[Prediction factors for lymph node involvement in carcinoma of the larynx]

A series of 60 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx who underwent surgery of the primary tumor and elective bilateral neck dissection were reviewed to determine the importance of certain clinical and pathological features as risk factors for lymph node metastasis. Tumor location, extension to the vallecula and to the pyriform sinus, T stage, histological grade, palpable lymph nodes, laryngeal motility, and macroscopic aspects were studied. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that T stage, tumor location, and palpable lymph nodes were the most important predictors of lymph node metastases.