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Cervical Lymph Node Metastases from Central Nervous System Tumors: A Systematic Review
Andrés Coca-Pelaz1, Justin A Bishop2, Nina Zidar3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias-University of Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Oviedo (Asturias), Spain.
Cancer Management and Research
|March 18, 2022
Summary
Lymph node metastasis from central nervous system (CNS) tumors is rare but requires awareness for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Understanding this spread is crucial for surgeons and pathologists to manage cervical LNM effectively.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Lymph node metastasis (LNM) from primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors is historically considered infrequent.
- Classical understanding suggested CNS tumors could not spread via lymphatic routes, but recent discoveries necessitate updated knowledge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on cervical LNM from primary CNS tumors.
- To discuss pathogenetic mechanisms, cytologic features, and surgical treatment recommendations for these cases.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines.
- Data from 143 articles, encompassing 174 patients diagnosed with LNM from a primary CNS tumor between 1944 and 2021, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The study identified 174 patients with LNM from primary CNS tumors, with a mean age of 31.9 years.
- The most common sites for distant metastasis were bones (23%), lungs (11.5%), and non-cervical lymph nodes (11%).
Conclusions:
- Cervical LNM from CNS tumors is an uncommon but significant finding.
- Fine-needle aspiration cytology aids in diagnosis, guiding conservative cervical dissection as the preferred surgical approach due to poor prognosis.
