Lymph node invasion in hypopharynx and lateral epilarynx carcinoma: a prognostic factor

Hypopharynx (HC: pyriform fossa, postcricoïd area, and posterior wall) and lateral epilarynx carcinomas (LEC: aryepiglottic fold, pharyngoepiglottic fold, and arytenoïd) have a high tendency to cervical lymph node invasion. Such nodal extension is a well-known prognostic factor. This study is based on a retrospective review of 884 clinical records of previously untreated HC or LEC. Seventy percent of patients revealed palpable nodes at their first examination, with a higher percentage for HC (73%) than LEC (62%). The 5-year survival rate was divided by three in the presence of contralateral, bilateral, or fixed nodes, or in cases of nodes exceeding 3 cm. Multiple positive nodes, extracapsular spread, or lower-neck positive nodes significantly decreased survival, doubled the number of neck recurrences, and tripled the number of distant metastases while control at the primary site remained unvaried.