头颈部鳞癌颈淋巴结隐匿性转移

目的探讨头颈部鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移的特点和规律。方法对111例头颈部鳞癌N0M0患者的颈淋巴结清扫标本进行切片观察。结果隐匿性转移总体发生率为26．12％(29／111)。其中口腔癌18．75％(15／80)，口咽癌25．00％(1／4)，下咽癌54．54％(6／11)，喉癌43．75％(7／16)。原发癌临床分期、肿瘤细胞分化程度是影响颈淋巴结隐匿性转移的重要因素。111例N0M0患者5年生存率为66．7％，其中pN^-为74．39％(61／82)，pN^ 为44．82％(13／29)。结论对临床T3和T4期、癌组织分化程度低和深度浸润的cN0头颈部鳞癌应行选择性颈清扫术以治疗颈淋巴结隐匿性转移并提高患者的生存率。     

胸大肌皮瓣修复头颈肿瘤术后缺损6例(摘要)

1991年～1997年应用胸大肌皮瓣修复头颈肿瘤术后缺损6例，均为男性，年龄24～68岁。其中下咽鳞癌T_4N_2M_0、T_4N_1M_0各1例；口底鳞癌T_3N_0M_01例；下牙龈鳞癌T_4N_(2b)M_01例；腮腺混合瘤恶变T_3N_1M_01例；舌根横纹肌肉瘤T_4N_0M_01例。下咽癌2例均已侵及食管入口，腮腺癌侵犯皮肤引起皮肤红肿溃烂。下咽癌2例及下牙龈癌1例术后辅以放疗。6例均行颈淋巴结清扫术，其中2例下咽癌均行双侧颈淋巴结清扫术。术后粘膜、皮肤缺损行同侧胸大肌皮瓣转移修复，根据缺损大小设计皮瓣面积大小，最大者为10×14cm，小者6×8cm，供皮区皮肤直…     

喉室癌的临床特征和不同疗法的疗效分析

对1980～1984年收治的60例(男59,女1;年龄24～77,平均58岁)喉室癌患者的临床特征和不同疗法的效果进行了分析。患者最常见的首发症状是声嘶(88％),其次是咽下疼痛(12％)。诊断的根据是间接喉镜、纤维喉镜、X线照片、CT扫描和病检结果。要准确判定喉室癌的部位及其扩展范围较困难,对喉室癌最有价值的诊断方法是纤维喉镜和CT扫描,后者能准确显示出癌向声门旁间隙和甲状软骨的侵蚀程度。癌肿生长的方式:30例为混合型,26例浸润性和4例外生性。癌肿分期:Ⅱ期(T_2N_0M_0)11例,Ⅲ期49例,其中T_3N_0M_041例,T_3N_1M_07例,T_3N_2M_01例。入院时有颈淋巴结转移者8例(13.3％),术后动态观察中出现颈淋巴结转移共15例,占24.9％(文献记载为30～45％)。癌的组织学结构:48例为角化型鳞癌,7例鳞癌有角化倾向,5例非角化型鳞癌。浸润性生长伴患侧声带运动受限者29例,患侧声带固定者13例。     

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。     

cN0声门上型喉癌颈淋巴结隐匿性转移规律及处理

目的:探讨cN0声门上型喉癌患者颈部淋巴结隐匿性转移规律并选择合理的颈清扫区域。方法:139例cN0声门上型喉癌患者在行喉切除术同时行颈淋巴结清扫术,其中行改良性颈清扫57例,肩胛舌骨肌上淋巴结清扫30例,颈Ⅱ、Ⅲ区淋巴结清扫52例。将所获淋巴结按颈部分区逐一行组织病理学检查,观察其转移规律及临床疗效。结果:139例cN0声门上型喉癌患者中,同期行单侧颈清扫113例,同期行双侧颈清扫26例。139例(165侧)颈清扫标本经病理学检查,颈淋巴结阳性36例(25.9%),首次病理学检查颈淋巴结阴性者在随访中发现未手术侧淋巴结转移6例,总颈淋巴结隐匿性转移率为30.2%(42/139),单侧隐匿性转移率为26.6%(37/139),双侧隐匿性转移率为3.6%(5/139)。165侧颈清扫标本共获得淋巴结3 594枚,平均每侧21.8枚,共获病理阳性淋巴结83枚,其中位于Ⅰ区1枚(1.2%),Ⅱ区65枚(78.3%),Ⅲ区16枚(19.3%),Ⅳ区1枚(1.2%),Ⅴ区0枚。颈部复发率为5.0%(7/139),pN0与pN+的颈部复发率分别为0和16.7%(7/42),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),总5年生存率为76.3%(106/139)。结论:颈Ⅱ、Ⅲ区是cN0声门上型喉癌颈部淋巴结隐匿性转移的主要区域,择区性(Ⅱ、Ⅲ区)颈淋巴结清扫术治疗cN0声门上型喉癌是合适的。     

原发和继发性喉咽癌的转移

喉咽癌有50～80％经颈淋巴途径转移,这种转移多见于梨状窝和其它部位浸润性生长的肿瘤。当首次就诊时有60～75％喉咽癌已有颈淋巴转移,摘除的淋巴结病理学检查时38～50％病例确诊为无临床症状的转移。而颈部转移的数量、部位和性质对预后有直接关系。为此作者对340例原发性和继发性癌进行观察,其中男318,女性22,不到50岁的112例,50岁以上者228侧。按TNM分级病变范围如下:109例为T_3N_(0-1)M_0(Ⅲ期),231例为T_(3-4)N_(0-3)M_0(Ⅳ期),241例原发性肿瘤确诊为角化型鳞状细胞癌,87例为非角化型鳞状细胞癌,余12例为未分化癌。     

颈分区性清扫术治疗头颈部鳞状细胞癌的远期疗效

目的 研究颈分区性清扫术在头颈部鳞状细胞癌(简称鳞癌)治疗中的效果。方法 回顾性分析1997年1月～2001年12月在中国医学科学院肿瘤医院接受分区性清扫术的头颈部鳞癌患者123例，其中喉癌77例、口腔癌29例、口咽癌2例、下咽癌15例。分区性清扫术后发现淋巴结病理阴性(pNO)99例，淋巴结病理阳性(pN )24例。随访时间中位数为25个月。结果 101例cNO患者行分区性清扫术后发现pN 14例(13．9％)；22例cN 患者行分区性清扫术后发现pN 10例(45．5％)。157侧分区性清扫标本中共发现52枚阳性淋巴结，其在颈部的分布如下：I区25％，Ⅱ区48％，Ⅲ区25％，Ⅳ区2％。根据Kaplan—Meier方法计算5年颈部复发率，pNO患者为5．87％(95％可信区间0．8％，10．9％)，pN 患者为9．2％(95％可信区间0．0％，21．5％)。结论 颈分区性清扫术从微创观念出发，只要选择恰当，对于头颈部鳞癌患者可以取得与传统颈清扫术相当的效果。更重要的是保留了患者的功能和外观，提高了生活质量。     

颈淋巴结鳞癌被膜外扩展:喉癌的预后因素

颈淋巴结转移是喉癌患者最重要的预后因素。对52例原发喉癌做喉全切术或部分切除术及颈清扫术患者,进行临床及标本回顾性分析。喉癌病理诊断均为鳞癌。颈清扫之淋巴结病理结果分为三类:①无病理转移;②颈淋巴结癌转移限于淋巴结内;③癌转移侵及颈淋巴结被膜外组织(ECS)。肿瘤分级:T_1者5例(9%),T_2者13例(24%),T_3者30例(56%),T_4者4例(11%);肿瘤分期:Ⅱ期者4例(7%),Ⅲ期者28例(51%),Ⅳ期者20例(42%)。比较5年存活率结果:①TNM的Ⅱ期者为68%,Ⅲ期者为62%,Ⅳ期者为53%,各期无统计学差异;T_1或T_2者为     

舌及口底鳞癌治疗分析

目的 探讨舌及口底鳞癌淋巴转移的手术时机与方式对预后的影响。方法 舌及口底鳞癌67例,非手术组12例(为cN_(2～3)患者),手术组55例。cN_028例行原发灶切除,其中23例行选择性颈淋巴清扫。27例cN_(1～3)(cN15例、cN_(2～3)22例)行原发灶切除加根治性颈淋巴清扫,其中16例cN_(2～3)行岛状肌皮瓣修复术:结果 在34例患者中(cN_(2～3)),手术组5年生存率为54.55％(12/22),非手术组5年生存率为41.67％(5/12)。28例cN_0患者中,4例单纯癌肿切除者术后45～60天出现淋巴转移;23例行选择性颈淋巴结清扫术者,证实13例有隐匿性淋巴结转移,10例未见淋巴结转移。结论 对cN_0患者应尽早行选择性颈淋巴结清扫术。对多区域淋巴结或一个区域多个淋巴结转移的cN_(2～3)患者,手术比非手术组的生存率更高,但后者对提高5年生存质量有一定作用。     

声门上水平喉切除术的经验

声门上水平喉切除术是治疗喉声门上癌典型的保守手术。1938年Huet首次施行。作者们介绍了1972～1980年间,用三种术式治疗43例的经验。其中男41例,女2例。年龄为30～80岁,其中51～70岁30例,约占70%。组织学分类:低至中分化癌24例,高分化癌18例,乳头状癌1例。分期为:T_(1a)N_0M_024例,T_(1b)N_0M_013例,T_(1b)N_(1-2)M_02例,T_4N_0M_04例。声带无病变是行声门上喉切除术绝对必要的     

Lymph node metastasis of glottic laryngeal carcinoma

The incidence of lymph node metastases in glottic cancer is assumed to be lower than in other head and neck cancers. In a retrospective study this statement was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This analysis was based on 910 consecutive patients with glottic carcinoma treated between 1970 and 1990 by means of surgery with special interest on regional lymph node metastases. RESULTS: 8.6 % patients had clinically positive necks (N+) and 5.9 % pathohistologically positive necks (pN+). The incidence of lymph node metastases showed correlation with pT category and vocal cord mobility. Lymph node metastases were found in 5 % of pT2, in 18 % of pT3 and in 32 % of pT4 tumors. Only one patient with pT1 cancer had metastatic lymph node involvement. The incidence of occult lymph node metastases was 18 %. Lymph node involvement, extracapsular spread and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa proved to be relevant prognostic factors. The 5 year recurrent free survival rate was 86.7 % for the whole group, 81.6 % for patients with negative nodes (pN0), and 61.8 % for patients with pN+ nodes (p < 0.001 according to logrank test). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical lymph node staging plays an important prognostic role in the staging procedure also in glottic carcinoma. At least in T3 carcinomas, elective treatment of the cervical lymph nodes seems to be necessary. T2 carcinomas with impaired cord mobility have a significant higher risk for metastatic spread; therefore neck dissection should be discussed also in these cases.     

Ultrasound investigation of cervical lymph node metastases: conception and results of a histopathological exploration

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is one of the most important methods for detection of cervical lymph node metastases in malignancies of the head and neck. In our study, the specificity of ultrasound was explored by a special, histopathological exploration considering the anatomical regions of the neck. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were studied (5 female, 33 male, age: 38-86 years) with different histology and incidence of metastatic spread of head and neck cancers. Forty-six neck dissections were performed (30 radical and 16 selective). Histological exploration was performed after pinning the neck soft tissue with needles to anatomical live drawings of the lymph node regions, a modification of the Medina procedure. This procedure allowed a correct topographical assignment of lymph node metastases and comparison of preoperative sonographical findings with histopathological results. RESULTS: We isolated 1333 lymph nodes, 137 of them infiltrated by metastases. These lymph node metastases were found in 28 of 46 neck dissections. The number of lymph nodes in radical neck dissections ranged from 21 to 60 (mean: 36), in selective neck dissection from 1 to 43 (mean: 16). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasound reached 96%, 69%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-two lymph node metastases (52%) of 12 neck dissections could not be evaluated by ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the reliability of ultrasound regarding sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of US-detectable cervical lymph nodes as reported in world literature. However, we were able to demonstrate in special histopathological explorations, that ultrasound did not detect more than 50% of present lymph node metastases in our series. We consider it essential to perform histopathological explorations of the soft tissue of the neck as described in our study to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of US, CT, and MRI in detecting lymph node metastases of head and neck malignancies.     

High incidence of lymph node metastasis in major salivary gland cancer

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence and risk factors for clinically apparent and occult lymph node metastases in patients with major salivary gland cancers. DESIGN: Cohort of patients with a median follow-up of 46 months (range, 1-174 months). SETTING: University-based referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 160 consecutive patients with complete clinical and pathologic data. INTERVENTION: Neck dissection was performed in all cases. Patients were treated with surgery alone (55%); surgery and radiation therapy (43%); or a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy (2%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incidence of apparent and occult lymph node metastases. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the significance of clinical and pathologic data. RESULTS: Histologically confirmed positive neck was found in 53% of all cases. Histologic diagnosis was significantly related to the incidence of lymph node metastasis: 89% (16/18) for undifferentiated carcinomas. However, so-called low-risk tumors had incidence rates of 22% to 47%. Twenty-one patients (13%) presented with clinically apparent cervical lymph node metastasis. Of the 139 patients with clinical N0 neck, 45% had occult neck metastasis. Neck metastasis was found in 29% (10/34) of T1, 54% (38/70) of T2, 65% (20/31) of T3, and 54% (16/25) of T4 tumors. Assessment of survival according to nodal status revealed significant correlations for overall (P<.001) and disease-free survival (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high incidence of lymph node metastasis from major salivary gland cancers. Neck dissections should be considered as an integral part of the surgical approach in patients with major salivary gland cancer, especially if no postoperative radiation therapy is planned.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

叶绿素染色在喉癌下咽癌颈淋巴结清扫术中的应用

目的 :探讨喉癌、下咽癌的颈淋巴结转移方式。方法 :对 5 0例喉癌、下咽癌患者于颈清扫术前 ,在喉及下咽粘膜下注射叶绿素使颈淋巴结系统染色 ,指导施行颈清扫术并收集淋巴结 ,进行连续切片观察。结果 :颈淋巴结被染成深绿色 ,与周围组织颜色对比明显 ,便于颈部手术和采集淋巴结 ;经病理检查证实 ,颈淋巴结总的转移率为 4 8% ,Ⅰ、Ⅴ区转移时均伴有其它区域的转移 ,Ⅱ、Ⅲ区转移率高于Ⅰ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ区 (P <0 .0 1) ;临床诊断颈淋巴结阴性 (cN0 )的患者淋巴结转移率为 2 3.5 % ,转移区域均在Ⅱ、Ⅲ区。结论 :临床诊断颈淋巴结阳性 (cN+ )喉癌、下咽癌患者的颈清扫手术 ,首先要保证清扫II、III区淋巴结 ,术中所见决定选择性颈清扫术式 ,对cN0 的下咽癌或声门上癌可行单侧或双侧颈深上、中淋巴结清扫术。叶绿素染色清晰 ,安全无毒 ,便于手术 ,可以在颈清扫术中常规应用     

Occult nodal metastasis in head and neck carcinoma patients treated with chemoradiotherapy

Background and aimNeck lymph node metastasis plays an important role in the prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occult nodal metastasis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with chemo radiotherapy.MethodsIn this 5-year prospective study, patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HN-SCC) after primary treatment with chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy that candidate for surgery were enrolled. In total, 50 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck with N0 neck were included in the study. Age, initial location of recurrent tumor, T staging in primary and recurrent tumors, neck condition (N0 or N+), and pathology report for neck metastasis, number of affected lymph nodes and duration of tumor recurrence were examined.ResultsOut of 50 patients with mean age of 57.04 ± 14.4 years, 13 were female (26%) and 37 (74%) were male. In terms of primary tumor size, 52% (26 patients) were in T2 stage. The primary and recurrent tumor was located in the oral cavity in 33 patients (66%). Nine 0f 50 patients (18%) had occult metastases.ConclusionIt seems that END surgery is necessary for treatment the occult lymph node neck metastasis of recurrent head and neck cancers with N0 neck. Therefore, it is possible that END surgery has reduced cervical recurrence in these patients.     

The node-negative neck: accuracy of clinical intraoperative lymph node assessment for metastatic disease in head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Often, the type of neck dissection performed in patients with head and neck malignancy is finally determined by intraoperative assessment of clinically suspect lymph nodes by frozen section. This prospective study aimed to assess the accuracy of clinical intraoperative lymph node assessment and therefore to examine validity of the underlying assumption that the surgeon can consistently identify nodes that contain metastatic tumor. We also aimed to assess whether gross morphological characteristics of the lymph nodes examined could be correlated with nodal status and therefore used to predict those nodes containing metastatic disease. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study assessing the accuracy of clinical intraoperative lymph node assessment in the node-negative neck. METHODS: Forty-six neck dissections from 34 patients with head and neck cancer were prospectively examined intraoperatively by a single surgeon. All obvious nodes were clinically assessed, morphologically described, and subsequently correlated with pathological findings. RESULTS: Sixty palpable nodes were identified in 32 neck dissections. They were clinically categorized as malignant or suspect (22) or benign (38). Pathological examination revealed a false-positive rate of 30% and a false-negative rate of 44%. The sensitivity of intraoperative lymph node assessment was 56%, and the specificity was 70%. Apart from "infiltration," morphological characteristics could not be correlated with nodal status. In the 14 neck dissections with no obviously palpable lymph nodes, 4 (29%) were positive for metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: In the node-negative neck, intraoperative assessment does not seem to improve the accuracy of staging. The only parameter of benefit and correlating with metastatic disease is clinical evidence of infiltration. The assumption that frozen section is a good determinate for selection of type of neck dissection is questionable. If selective neck dissection is not found to be therapeutic, its use leads to over-reliance on other therapeutic treatment such as postoperative radiotherapy, depriving the patient of a potential useful treatment modality in cases of locoregional recurrence.     

Distribution and impact of lymph node metastases in oropharyngeal cancer

CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of oropharyngeal cancers, possible metastases to retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs) should be taken into account, especially in tumors arising in the lateral wall and/or posterior wall. Patients with multiple positive neck nodes must have intensified adjuvant therapy, especially when they have extracapsular spread (ECS). OBJECTIVE: To develop optimal treatment strategies for oropharyngeal cancers, we retrospectively analyzed the lymph node metastases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 2003, 77 patients with previously untreated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent neck dissections. RESULTS: Among the patients with tumor arising in the lateral wall or posterior wall, retropharyngeal nodes were involved in 29% (11/38), while RPLN metastasis was not observed in patients with tumors arising in the superior wall or anterior wall. The survival rate of patients with two or fewer positive lymph nodes was significantly better than that of patients with three or more positive lymph nodes (p < 0.05). The survival rate of the patients who had ECS was significantly worse than that of the patients who had lymph node metastases but not ECS (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the survival rates of the patients with and without RPLN metastases.