Predictors of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the tumor volume, grade invasion depth in the prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis.Identification of diagnostic parameters reliably predicting cervical lymph node involvement can be useful in improving the management of laryngeal cancer.

One hundred and seven patients with squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and who underwent surgery were assessed retrospectively. Age, sex, Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage, grade, invasion depth and computerised tomography (CT) volume of the tumors were analysed. The association between these parameters and cervical lymph node metastasis was determined.

Thirty two patients (29.91%) had positive cervical lymph nodes. Lymph node metastasis is detected in 13 (46.43%) poorly differentiated tumors, and in 19 (24.05%) moderate-well differentiated tumors. Mean volume was 2.15±0.14 cc in lymph node negative patients and 2.97±1.05 cc in lymph node positive patients. Mean invasion depth was 10.1±0.87 mm in lymph node negative patients and in 11.3±1.05 mm lymph node positive patients. The tumor grade and volume predicted successfully lymph node metastasis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, however invasion depth was not associated with nodal metastasis (p=0.047, p=0.0022, p=0.916, respectively).

The tumor grade and volume could predict cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, whereas the depth of invasion did not. Calculation of the tumor volume radiologically can help predict lymph node metastasis by minimizing the variability in measurements such as the depth of invasion.