Lymph node invasion in hypopharynx and lateral epilarynx carcinoma: a prognostic factor

• Published in: Head & neck surgery (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 14
• Main Authors: Lefebvre, J L, Castelain, B, De la Torre, J C, Delobelle-Deroide, A, Vankemmel, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1987
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms - mortality; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms - pathology; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms - therapy; Laryngeal Neoplasms - mortality; Laryngeal Neoplasms - pathology; Laryngeal Neoplasms - therapy; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Neck; Pharyngeal Neoplasms - pathology; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0148-6403
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.2890100104

Hypopharynx (HC: pyriform fossa, postcricoïd area, and posterior wall) and lateral epilarynx carcinomas (LEC: aryepiglottic fold, pharyngoepiglottic fold, and arytenoïd) have a high tendency to cervical lymph node invasion. Such nodal extension is a well-known prognostic factor. This study is based on a retrospective review of 884 clinical records of previously untreated HC or LEC. Seventy percent of patients revealed palpable nodes at their first examination, with a higher percentage for HC (73%) than LEC (62%). The 5-year survival rate was divided by three in the presence of contralateral, bilateral, or fixed nodes, or in cases of nodes exceeding 3 cm. Multiple positive nodes, extracapsular spread, or lower-neck positive nodes significantly decreased survival, doubled the number of neck recurrences, and tripled the number of distant metastases while control at the primary site remained unvaried.