Immunohistochemical detection of cervical lymph node micrometastases from T2N0 tongue cancer

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that extensive, multiple cervical micrometastases occurred from an early stage in patients with T2N0 tongue cancer. The presence of micrometastases suggests the necessity of preventive neck dissection for Level I-IV nodes as a radical treatment. OBJECTIVE: Cervical lymph node metastases occur with a relatively high frequency in patients with T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and control of the metastases greatly influences the prognosis of patients. In this study, micrometastases in the cervical lymph nodes were investigated to clarify the necessity and required extent of preventive neck dissection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated micrometastases in 24 subjects who had previously been diagnosed with T2N0 tongue cancer. We performed immunostaining with anti-cytokeratin antibody cocktail AE1/AE3 of sections of 401 paraffin-embedded lymph nodes obtained from these patients. RESULTS: Micrometastases were observed in 14 patients (58%) and were most abundant in Level II nodes (n=11; 46%). Micrometastases were observed in the Level IV nodes of 3 patients (13%), and upstaging to pN2b occurred in 7 patients (29%).     

Micrometastases from squamous cell carcinoma in neck dissection specimens

Summary The incidence of micrometastases in cervical lymph nodes from squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck was studied using routine histopathological examination. Micrometastases were found in 66 lymph nodes in 41 of the 92 tumor-positive neck dissection specimens. The detection of these micrometastases influenced postoperative treatment in 3 of the 77 patients with neck node metastases. The value of additional sectioning for detecting micrometastases was thus assessed. Sectioning at a deeper level in 600 originally histopathologically negative lymph nodes from 64 patients revealed 7 additional micrometastases in 5 patients. Antikeratin staining with a mixture of two monoclonal antibodies (AE1 and AE3) revealed 4 micrometastases in 739 originally histopathologically negative lymph nodes in 3 of 13 patients studied. Because of the unknown prognostic significance of micrometastases and the consequent arbitrary consequences for postoperative treatment, present findings show that the extra workload of immunostaining and deeper sectioning does not warrant their routine use in clinical practise.     

喉及下咽鳞癌颈淋巴结隐匿性转移灶的研究

目的 :进一步探讨喉及下咽鳞癌颈淋巴结转移规律 ,为喉及下咽鳞癌颈淋巴结清扫术提供理论依据。方法 :收集 1997年 5月～ 1999年 7月 4 0例临床颈淋巴结阴性 ( c N0 )的喉及下咽鳞癌患者改良根治性颈清扫术所得标本 ,且术前未经任何治疗者为研究病例。对颈清扫淋巴结 (共 2 2 19枚 )进行常规 HE及免疫组化法检查。全部病例随访 1年以上。结果 :喉及下咽鳞癌出现颈淋巴结转移 14例 ( 3 5 % ) ,共 3 1枚 ( 1.4 % )淋巴结 ,其中声门上癌 6例 ( 6/2 0 ) ,跨声门癌 1例 ( 1/1) ,下咽癌 7例 ( 7/10 )。 9例声门癌无颈淋巴结转移。颈淋巴结转移均位于颈 、 区。结论 :喉及下咽鳞癌颈淋巴结转移多发生于患侧颈 、 区 (局限于声门区喉癌除外 )。对于 T2 ～ T4 声门上癌、跨声门癌及下咽癌的 c N0 患者 ,根据其可能发生颈淋巴结隐匿性转移的高危险性 ,建议行患侧或双侧颈 及 区淋巴结清扫术。     

Is Dissection of Level IV Necessary in Patients With T1‐T3 N0 Tongue Cancer?

OBJECTIVE: Dissection of the lower jugular level of lymph nodes (level IV), as part of an elective neck dissection, has been advocated recently for all patients with oral tongue cancer because of the possibility of "skip metastases" to levels III and IV. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the need to perform a dissection of level IV in patients with oral tongue cancer with no clinical evidence of nodal metastases. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with T1-3, N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue were treated with a partial glossectomy and a selective neck dissection of levels I, II, and III. When enlarged nodes were encountered during surgery in level II or III, the dissection was extended to include the nodes in level IV. Involvement of level IV was determined either by the presence of carcinoma on pathological examination or by the development of recurrence in the untreated level IV during a follow-up period of at least 2 years. RESULTS: Level IV was resected as part of the specimen in 17 of the 51 patients and metastatic tumor was found in this level in only one patient. At an average follow-up of 4.1 years, only one patient recurred at level IV, which had been addressed at the initial neck dissection. Consequently, the rate of metastases to undissected level IV was 2%. CONCLUSIONS: Metastases to level IV lymph nodes is rare in patients with T1-T3, N0 oral tongue cancer. Dissection of these nodes only when there is intraoperative suspicion of metastases in levels II or III does not increase the risk or recurrence of tumor in the neck.     

Upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma: Distribution of extracapsular spread and soft tissue deposits in the neck

Objective Extracapsular spread (ECS) and soft tissue deposits (STD) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the neck of patients with metastatic SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract have been shown to adversely affect actuarial and disease-free survival. No studies to date have detailed the distribution of ECS and STD within the neck.

Material and Methods A total of 215 neck dissections from 155 patients were prospectively collected and analysed for the presence of both STD and ECS. As no classification for STD exists, their distribution was classified according to the nodal levels used for classification of cervical lymph nodes as described by the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center.

Results A total of 81 neck dissections from 59 patients were found to have either metastatic lymph nodes with ECS, STD or both. The distribution of lymph node metastasis, ECS and STD was very similar. Level II was most frequently affected, with Levels III and IV being affected less frequently. There were very few lymph node metastases to Level V, and this level contained no evidence of either ECS or STD.

Conclusion The method of pathological assessment of neck dissection specimens and reporting on the presence of ECS and STD has not been formalized. By analysing neck dissection specimens in the manner described we can report on the presence or absence of ECS and STD with increased accuracy. This has considerable implications for patient management.     

Incidence and significance of clinically unsuspected thyroid tissue in lymph nodes found during neck dissection in head and neck carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objectives were to quantify the incidence of clinically unsuspected thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes encountered during neck dissection in patients with head and neck carcinoma, to describe the location and histological aspect of these inclusions, and to assess their clinical significance. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: The histological records of 1123 neck dissections in 752 patients with head and neck carcinoma were reviewed. In cases with thyroid inclusions, the pathological diagnosis was reviewed and an immunohistochemical study against thyroglobulin and calcitonin was carried out. RESULTS: Clinically unsuspected thyroid tissue was found in lymph nodes in 11 of the 752 patients with head and neck carcinoma treated with neck dissection. In five cases, the thyroid inclusion was compatible with a metastases of an occult papillary thyroid carcinoma. In the other six cases, a collection of thyroid follicles without malignant characteristics was found beneath the lymph node capsule. These latter cases were considered benign thyroid inclusions. A thyroidectomy was performed in three of the patients with lymph node metastases of the papillary carcinoma. An occult papillary carcinoma was found in only one case. The other two patients had been treated previously with radiotherapy for an early-stage glottic carcinoma. Immunohistochemical study did not find calcitonin-positive cells within the benign thyroid inclusions. After a follow-up period ranging from 1.2 to 8.2 years, no patient had any kind of local, regional, or distant relapse related to the thyroid disease. CONCLUSION: The incidence of unsuspected thyroid tissue in lymph nodes of patients with head and neck carcinoma treated with neck dissection was 1.5%. Both lymph node metastases of a papillary carcinoma and benign thyroid inclusions were found. The study results suggest that the incidental finding of thyroid tissue in the lymph nodes during a neck dissection in patients with head and neck carcinoma does not necessarily indicate the need for aggressive therapy.     

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.     

The significance of immunohistochemically demonstrated nodal micrometastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck have a relatively high risk of occult lymph node metastases. Pathological demonstration of these metastases may be difficult, and the detection of such occult metastases may identify patients who are at an increased risk for early recurrence or reduced survival. Immunohistochemistry may be applied in the identification of occult metastases that may be missed on routine (H&E) histological examination. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of immunohistochemically identified micrometastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of neck dissection specimens having no evidence of metastatic disease. METHODS: Lymph nodes from neck dissections performed on 10 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck without conventional histological evidence of nodal metastases were subsequently stained for cytokeratins by the monoclonal antibody cocktail AE1/AE3 to detect micrometastases. RESULTS: Occult micrometastases were found in the lymph nodes 5 of 10 patients examined. There was no association between the site of primary tumor, or T tage, and the presence of occult metastases. Three of five patients found to have occult metastases developed recurrence in the neck, whereas only one of five patients with no evidence of micrometastases had regional recurrence. There was no significant discrepancy in the patient survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic tumor cells are frequently present in lymph nodes, even in patients without histological evidence of nodal metastases by conventional methods. The presence of micrometastases may identify patients at increased risk for recurrence and may indicate poorer prognosis. The true clinical significance of these occult metastases will be determined by a long-term follow-up.     

Level V Lymph Node Dissection in Oral and Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Patients with Clinically Node‐Positive Neck: Is it Absolutely Necessary?

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative shoulder dysfunction has been significantly associated with any dissection of level V secondary to traction or with ischemic injury to the spinal accessory nerve. The aim of this study was to determine whether the dissection of level V lymph node pads is absolutely necessary in therapeutic neck dissection as a treatment for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) patients with clinically N+ neck. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 93 OOSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment of the primary lesion along with a simultaneous comprehensive neck dissection from January 1992 to December 2003. Of these, only one patient had a clinically positive neck node at level V. During the neck dissection, the contents of the level V lymph nodes were dissected, labeled, and processed separately from the remainder of the major neck dissection specimen. We studied the incidence of pathologic metastasis to level V lymph nodes. In addition, we also evaluated several potential risk factors for metastatic disease in the level V lymph nodes such as sex, age, T stage, N stage, histologic grade, and presence of other positive lymph nodes. RESULTS: A total of 96 comprehensive neck dissections were performed in this series. The prevalence of metastases in the level V lymph nodes was 5% (5 of 93) in ipsilateral and 0% (0 of 3) in contralateral necks. One case with clinically positive node at level V had a pathologic positive node in level II, III, IV, and V. Occult metastasis rate of ipsilateral level V was 4% (4 of 92). There was a statistically significant association between level V metastases and a positive N stage above N2b (P=.01). The presence of metastasis in other multiple neck levels, particularly the combined neck levels II, III, and IV, also have a statistically significant association with level V metastasis (P=.023). CONCLUSION: Level V lymph node pads may be preserved in modified neck dissections on OOSCC patients with clinically N+ neck below the nodal stage N2a.     

喉癌和下咽癌颈淋巴结转移临床对比分析

目的：探讨喉癌、下咽癌患者颈淋巴结转移的特点和分布规律。方法：对全喉切除术同期及复发后第1次行颈淋巴结清扫的129例喉癌、下咽癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性对比分析，研究不同类型的喉癌、下咽癌患者颈淋巴结的转移情况。结果：声门上型喉癌、下咽癌患者易发生早期淋巴结转移；下咽癌患者的转移淋巴结融合率高，颈静脉下区出现阳性淋巴结的比率高；声门上型喉癌、下咽癌患者原发病灶分化差的比率相对偏高；同期与复发后行颈淋巴结清扫的患者原发病灶分期差异无显著性意义。结论：对T2期及以上的声门上型喉癌及下咽癌患者，尤其当细胞分化比较差时，即使颈淋巴结阳性体征不明显亦应积极考虑颈淋巴结清扫问题，对下咽癌患者行颈淋巴结清扫时应考虑彻底清扫颈静脉下区的淋巴结。     

Prognostic significance of the number of lymph nodes in elective neck dissection for tongue and mouth floor cancers

The presence of metastatic lymph nodes is a relevant aspect in the treatment of head and neck cancer, bringing about a 50% reduction in survival.ObjectiveTo assess the number of lymph nodes removed in the neck dissection and their relationship with the prognosis.MethodsA retrospective study involving 143 patients with tongue and mouth floor epidermoid carcinoma, which histological exam showed no lymph node metastases. Among those, 119 were males and 24 females, with mean age of 54 years. As to the primary tumor site, 65 were in the tongue and 78 in the mouth floor. T stage distribution was of four T1, 84 T2, 36 T3 and 19 T4. We carried out 176 neck dissections, unilateral in 110 cases and bilateral in 33. Of these, 78 were radical and 98 selective. The patients were broken down into three groups, according to the 33 and 66 percentiles of the number of lymph nodes resected.ResultsThe mean number of resected lymph nodes was 27; 24 in selective dissections and 31 in the complete ones. We did not have statistically significant differences when associated to the T and N stages.ConclusionsThe larger number of lymph nodes dissected in the neck dissection identifies the group of better prognoses among pN0 cases.     

Küttner's tumor: Unusual presentation with bilateral involvement of the lacrimal and submandibular glands

Oral cavity tumors may develop occult metastases to the cervical lymph nodes. Current imaging techniques and routine histopathologic methods may fail to detect lymph node micrometastases, but the surgeon has to electively dissect a neck at risk of developing clinical disease. Supraomohyoid neck dissection has been the elective surgery for treating a clinically negative neck in patients with oral cavity primaries. A literature review revealed that level IV nodes can be significantly affected by occult disease with and without metastases in level I-III lymph nodes. This means that level IV nodes have to be included in the supraomohyoid neck dissection, resulting in a more extensive surgical procedure to ensure a margin of oncological safety.     

Is extended selective supraomohyoid neck dissection indicated for treatment of oral cancer with clinically negative neck?

Oral cavity tumors may develop occult metastases to the cervical lymph nodes. Current imaging techniques and routine histopathologic methods may fail to detect lymph node micrometastases, but the surgeon has to electively dissect a neck at risk of developing clinical disease. Supraomohyoid neck dissection has been the elective surgery for treating a clinically negative neck in patients with oral cavity primaries. A literature review revealed that level IV nodes can be significantly affected by occult disease with and without metastases in level I-III lymph nodes. This means that level IV nodes have to be included in the supraomohyoid neck dissection, resulting in a more extensive surgical procedure to ensure a margin of oncological safety.     

THE LEVEL OF CERVICAL LYMPH NODE METASTASES: THEIR PROGNOSTIC RELEVANCE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA PRIMARY SITES

It would seem logical that patients with nodal metastases low in the neck would fare less well than patients with disease high in the neck. The penultimate UICC classification suggested that neck node level was important although there was no mention of this in the most recent classification. In addition, patients with carcinomas at the various sites would be expected to have different patterns of nodal involvement. Of 3419 patients with head and neck squamous carcinoma on the Liverpool University Head and Neck Unit database, 947 had neck node metastases. The neck node levels were coded as (I)sub-mandibular, (II) above the thyroid notch, (III) below the thyroid notch and (IV) supra-clavicular/posterior triangle nodes. Levels II and III contained the deep jugular chain. The relationship between node level and site and sub-site and survival were analysed with particular emphasis on multivariate methods. The 5-year survival for the whole group was 51% and survival fell with decreasing node level (I-IV) being 37% for sub-mandibular nodes, 32% for deep cervical nodes and 25% for lower deep cervical nodes. The 18-month survival for supra-clavicular and posterior triangle nodes was 21%. The difference in survival was significant (x²₃= 24.42, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that as the level of the nodes fell from the sub-mandibular refion to the supra-clavicular region the prognosis worsened (estimate = -0.3378, P = 0.0003). Level II (upper deep cervical) nodes were the most commonly involved with regards to all primary sites and formed 69% of all neck node metastases. Over three quarters of laryngeal oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal metastases went ot this level whereas only 47% of oral cancers did. Most of the remainder of these latter lesions metastasized to level I (42%). These findings were confirmed by multiple logistic regression. When studying survival for lymph node level with regard to site all sites had a reducing prognosis with decrasing node level except for larynx. Multiple linear regression showed an association between decreasing node level and increasing N-stage (P = 0.001) with increasing T-stage (P = 0.0014) and as the site moved from the mouth to the larynx (P = 0.0047). The present data support the view that neck node level is important as regards prognosis for most sites in the head and neck. The data confirm the clinical view that deep cervical nodes are most frequently affected by head and neck cancer with level IV nodes being unusual and clinically tending to herald a non head and neck tumour and that level III nodes are relatively uncommon. This is surprising as one would expect at least a proportion of laryngeal carcinomas and quite a high proportion of lhypopharyngeal carcinomas to metastasize to this region.     

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     

Combined radiotherapy with planned neck dissection for small head and neck cancers with advanced cervical metastases

BACKGROUND: We have previously described our treatment algorithm for patients with small head and neck cancers with advanced cervical metastases (stage N2 or greater). Primary radiotherapy is given to the primary site and neck, followed 6 weeks later with endoscopy and biopsy of the primary site. If biopsy of the primary site is negative by frozen section, an immediate neck dissection is performed even when no clinical residual neck disease is present. Our initial review found that 36% of patients with a complete clinical response to radiotherapy had positive nodes on histological examination. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: The medical records of 71 patients treated at UCLA Medical Center from 1986 to 1999 by this algorithm were reviewed. RESULTS: After radiotherapy, 69 of 71 patients had a complete response at their primary site. Forty-two patients had a complete clinical response in the neck. Seventy-one neck dissections were performed. Overall, 31 of 71 neck dissections (44%) had positive nodes. Among the 42 patients with a complete response to radiotherapy, 13 (31%) had positive histological nodes. Among the 29 patients with a partial response to radiotherapy, 17 (59%) had positive nodes. Follow-up and incidence of neck recurrence are discussed. CONCLUSION: Planned neck dissection for advanced cervical metastases remains controversial for patients with a complete clinical response to radiotherapy. However, our results suggest that clinical assessment after radiotherapy cannot assure the absence of neck disease. Until there are reliable methods to distinguish which patients are truly free of neck disease, we believe the benefits of a planned neck dissection outweigh the low morbidity of this procedure.     

The irradiated radical neck dissection in squamous carcinoma: a clinico-pathological study

The irradiated radical neck dissection in squamous carcinoma: a clinico-pathological study A preliminary clinico-pathological survey is presented of radical neck dissections from 50 patients with advanced (T3, T4) squamous carcinomas of the head and neck, previously treated by irradiation and combination chemotherapy. The total yield of lymph nodes (1411) from these dissections was high–mean of 28 nodes/dissection, range 8–60; the proportion of nodes containing metastatic carcinoma was low–100 (7%)–with only 1 or 2 nodal masses/dissection in most instances. The involved nodes tended to be concentrated in 1 or 2 anatomical groups, principally in the upper anterior neck, with apparent sparing of nodes in the posterior triangle. There was a high incidence (88%) of transcapsular spread. Keratin granulomas, with or without intact metastatic carcinoma, were commonly found; on occasions they formed large masses simulating nodal metastases. The morphological patterns in uninvolved lymph nodes were shown to be of no prognostic significance. Initial data on postoperative follow-up indicated a crude survival of 52% (24 patients) at 30 months. Most deaths (80%) occurred within 12 months of major surgery; the majority (72%) died with residual malignant disease; and uncontrolled primary rumour, particularly in the oral cavity and oropharynx, was found more frequently than metastatic disease in the neck or elsewhere. Clinical implications are discussed with reference to the use of modified radical neck dissections in the surgical salvage of this poor-risk group of previously irradiated patients.     

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.     

Preliminary multi-institutional prospective pathologic and molecular studies support preservation of sublevel IIB and level IV for laryngeal squamous carcinoma with clinically negative neck

Level II–IV selective neck dissection, often performed bilaterally, has become the procedure of choice for elective dissection of the clinically negative (N0) neck in the treatment of laryngeal cancer. The most significant morbidity of this procedure is dysfunction of the accessory nerve, incurred by the necessity of mobilization and retraction of the nerve in order to remove the contents of sublevel IIB. Other morbidity includes possible injury to the phrenic nerve and chylous fistula. These complications are associated with the dissection of level IV. A number of prospective multi-institutional studies of the distribution of cervical lymph node metastases in the neck indicate that lymph nodes in sublevel IIB and level IV are rarely involved in cases of laryngeal cancer with N0 neck. Information was obtained by the study of neck dissection specimens by conventional light microscopy, and by molecular analysis of the specimens. Molecular analysis reveals a significant number of metastases that are not discovered by light microscopy, and is thus essential for this type of evaluation. The authors conclude that these preliminary studies indicate that it is safe and appropriate to eliminate dissection of sublevel IIB and level IV from the elective neck dissection performed for laryngeal cancer with N0 neck. This practice will reduce both operating time and morbidity, particularly accessory nerve dysfunction, without compromising the oncologic result. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.     

Role of lateral neck dissection in cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx with No neck

Radical neck dissection is a standard procedure carried out for the teatment of palpable nodes in the neck but if carried out electively in cases where there are no palpable nodes in the neck it is considered to be an overtreatment with its associated morbity. Lateral neck dissection was carried out on twenty patients who had T31 T4 lesion of the larynx and hypophar-vnx with NO neck. The dissection entails removal of Level II. III and IV nodes. Occult metastasis 80% and 85% respectively. The mean follow up was 13 monts. It appears from our study that elective lateral neck dissection is a promising and safe procedure and may be useful as an important prognostic tool in sampling the lymph nodes and predicting recurrences in the neck.