Background: Magnifying endoscopy with narrowband imaging (ME-NBI) is useful in predicting the invasion depth by examining the microvascular status of tumor surfaces. This retrospective study aimed to determine its efficacy in pharyngeal cancer.
Methods: Between April 2016 and March 2018, 59 lesions from 46 patients who underwent transoral resection were retrospectively analyzed. Using ME-NBI, microvascular status was classified into B1, B2, or B3, based on the classification of the Japan Esophageal Society.
Results: A significant correlation was observed between microvascular status and invasion depth (P = .011). Mean thickness of lesions with B1, B2, and B3 vessels were 563, 1364, and 2825 μm, respectively (P = .006). In previously treated lesions, a significant correlation was observed between microvascular status and invasion depth (P = .012).
Conclusions: ME-NBI is useful in predicting the invasion depth and thickness of pharyngeal tumors, even in patients with previously treated lesions.
Keywords: ELPS; microvessel morphology; narrowband imaging; superficial carcinoma; transoral surgery.
© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.