Comparison of Clinical Evaluation and Computed Tomographic Diagnostic Accuracy for Tumors of the Larynx and Hypopharynx

Ninety-five patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer were examined and staged preoperatively by clinical evaluation (CE) and computed tomography(CT). The CE and CT staging were compared to each other and to the pathologic(PT) staging of the tumors. The CT staging showed high accuracy in staging transglottic (88%), supraglottic (68%), and oropharyngeal tumors invading the larynx (68%) when compared to the PT findings. The CT staging was less effective in evaluating glottic tumors (46%), both overstaging (12%) and understaging (20%) cases. Combined CE-CT evaluation showed higher accuracy in staging all tumors (84%) compared to CE alone (52%) or CT alone (68%). The findings suggest that combined CE-CT should be used to evaluate laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors. Laryngoscope, 106:589-594, 1996     

Elusive head and neck carcinomas beneath intact mucosa

This study presents 19 patients who had mucosally inapparent carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract demonstrated by computed tomography (CT). This group contains subpopulations that were identified both retrospectively and prospectively. During the same period 40 nasopharyngeal, 20 oropharyngeal-tongue base, and over 100 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas were studied; all had clinically obvious mucosal components. Nine of our 19 patients had strictly submucosal tumors and a variety of clinical presentations; 5 patients had strictly submucosal recurrence of treated carcinomas and 5 had mucosal lesions which were not identified on examinations by more than one practicing head and neck surgeon. Sixteen of the 19 tumors were confirmed histologically; in 3 others confirmation was by a combination of CT and clinical course. CT can demonstrate the deep extent of aerodigestive tract carcinomas more accurately than physical examination and it can show mucosally inapparent disease. CT should be part of the staging work-up in nearly all upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas and in patients suspected of harboring an unknown primary within this region.     

多层螺旋CT增强扫描在喉癌诊断及临床分期中的应用价值

目的：探讨将多层螺旋CT增强扫描的横断面图像、多平面重建图像（MPR）和仿真喉镜（VE）图像结合起来（联合图像）在喉癌术前诊断及TNM分期中的应用价值。方法：①32例拟诊喉癌患者行术前前赡性多层螺旋CT增强扫描并行MPR和VE处理。②采用双盲法阅片，将单一横断面图像、MPR和VE联合图像分别作出CT诊断。③临床医师结合CT图像，分别进行国际抗癌协会（UICC）TNM临床分期。④完成喉癌手术，根据病理和电子喉镜确定病理学分期，将2种方法（横断面图像和MPR）的分期结果进行比较。结果：32例喉癌中，联合图像对评价室带、声带、前连合、声门下、声门旁间隙、会厌前间隙、甲状软骨、喉外结构受侵的准确率为98．3％，而横断面图像为91.3％，两者比较其准确率有统计学意义（X^2=20．624，P〈O．01）；横断面图像对喉癌分期的准确率为81．3％，联合图像为93．8％，两者比较差异无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。结论：多层螺旋CT增强扫描的MPR和VE是横断面图像很好的补充，能够帮助提高喉癌诊断水平，横断面图像和联合图像对于喉癌术前临床分期无明显差别。     

Clinical usefulness of 3-dimensional computed tomography laryngography in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer

This study was designed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) laryngography for the determination of subglottic extension in laryngeal cancer and for the involvement of the pyriform sinus apex in hypopharyngeal cancer. Twenty-one patients with laryngeal cancer and 19 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer underwent spiral CT during quiet breathing, /E/ phonation, Valsalva's maneuver, and modified Valsalva's maneuver. Three-dimensional volume rendering with CT data was performed on a workstation. Three-dimensional CT laryngography was compared to laryngoscopy, axial CT, endoscopy, and/or histopathologic findings. Three-dimensional CT laryngography was useful for showing subglottic extension in laryngeal cancer and involvement of pyriform sinus apex in hypopharyngeal cancer. Three-dimensional CT laryngography with quiet breathing was most informative for the determination of subglottic extension, whereas 3-dimensional CT laryngography with modified Valsalva's maneuver was most informative for the diagnosis of pyriform sinus apex involvement. In patients with vocal cord palsy, the contour of the vocal cord was the same during all 4 maneuvers. Three-dimensional CT laryngography during quiet breathing, /E/ phonation, Valsalva's maneuver, and modified Valsalva's maneuver may be useful in assessing laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. This technique may provide important information not provided by conventional CT images.     

淋巴显像法与染料法示踪喉癌和下咽癌前哨淋巴结的对比研究

目的 探讨淋巴显像法与生物活性染料定位法示踪cNO期喉癌和下咽癌前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)在头颈部肿瘤治疗中的价值.方法 40例cNO喉癌患者和10例cNO下咽癌患者,术前于喉镜引导下注射~(99)Tc~m-硫胶体,使用单光子发射型计算机断层扫描仪(single photon emission computed tomography,SPECT)和CT进行颈淋巴显像;同时术中用γ探针探测放射性"热点".手术中注射亚甲蓝,示踪蓝染的SLN.SLN全部被切除后,行肿瘤切除加颈淋巴清扫术,所有淋巴结送常规病理检查.结果 运用淋巴显像法35例喉癌和6例下咽癌患者检出SLN,检出率为82.0%(41/50).运用生物活性染料定位法29例喉癌和4例下咽癌患者示踪SLN,检出率为66.0%(33/50),两种方法的检出率差异有统计学意义(χ~2=2.769,P<0.05).SLN的检出数目分别为96枚和83枚(χ~2=2.098,P<0.05),灵敏度分别为83.3%和66.7%.本组50例患者中,12例患者常规病理检查有淋巴转移,占24.0%.结论 淋巴显像法和染料法均可示踪cNO期喉癌和下咽癌的前哨淋巴结.淋巴显像法不仅术前可进行前哨淋巴结的定位,而且较染料法具有较高的检出率和灵敏度.     

The value of CT scans in improving laryngoscopy in patients with laryngeal cancer

This retrospective study assessed the value of computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast in improving the staging accuracy of indirect and direct laryngoscopy. We compared the preoperative staging obtained by the two latter procedures with postoperative histopathological findings in 187 patients operated on for laryngeal cancer. Of these cancers, 98 were supraglottic, 82 glottic and 7 subglottic in origin. The staging accuracy of laryngoscopy was 51.3% and CT was 70.1%. When the two procedures were combined, the staging accuracy was 80.2%. The accuracy of the CT increased from glottic to supraglottic to subglottic tumors, although the accuracy of laryngoscopy decreased in the same direction. Laryngoscopy alone tended to understage larger tumors (pT3 and pT4), whereas CT underestimated the smaller ones (pT1 and pT2). Our data suggest that in order to plan the best treatment both laryngoscopy and CT should be used in making the diagnosis. Received: 26 September 1998 / Accepted: 22 March 1999     

Impact of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography on the staging of laryngeal cancer

This retrospective study quantitatively assessed the effects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) on the staging of laryngeal cancer. A blind comparison between CT and MRI was made in a group of previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx. From June 1992 to November 1993, 29 patients were eligible for study. Of these, 14 patients (48%) had supraglottic lesions, 11 patients (40%) had glottic lesions and 4 patients (14%) had both. No subglottic lesions were seen. The data suggest that clinical staging of laryngeal tumors is inadequate. MRI proved superior to CT for staging tumors, especially those confined to the supraglottis. Nevertheless, clinically staged T1 or T2 lesions could be adequately assessed by CT alone. Findings also indicate that MRI should be reserved for T3 or T4 clinically staged lesions. Furthermore, most nodal disease can be staged by CT.Presented at the combined meeting of the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Paris, France, 25–28 May 1994     

喉癌MRI分期评价

目的 评价ＭＲＩ在喉癌术前Ｔ分期中的价值。方法 对５９例喉癌的ＭＲＩ资料进行回顾性分期，并与纤维喉镜及手术病理对照。结果 ＭＲＩ对各期喉癌分期的准确性分别是：Ｔ１：９５％（２０／２１），Ｔ２：８８％（１５／１７），Ｔ３：８５％（１１／１３）Ｔ４：１００％（８／８）。纤维喉镜分期的准确性是：Ｔ１：９１％（１９／２１），Ｔ２：８８％（１５／１７），Ｔ３：４７％（８／１３），Ｔ４：１３％（１／８）。结论     

Anterior vocal commissure invasion in laryngeal carcinoma diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal carcinoma involving anterior vocal commissure (AVC) represents a great challenge for staging and treatment. OBJECTIVES: To compare laryngoscopy and computed tomography (CT) scan efficiency in staging tumors extending to the AVC. We also analyzed the helicoidal axial CT scan accuracy in recognizing this larynx subregion invasion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two glottic and supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients with tumoral extension to the AVC were prospectively studied from August 2001 to August 2003 at the National Cancer Institute (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). All patients underwent videolaryngoscopic examination and direct laryngoscopy for lesion extension analysis and biopsy. After AVC helicoidal axial CT scan with sagittal and coronal 1.0 mm thick reconstruction, patients were submitted to surgical treatment. The same pathologist analyzed all surgical specimens. RESULTS: When compared with pathologic stage, clinical endoscopic classification was correct in 40.38% of cases (40% for T1, 29.41% for T2, 46.43% for T3, and 50% in T4). Helicoidal axial CT scan accuracy for AVC tumors was 75% (P = .0001), being more important for T2 (62.50%), T3 (73.91%), and T4 (88.24%) lesions. Identification of radiologic signs described as gross radiologic anterior commissure involvement (GRACI) increased radiologic image staging accuracy to over 96%. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic evaluation understaged tumors in all clinical stages but really T1. Helicoidal axial CT scan reformatted to 1.0 mm thick played an important role in correctly staging more advanced AVC laryngeal tumors. Radiologic signs, here identified as GRACI, may be very helpful for tomographic staging and patient treatment.     

下咽癌和喉癌的多重癌

对下咽，喉鳞癌患者的多重癌实况进行回顾性调查。方法 对１９８０年－１９９５年１６年间头颈部外科受诊者下咽癌１２５例，喉癌１８４例进行了分析，其中男２７６例，女３３例。结果３０９例患者中７９例发生多重癌。多重癌发生部位共１０１处，其中１７例三重癌，１例四重癌，的多重癌以食管癌和胃癌居多；喉癌，尤以声门型喉癌的多重癌以肺癌为主，声门上型喉癌的口咽，食管和胃多重癌的发生率较声门型喉癌为高。     

头颈部鳞癌颈淋巴结转移诸因素对预后的影响

对382例头颈部原发鳞癌病人颈清扫标本连续切片病理观察结果和临床资料进行回顾性分析，探讨淋巴结转移的各项临床和病理学因素与病人预后的关系。发现总体5年生存率为46.1％，口腔癌、口咽癌、下咽癌和喉癌的5年生存率分别为49．7％，39．7％，35．0％和60．3％。表明颈淋巴结的临床分期、触诊淋巴结大小、病理转移淋巴结情况、颈淋巴解剖分区受累数和最低受累平面与病人5年生存率有密切关系（均P＜0．01），而阳性淋巴的个数对病人预后无明显影响。提示针对影响预后的淋巴结因素应采取相应的治疗措施，以提高病人的5年生存率。     

Prognostic importance of paratracheal lymph node metastases

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of paratracheal lymph node (PTLN) metastases for tumor recurrence and survival for patients treated with total laryngectomy (TL) and PTLN dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Records from 85 patients who underwent TL combined with PTLN dissection for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinomas were reviewed. RESULTS: In 20 of 85 (24%) patients, PTLN metastases were found, and in 7 patients, extranodal spread (ENS) was present in these metastases. The incidence of PTLN metastases was high in patients with hypopharyngeal or cervical esophageal (35%) and laryngeal carcinoma with subglottic extension (27%). Multivariate analysis shows that the most important prognostic factor for overall survival is the presence of PTLN metastases with ENS (P < .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Because PTLN metastases with ENS is an important prognostic factor and can only be assessed by histopathologic examination, PTLN dissection in patients with a laryngeal or hypopharyngeal tumor is important for prognostication.     

下咽癌术后下咽缺损修复方法的选择

目的 :探讨下咽癌术后下咽缺损Ⅰ期修复的方法。方法与结果 :对 31例下咽癌术后下咽缺损患者行Ⅰ期修复 ,其中下咽、喉和食管颈段切除加胃造瘘术 1例 ,无咽瘘发生 ;直接缝合修复 17例 ,吞咽功能良好 15例 (88.2 % ) ;组织移植修复 13例 ,吞咽功能良好 6例 (46 .2 % )。同时行喉功能保存性手术 14例 ,吞咽功能良好9例 ,均为直接缝合修复病例 ;吞咽功能差 5例 ,2例为直接缝合修复病例 ,3例为组织移植修复病例 ,均发生误吸。结论 :直接缝合大多数吞咽功能良好。对下咽全缺损的修复 ,胃肠上徙比肌皮瓣优越。同时行喉功能保存性手术 ,必须严格选择病例 ,并把误吸的预防放在首位。下咽、喉和食管颈段切除加胃造瘘术有助于扩大下咽癌的手术适应证。     

Preoperative diagnosis of neck tumors using magnetic resonance imaging

The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative diagnostics of neck tumours is described. The MR findings were compared with CT scans with respect to their significance for surgical treatment. The quality of the images of the neck was improved by the introduction of Helmholtz coils. The marked contrast between tumour and surrounding tissues provides detailed information about the extension, structure and extent of infiltration. However neither MR nor CT imaging was reliable in small laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas. The value of MR angiography cannot yet be determined.     

XRCC3遗传变异与喉癌和下咽癌发病风险相关研究

目的研究DNA修复基因XRCC3 Thr 241 Met遗传变异与喉癌和下咽癌风险的关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态分析方法对175例喉癌及下咽癌患者和525名无肿瘤对照进行基因分型，采用多因素Logistic回归模型计算各基因型携带者喉癌和下咽癌的发病风险，以及与吸烟交互对喉癌下咽癌发病风险的影响。结果XRCC3 241 Met等位基因增加了喉癌、下咽癌发病风险，与XRCC3 241 Thr／Thr基因型携带者相比，至少携带一个241 Met等位基因的个体罹患喉癌、下咽癌的比值比（odds ratio，OR）为2．26，95％可信区间（confidence interval，CI）为1．33～3．82。分别分析XRCC3多态与喉癌及下咽癌发病风险关系发现，XRCC3 241 Met等位基因均增加喉癌与下咽癌的发生风险，与XRCC3 241 Thr／Thr基因型携带者相比，至少携带一个XRCC3 241 Met等位基因的个体发生喉癌和下咽癌风险的OR值（95％CI）分别为2．27（1．26～4．09）和2．99（1．27～7．04）。基因吸烟交互作用分析结果显示，重度吸烟和XRCC3 Thr 241 Met多态存在相乘交互作用，显著增加喉癌、下咽癌发病风险。至少携带一个XRCC3 241 Met等位基因的重度吸烟个体发生喉癌、下咽癌的OR值（95％CI）为19．09（7．38～49．40），大于至少携带一个XRCC3 241 Met等位基因的不吸烟个体（OR，0．91；95％CI，0．20～4．21）及重度吸烟但携带XRCC3 241 Thr／Thr基因型个体（OR，4．13；95％CI，2．38～7．17）的OR乘积。结论XRCC3 Thr 241 Met单核苷酸多态是喉癌、下咽癌的遗传易感因素。     

保留喉功能下咽癌手术切除与修复

对保留喉功能的下咽癌切除术手术回顾性分析,方法对１９６０－１９９４年间２３例保留喉功能的下咽癌切除术手患者的手术效果,并发症,生存率,修复材料和方法等进行分析。结论下咽癌有效的术式能较满意地保中层理的生存质量,对大多数下咽癌病例,是较为理想的方法。     

Clinical vs histopathologic staging in laryngeal cancer.

One hundred fourteen serially sectioned, nonirradiated, laryngeal specimens that were removed for cancer have been examined to determine the accuracy of preoperative staging. Characteristics of the primary lesion, which indicate invasion of the laryngeal framework, have been demonstrated for each region in the larynx. Pathologic findings, such as submucosal extension, growth into the preepiglottic space, infraglottic extension, and involvement of the laryngeal ventricle, have been correlated with clinical staging. The relationship between tumor size and accuracy of clinical staging has been evaluated. For multiregional lesions, the location that yielded the highest probability of metastasis was designated as the primary site. Our findings indicate inaccurate staging for 37% of glottic tumors, 38% of supraglottic tumors, 50% of transglottic tumors, and 13% of subglottic lesions. In 89% of the cases that were staged inaccurately, the error was one of underestimation. Depth of tumor invasion was the most difficult measurement to determine.     

Delayed regional metastases, distant metastases, and second primary malignancies in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and hypopharynx

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of delayed regional metastases, distant metastases, and second primary tumors on the therapeutic outcomes in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and hypopharynx. STUDY DESIGN: Chart review and statistical analysis. METHODS: A retrospective tumor registry analysis was made of patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and hypopharynx who were treated with curative intent in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the Radiation Oncology Center of the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO) between January 1971 and December 1991 and developed delayed regional metastases (2 y after treatment), distant metastases, and second primary malignancies. RESULTS: In 2550 patients, the mean age (59.8 y), sex (8.5 male patients and 1 female patient), and tumor differentiation did not affect the incidence of delayed distant, regional, or second primary malignancies. The overall incidence of delayed regional metastases was 12.4% (317/2550 patients); distant metastases, 8.5% (217/2550); and second primary tumors, 8.9% (228/2550), with a 5-year disease-specific survival of 41%, 6.4%, and 35%, respectively. Second primary malignancies were not statistically related to the origin of the primary tumor, tumor staging, or delayed regional and distant metastases (P =.98). Delayed regional metastases and distant metastases were related to advanced primary disease (T4 stage), lymph node metastases (node positive [N+]), tumor location (hypopharynx), and locoregional tumor recurrence (P < or =.028). Advanced regional metastases at initial diagnosis (N2 and N3 disease) increased the incidence of delayed and distant metastases threefold (P =.017). These two metastatic parameters were significantly greater in hypopharyngeal tumors than in laryngeal tumors (P =.037). The incidences of delayed regional metastases by anatomical location of the primary tumor were as follows: glottic, 4.4%; supraglottic, 16%; subglottic, 11.5%; aryepiglottic fold, 21.9%; pyriform sinus, 31.1%; and posterior hypopharyngeal wall, 18.5%. The incidences of distant metastases were as follows: glottic, 4%; supraglottic, 3.7%; subglottic, 14%; aryepiglottic fold, 16%; pyriform fossa, 17.2%; and posterior hypopharyngeal wall, 17.6%. Seventeen hypopharyngeal tumors (2%) presented with M1 disease. Delayed regional metastases to the ipsilateral treated neck had a significantly worse survival prognosis than delayed metastases to the contralateral nontreated neck (P =.001). CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions are as follows: 1) The incidence of second primary tumors is independent from the primary tumor staging and distant and delayed regional metastases. The highest incidence occurred in patient groups with the highest disease-free survival rates (P =.0378). 2) Highest incidence of delayed and distant metastases occurred in hypopharyngeal tumors and was three times greater than in laryngeal cancers (P =.028). 3) Salvage therapeutic rates were poor for delayed metastases to the ipsilateral treated nodes and distant metastases as compared with contralateral neck metastases and second primary tumors (P =.001). 4) Delayed and distant lymph node metastases were significantly higher in advanced primary disease (T4 stage), locoregional recurrences, and regional disease (N2 and N3) (P =.028) in both the larynx and hypopharynx. 5) The higher incidence of delayed and distant metastatic disease was related to more advanced initial tumor presentation in hypopharyngeal cancer as compared with laryngeal cancer (P =.039). 6) Incidence of distant metastases was greatest between 1.5 and 6 years after initial treatment with a mean incidence being less than or equal to 3.2 years.     

Risk factors for distant metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency of distant metastases (DM) and to determine the ability of certain clinical and pathologic factors to predict the development of distant metastases. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 1972 patients with oral, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas who were treated from 1981 to 1998 and who were not diagnosed as having DM at the time of initial treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated the frequency of DM and the influence of different variables in their appearance. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients (9.2%) (95% confidence interval, 7.9%-10.5%) developed DM. Younger age (<45 years), hypopharyngeal localization, an advanced T stage and/or N stage tumor according to the TNM staging system, high histologic grade, and locoregional control were found to be significantly associated with the risk of DM at both univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of DM in subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is relatively low. The risk of DM is influenced by age, site of primary cancer, local and/or regional extension, grading, and achievement of locoregional control.     

Pepsin and Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Carcinomas

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas are common malignant tumors of the head and neck, and the incidence of both is increasing. Laryngopharyngeal reflux refers to the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the larynx, oropharynx, and/or nasopharynx. It remains controversial whether laryngopharyngeal reflux is a risk factor for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. The refluxing substances mainly include hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and occasionally bile acids and bile salts, as well as bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. Loss of epithelium in the mucous membrane of the larynx and hypopharynx is thought to be caused by pepsin. Here, we review the relationships between laryngopharyngeal reflux and both laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas, as well as the significance of pepsin, methods of clinical detection, and the mechanism of carcinogenesis.