment polarographic tumor oxygen measurement of the primary site or a metastatic neck lymph node. Treatment consisted of once daily (2 Gy/fraction to a total dose of 66-70 Gy) or twice daily irradiation (1.25 Gy/fraction to 70-75 Gy) to the primary site. Twenty-seven patients underwent a second series of measurements early in the course of irradiation. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients underwent pretreatment tumor oxygen assessment (primary site, n = 24; nodes, n = 39). The median pO2 for primary lesions was 4.8 mmHg, and it was 4.3 mmHg for cervical nodes. There was a weak association between anemia and more poorly oxygened tumors, but many non-anemic patients still had poorly oxygenated tumors. Repeat assessments of tumor oxygenation after 10-15 Gy were unchanged compared to pretreatment baselines. Poorly oxygenated nodes pretreatment were more likely to contain viable residual disease at post-radiation neck dissection. Median follow-up time for surviving patients was 20 months (range 3-50 months). Hypoxia (tumor median pO2 <10 mmHg) adversely affected 2 year local-regional control (30 vs. 73%, P = 0.01), disease-free survival (26 vs. 73%, P = 0.005), and survival (35 vs. 83%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Tumor oxygenation affects the prognosis of head and neck cancer independently of other known prognostic variables. This parameter may be a useful tool for the selection of patients for investigational treatment strategies.     

Adjuvant irradiation for cervical lymph node metastases from melanoma

BACKGROUND: The risk of regional disease recurrence after surgery alone for lymph node metastases from melanoma is well documented. The role of adjuvant irradiation remains controversial. METHODS: The medical records of 160 patients with cervical lymph node metastases from melanoma were reviewed retrospectively. Of these, 148 (93%) presented with clinically palpable lymph node metastases. All patients underwent surgery and radiation to a median dose of 30 grays (Gy) at 6 Gy per fraction delivered twice weekly. Surgical resection was either a selective neck dissection in 90 patients or local excision of the lymph node metastasis in 35 patients. Only 35 patients underwent a radical, modified radical, or functional neck dissection. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 78 months, the actuarial local, regional, and locoregional control rates at 10 years were 94%, 94%, and 91%, respectively. Univariate analysis of patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics failed to reveal any association with the subsequent rate of local or regional control. The actuarial disease-specific (DSS), disease-free, and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates at 10 years were 48%, 42%, and 43%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that patients with four or more involved lymph nodes had a significantly worse DSS and DMFS. Nine patients developed a treatment-related complication requiring medical management, resulting in a 5-year actuarial complication-free survival rate of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant radiotherapy resulted in a 10-year regional control rate of 94%. Complications for all patients were rare and manageable when they did occur. The authors recommend adjuvant irradiation for patients with extracapsular extension, lymph nodes measuring 3 cm in size or larger, the involvement of multiple lymph nodes, recurrent disease, or any patient having undergone a selective therapeutic neck dissection.     

Pattern of lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil: implication for selective neck dissection

The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze the distribution of neck metastases and the outcome in patients surgically treated for tonsillar carcinoma in order to deduce implications for selective neck dissection. The criteria for inclusion in the study were (1) previously untreated, histologically proven, resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, (2) curative surgical intent on the primary tumor and neck, (3) no history of prior head and neck cancer, (4) absence of synchronous second primary in the upper aerodigestive tract, lung and esophagus, (5) absence of distant metastases. Fifty-eight previously untreated consecutive patients with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma were included in this prospective study. Among 22 patients with clinically negative cervical lymph nodes, 4 patients (18.2%) had metastatic lymph nodes on pathologic examination. Occult node metastases were mainly located in ipsilateral II level. No occult metastases occurred at levels I and V. Among 36 patients with clinically positive cervical lymph nodes, 3 patients (8.3%) had an occult pathologic metastatic involvement of cervical lymph nodes of ipsilateral level V. Level I was free of lymph node metastases. Clinical N category >N2a (p=0.003), nodal metastases to levels III (p=0.026) and IV (p=0.009) were significantly related to level V nodal metastases. The 2 and 5 years actuarial disease-free survival was 82.7% (95% CI 71.2-93.5%) and 58.3% (95% CI 36.7-79.9%), respectively. The actuarial recurrence-free survival was 87.9% (95% CI 78.9-96.8%) and 72.2% (95% CI 53.9-90.5%) at 2 and 5 years, respectively. Our findings support the role of a selective lateral neck dissection in the management of clinically N0 necks and in selected N+ necks (N1 and N2a disease located at level II) in patients with tonsillar carcinoma without oral involvement.     

CCR7 and CXCR4 Expression in Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Nodal Metastases – a Clinical and Immunohistochemical Study

Background: Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are common head and neck malignancies demonstrating lymph node LN involvement. Recently chemokine receptor overxpression has been reported in many cancers. Of particular interest, CCR7 appears to be a strong mediator of LN metastases, while CXCR4 may mediate distant metastases. Any relations between their expression in primary HNSCCs and metastatic lymph nodes need to be clarified. Aims: To investigate CCR7 andCXCR4 expression in primary HNSCCs of all tumor sizes, clinical stages and histological grades, as well as involved lymph nodes, then make comparisons, also with control normal oral epithelium. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 60 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of primary HNSCCs, 77 others of metastasi-positive lymph nodes, and 10 of control normal oral epithelial tissues. Sections were conventionally stained with H&E and immunohistochemically with monoclonal anti-CCR7 and monoclonal anti-CXCR4 antibodies. Positive cells were counted under microscopic assessment in four fields (X40) per case. Results: There was no variation among primary HNSCC tumors staining positive for CCR7 and CXCR4 with tumor size of for CCR7 with lymph node involvement. However, a difference was noted between primary HNSCC tumors stained by CXCR4 with a single as compared to more numerous node involvement. CXCR4 appear to vary with the clinical stagebut no links were noted with histological grades. Staining for primary HNSCC tumors and metastatic lymph nodes correlated.     

Human papillomavirus genome detection by in situ hybridization in fine-needle aspirates of metastatic lesions from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

BACKGROUND: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often present with metastatic disease. The diagnosis of metastatic lesions usually is determined by fine-needle aspiration. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now being considered as a causative agent in a subset of HNSCC. The objectives of this study were, first; to search for the presence of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization (ISH) in metastatic lesions from HNSCC using alcohol-fixed, archival, cytopathologic material; second, to characterize the cytologic features of HPV-positive metastatic lesions of HNSCC; and, third, to determine whether there is a correlation between the presence of HPV DNA and the origin of metastatic lesions. METHODS: The authors performed chromogenic ISH analysis for HPV DNA on fine-needle aspiration materials from metastatic lesions from 26 patients with HNSCC. Along with the ISH analysis, a detailed cytologic review was performed, and cytopathologic features were recorded. The HPV DNA status in metastatic lesion was correlated with cytopathologic features and primary tumor location. RESULTS: The integration of HPV DNA was visualized microscopically on tumor cell nuclei in 15% of aspirates. The anatomic locations of the study samples were as follows: 16 lymph node aspirates (11 cervical lymph nodes and 5 lymph nodes at other sites other), 5 tracheostomy sites, and 5 miscellaneous sites located on the head and neck area. Cytologic review revealed 13 keratinized and 13 nonkeratinized metastatic tumors. HPV DNA was detected in four metastatic sites (three lymph nodes and one tracheostomy site). All HPV DNA-positive tumors were of the nonkeratinizing type (P < 0.05; Fisher exact test). The origins of HPV-positive tumors included two laryngeal sites, one nasopharyngeal site, and one oral cavity site. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings showed that archival cytology slides can be used for HPV DNA detection with ISH. The results also showed that HPV DNA-containing HNSCC has distinctively nonkeratinizing cytologic features. The authors concluded that HPV DNA not only is involved in the initiation of tumoral processes but also plays an important role in the development of metastatic disease.     

cN0声门上型喉癌的颈部复发相关因素分析

背景与目的：声门上型喉癌的隐性淋巴结转移率高,是此类喉癌诊治的重点之一。本研究旨在探讨声门上型喉癌的隐性淋巴结转移的相关因素、预后及治疗情况。方法：回顾分析1992-1999年我科收治的oNO声门上型喉癌104例。对其隐性淋巴结转移率、转移淋巴结的分布、影响隐性淋巴结转移的因素及颈部处理等进行研究。结果：本组cNO声门上型喉癌隐性淋巴结转移率为23．1％（24／104）,其中T2期23．9％（11／46）,T3期30．8％（8／26）,T4期18．5％（5／17）。隐性转移淋巴结主要位于病变侧Ⅱ、Ⅲ区（22／24）。出现隐性转移组预后差（log-rank=10．66．P=0．001）。切缘阳性影响隐性淋巴结转移率（χ^2=10．015,P=-0．002）。病理分化程度（χ^2=3．349,P=0．175）、T分期（χ^2=2．701,P=0．440）、原发灶处理方式（χ^2=1．093,P=0．296）等对隐性淋巴结转移率影响差异无统计学意义。颈部选择性清扫能降低cNO声门上型喉癌隐性淋巴结转移率（χ^2=4．070,P=0．044）。结论：cNO声门上型喉癌的隐性淋巴结转移主要位于病变侧Ⅱ、Ⅲ区;出现隐性淋巴结转移影响预后：切缘阳性影响隐性淋巴结转移率;对T1N0期喉癌颈部可观察,T2-4N0期喉癌行侧颈清扫（Ⅱ-Ⅳ区）是合理有效的。     

头颈部癌前哨淋巴结的临床研究

目的 探讨头颈部肿瘤前哨淋巴结的检测及其对淋巴结转移的预测价值。方法 用手术中注射蓝染料的方法,对51例未经治疗的头颈部癌颈淋巴结NO的患者进行了手术中前哨淋巴结的临床研究。手术中取前哨淋巴结作快速冰冻病理,并与手术后常规石蜡切片病理对照,观察冰冻病理前哨淋巴结转移和常规病理颈淋巴结转移的相关性及其对颈淋巴结转移 癌的预测值。结果 51例中48例成功的显示了前哨淋巴结,成功率94．1％,前哨淋巴结平均每例每侧2．5枚。11例前哨啉巴结阳性,其中2例有前哨淋巴结以外的颈淋巴结转移,2例为假阴性。前哨淋巴结对颈淋巴结转移的总阳性预测值为85％。结论 前哨淋巴结检测对头颈部癌的淋巴结转移有重要的预测价值。     

Selective neck dissection in surgically treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with a clinically positive neck: Systematic review

Adequate treatment of lymph node metastases is essential for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, there is still no consensus on the optimal surgical treatment of the neck for patients with a clinically positive (cN+) neck. In this review, we analyzed current literature about the feasibility of selective neck dissection (SND) in surgically treated HNSCC patients with cN + neck using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. From the reviewed literature, it seems that SND is a valid option in patients with cN1 and selected cN2 neck disease (non-fixed nodes, absence of palpable metastases at level IV or V, or large volume ->3 cm-multiple lymph nodes at multiple levels). Adjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy is fundamental to achieve good control rates in pN2 cases. The use of SND instead a comprehensive neck dissection (CND) could result in reduced morbidity and better functional results. We conclude that SND could replace a CND without compromising oncologic efficacy in cN1 and cN2 cases with the above-mentioned characteristics.     

Metastatic lymph-node clearance from head and neck epidermoid carcinomas following radiotherapy

Although tumor clearance is a common criterion in assessing the impact of radiotherapy (RT), it is not always reliable. Patterns of tumor clearance were determined using 91 metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) from 51 patients with head and neck tumors treated by definitive RT (61-80 Gy) or preoperative RT (43-65 Gy). Clearance rate (CR) was estimated as a daily volume decrement expressed as a ratio to the pre-RT LN volume. CR was greater for the so-called radioresponsive nasopharyngeal subgroups and more poorly differentiated than those of oral cavity and well-differentiated, respectively. Histologically, LNs that were removed following RT consisted mainly of fibrous tissues, necrotic tissues, and few cancer cells. There was no difference in CR between the cancer-cell-positive group (n=21) and the cancer-cell-negative group (n=31). Although the CR may reflect inherent radiosensitivity of tumor cells, tumor persistence predicts the amount of oncologically inactive materials rather than that of remaining cancer cells.     

Bilateral radical neck dissection: results in 193 cases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Indications of simultaneous bilateral radical neck dissection remains controversial. The main objectives of this analysis were to study: a) the frequency of postoperative complications, b) the patterns of metastatic lymph nodes in the surgical specimen, c) the predictive factors of neck recurrences, d) the prognostic factors related to overall survival. METHODS: A retrospective review of results in 193 consecutive patients submitted to a simultaneous bilateral radical neck dissection from 1960-1990. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 60.8% of the cases. The most frequent ones were: fistula, wound infection, flap dehiscence and necrosis. There were four postoperative deaths (2.7%). The lymph nodes most frequently involved were of the upper jugular and upper accessory groups. Only patients with lip and paranasal sinus tumors never presented metastatic nodes at Levels IV and V. Tumor recurrences were more common at the ipsilateral neck (13.5%) or at distant sites (12.4%). The predictive factors of neck recurrences were: age, N stage, ipsilateral metastasis at Level II, and contralateral metastasis at Levels II and IV. The overall 5-year survival rates for the two age groups, that is, younger than 40 and older than 40 years of age, were respectively, of 8.5% and 35.6% (P = 0.0296). There were no survivals among the group of patients with neck lymph nodes staged as N3 or Nx. The overall 5-year survival rates were significantly influenced by contralateral metastatic lymph nodes at any level. The results of multivariate analysis using the Cox regression technique, showed that Level II ipsilateral metastatic lymph nodes, Levels II and IV contralateral metastatic lymph nodes, and age were the independent predictors of the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that simultaneous bilateral neck dissection has a high morbidity and should be contraindicated as an elective procedure. Further studies with selective neck dissections are warranted.     

Sentinel node detection in N0 cancer of the pharynx and larynx

Neck lymph node status is the most important factor for prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Sentinel node detection reliably predicts the lymph node status in melanoma and breast cancer patients. This study evaluates the predictive value of sentinel node detection in 50 patients suffering from pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas with a N0 neck as assessed by ultrasound imaging. Following 99m-Technetium nanocolloid injection in the perimeter of the tumour intraoperative sentinel node detection was performed during lymph node dissection. Postoperatively the histological results of the sentinel nodes were compared with the excised neck dissection specimen. Identification of sentinel nodes was successful in all 50 patients with a sensitivity of 89%. In eight cases the sentinel node showed nodal disease (pN1). In 41 patients the sentinel node was tumour negative reflecting the correct neck lymph node status (pN0). We observed one false-negative result. In this case the sentinel node was free of tumour, whereas a neighbouring lymph node contained a lymph node metastasis (pN1). Although we have shown, that skipping of nodal basins can occur, this technique still reliably identifies the sentinel nodes of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx. Future studies must show, if sentinel node detection is suitable to limit the extent of lymph node dissection in clinically N0 necks of patients suffering from pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.