Parotid lymph node metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Nineteen parotid lymph node metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the skin were treated, seven with irradiation and 12 with surgery and postoperative irradiation. In the group treated with combined therapy, size of nodal metastasis and extent were strong predictors of relapse. Further postoperative irradiation with 60 Gy is not adequate to control extensive parotid nodal disease. Finally, elective treatment of clinically negative parotid nodes is not necessary in patients who can be closely followed, since early nodal disease can be controlled readily.     

Predictive value of tumor thickness for cervical lymph‐node involvement in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

BACKGROUND:

Tumor thickness (TT) appears to be a strong predictor for cervical lymph‐node involvement in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC), but a precise clinically optimal TT cutoff point has not been established. To address this question, the authors conducted a meta‐analysis.

METHODS:

All relevant articles were identified from MEDLINE and EMBASE as well as from cross‐referenced publications cited in relevant articles. Lymph‐node involvement was confirmed and identified as positive lymph‐node declaration (P_LND) by either pathologic positivity on immediate neck dissection or by neck recurrence identified after follow‐up ≥2 years. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to quantify the predictive value of TT. Negative predictive values (and the percentage of patients falsely predicted to not have P_LND [FN‐P_LND]) were compared to determine the optimal TT cutoff point.

RESULTS:

Sixteen studies were selected from 72 potential studies, yielding a pooled total of 1136 patients. Data were examined for the following TT cutoff points: 3 mm (4 studies, 387 patients), 4 mm (9 studies, 778 patients), 5 mm (6 studies, 367 patients), and 6 mm (4 studies, 488 patients). The OR (95% CI) was 7.3 (5.3‐10.1) for the overall group. The proportion of FN‐P_LND was 5.3% (95% CI, 2.0‐11.2), 4.5% (2.6‐7.2), 16.6% (11.5‐22.8), and 13.0% (9.7‐16.9) for TT<3, <4, <5, and <6 mm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the 4‐mm and 5‐mm TT cutoff points (P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS:

TT was a strong predictor for cervical lymph‐node involvement. The optimal TT cutoff point was 4 mm. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous head and neck malignancies

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a procedure that can provide critical information regarding pathologic lymph node status and accurate regional staging. This is very important for developing treatment plans and providing prognostic guidance for cutaneous malignancies. The head and neck (HN) region is unique from other body sites due to its complex lymphatic drainage pathways, multiple lymph node basins, proximity of important cranial nerves and potential for contralateral or bilateral drainage. These unique aspects of the HN previously created some uncertainty about the use of SLNB in the HN. This review will discuss the current reliable status of HN SLNB and provide a guide for its current application in cutaneous malignancy of the HN.     

56例同时性多原发食管鳞癌淋巴结转移因素分析

目的:探讨同时性多原发食管鳞癌(synchronous multiple primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,SMESC)淋巴结转移的特点及预后因素。方法:收集2011年1月至2018年12月收治的56例SMESC患者的临床病例资料,回顾分析各部位的淋巴结转移率,研究不同癌灶浸润深度、长度等因素对淋巴结转移的影响。结果:56例SMESC患者中34例有淋巴结转移,淋巴结转移率为60.7%,颈部、上、下纵隔和腹部的淋巴结转移率分别为16.7%、34.7%、32.7%和38.2%。不同癌灶部位淋巴结转移规律不同,但在上、下纵隔及腹部均有广泛转移。单因素分析结果显示,淋巴结转移与癌灶长度及浸润深度有关(P<0.05)。多因素分析结果表明,原发癌灶浸润深度和清扫淋巴结数目是淋巴结转移的独立预后因素。结论:食管癌McKeown术式及系统淋巴结清扫是目前治疗SMESC的最佳治疗手段。     

Phosphatase of regenerating liver‐3 as a convergent therapeutic target for lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Phosphatase of regenerating liver‐3 (PRL‐3) is a molecule associated with metastasis in a diverse of cancers, which, however, remains largely unknown in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We examined both the clinical significance of PRL‐3 expression and its biological roles, and assessed possibilities as a therapeutic target in ESCC. PRL‐3 expression was found in 78% (69 of 88) of the primary ESCC on immunohistochemistry; it was the strong independent predictor for lymph node metastasis (LNM) on a multivariate logistic regression model (p = 0.0014, relative risk =15.20). Additionally, gene amplification was found in 3 (7.9%) of the 38 primary tumors with PRL‐3 overexpression by fluorescence in situ hybridization, but in none of the 19 tumors without it. PRL‐3 small interfering RNA robustly repressed cell proliferation, anchorage‐independent colony formation and invasion and augmented 5‐FU‐induced apoptosis in all the tested ESCC cell lines with PRL‐3 overexpression, irrespective of its gene amplification status. PRL‐3 inhibitor (1‐4‐bromo‐2‐benzylidene rhodanine) also suppressed such metastatic properties in the cell lines with PRL‐3 overexpression, but not with its low expression. Inverse effects were observed by PRL‐3 forced expression. Collectively, PRL‐3 overexpression is a frequent event associated with LNM and plays a causative role in promoting cancer progression. Moreover, the expression status may be a landmark to select patients with benefit from PRL‐3‐targeted therapy. Thus, PRL‐3 could be a convergent therapeutic target against ESCC with LNM.     

Sentinel node biopsy for high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Aim

The use of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has not been established for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and its clinical significance has not been clarified. We investigated the usefulness of and indication criteria for SNB for cutaneous SCC.

Materials and methods

Twenty-six patients with high-risk cutaneous SCC that had undergone SNB were retrospectively reviewed. SNB was performed with either the dye method or a combined dye and radioisotope method.

Results

Of the 26 patients, recurrence or metastasis was observed in 5 cases (19.2%). Six cases (23.1%) were sentinel node (SN) metastasis-positive. All cases that were SN metastasis-negative survived, and 4 of 6 SN metastasis-positive (66.7%) cases died of the original disease. The 3-year survival rates of all cases, SN metastasis-negative cases, and SN metastasis-positive cases were 82.2%, 100%, and 20.8%, respectively. Tumour thickness was a significant risk factor for SN metastasis (p = 0.049). Recurrence occurred in 4 of 7 cases involving external genitalia, 3 of which died. The 3-year survival rates of external genitalia and nongenital cases were 47.6% and 94.1%, respectively (p = 0.016).

Conclusions

SNB aided the early discovery and treatment of latent lymph node metastasis and helped predict whether SN metastasis had occurred, and therefore helped predict patient prognosis. These results suggest that thickness of the primary lesion is an indication criterion for the use of SNB in cases of cutaneous SCC. SNB should be considered in cases where tumour thickness is ≥2 mm and actively performed in cases ≥5 mm.     

Prognostic factors and treatment outcome after radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients with isolated para-aortic lymph node metastases

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in cervical cancer patients with isolated para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases. We especially tried to evaluate PALN factors such as size, site and number.

Methods

From August 1994 to December 2009, 40 cervical cancer patients with isolated PALN node metastases at initial diagnosis were selected for analysis. Patients underwent both extended field external beam and intracavitary brachytherapy. Fourteen patients received 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP) and 16 patients received weekly concurrent cisplatin. Information of PALN, such as size, site, and number, was founded before PALN radiotherapy.

Results

The median follow-up time after primary treatment was 28.5 months (range, 2 to 213 months). The 3-year overall and progression-free survival rate after primary treatment was 44.3% and 31.3%, respectively. In multivariate analysis including tumor stage, performance status, and chemotherapy, FP regimen concurrent chemoradiotherapy was more effective than radiotherapy alone (p=0.030). The 3-year progression-free survival rate was 41.9% and 11.1% in patients with PALN numbers of ≤1 and ≥2, respectively (p=0.008). The 3-year progression-free survival rate was 42.1% and 19.2% in patients with PALN size of <1.5 cm and ≥1.5 cm, respectively (p=0.031).

Conclusion

The radiologic features of PALN, such as number or size, can be used to determine prognosis in PALN metastatic cervical cancer patients. Furthermore, FP regimen concurrent chemoradiotherapy was associated with better patient survival than radiotherapy alone. However, more studies are required to confirm possible different treatment outcomes between FP and weekly cisplatin regimens.     

口腔鳞癌颈淋巴结转移的临床病理学特点及其对预后的影响

背景与目的口腔癌淋巴结转移率在50%～59%之间,对其处理好坏关系到患者的预后。本研究拟探讨影响口腔鳞癌颈淋巴结转移的临床病理因素及其对预后的影响。方法对191例口腔鳞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、转移颈淋巴结最低受累区域等淋巴结病理学因素对预后生存的影响进行Cox回归分析。结果口腔鳞癌患者5年生存率为48.7%。χ2分析显示,仅肿瘤浸润深度与发生颈淋巴结转移有关。Cox回归分析表明,临床N分期、颈淋巴结转移状态、转移颈淋巴结累及区域数、转移颈淋巴结最低受累区域因素影响患者预后,特别是临床N分期、转移颈淋巴结最低受累区域因素与口腔鳞癌患者预后明显相关。结论口腔鳞癌颈淋巴结转移是影响患者预后的重要因素,了解其颈淋巴结转移的规律,并对影响预后的淋巴结因素采取相应治疗措施,对提高口腔鳞癌治疗效果具有重要意义。     

Tumor lymphangiogenesis correlates with lymph node metastasis and clinicopathologic parameters in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and microvessel density (MVD) are important parameters for assessing the malignant potential of tumors and patient survival. In this report, the authors defined LVD as the density of D2-40-positive lymphatic vessels and MVD as the density of CD105-positive microvessels per unit area of tissue. It was reported previously that vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is a major modulator of LVD and MVD. The objectives of this study were to clarify the clinical and prognostic significance of both LVD and MVD in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to elucidate the lymphangiogenic and angiogenic activities of VEGF-C in cancer tissues. METHODS: In total, 110 OSCC tissue samples were evaluated for LVD, MVD, and expression of VEGF-C using immunohistochemistry. Correlations among these parameters and clinicopathologic factors were examined. RESULTS: LVD was significantly higher in tumors that had very high expression of VEGF-C compared with tumors that had no/weak expression of VEGF-C. LVD correlated well with lymph node metastasis (P < .001). MVD was correlated significantly with positive lymph node metastasis (P < .001) but not with VEGF-C expression. In contrast, high expression of VEGF-C was correlated significantly with advanced tumor status (P = .041). Survival rates were lower in patients who had higher LVD (P < .001), higher MVD (P = .0028), and strong VEGF-C expression (P = .048). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphangiogenesis predominantly influenced metastasis-free survival. The current results suggested that LVD is a more useful tool than MVD and VEGF-C for deciding on therapeutic strategies in patients with OSCC.     

N1S3: A revised staging system for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastases

BACKGROUND.

A staging system was designed for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that would incorporate the parotid as a regional level and facilitate a better prognostic discrimination between subgroups.

METHODS.

A retrospective review of clinical and pathological information of patients treated for metastatic cutaneous SCC to the parotid and/or neck was conducted. Potential prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. A staging system was elaborated and externally validated.

RESULTS.

Two hundred fifteen patients were included. All patients had surgery as their primary treatment; 148 had parotidectomy with neck dissection, 50 parotidectomy alone, and 18 neck dissection alone. One hundred seventy‐five patients received postoperative radiotherapy. On univariate analysis, the number of involved lymph nodes (P < .001), maximal size (P = .01), and extracapsular spread (P = .003) were found to be significant predictors of survival. On Cox regression, the number of involved lymph nodes as single or multiple (P = .006) was significant. The N1S3 staging system incorporates involved lymph nodes from parotid and neck (single or multiple) and the size (< or >3 cm). This system demonstrates significant predictive capacity for locoregional control (P < .001), disease‐specific survival (P<.0001), and overall survival (P<.0001). N1S3 was tested on a different cohort of 250 patients, and the results confirmed those obtained from our primary analyses.

CONCLUSIONS.

The N1S3 system stages patients according to the number of involved lymph nodes and size, and incorporates parotid as 1 of the regional levels. These 2 predictors are easily applied on both clinical and pathological data. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for high risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: Case series and review of the literature

Aims

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. The metastatic potential is generally low. However, there are subgroups of patients at higher risk, for whom sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) might be useful. SLNB might allow the timely inclusion of high risk patients in more aggressive treatment protocols, sparing at the same time node-negative patients the morbidity of potentially unnecessary therapy.Our aim was to introduce the concept of SLNB for patients with high risk cutaneous SCC.

Patients and methods

We examined a consecutive series of high risk cutaneous SCC patients undergoing SLNB at our large dermatological hospital, and performed a literature review and pooled analysis of all published cases of SLNB for cutaneous SCC.

Results

Among the 22 clinically node-negative patients undergoing SLNB at our hospital, one patient (4.5%) showed a histologically positive sentinel node and developed recurrences during follow-up. Sentinel node-negative patients showed no metastases at a median follow-up of 17 months (range: 6–64). The incidence of positive sentinel nodes in previous reports ranged between 12.5% and 44.4%. Pooling together patients from the present and previous studies (total 83 patients), we calculated an Odds Ratio of 2.76 (95% CI 1.2–6.5; p = 0.02) of finding positive sentinel nodes for an increase in tumor size from <2 cm to 2.1–3 cm to >3 cm.

Conclusions

Our case series and the pooled analysis support the concept that SLNB can be performed for high risk cutaneous SCC. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to examine the role, utility and cost-effectiveness of SLNB for this population.     

鼻咽癌腮腺淋巴结转移危险因素及高危患者腮腺局部调强放疗的探讨

目的 探讨鼻咽癌腮腺淋巴结转移的高危因素,评价高危者腮腺放疗的可行性。方法 收集2011-2017年江苏省肿瘤医院放疗科收治的440例初诊鼻咽癌患者的临床资料,回顾性分析腮腺淋巴结转移相关的影像特点、治疗及预后。全组采用调强放疗技术,全腮腺或部分腮腺照射、选择性PLN照射,X线和(或)电子线补量,剂量45~60 Gy。χ²检验或Fisher's精确概率法检验和单因素分析,Logistic回归模型多因素分析。Kaplan-Meier法生存分析,Logrank检验差异。结果 腮腺区影像学可见淋巴结者共230例。确诊腮腺转移11例(占2.5%,11/440),其中腮腺淋巴结最大径≥5 mm者占81.8%(9/11)。多因素分析显示Ⅱ区淋巴结包膜外侵为其转移的独立危险因素。将腮腺区淋巴结最大径≥5 mm、Ⅱ区淋巴结包膜外侵者筛选为腮腺淋巴结转移高危组,根据腮腺区是否放疗分为放疗组及未放疗组。生存分析发现,在230例患者中,高危组腮腺区放疗者与未放疗者无局部复发生存率不同(P<0.05),总生存、无远处转移生存、无进展生存均相近(P>0.05)。结论 鼻咽癌腮腺淋巴结转移率低,Ⅱ区淋巴结包膜外侵为其独立高危因素。对于腮腺淋巴结最大径≥5 mm,或腮腺区存在影像学可见淋巴结,即使其最大径<5 mm,但若合并Ⅱ区淋巴结包膜外侵,建议行腮腺区放疗。