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Prognostic factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
M Magnano1, A De Stefani, W Lerda
1Second Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, University of Turin, Italy.
Aims And Background:
The metastatic spread of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) to the cervical lymph nodes is a negative prognostic factor in terms of survival. We have used multivariate analysis to identify the possible prognostic significance of a number of clinical and pathological characteristics in relation to possible involvement of the cervical lymph nodes in a series of 396 patients.
Method:
396 patients with SCCHN were studied. Variables regarding the patient, the carcinoma and histology were analysed by multivariate analysis using BMDP's PLR programme.
Results:
Some variables appear to represent predisposing factors for tumor spread to the lymph nodes: tumor site (supraglottic larynx: P = 0.005; base of the tongue: P = 0.02; hypopharynx: P = 0.02), grading (P = 0.001), and a number of histological parameters (lower degree of histological differentiation: P = 0.001; vascular permeation: P = 0.04; perineural invasion: P < 0.05; prevalently plasmocytic infiltrate: P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The identification of cases at risk for metastasis can be improved by the assessment of prognostic factors, with a consequent improvement in treatment strategies.