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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Lymph node ratio as a survival predictor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with multiple adverse pathological
Ming-Hsien Tsai1,2,3, Hui-Ching Chuang1,2,4, Chih-Yen Chien1,2,4,5
1Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Background:
The study investigates the prognostic significance of lymph node ratio (LNR) on patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with coexistence of multiple adverse pathological features.
Methods:
In total, 100 patients with coexistence of perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and extranodal extension of first primary HNSCC treated with radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy were enrolled.
Results:
The optimal LNR cut-off value for predicting overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) was 7%. In Cox model, we observed that LNR ≥7% was a statistically significant unfavorable predictor of OS (HR: 2.689; 95% CI: 1.228-5.889; p = 0.013) and CSS (HR: 3.162; 95% CI: 1.234-8.102; p = 0.016).
Conclusion:
For HNSCC patients with coexistence of multiple adverse pathological features, LNR is an independent survival predictor. Novel intensified treatments are needed for the subgroup of patients with a high LNR.
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