Post total laryngectomy stomal recurrence. Case report and review of the literature

Development of stomal recurrence following total laryngectomy is a devastating scenario with an extremely poor prognosis. Overall rate of stomal recurrence ranges from 1.7%-40%, with an average rate of 7.5%. Irrespective of the etiology of stomal recurrence, it invariably consists of diffuse infiltration of tumor into the soft tissues of the neck and mediastinum, thereby making control of the disease difficult. Despite aggresive surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, salvage rate is poor. Prevention of stomal recurrence is therefore of paramount importance and the only means of reducing incidence. Systematic use of preventive surgical measures together with postoperative radiotherapy to the stoma and superior mediastinum have led to decrease in appearance of stomal recurrence. Intensive follow-up should be performed for patients with laryngeal carcinoma who had subglottic involvement, paratracheal lymph node metastasis, or both to detect stomal recurrence at an early stage.     

甲状腺乳头状癌术中清扫右侧喉返神经深层淋巴结的临床价值

目的:探讨甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)术中行右侧喉返神经深层淋巴结(VIb)清扫的临床价值。方法:选取238例PTC患者为研究对象,其中c N1患者35例,c N0患者203例,均行甲状腺切除并中央区淋巴结清扫(CLND),分析患者颈部淋巴结转移情况,以及可能与VIb淋巴结转移相关的危险因素,并观察患者预后情况。结果:238例PTC患者中,VIa淋巴结转移108例,VIb淋巴结转移67例,颈侧部淋巴结转移24例。c N1患者颈部淋巴结转移率明显高于c N0患者(94.29%vs. 46.31%,P0.05)。单因素和多因素分析结果显示,肿瘤长径、肿瘤浸润情况、淋巴结分期、肿瘤数量和VIa淋巴结转移为VIb转移的影响因素(均P0.05)。术后无1例损伤喉返神经,患者术后3年复发率为3.4%,复发中位数为26.3个月。结论:肿瘤长径、肿瘤浸润情况、淋巴结分期、肿瘤数量、VIa淋巴结转移情况是VIb淋巴结转移的危险因素,在行CLND时,应尽量完整切除VIb亚区,尤其是对具有上述危险因素的患者。     

Paratracheal lymph node dissection in cancer of the larynx,hypopharynx, and cervical esophagus: The need for guidelines

In laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and cervical esophageal carcinomas, the paratracheal lymph nodes (PTLN) may be at risk for lymph node metastasis. The presence of PTLN metastasis is an important prognostic factor for the development of mediastinal and distant metastases, stomal recurrence, and disease‐free and overall survival. Studies on PTLN metastasis are scarce. In most studies, PTLN dissection has not been routinely performed, and selection criteria for PTLN dissection are usually not well defined. Therefore, in most reported studies, selection bias is present and results are difficult to compare. The reported prevalence of PTLN metastases varies according to the site and stage of the primary tumor: subglottic cancer, transglottic cancer, and glottic cancer with subglottic extension have a higher risk of PTLN metastases. Diagnostic imaging is not sufficiently reliable to detect occult PTLN metastases and avoid unnecessary PTLN dissections. PTLN dissection is associated with limited morbidity, but damage to major vessels may occur, and because of exposure of these vessels PTLN may increase the morbidity of fistulae that can occur after total laryngectomy. The dissection may produce hypocalcemia, if performed bilaterally. Nevertheless, the limited morbidity and high rate of metastasis in specific laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and cervical esophageal carcinomas argue in favor of routine elective PTLN treatment for these tumors. Large prospective studies are needed to identify the patients at risk with primary tumors in more detail. Moreover, improved diagnostic imaging is needed to detect (occult) PTLN metastases more reliably. Based on future studies, clinical guidelines have to be developed to avoid undertreatment and overtreatment. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011     

Is routine inclusion of level IV necessary in neck dissection for clinically N0 supraglottic carcinoma?

OBJECTIVE: Elective level II to IV dissection has become a common practice for patients with N0 neck and supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma. Several authors have questioned the necessity of dissecting level IV and the possible risk of associated morbidities such as chyle leak and phrenic nerve injury. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We reviewed 58 patients who underwent elective functional and lateral neck dissection for supraglottic carcinoma. Node levels were delineated just after the removal of the specimens. The patients were followed at least 3 years postoperatively or until the time of death; recurrence rates and levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Occult lymph node metastases were determined in 14 cases. Level II was the most involved zone (7 patients). Isolated level IV lymph node metastasis was not established. CONCLUSION: We think that routine level IV dissection is not necessary in the management of clinically and radiologically N0 necks in patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.     

甲状腺髓样癌手术切除范围及预后影响因素研究

目的 分析甲状腺髓样癌（MTC）手术切除范围及预后影响因素。方法 回顾性分析2015年1月至2017年6月期间首诊于天津医科大学肿瘤医院MTC病人的临床资料。分析临床病理特征与中央区、侧颈区淋巴结转移及生化治愈的关系;探讨影响病人无进展生存期的危险因素。结果 77例病人,术前降钙素水平正常者5例,升高者72例。行全甲状腺切除28例,单侧腺叶切除49例。仅行中央区淋巴结清扫39例,中央区及患侧侧颈淋巴结清扫38例。MTC病人中央区淋巴结转移与性别、侵出腺叶、肿瘤直径、TNM分期、术前降钙素、降钙素水平/肿瘤直径具有相关性（P＜0.05）。侧颈淋巴结转移与年龄、TNM分期具有相关性（P＜0.05）。生化治愈率66.1%（39/59）,与中央区淋巴结转移、TNM分期、肿瘤直径、术前降钙素水平及降钙素水平/肿瘤直径具有相关性（P＜0.05）。中位随访时间35（7~69）个月。侵出腺叶、中央区淋巴结转移、淋巴结转移、淋巴结切除范围、TNM分期、术前降钙素水平和生化治愈是MTC病人无进展生存期的影响因素（P＜0.05）。结论 MTC病人建议至少行患侧腺叶切除及中央区淋巴结清扫,必要时行全甲状腺切除,根据超声、CT及降钙素水平等检查结果行预防性/治疗性侧颈淋巴结清扫。规范化的手术治疗是达到较高生化治愈率,减少复发的关键。     

Cervical mediastinoscopy after total laryngectomy and radiotherapy: its feasibility.

OBJECTIVE: The feasibility of cervical mediastinoscopy after total laryngectomy and radiotherapy has not been documented. METHODS: We describe our experience with cervical mediastinoscopy in two patients with total laryngectomy and radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma and had a Blom-Singer speaking tracheostomy valve in situ. Both patients presented with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and radiographic features suggesting a new pulmonary malignancy. RESULTS: Rigid bronchoscopy and cervical mediastinoscopy were undertaken and paratracheal and subcarinal lymph nodes were biopsied. Both patients made uneventful post operative recovery. Mediastinal lymph node biopsy was definitive in deciding their further care. CONCLUSION: Cervical mediastinoscopy is feasible in patients with total laryngectomy, tracheostomy and radiotherapy.     

Paratracheal lymph node metastasis is associated with cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We determined which lymph node metastases were associated with cervical lymph node metastases of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 6464 lymph nodes derived from 155 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were stained by immunohistochemistry (antibody: AE1/AE3). Lymph node metastases were mapped according to the mapping scheme of the American Thoracic Society, as modified by Casson et al. (Ann Thorac Surg 1994;58:1569-70). Patients were divided into two groups: those with and without cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Mapping data were examined by uni- and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Hematoxylin and eosin-positive and AE1/AE3-positive lymph node metastases were found in 59% and 77% of patients, respectively. Twenty-one (55%) of 38 patients in the CLNM(+) group and 30 (26%) of 117 patients in the CLNM(-) group had AE1/AE3-positive lymph node metastasis in the thoracic paratracheal lymph node. Paratracheal lymph node metastasis is only one independent factor for (CLNM), whereas upper thoracic paraesophageal lymph node and pulmonal hilar lymph node status were also significant in univariate analysis. Three (43%) of seven patients with cervical jumping metastasis from the thoracic esophagus had micrometastasis in the paratracheal lymph node. CONCLUSIONS: The paratracheal lymph node is most associated with (CLNM) of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.     

Localization of Cervical Node Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Precise localization of cervical node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma is rarely described. The aim of this retrospective study was to map their cervical involvement. Between 1974 and 1996 a series of 119 patients had total thyroidectomy with bilateral cervical lymph node dissection. Patients who had secondary node dissection for a cervical recurrence were excluded. Eight node sites were distinguished (ipsilateral and contralateral): paratracheal, mid-jugular, supraclavicular, subdigastric. All pathologic specimens were reviewed by a single pathologist. Twenty-five patients had lymph node involvement clinically before surgery. Seventy-two (60.5%) had cervical metastasis (N+: node positive patients), with bilateral involvement in 28 cases. In cases of bilateral thyroid tumor localization, ipsilateral dissection designated the side with the largest nodule. The main ipsilateral involved sites were paratracheal (60 patients), mid-jugular (44 patients), and supraclavicular (26 patients). Contralateral paratracheal nodes were involved in 25 patients and mid-jugular nodes in 12. Among the N+ patients, node involvement was absent in 11 cases at paratracheal, 28 jugular, and 46 subclavicular sites. Cervical node metastases concerned 60.5% of the patients, with bilateral involvement in 40.8% of the N+ patients. Ipsilateral paratracheal and jugular sites were most frequently involved. The lateral compartment was sometimes involved independent of the central compartment.     

甲状腺微小乳头状癌的诊治：附47例报告

目的:探讨甲状腺微小乳头状癌(PTMC)的临床病理特征及诊治策略。方法:回顾性分析2011年6月—2016年5月经手术与病理证实的47例PTMC患者临床资料。结果:47例患者中,男9例,女38例;年龄(46.3±12.1)岁;病程(12.4±23.7)个月;均行术前超声检查,14例行超声引导下细针穿刺细胞学检查(FNA),经FNA确诊PTMC 11例(78.6%);13例行患侧甲状腺全切,3例行患侧甲状腺全切+对侧叶大部切除术,31例行双侧甲状腺全切;14例行中央区颈淋巴结清扫术,15例行中央区加颈侧区淋巴结清扫。肿瘤病灶平均长径(0.68±0.23)cm;21例(44.7%)为多发病灶,其中14例(29.8%)为双侧甲状腺多发病灶;中央区淋巴结转移率48.3%(14/29),颈侧区淋巴结转移率53.3%(8/15)。单因素分析显示,肿瘤侵犯包膜与淋巴结转移有关(P=0.035)。8例患者术后发生并发症,其中暂时性甲状旁腺功能不全5例,切口积液1例,暂时性喉返神经损伤1例,暂时性喉上神经损伤1例。结论:甲状腺外科医生需熟悉甲状腺癌超声特点,不建议扩大FNA指征。对于术前超声已提示多发结节、术中探查可疑多发结节或存在高危因素者,手术建议行双侧甲状腺全切。预防性中央组淋巴结清扫结合术中冷冻病理对确定个体化手术方案及指导术后治疗是必要的。     

Conservation laryngeal surgery versus total laryngectomy for radiation failure in laryngeal cancer

BACKGROUND: Total laryngectomy is the standard of care for surgical salvage of radiation failure in laryngeal cancer. However, the role of conservation laryngeal surgery in this setting remains unclear. The objective was to compare the efficacy of conservation versus total laryngectomy for salvage of radiation failure in patients who initially presented with T1 or T2 squamous cancer of the larynx. METHODS: A 21-year retrospective analysis of patients who received surgery at a single comprehensive cancer center after definitive radiation therapy is reported. At recurrence, the patients were reevaluated and then underwent a total laryngectomy or, if possible, a conservation laryngeal procedure. The charts of 105 patients who failed radiation treatment for primary laryngeal cancer and who subsequently underwent surgical salvage were reviewed for this study. Eighty-nine were male (84.8%). The mean age was 60.3 years. The median follow-up time after surgery was 69.4 months. Most patients with recurrence after radiotherapy required total laryngectomy (69.5%; 73/105). Conservation laryngeal surgery was performed for 32 patients (31.5%). Concomitant neck dissections were performed on 45 patients (45.5%). RESULTS: In 14 patients, local or regional recurrence developed after salvage surgery: 9 patients after total laryngectomy (12.3%; 9/73), and 5 patients (15.6%; 5/32) after conservation laryngeal surgery. This difference was not statistically significant, nor was there a difference in disease-free interval for the two procedures (p = .634, by log-rank test). Distant metastasis developed in 13 patients. Most developed in the setting of local and/or regional recurrence, but distant metastasis occurred as the only site of failure in 6 of the patients who had undergone total laryngectomy but in 1 of the conservation surgery patients treated for a supraglottic laryngeal cancer. The overall mortality for patients who underwent total laryngectomy was also higher: 73.74% (54/73) versus 59.4% (19/32) for patients who underwent a conservation approach (p = .011 by log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Although conservation laryngeal surgery was possible in a few patients with local failure after radiotherapy, conservation laryngeal surgery is an oncologically sound alternative to total laryngectomy for these patients.     

食管癌淋巴结转移特点及其危险因素

目的 探讨食管癌淋巴结转移情况及其危险因素,为外科手术行淋巴结清扫提供参考。方法回顾总结2006年1月至2010年12月在复旦大学附属肿瘤医院胸外科行三野淋巴结清扫食管癌根治术308例患者的临床资料．分析淋巴结的转移规律及特点。结果308例患者平均清扫淋巴结（35．6±14．5）枚,197例（64％）患者出现淋巴结转移。Logistic单因素分析结果显示,脉管（淋巴管及血管）侵犯（P=0．019）及肿瘤浸润深度（P〈0．001）是发生淋巴结转移的危险因素。各站淋巴结中,胸部气管旁淋巴结转移率最高（25．0％）。上段食管癌腹部淋巴结转移率显著低于中段或下段食管癌（P=0．001）,而各段食管癌颈胸部淋巴结转移率比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。颈胸部和颈胸腹部淋巴结转移率分别为14．6％和11．0％,而颈腹部和胸腹部则分别为3．6％和4．9％。脉管侵犯（P〈0．001）和胸部气管旁淋巴结转移（P=0．014）是食管癌发生颈部淋巴结转移的危险因素。结论食管癌淋巴结转移具有上、下双向和跳跃性的特点．胸部气管旁淋巴结转移可作为行颈部淋巴结清扫的指征。     

高分化甲状腺癌再手术原因和颈淋巴结转移的危险因素分析

目的 探讨高分化型甲状腺癌再手术的原因和再手术时肿大淋巴结转移的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析昆明医学院第一附属医院普通外科1998-2005年收治的54例行颈淋巴结清扫高分化型甲状腺癌再手术患者的病历资料.结果 39例不规范手术后的甲状腺残癌率和淋巴结转移率均显著高于15例根治后的患者(P<0.05).再手术时患者年龄<45岁、首次手术前同侧颈部淋巴结肿大、同侧癌灶残留或复发、原发癌的多中心性和再手术时B超提示淋巴结皮髓质分界不清等是再手术时同侧肿大淋巴结转移的危险因素(P<0.05);原发癌的多中心性和对侧癌灶的出现,是再手术时对侧肿大淋巴结转移的危险因素(P<0.05).结论 首次手术的个体化的规范根治和必要的颈部淋巴结清扫是避免高分化型甲状腺癌复发再手术的关键.再手术时应行全甲状腺切除,对有淋巴结转移危险因素的患者,应行改良性或选择性区域颈淋巴结清扫.     

Neck and mediastinal node dissection in pharyngolaryngoesophageal tumors

BACKGROUND: Specific reports about neck node metastasis in cervical esophageal tumors and mediastinal node metastasis in patients with pharyngolaryngoesophageal tumors are lacking. This study was undertaken to evaluate the need for neck and mediastinal lymph node dissection when dealing with carcinomas of this region. METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of 34 patients who underwent total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy and gastric transposition (TPLEGT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the pharyngoesophageal junction was done. Sixteen patients had esophageal carcinomas, 14 had hypopharyngeal carcinomas, and 4 had laryngeal carcinomas. The mediastinal dissection was designed to remove mainly the paratracheal and paraesophageal lymph nodes down to the aortic arch, without thoracotomy. Neck and mediastinal lymph node metastases were studied with specific reference to main primary site, and comparison with the literature was undertaken. RESULTS: Twenty-five neck dissections were performed in 19 patients and yielded positive nodes in 16 patients (47% of all patients). The neck nodes were positive in 75%, 64.2%, and 18.7% of the patients with laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and esophageal carcinomas, respectively. Mediastinal dissection data were available on 27 patients, and 16 (59.2%) had mediastinal node metastasis. These mediastinal nodes were positive in 0%, 72.7%, and 61.5% of the patients with laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and esophageal carcinomas, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is little controversy about neck dissections in tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx when a TPLEGT is contemplated. A similar situation applies to mediastinal dissections for cervical esophageal carcinomas. Although we observed a low incidence of positive neck nodes (18.7%) in patients with cervical esophageal carcinomas, there is a need for a larger prospective series. Our finding of 72.7% positive mediastinal nodes in hypopharyngeal carcinomas is high enough to deserve further study. Laryngeal carcinomas showed no positive mediastinal nodes in this series.     

Prediction of lymph node status in patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma: analysis of 160 surgically resected cancers

BACKGROUND: The ability to predict lymph node metastasis in cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma before surgery would allow the identification of specific patients who do not require additional surgical resection after endoscopic local resection. METHODS: From 1980 to 2002 a total of 160 patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma, Tis or T1 tumors, underwent subtotal esophagectomy with lymph node dissection. On the basis of clinicopathologic data the risk factors for lymph node metastases are discussed. RESULTS: Patients with tumors that showed submucosal invasion, a nonflat shape, and lymphatic invasion had a higher risk for lymph node metastasis than the other patients. Multivariate analysis showed that the tumor depth and the macroscopic shape of the tumor were independent risk factors for lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Esophagectomy with lymph node dissection is recommended for patients with submucosal cancer. Local tumor resection can be recommended for patients with mucosal cancer without lymphatic invasion.     

Oncological issues in staging mediastinal lymph node metastasis for left lung cancer

ObjectiveWe aimed to discuss the underlying oncological issues in staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with left lung cancer who underwent extended radical lymphadenectomy (ERL).MethodsThis multi-institutional retrospective study analyzed 116 patients with left non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent bilateral paratracheal lymph node dissection (ERL) via median sternotomy. The clinicopathological records of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were examined for prognostic factors, including age, sex, histology, tumor size, cN number, preoperative data, metastatic stations (number and distribution), pT, and adjuvant chemotherapy.ResultsMediastinal lymph node metastases were found in 43 patients, and right paratracheal lymph node metastases (pN3) were found in 13 patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 25.2% in patients with pN3 tumors (n = 13) and 23.1% in patients with pN2 tumors (n = 30). The prognosis did not differ between patients with pN3 and pN2. Univariate analyses showed that histology, cN, and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors in patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis. In these 43 patients, cN and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe prognostic factors for left lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were cN status and adjuvant chemotherapy, and not pN status (pN2 or pN3). We hope that the study results, which suggest that there may be no difference in prognosis between pN2 and pN3, would broaden the discussion of oncological issues in the staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of left lung cancer.     

Tracheotomy in children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Fifty-eight patients with laryngeal papillomatosis were managed at Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, between January 1978 and December 1987. Twelve of these patients (21%) had tracheotomies. A retrospective review of these 12 cases was undertaken to determine the incidence, pattern, timing, and clinical risk factors for tracheal spread after tracheotomy. Six of 12 patients (50%) developed tracheal papillomas after tracheotomy. Peristomal mucosa was consistently the site of initial involvement followed by progressive distal spread along the length of the tracheotomy tube. Stomal involvement followed tracheotomy by an average of 14 weeks, occurring as early as 7 weeks postoperatively. Mid-tracheal spread followed stomal involvement by an average of 10 weeks. Risk factors for tracheal spread included the presence of subglottic disease at the time of tracheotomy and prolonged cannulation. Whenever possible, tracheotomy should be avoided in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. When unavoidable, every effort should be made to keep the duration of cannulation as short as possible.     

甲状腺乳头状癌术中喉前及气管前淋巴结联合冷冻病理检测的临床价值

目的:探讨甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)术中喉前淋巴结(DLN)及气管前淋巴结(PLN)联合冷冻病理检测的临床价值。方法:收集2015年1月—2016年12月昆明医科大学第二附属医院甲状腺乳腺外科术前经细针穿刺活检明确诊断并接受首次手术治疗的245例PTC患者的临床资料,患者均行DLN与PLN术中冷冻病理检测,并根据DLN与PLN转移情况选择手术方式。结果:245例患者术中冷冻病理均发现DLN与PLN,淋巴结数目2～11枚,126例(51.43%)发现DLN与PLN转移。术后病检气管旁淋巴结转移165例,侧颈区淋巴结转移62例。76例行单侧腺叶及峡部全切+患侧中央区淋巴结清扫,42例行全甲状腺切除+患侧中央区淋巴结清扫,101例行全甲状腺切除+双侧中央区淋巴结清扫,26例行全甲状腺切除+双侧中央区淋巴结清扫+侧颈区清扫。统计分析表明包膜侵犯是DLN与PLN转移的独立风险因素(OR=9.62,P=0.021)。结论:DLN与PLN可作为PTC前哨淋巴结,其转移与气管旁淋巴结转移、侧颈区淋巴结转移密切相关。术中行DLN与PLN联合冷冻病理检测有助于选择最佳手术方式,实现对PTC更加精准的治疗。     

Thymic metastasis of laryngeal cancer

A 70-year-old man visited the Department of Head and Neck Surgery with a chief complaint of dysphagia. A tumor was observed in the epiglottis and vocal cord, and was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy. Computed tomography (CT) showed a tumor mainly in the vocal cord. CT scans revealed a tumor centered on the vocal cord, with bilateral cervical lymph node metastases and a well-circumscribed 20-mm tumor in the anterior mediastinum. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed uptake in the primary lesion, left cervical lymph nodes, and anterior mediastinal tumor, which suggested a lymph node metastasis but did not exclude thymoma. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) resection of the anterior mediastinal tumor with total laryngectomy, total thyroidectomy, and bilateral cervical lymph node dissection. The final pathological diagnosis was laryngeal cancer (glottic cancer, pT4aN2M1, pStage IVC) with thymic metastasis (presenting as an anterior mediastinal tumor). Thymic metastasis of laryngeal cancer is rare, and appears difficult to preoperatively differentiate from other mediastinal tumors.     

The definition of lymph node micrometastases in pathologic N1a papillary thyroid carcinoma should be revised

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for structural recurrence with a focus on lymph node–related factors and to determine the optimal cutoff size of lymph node micrometastases in patients with pathologic N1a classical papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Prognostic factors for survival in patients with T3 laryngeal carcinoma.

In a total of 511 patients with T3,N0-3,M0 laryngeal carcinoma, 24 possible prognostic factors were analyzed retrospectively. The factors were age, sex, mode of treatment, duration of several clinical symptoms, the presence of sore throat, otalgia, dyspnea, and dysphagia, previous tracheotomy, tumor extension, lymph node status (five items), histologic grading, smoking habits, and alcohol intake. For 300 patients in whom surgery was part of the primary treatment, pathologic staging of the primary tumor and of lymph nodes in neck dissection specimens, cartilage invasion, radicality of the operation, differentiation grade, and subglottic extension ware also evaluated. In a univariate analysis for the whole group, tumor extension (limited to the glottic region), lymph node status (clinically palpable lymph nodes, cytologically confirmed positive lymph nodes), level of lymph node metastasis (high and midjugular site), histologic grading (poor differentiation grade), and treatment modality (planned combined therapy) were considered to be prognostic factors of corrected actuarial survival. In the group that underwent surgery, all factors derived from specimens of the larynx and neck dissections had prognostic significance. Multivariate analysis revealed that the glottic site of the tumor, the presence of cyto- and histopathologically proven metastatic lymph nodes, pretreatment tracheotomy, positive resection margins, and planned combined treatment had a significant influence on corrected actuarial survival.