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Anterior tongue cancer and the incidence of cervical lymph node metastases with increasing tumour thickness: should elective treatment to the neck be standard practice in all patients?

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing risk of cervical lymph node metastases as tumour thickness increases in patients with anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The role of elective neck treatment in early anterior tongue cancer in unclear. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with anterior tongue cancer and treated with glossectomy +/- neck dissection were identified. The aim was to document the incidence of pathological lymph node metastases and outcome with increasing tumour thickness. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify prognostic factors. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Between 1980 and 2002 99 patients (63 male and 36 female) with anterior tongue SCC were treated at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, and had a documented tumour thickness. Median age at diagnosis was 63 years (23-89 years). Median follow up was 37 months (6-205 months). Sixty-three patients underwent partial glossectomy and neck dissection. Thirty-six underwent partial glossectomy only. At the time of presentation 45/63 (71%) were clinically node negative. Using tumour thickness < or = 5 mm versus > 5 mm the incidence of nodal metastases was 8% versus 51% (P = 0.007). On multivariate analysis pathological nodal involvement and advanced stage both significantly predicted survival. The 2-year disease-free survival difference based on tumour thickness (< or = 5 mm vs > 5 mm) was 76% versus 65% (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Elective treatment to the ipsilateral neck is not indicated in all patients with anterior tongue cancer. However, for patients with a tumour thickness > 5 mm it is recommended that they undergo treatment to the ipsilateral neck in the form of a supraomohyoid neck dissection.

Adult↗

Delayed regional metastasis from midfacial squamous carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Metastases from mucosal and cutaneous carcinomas can present in a delayed fashion, and this late presentation may confer a different prognosis after conventional treatment. METHODS: We present a series of patients in which there was a significant time delay between the treatment of a squamous carcinoma of the skin or mucosa of the midface and the detection of regional metastases in 12 of the 13 cases. Primary tumors were located on the lower lip and commissure (n = 3), nasal tip (n = 2), nasal ala (n = 1), columella (n = 1), nasofacial crease (n = 2), maxillary alveolus (n = 3), and mandibular alveolus (n = 1). Metastatic spread manifested by palpable perifacial or submandibular lymph nodes was not evident until greater than 11 months after the treatment of the primary site in 12 of 13 patients (range, 3-45 months). Nine of the patients were clinically staged as N1, whereas there was one each in the N2a, N2b, N2c, and N3 categories. Eleven of the 13 patients were initially seen with palpable disease involving the perifacial nodes within or around the submandibular gland. All patients were treated with neck dissection except one, who refused surgical treatment and underwent a second course of radiotherapy to the cervical region. The nine patients initially seen with clinical stage N1 disease underwent neck dissection with preservation of the sternocleidomastoid, internal jugular vein, and accessory nerve. RESULTS: Of 10 patients with perifacial node metastases who underwent neck dissection, 8 required sacrifice of the marginal mandibular nerve and overlying platysma to gain adequate margin. Extracapsular spread was present in 11 patients, (8 of 9 who were clinically N1). Postoperative radiotherapy was recommended to all patients with extracapsular spread, although only 7 of the 11 received radiotherapy. There were no regional recurrences after a minimum follow-up of 1 year (range, 12-65 months; mean, 31.4 months). Histologic grade appeared to have no influence on prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort demonstrates the ability of midfacial squamous cell carcinoma to manifest regional metastatic disease over a delayed time. This delayed presentation appears to confer a more favorable response to treatment. For midfacial cancers, the perifacial nodes are at greatest risk for metastatic spread. For tumors in this region, primary treatment of the neck is probably not warranted, but careful extended follow-up for the potential of delayed cervical metastasis is prudent.

Aged↗

Risk factors for postoperative complications in oral cancer and their prognostic implications.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of head and neck cancer can be limited by the risk of postoperative complications. Early identification of risk factors based on clinical characteristics may assist therapeutic planning. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for these complications and to evaluate their prognostic significance. METHODS: The medical records of 110 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma admitted from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1994, who underwent radical surgery were reviewed. Data collected included demographic information, comorbidities, extended clinical severity stage, treatment, complications, and survival. The chi(2) test was used to verify the association between the variables. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to build models with independent predictive factors for the risk of complications and death, respectively. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 50%. Dehiscence and infection rates were 20.9% and 22.7%, respectively. The death rate was 3.6%. Forty-seven patients (42.7%) were electively referred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The occurrence of postoperative complications was associated with extended clinical severity stage (P =.02), type of surgery (P =.03), ICU (P =.03), type of reconstruction (P =.02), Functional Severity Index (P =.03), neck dissection (P =.002), and APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) (P =.008). The number of complications was significantly correlated with the length of hospital stay (r = 0.24, P =.01) and with the Functional Severity Index (r = 0.19, P =.04). Five-year overall survival was affected by the type of complications (none, 41.7%; local, 34.1%; and local plus systemic, 0% [P<.001]), ICU (no, 46.3%; yes, 20.7% [P =.001]), and extended clinical severity stage (stage 1, 75.6%; stage 2, 50%; stage 3, 28.6%; and stage 4, 10.2% [P<.001]). In a multivariate analysis bilateral neck dissection (relative risk = 3.57, P =.01) and an APACHE II score greater than 10 (relative risk = 3.86, P =.02) were independent risk factors for complications. The predictive prognostic model consisted of the following: staying in the ICU (hazard ratio = 1.83), local plus systemic complications (hazard ratio = 6.27), and extended clinical severity stage (stage 3, hazard ratio = 3.57; stage 4, hazard ratio = 6.34). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral neck dissection and the APACHE II score were identified as risk factors for postoperative complications in oral cancer, which also increase the length of hospital stay. The occurrence of systemic complications, advanced extended clinical severity stage, and staying in an ICU adversely affect the prognosis. Therefore, the prompt recognition of the adverse risk factors for postoperative complications may guide proactive interventions that may improve survival and achieve cost-effectiveness.

APACHE↗

Occult papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Retrospective review was undertaken of 137 patients with occult papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (lesions less than or equal to 1.5 cm in diameter) who were operated on at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, between 1926 and 1955. Mean follow-up period was 25.3 years. Operations were conservative. No patient underwent bilateral total lobectomy. For 55 patients with lymph node involvement, lymphadenectomy generally involved selective node excision or modified neck dissection. Subsequent surgery was required in 12 patients; modified radical neck dissection was necessary in only four. No operative deaths occurred. Long-term follow-up showed that all patients were alive and without disease or were dead without proof of thyroid-related disease. Thus, occult papillary thyroid carcinoma with or without nodal metastasis is a nonlethal and curable disease when treated by conservative surgical means. Radical surgical or medical extirpation of all thyroid tissue is unnecessary in the treatment of this disease.

Adolescent↗

Lymph node metastasis as a prognostic factor in laryngeal cancer.

The authors reviewed the prognostic importance of several lymph node metastasis-related factors. The presence of lymph node metastasis from laryngeal cancer significantly reduces the probability of regional control and survival. Proper management of the neck remains a therapeutic dilemma because there are no precise means for evaluating lymph nodes. A comprehensive neck dissection adjuvant radiotherapy has been relied as the proper treatment for cases with positive lymph nodes. On the other hand, there is no consensus over whether or not and how to perform an elective neck treatment in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Several variables related to cervical lymph node involvement and their implication on prognosis were studied in the literature (site, size, extracapsular extension, number). In an analysis of 3-year survival rates showed that patients with clinically detectable regional metastasis (N stage) exhibited poorer disease free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS) than those classified as N-. Also patients with high number, or larger, or ruptured metastatic nodes experienced poor prognosis (marginally significant statistically). The highest impact on survival were exhibited by the involvement of contralateral lymph nodes adn extracapsular extension. It is our opinion that cases with clinically positive nodes should be submitted to a comprehensive neck dissection (either classical or modified); at least a selective dissection as a staging procedure when the supraglottis is involved. It is a advisable to perform an elective comprehensive neck dissection when a satisfactory clinical assessment cannot be made or when there are factors that would prevent adequate follow-up.

Humans↗

Preoperative chemotherapy-sensitized radiation therapy for cervical metastases in head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of concurrent preoperative cisplatin chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CT/RT) for patients with advanced head and neck cancer and cervical metastatic disease. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University hospitals. PATIENTS: Eighty-eight patients with operable stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and palpable cervical lymphogenous metastases received preoperative concurrent CT/RT followed by planned neck dissection. INTERVENTIONS: All patients undergoing CT/RT received concomitant continuous infusions of cisplatin (20 mg/m2) on days 1 to 4 and 22 to 25 of CT/RT. Thirty-nine patients underwent single-fraction (1.8-Gy) radiotherapy to 45.0 Gy, and 49 patients received 10 single-fraction (1.8-Gy) treatments, which were hyperfractionated (1.2-Gy twice a day) to 46.8 Gy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 71 patients for whom complete post-CT/RT data were available were evaluated for clinical response in addition to survival. Histologic complete response (HCR) was confirmed from planned neck dissection specimens (n = 48) after clinical complete response (CCR) from initial CT/RT. Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis for disease-specific survival and overall survival was performed on all 88 patients who received CT/RT. RESULTS: A CCR and an HCR were noted in 78% (18/23) and 59% (10/17) of patients with N1 lesions, respectively, and in 60% (29/48) and 45% (14/31) of patients with N2-3 lesions, respectively. The percentage of patients with CCR who also had HCR was 67% (10/15) for patients with N1 lesions and 54% (14/26) for patients with N2-3 lesions. With a median follow-up of 18.5 months, the Kaplan-Meier disease-specific survival rate at 54 months (n = 88) was 70% (21/30) for patients with N1 lesions, 60% (24/40) for patients with N2 lesions, and 39% (7/18) for patients with N3 lesions. The overall survival and disease-specific survival rates at 5 years for all nodal groups combined were 36% (32/88) and 59% (52/88), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A CCR to CT/RT was achieved in nearly two thirds of patients with head and neck cervical lymphogenous metastases, independent of nodal tumor load. Most patients (59% [24/41]) with CCR were pathologically tumor free before neck dissection.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Concomitant boost radiotherapy for squamous carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of a concomitant boost fractionation schedule of radiotherapy for treating patients with squamous carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 1983 and November 1992, 83 patients with squamous carcinoma of the tonsil were treated with concomitant boost fractionation. The distribution of American Joint Committee on Cancer T stages was TX-4, T1-5, T2-29, T3-41, T4-4; N stages were NX-1, N0-26, N1-13, N2-31, N3-12. Patients were treated with standard large fields to 54 Gy in 6 weeks. The boost treatment consisted of a second daily 1.5 Gy fraction for 10-12 fractions, usually delivered during the final phase of treatment. The tumor dose was 69-72 Gy, given over 6 weeks. Twenty-one patients, who all had N2 or N3 regional disease, underwent neck dissections, either before (13 patients) or 6 weeks after radiotherapy (8 patients); the other patients were treated with radiotherapy alone. RESULTS: The 5-year actuarial disease-specific survival and overall survival rates were 71 and 60%, respectively. Patients with T2 and T3 primary tumors had 5-year actuarial local control rates of 96 and 78%, respectively. Patients with T3 disease who received the final-phase boost had a 5-year actuarial local control rate of 82%. Actuarial 5-year regional disease control rates were N0, 92%; N1, 76%; N2, 89%; and N3, 89%. The 21 patients who had neck dissections all had their disease regionally controlled. Patients presenting with nodal disease or after a node excision who were treated with radiation alone had a 5-year actuarial regional disease control rate of 79%. All but five patients had confluent Grade 4 mucositis during treatment. Severe late complications attributable to radiation included mandibular necrosis [1], in-field osteosarcoma [1], and chronic dysphagia for solid foods [5]. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of local and regional disease control were achieved with the concomitant boost fractionation schedule, with few cases of severe late morbidity. Patients with N2 and N3 neck disease were effectively treated with radiation and the selective use of neck dissections. The concomitant boost schedule is our preferred fractionation approach for treating patients with intermediate stage tonsil cancer who are not participating in our current research protocols.

Adult↗

Factors affecting wound infection rates in head and neck surgery.

PURPOSE: This study was planned with 2 goals in mind: to evaluate the efficacy of prolonged and 1-day antibiotic regimens for prophylaxis and to evaluate the effect of various factors such as neck dissection, localization and stage of tumor, type of laryngectomy, and history of prior radiotherapy, tracheotomy, and diabetes mellitus on postoperative wound infection rates. METHODS AND MATERIAL: In this study, 408 head and neck procedures (201 clean and 207 clean-contaminated) performed at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Prolonged and 1-day antibiotic regimens for both clean and clean-contaminated procedures were similar in efficacy (7% vs 3% for clean procedures [P = 0.165] and 30% vs 28% for clean-contaminated procedures [P = 0.777]). The wound infection rate was higher (13%) after clean radical neck dissections versus other clean procedures (1%) (P = 0.001). For clean-contaminated procedures, factors affecting postoperative wound infection rates were performance of bilateral neck dissections (P = 0.014), disease stage (P = 0.002), type of laryngectomy (P = 0.002), and history of prior tracheotomy (P = 0.006).

Adolescent↗

Prospective trial of unilateral surgery for nonhereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma in patients without germline RET mutations.

Although sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tends to be unicentric and confined to one lobe, total thyroidectomy is usually performed because of the risk of a hereditary or bilateral process. Germline RET mutation analysis can discriminate hereditary MTC and truly sporadic, nonhereditary MTC. We analyzed 72 of 94 patients with MTC to establish the genetic nature and the clinical features of nonhereditary MTC. Since 1996 we have prospectively treated 15 patients with nonhereditary MTC (prospective study group, or PSG) according to a unilateral surgery policy. A group of 22 previously operated patients in whom the nonhereditary nature was established served as controls (retrospective study group, or RSG). Systematic central and ipsilateral neck dissection was performed in both groups. Outcome was assessed using postoperative stimulated serum calcitonin levels; a normal value was considered a biochemical cure. All 24 hereditary MTC patients carried germline RET mutations: 8 of 48 patients with apparently sporadic MTC had the mutations, and 6 of the 8 had bilateral MTC. All 40 patients without mutations had a unilateral tumor. In the RSG group 15 of 22 (68%) patients underwent total thyroidectomy, and the biochemical cure rate was 68%. Although only 3 of 15 (20%) of the PSG patients underwent total thyroidectomy, 12 of the 15 (80%) achieved biochemical cure. Univariate analyses revealed that pathologic node involvement- high T and N stages-was adversely related to biochemical cure. The extent of thyroid resection was not related to biochemical cure. Of 20 patients with node involvement, 10 achieved biochemical cure, indicating the importance of systematic neck dissection. Hemithyroidectomy with systematic central and ipsilateral neck dissection is appropriate surgery for nonhereditary MTC.

Adult↗

Transverse process of the atlas(C1)--an important surgical landmark of the upper neck.

BACKGROUND: The internal carotid artery, the internal jugular vein, and the spinal accessory nerve are the main structures that are preserved in conservative neck dissections. In the upper neck, one surgical landmark used to find these structures is the transverse process of a cervical vertebral body. There is controversy about the origin of the transverse process in the upper neck. METHODS: We applied three-dimensional computerized tomography (3-D CT), an intraoperative navigational system and cadaver dissection of the neck to clarify the controversy. RESULTS: The origin of the transverse process was from the atlas (C1). CONCLUSIONS: The transverse process of the atlas is an important surgical landmark in the upper neck. The neurovascular bundle is located anteriorly. The transverse process of the axis (C2) is less prominent and is situated antero-inferior to the spinal accessory nerve where the nerve emerges from the posterior border of the internal jugular vein.

Cadaver↗

Adjuvant irradiation for cervical lymph node metastases from melanoma.

BACKGROUND: The risk of regional disease recurrence after surgery alone for lymph node metastases from melanoma is well documented. The role of adjuvant irradiation remains controversial. METHODS: The medical records of 160 patients with cervical lymph node metastases from melanoma were reviewed retrospectively. Of these, 148 (93%) presented with clinically palpable lymph node metastases. All patients underwent surgery and radiation to a median dose of 30 grays (Gy) at 6 Gy per fraction delivered twice weekly. Surgical resection was either a selective neck dissection in 90 patients or local excision of the lymph node metastasis in 35 patients. Only 35 patients underwent a radical, modified radical, or functional neck dissection. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 78 months, the actuarial local, regional, and locoregional control rates at 10 years were 94%, 94%, and 91%, respectively. Univariate analysis of patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics failed to reveal any association with the subsequent rate of local or regional control. The actuarial disease-specific (DSS), disease-free, and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates at 10 years were 48%, 42%, and 43%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that patients with four or more involved lymph nodes had a significantly worse DSS and DMFS. Nine patients developed a treatment-related complication requiring medical management, resulting in a 5-year actuarial complication-free survival rate of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant radiotherapy resulted in a 10-year regional control rate of 94%. Complications for all patients were rare and manageable when they did occur. The authors recommend adjuvant irradiation for patients with extracapsular extension, lymph nodes measuring 3 cm in size or larger, the involvement of multiple lymph nodes, recurrent disease, or any patient having undergone a selective therapeutic neck dissection.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of stage I and II oral tongue cancer.

We reviewed 156 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue staged T1 and T2 to determine the incidence of nodal metastasis, and if elective neck dissection affected local/regional control or survival. Patients were divided into two nonrandomized groups: group 1, intraoral glossectomy only (102 patients); and group 2, intraoral glossectomy plus neck dissection (54 patients). Analysis revealed no significant differences for tumor location, histologic differentiation, status of margins, or clinical appearance; however, perineural invasion significantly adversely affected survival and local/regional control. In group 1 patients, 16.5% subsequently developed cervical metastasis, and 20.4% of patients in group 2 had occult nodal disease. The survival and local/regional control for group 1 patients subsequently developing nodes was 33% and 50%, respectively. The survival and local/regional control for group 2 patients with occult metastasis was 55% and 91%, respectively. We believe elective neck dissection is indicated for early staged oral tongue cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Changing the operative strategy for thyroid cancer by node sampling.

One hundred fifty patients underwent thyroid surgery from 1979 to 1981, of whom 48 showed cancer for a 32 percent rate. In eight patients (16 percent), obvious clinical nodal disease was treated with modified neck dissection. Of the remaining 40 patients, internal jugular node sampling was carried out in 33, and revealed microscopic metastatic cancer in 12 patients who then underwent appropriate neck dissection. Node sampling increased our yield of nodal metastases from 16 to 42 percent, permitted one-hospitalization treatment, and afforded our patients the possibility of complete cancer control and prevention of the emergence of future recurrent disease. It is recommended that node sampling be incorporated into the operative strategy for thyroid cancer to permit intelligent selection of patients for modified neck dissection.

Adult↗

[Effect of ultrasonography on postoperative changes in treatment of neck lymph nodes and improvement of long term results in patients with laryngeal neoplasms].

Ultrasonography (US) is a well-known and valuable method of detecting lymph nodes in the neck. It is widely used in the preoperative neck assessment and in follow-up patients treated for head and neck cancer. The aim of the study was to compare the larynx cancer patients in two decades: the 80-ies and the 90-ies and the influence of a single diagnostic tool, i.e. ultrasonography, on therapeutic decisions and final results. Two groups of patients were selected: 737 patients treated between 1981-1985 (before the introduction of US) and 840 patients treated between 1991-1995 (routinely examined with the help of US) in ENT Dept. of Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznań. We aimed at analysing the percentages of neck metastases at the moment of diagnosis, the frequency of particular types of primary neck treatment, the percentages of neck recurrences, their advancement at the diagnosis and the methods of secondary treatment. Particular attention to feasibility of salvage was paid. Mean survival time in the group of patients with recurrence and the overall 5-year-long survival rates were analysed. No marked differences were stated between both groups as to epidemiological data, primary tumor advancement and types of the performed larynx surgery. Neck metastases occurred in both groups, 34% and 42%, respectively. Relapse rates were 12.9% and 12.6%, respectively. It was found that the number of elective neck dissections over the period given above became smaller, the number of radical neck dissections was stable, while the number of patients referred to wait and see policy increased. The number of successful neck salvage surgeries markedly increased while the number of patients not qualified for salvage decreased. For the both studied data, the curves on diagrams cross around the year 1992. The turning point situated in this time shows that ultrasound, introduced in 1991, gradually changed the types of primary treatment and possibilities of salvage neck treatment. The statistically significant differences in both groups were shown as to: types of the initial i.e. first neck treatment, relapse rate and the possibility of performing surgical salvage, while the only change was the introduction of a new diagnostic tool, i.e. neck ultrasonography. Survival rate was markedly better in the second group of patients. The methods of qualifying patients for the primary neck treatment and follow-up schedule have been changed since ultrasonography diagnostics was introduced in 1991 for routine assessment of the neck lymphatics in the larynx cancer patients. Strict follow-up schedule allow for early detection and successful treatment in high percentage of relapses.

Carcinoma↗

Hürthle cell carcinoma.

Patients with Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) of the thyroid often have aggressive tumors and generally have a worse prognosis than those with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinomas. A total thyroidectomy with ipsilateral central neck lymphadenectomy and a modified radical neck dissection, if central or lateral nodes are positive, are indicated for HCC. The completeness of this procedure should be assessed by radioiodine scan 3 to 4 months after surgery. Any thyroid remnant should be ablated with radiolabeled iodine 131 to eliminate all tissue at risk and to facilitate the use of serum thyroglobulin in surveillance for tumor recurrence. Fewer than 10% of these cancers take up radioiodine. Recurrent disease is treated surgically with good palliation and appreciable prolongation of life. Local excision and neck dissection for recurrent neck disease or pulmonary wedge resection for lung metastasis has been shown to be effective. All patients with HCC should be given thyroid hormone because most of these tumors have thyrotropin receptors. External beam radiation may be considered for patients with unresectable disease, but this is considered palliative.

Adenoma↗

Quality of life, functional outcome, and voice handicap index in partial laryngectomy patients for early glottic cancer.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to gather information about the quality of life issues, functional outcomes and voice problems facing early glottic cancer patients treated with the surgical techniques such as laryngofissure cordectomy, fronto-lateral laryngectomy, or cricohyoidopexi. In particular, consistency of life and voice quality issues with the laryngeal tissue excised during surgery is examined. In addition, the effects of arytenoidectomy to the life and voice quality are also studied. METHODS: 29 male patients were enrolled voluntarily in the study. The average age was 53.9 years. Three out of 10 patients with laryngofissure cordectomy also had arytenoidectomy. 11 patients had fronto-lateral laryngectomy with Tucker reconstruction, two of which also had arytenoidectomy. There were eight patients with cricohyoidopexi and bilateral functional neck dissection. Three of these patients also had arytenoidectomy. In bilateral functional neck dissection cases, spinal accessory nerve was preserved and level V of the neck was not dissected. None of the patients had neither radiotherapy nor voice therapy. Cordectomy patients never had a temporary tracheotomy or were connected to a feeding tube. Data was collected for 13 months for the cordectomy group, 14 months for fronto-lateral laryngectomy and cricohyoidopexi groups on average post-operatively. Statistical analysis in this study was carried out using the one-way analysis of variance, and the Post-Hoc group comparisons were made after Bonferroni and Scheffe-procedures.In order to determine the effects of arytenoidectomy, a regression analysis is carried out to see if there are statistical differences in answers given to the survey questions among patients who were arytenoidectomized during their surgeries. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between cordectomy and cricohyoidopexi group in answers to the University of Washington- Quality of Life- Revised survey part 1. (p = 0). A statistically significant difference was also established between cordectomy and fronto-lateral laryngectomy groups, as well as between cordectomy and cricohyoidopexi groups in answers to the University of Washington- Quality of Life- Revised survey part 2. (p = 0,036 and p = 0.009, respectively). Cricohyoidopexi group has given the lowest scores and the cordectomy group has given the highest scores in three survey questions representing the quality of life, performances and new voices. These ranges are also consistent with the laryngeal tissue excised during surgery (cricohyoidopexi > fronto-lateral laryngectomy > cordectomy). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck cancer patients instrument. The difference between the Voice Handicap Index and Voice Handicap Index (functional); Voice Handicap Index (physical) and Voice Handicap Index (emotional) scores in three patient groups was not significant either. All of the patients evaluated that their new voices have similar functional, physical and emotional impact on their life. Decanulation and oral feeding times of cricohyoidopexi and fronto-lateral laryngectomy patients are found to be significantly longer than cordectomy patients. Lastly, the removal of arytenoid does not have any significant adverse effects on the quality of life, the functional outcomes, or the quality of voice. CONCLUSION: In the present study, all patients with early glottic cancer, treated with different surgical technics reported fairly good quality of life outcomes, functional results and voice qualities. This study also finds that the removal of arytenoid does not have any adverse effects on the quality of life and voice from the patients' point of view.

Journal Article↗

Prediction of occult neck disease in laryngeal cancer by means of a logistic regression statistical model.

The ability to accurately predict the presence of subclinical metastatic neck disease in clinically N0 patients with primary epidermoid cancer of the larynx would be of great value in determining whether to perform an elective neck dissection. We describe a statistical approach to estimating the probability of occult neck disease given pretreatment clinical parameters. A retrospective study was performed involving 736 clinically N0 patients with primary laryngeal cancer who were treated surgically with primary resection and ipsilateral neck dissection. Nodal involvement was determined histologically after surgical lymphadenectomy. A logistic regression model was used to derive an equation that calculated the probability of occult neck metastasis based on pretreatment T stage, tumor location, and histologic grade. The model has a sensitivity of 74%, a specificity of 87%, and can be entered into a programmable calculator.

Adult↗

Level I dissection for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer: is it indicated?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx tends to metastasize frequently to cervical lymph nodes, the location of which depends mainly on the site of the primary lesion. Five anatomical levels of cervical nodes have consequently been defined to standardize the terminology used to describe which lymph node groups are at risk for metastatic spread. Level I includes the submental and submandibular triangles. This review considers the role of these triangles in neck dissection and concludes that, unless there is clear evidence of spread, the inclusion of the level I triangles in the neck dissection is unwarranted since these nodes are not really at risk. There is therefore an important role for selective neck dissection in suitable cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗