Prognostic value of level IV metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head Neck. 2016 Jan;38(1):140-6. doi: 10.1002/hed.23861. Epub 2015 May 22.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of level IV metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: The clinical and histopathological data of 111 patients with HNSCC with pN+ neck who underwent a primary tumor resection with unilateral or bilateral neck dissection were analyzed.

Results: Level IV metastases were histopathologically proven in 33 patients (29.7%). Pulmonary metastases were observed in 12 of 33 patients (36.4%) with level IV metastases, and in 13 of 78 patients (16.7%) without level IV metastases (p = .04). Multivariate analyzes revealed a significant association between level IV metastases and pulmonary metastases (p = .038). However, an influence on overall (p = .65) or disease-free survival (p = .66) was not observed.

Conclusion: Level IV metastases seem to be a predictive factor for pulmonary metastases but not for overall and disease-free survival in patients with HNSCC.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; level IV; lymph node metastases; prognosis; pulmonary metastases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome