Selective neck dissection in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper digestive tract

Selective neck dissection has been used clinically in elective treatment of carcinoma, although many surgeons continue to advocate modified radical or radical neck dissection for therapeutic management of the neck. In a retrospective study 167 previously untreated patients were reviewed following curative laser microsurgical resections of oral or pharyngeal primary tumors and a unior bilateral selective neck dissection. In all, 221 (54 bilateral) neck dissections were performed. In patients with oral primary disease lymph nodes of levels I–III were removed, while nodes in levels II and III were removed in patients with pharyngeal tumors. Level IV was dissected when several metastases were suspected during operation. The posterior triangle was not dissected. Lymph nodes were histopathologically negative in 73 patients and positive in 94 patients. Twenty-five of these latter cases had pN1 disease, 55 had pN2b disease and 10 had bilateral lymph node metastases. Twenty patients in the pN0 group and 63 patients in the pN⁺ group received postoperative radiotherapy (to 56.7 Gy to the primary site and 52.5 Gy to the neck). With a median follow-up interval of 34 months, recurrence in the dissected neck occurred in 3 of 73 patients (4.1%) with pN0 disease and 6 of 90 patients (6.6%) with pN⁺ necks. Four patients with pN⁺ necks had simultaneous recurrences at the primary site. The addition of adjuvant radiotherapy seemed to improve disease control in the neck and improve overall survival in patients with an unfavorable prognosis due to multiple metastases or metastases with extracapsular spread.Presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Karlsruhe, 27–31 May 1995     

Management of contralateral N0 neck in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: It is well established that tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas have a high probability of disseminating to the neck. An ipsilateral neck treatment is mandatory during initial treatment of stages II to IV tonsillar carcinomas. However, as of yet, no consensus exists whether to perform elective contralateral neck management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 43 N0-3 tonsillar cancer patients with contralateral clinically negative necks from 1992 to 2002 was performed. All patients had a contralateral elective neck dissection. Surgical treatment was followed by postoperative radiotherapy in 33 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 120 (mean 38) months. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to calculate the disease-specific survival rates and prognostic significance of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Clinically negative, but pathologically positive, contralateral lymph nodes occurred in 16% (7 of 43). Of the 33 cases with an ipsilateral node positive neck, contralateral occult lymph node metastases developed in 21% (7 of 33), in contrast with 0% in ipsilateral N0 necks. On the basis of the clinical staging of the tumor, 5% (1 of 22) of the cases showed lymph node metastases in T2 tumors, 36% (5 of 14) in T3, and 25% (1 of 4) in T4. None of the T1 tumors (3 cases) had pathologically positive lymph nodes (T1 + T2 vs. T3 + T4, P < .05). Patients with no evidence of contralateral nodal cancer had significantly improved disease-specific survival over patients with any pathologically positive nodes (5 year disease-specific survival rate 92% vs. 28%, P = < .05). CONCLUSION: The risk of contralateral occult neck involvement in above T3 staged tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas with unilateral metastases was high (approximately 21%), and patients who present with a contralateral metastatic neck have a worse prognosis than those who are staged as N0. Therefore, we advocate an elective contralateral neck treatment in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma patients with ipsilateral node metastases.     

Selective neck dissection in the management of the clinically node-negative neck

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the selective neck dissection (SND) in the management of the clinically node-negative neck. STUDY DESIGN: Case histories were evaluated retrospectively. METHODS: The results of 300 neck dissections performed on 210 patients were studied. RESULTS: The primary sites were oral cavity (91), oropharynx (30), hypopharynx (16), and larynx (73). Seventy-one necks (23%) were node positive on pathological examination. The number of positive nodes varied from 1 to 9 per side. Of necks with positive nodes, 17 (24%) had extracapsular spread. The median follow-up was 41 months. Recurrent disease developed in the dissected neck of 11 patients (4%). Two recurrences developed outside the dissected field. The incidence of regional recurrences was similar in patients in whom nodes were negative on histological examination (3%) when compared with patients with positive nodes without extracapsular spread (4%). In contrast, regional recurrence developed in 18% of necks with extracapsular spread. This observation was statistically significant. Patients having more than two metastatic lymph nodes had a higher incidence of recurrent disease than the patients with carcinoma limited to one or two nodes. Recurrence rate in the pathologically node positive (pN+) necks was comparable to recurrence in those pathologically node negative (pNO) necks in the patients who did not have irradiation. CONCLUSION: SND is effective for controlling neck disease and serves to detect patients who require adjuvant therapy.     

Capsular rupture of lymph node metastases as most significant prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas--Hamburg experiences

BACKGROUND: TNM classification of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck contains only size and number of the lymph node metastases. The histological criterion of capsular rupture and its prognostic significance was assessed by an exact histological scheme of capsular rupture and extracapsular spread of the metastasis and was compared with N0 or lymph node metastases without capsular rupture respectively. METHODS: Incidences of distant metastases, tumor recurrences, and survival of 194 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were investigated. Lymph node metastases were examined by the gradual histological scheme and patients were rated according their histological diagnosis. RESULTS: The classification N0/intranodal tumor growth/extranodal tumor growth resulted in a 5-year survival rate of 74%/62%/25%. According to the classification 67%/72%/37% of the patients were without local recurrent tumor and without distant metastases were 81%/79%/48% after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Capsular rupture seems to contain more decisive prognostic value as the criterion of only lymphatic metastatic disease. The histological scheme allows an exact assessment of the capsular rupture or the metastatic pattern of the lymph node. Because of its prognostic significance and individual therapeutic consequences the easily reproducible criterion of capsular rupture is a useful completion to current TNM classification.     

Prognostic impact of the level of neck metastasis in oral cancer patients

Neck staging in oral cancer depends on the number of compromised nodes, their size and side of occurrence.ObjectiveThis paper aims to evaluate risk factors for metastatic nodes in levels IV/V and their prognostic impact on patients with oral carcinoma.MethodRetrospective study. Inclusion criteria: pathologist's diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, primary tumor in the lower oral cavity, no extension into extraoral sites, no previous treatment, synchronous neck dissection and presence of metastatic nodes. Risk factors for metastasis were evaluated through logistic regression and disease-specific survival and recurrence by survival analysis. Classificatory analysis was performed through recursive partitioning.Results307 patients met the inclusion criteria. Univariate logistic regression identified pN stage, vascular invasion, and multiple metastatic nodes as risk factors for metastases in levels IV/V. Multivariate analysis found vascular invasion and multiple metastatic nodes were significant. Survival analysis revealed pT, pN, neural infiltration, vascular invasion, number of metastatic nodes, metastases in levels IV/V, and node ratio were significant factors. In multivariate survival analysis, pT, pN, vascular invasion and metastases in levels IV/V were significant. Classificatory analysis showed that pN is non-significant in patients with level IV/V metastases.ConclusionThe occurrence of metastases in levels IV/V was significant for disease-specific survival.     

Levels II and III neck dissection for larynx cancer with N0 neck

The removal of level II, III, and IV metastases has gained importance in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the neck and larynx. This study assessed the possibility of removing level II and level III metastases only, given the low likelihood of occurrence of metastatic lymph nodes on level IV in SCCs of the larynx.ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the prevalence rates of metastatic lymph nodes on level IV in laryngeal SCC patients.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with laryngeal SCC submitted to neck lymph node dissection. Neck levels were identified and marked for future histopathology testing.ResultsSix percent (3/54) of the necks had level IV metastatic lymph nodes. All cN0 necks (42) were free from level IV metastasis. Histopathology testing done in the cN (+) necks (12) revealed that 25% of the level IV specimens were positive for SCC. The difference between cN0 and cN (+) necks was statistically significant (p = 0.009). Level IV metastases never occurred in isolation, and were always associated with level II or level III involvement (p = 0.002).ConclusionThe prevalence rate for lymph node metastasis in cN0 necks was 0%. Level IV metastatic lymph nodes were correlated to cN (+) necks. Level IV metastasis was associated with the presence of metastatic lymph nodes in levels II or III.     

淋巴转移阳性舌体鳞癌的颈部治疗策略探讨

目的 分析影响淋巴转移阳性(pathologically node positive,pN+)舌体鳞癌患者颈部复发的相关因素和淋巴转移规律,探讨pN+舌体鳞癌的颈部治疗策略.方法 回顾性分析1991年1月至2006年12月期间138例pN+舌体鳞癌患者的临床和随访资料,分析pN+舌体鳞癌颈部转移淋巴结和复发淋巴结的分布规律和pN+舌体鳞癌临床病理因素和治疗方法对颈部复发的影响.结果 全部病例随访2年以上或至患者死亡.Kaplan-Meier法计算3年生存率为46.4%,5年生存率为36.2%.138例共203个分区发生转移,其中同侧Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ区累及频率达94.6%,47例共66个分区出现颈部淋巴结复发,其中同侧Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ区复发频率达77.3%.颈部复发率与pT分期、pN分期、pTNM分期、淋巴结包膜外侵犯有关(P值均＜0.05);当淋巴结有包膜外侵犯时,术后放疗组的颈部复发率低于未放疗组,但差异无统计学意义(P=0.076);不同颈清扫方式间的颈部复发率差异无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05).Cox多因素生存分析显示,pTNM分期和淋巴结包膜外侵犯是影响pN+舌体鳞癌预后的独立危险因素.结论 pT分期、pN分期、pTNM分期、淋巴结包膜外侵犯是影响pN+舌体鳞癌颈部复发的因素;当淋巴结有包膜外侵犯时,术后放疗有可能降低颈部复发率;改良性颈清扫的颈部复发率与经典性颈清扫没有差异,对非淋巴结构无肿瘤侵犯的pN+舌体鳞癌尽量行改良性颈清扫;pN+舌体鳞癌转移和复发淋巴结主要分布在同侧Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ区,择区性颈清扫可应用于pN+舌体鳞癌.     

喉癌颈部转移淋巴结分布研究

目的 :回顾分析我院 1990年 4月～ 2 0 0 0年 4月收治的喉癌患者 2 89例颈部转移淋巴结的分布情况 ,指导颈清扫手术。方法 :将 2 89例分为 3组 :第 1组 :颈清扫术后有转移淋巴结的分布 (181例 ) ;第 2组 :术后病理诊断阴性淋巴结的免疫组化研究 (71例 ) ;第 3组 :未清扫者随访中再转移淋巴结的分布研究 (37例 )。结果 :第 1组清扫 2 4 2侧 ,颈部Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区转移率分别为 2 .8%、98.3%、32 .6 %、15 .0 %、13.0 %、2 1.4 % ;第 2组 71例 ,其中 4 6例 (5 0侧 )免疫组化研究发现 13个淋巴结内有微灶转移 ,分布于 11例患者中 ,所有转移淋巴结均分布在Ⅱ区 ;第 3组 37例 ,施行挽救性手术共 4 5侧 ,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ区转移率分别为 2 .2 %、10 0 %、4 8.9%、2 6 .7%、13.3%。结论 :喉癌首先转移和主要转移部位为Ⅱ区 ,其次为Ⅲ区 ;Ⅳ、Ⅴ区发生率则较低 ,颌下区几乎不发生转移。喉癌患者的颈清扫应在常规清扫颈侧Ⅱ～Ⅳ区淋巴结的同时 ,根据病变范围情况行Ⅳ区的清扫 ,对颌下三角和颈后三角 (Ⅴ区 )在无影像学和术中证实的条件下 ,应予以保留 ,以缩短手术操作时间和减少术后并发症的发生     

Management of contralateral N0 neck in pyriform sinus carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The hypopharynx has a rich lymphatic network that places patients with tumors of the hypopharynx at high risk for early dissemination of the disease into the cervical lymphatics. Therefore, ipsilateral elective neck dissection of clinically N0 neck in lateralized lesions of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) is widely accepted as a standard treatment. However, the management of the contralateral N0 neck is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis in pyriform sinus SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 43 patients with N0 to 3 pyriform sinus SCC with contralateral clinically node-negative necks who had also received contralateral elective neck dissections from 1994 to 2003. Surgical treatment was followed by postoperative radiotherapy in 41 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 135 months (mean, 40 months). The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to calculate the disease-specific survival rates and prognostic significance of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Contralateral occult lymph node metastases occurred in 16% (seven of 43) of the subjects. Twenty-six percent of the 27 subjects with clinically node-positive ipsilateral neck developed contralateral occult lymph node metastases, whereas 0% of the 16 subjects with N0 ipsilateral necks (P=.035) developed the disease. Moreover, in cases with primary site extension across the midline, the rate of contralateral occult neck metastasis was significantly higher (P=.010). However, there were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, early versus advanced T stage, number of ipsilateral positive nodes, lymph nodes with extracapsular spread, primary subsite of medial versus lateral pyriform sinus, pyriform sinus apex involvement, and growth type. Patients with no evidence of contralateral nodal cancer had significantly improved disease-specific survival over patients with any pathologically positive nodes (5-year disease-specific survival rate, 66% vs. 33%, P<.05). CONCLUSION: The patients with pyriform sinus SCC with clinically ipsilateral N+ neck and/or extension across the midline are at greater risk for contralateral occult neck metastases. Furthermore, patients who present with a contralateral metastatic neck have a worse prognosis than those staged as N0. Therefore, we advocate bilateral neck treatment in patients with pyriform sinus SCC with clinically ipsilateral node metastases and/or extension across the midline.     

声门上型喉癌颈淋巴结转移方式及其对预后的影响

目的：探讨影响声门上型喉癌颈淋巴结转移的临床病理因素及颈淋巴结转移对预后的影响。方法：用x^2检验和Logistic回归分析，对55例声门上型喉癌患者的肿瘤临床病理学因素与颈淋巴结转移的关系进行回顾性分析；并对颈淋巴结转移状态，转移颈淋巴结大小、数目、累及区域、最低受累区域等病理学因素对预后的影响进行Cox回归分析。结果：单因素分析显示，肿瘤病理分级、肿瘤大小、肿瘤浸润深度与发生颈淋巴结转移有关；多因素分析显示，肿瘤病理分级、肿瘤大小与发生颈淋巴结转移明显相关；声门上型喉癌患者5年生存率为52．7％。Cox回归分析表明，临床N分期、颈淋巴结转移状态、转移颈淋巴结大小影响患者预后。结论：声门上型喉癌颈淋巴结转移的发生受原发癌病理学因素的影响，它从多个角度明显影响患者预后；对影响预后的淋巴结因素采取相应治疗措施，对提高声门上型喉癌的治疗效果具有重要意义。     

Value of sonomorphologic criteria in the identification of regional metastases of squamous cell cancers of the ENT area

We compared the preoperative ultrasound findings with the histological results of 127 neck dissections for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. We checked several sonomorphological criteria (size, shape, boundary, echo structure, arrangement, mobility) to assess their value in identification of metastatic disease. If all nodes found on ultrasound were classed as metastases, the specificity was 30%, because many lymph nodes showed nonspecific reaction only. Lymph nodes with a rupture of the capsule or central necrosis or being larger than 3 cm, proved to be metastatic in all cases. Round or oval nodes with a size of more than 2 cm were found to be metastatic with an accuracy of 89%. The almost certain (97%) identification of necks with no metastatic lymph nodes allows elective neck dissection to be avoided.     

Significance of extracapsular lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The presence of cervical lymph node metastasis remains the most significant prognostic indicator of survival and disease recurrence in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. An approximately 50% reduction in 5-year survival rate is seen with the development of lymph node metastasis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. A further precipitous and significant decline in survival and an unacceptably high rate of local-regional and distant failure occurs when extracapsular spread of lymph node metastasis is present. Extracapsular spread is noted in a majority of the lymph nodes larger than 3 cm and in a significant number of nodes less than 2 cm. Extracapsular spread has even been demonstrated in lymph nodes measuring less than 1 cm. Extracapsular spread, thus, is the most important predictor of survival, local-regional recurrence, and distant metastasis. The spread of metastatic disease beyond the lymph node capsule demands aggressive therapy directed toward local-regional disease and addressing the high incidence of distant metastases.     

The density of metastatic lymph node as prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and floor of the mouth

The presence of metastatic lymph nodes is a relevant prognostic factor in oral cancer.ObjectiveThis paper aims to assess metastatic lymph node density (pN+) in patients with tongue and floor-of-mouth squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the association of this parameter with disease-free survival (DFS).Materials and MethodsA group of 182 patients seen between 1985 and 2007 was included, 169 of which were males. Five were on stage I, 35 on stage II, 56 on stage III, and 85 on stage IV. Median values were considered in lymph node density assessment, and the Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate DFS; survival differences within the group were elicited through the log-rank test.ResultsAn average 3.2 metastatic lymph nodes were excised from the patients in the group. Density ranged from 0.009 to 0.4, with a mean value of 0.09. Five-year DFS rates were of 44% and 28% for the groups with lymph node densities below and above the median respectively (p = 0.006). Two-year local/regional control was achieved for 71% and 49% for the patients below and above the median density respectively (p = 0.01). In terms of pN staging, local/ regional control was achieved in 70% and 54% of pN1 and pN2 patients respectively, albeit without statistical significance (0.20%).ConclusionLymph node density may be used as a prognostic indicator for tongue and floor-of-mouth SCC.     

Occurrence of lymph node metastasis in early-stage parotid gland cancer

Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important factors in therapy and prognosis for patients with parotid gland cancer. Nevertheless, the extent of the primary tumor resection and the necessity of a neck dissection still is a common issue. Since little is known about lymph node metastasis in early-stage parotid gland cancer, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of lymph node metastases in T1 and T2 carcinomas and its impact on local control and survival. We retrospectively analyzed 70 patients with early-stage (T1 and T2) primary parotid gland cancer. All patients were treated with parotidectomy and an ipsilateral neck dissection from 1987 to 2009. Clinicopathological and survival parameters were calculated. The median follow-up time was 51.7 months. A positive pathological lymph node stage (pN+) was found in 21.4% of patients with a significant correlation to the clinical lymph node stage (cN) (p = 0.061). There were no differences in the clinical and histopathological data between pN− and pN+ patients. In 73.3% of pN+ patients, the metastases were located intraparotideal. The incidence of occult metastases (pN+/cN−) was 17.2%. Of all patients with occult metastases, 30.0% had extraparotideal lymphatic spread. A positive lymph node stage significantly indicated a poorer 5-year overall as well as 5-year disease-free survival rate compared to pN− patients (p = 0.048; p = 0.011). We propose total parotidectomy in combination with at least a level II–III selective neck dissection in any case of early-stage parotid gland cancer.     

择区性颈清扫术治疗63例下咽鳞状细胞癌的颈淋巴转移

目的 分析下咽鳞状细胞癌(简称鳞癌)患者颈部淋巴转移规律,评价择区性颈清扫术(selective neck dissection,SND)在下咽癌颈淋巴转移治疗中的效果.方法 回顾性分析1990年1月至2004年12月在北京大学第一医院接受颈清扫术的下咽鳞癌患者63例,其中cN0患者17例,cN+46例.单侧SND共计15例;双侧SND共计22例;改良性颈清扫术(modified radical neck dissections,MRND)共计16例;一侧行经典性颈清扫术(radical neck dissections,RND)或MRND,另一侧行SND共计10例.随访48例(76.2%),随访时间范围为24～143个月,随访中位时间为41个月.结果 颈清扫术后发现淋巴结病理阴性(pN0)22例,淋巴结病理阳性(pN+)41例.95侧清扫标本中共发现106枚阳性淋巴结,其在颈部的分布如下:Ⅰ区0%,Ⅱ区47.2%(50/106),Ⅲ区33.0%(35/106),Ⅳ区11.3%(12/106),Ⅴ区2.8%(3/106),Ⅵ区5.7%(6/106).值得注意的是,无论是cNO还是cN+下咽癌患者,对侧颈部都可出现淋巴转移和复发.在随访的48例中,共有18例(21例次)复发.颈清扫术后淋巴结复发主要分布在Ⅱ区和Ⅲ区(19例次).根据Kaplan-Meier方法计算3年生存率,pN0患者为58.1%,pN1患者为44.9%,pN2患者为41.1%.Cox同归分析:N分级是影响预后最重要的因素,pN1的危险比为1.7,pN2的危险比为2.2.结论 淋巴转移是下咽鳞癌最重要的预后因素.恰当的选择双侧SND,可以取得较满意效果,同时减少患者形态和功能的损伤.     

Prospective analysis of 231 elective neck dissections in oral squamous cell carcinoma with node negative neck—To decide the extent of neck dissection

Objective

To evaluate the incidence of level IIB and IV lymph node metastases in patients of oral carcinoma with N0 necks. This study will help to decide the extent and need of routine comprehensive removal of these specific lymph node groups in selective neck dissection.

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。     

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.     

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.     

A clinical study of ultrasonography for lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer

Ultrasonography (US) is very useful in evaluating cervical lymph node swelling in head and neck cancers. We studied problems with US in evaluating lymph nodes. Cervical lymph nodes were removed by radical neck dissection or modified radical neck dissection from 79 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck. We studied the correlation between preoperative US findings and the histopathological features. Preoperative lymph nodes were measured three-dimensionally. We diagnosed lymph nodes as metastases when they meet two criteria: One is the shortest diameter exceeding 7 mm in level I and II and 6 mm in level III, IV and V. The other is shortest to longest diameter ratio exceeding 0.5. A total of 2004 lymph nodes were removed by neck dissection, and 199 lymph nodes were diagnosed histopathologically as metastases. Of the 199 metastatic lymph nodes, 93 (46%) were diagnosed as metastases by preoperative US findings and 33 (17%) were false negative. Thirty-six cases were diagnosed preoperatively as N0 by US findings, but 15 of these were pN(+) histopathologically. In the 15 cases, 21 lymph nodes were metastases. Of the 21 metastatic lymph nodes, 10 nodes were not detected by US. Thirty-one cases were diagnosed preoperatively as N1 by US findings, but 20 of these were pN2b histopathologically. In the 20 cases, 66 lymph nodes were metastases. Of the 66 metastatic lymph nodes, 46 were not diagnosed as metastases. They often located distant level from the lymph node diagnosed correctly as a metastasis. US is very useful in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis, but it has the limitations indicated above. If 1 metastatic lymph node is detected by US, there will be multiple metastatic lymph nodes and sometimes they are distant from the original level. Radical neck dissection should be done for positive lymph nodes detected by US findings. If a lymph node is not clearly a metastasis, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA) should be done, because it provides more accurate diagnosis for metastatic lymph nodes.