Prognostic significance of lymph node reactivity in patients with laryngeal carcinoma

Apart from the presence or absence of metastases in patients with laryngeal carcinoma, there are changes of reactivity in cervical lymph nodes that are seen histologically as nonspecific reactive lymphadenitis. These changes are morphological manifestations of the regional lymphatic system reactivity in relation to tumor, and their presence may be of prognostic value. To test this hypothesis, 45 patients with laryngeal carcinoma were examined for the evidence of node reactivity. The classification applied by Tsakraklides et al. was used, defining patterns of lymphocyte predominance, germinal center appearance (indicating lymph node stimulation) and whether or not lymphocyte depletion had occurred. The presence of node reactivity was compared with long-term (5-year) survivals in the group of patients studied. By applying statistical analysis it was found that lymph node stimulation was a favorable prognostic factor, while its absence worsened prognosis.