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Adenocarcinoma of the lower third of the rectum: metastases in lymph nodes smaller than 5 mm and occult micrometastases; preliminary results on early tumor recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The number of examined lymph nodes and metastases in lymph nodes smaller than 5 mm (small lymph nodes) are a determining factor in the stage of rectal cancer although the clinical significance of occult micrometastases is controversial. We are reporting our preliminary results on the identification and prognostic utility of metastases in small lymph nodes and occult micrometastases. METHODS: We searched small metastatic lymph nodes in 101 cases of adenocarcinoma of the lower third of the rectum. We used the manual technique to dissect mesorectal fat and occult micrometastases in the lymph nodes of 52 Dukes' A and B patients, using a pool of anticytokeratin antibodies. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of the metastatic lymph nodes were smaller than 5 mm in diameter and determined the Dukes' stage in 15 (30.6%) of 49 Dukes' C patients. Occult micrometastases were found in 21 (40.4%) patients: five recurred but vascular invasion, positive distal margin of the rectum, and positive circumferential margin of the mesorectum were present. CONCLUSIONS: Small metastatic lymph nodes, vascular invasion, positive distal margin of the rectum, and positive circumferential margin of the mesorectum were found to be more important than occult micrometastases in predicting early recurrence of rectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Usefulness of dynamic thin section CT in detecting lymph node metastasis of lung cancer].

The diagnosis for metastatic lymph nodes of lung cancer by the conventional CT is done only by the size of nodes, therefore, its diagnostic accuracy is questionable. For the purpose of more qualitative diagnosis in order to elevate accuracy of metastatic nodes, we studied a new CT image (Dynamic Thin Section CT) by combining the Thin Section CT with the Dynamic CT, and reviewed on the image of histopathological positive nodes. Firstly, for the preoperative cases of lung cancer, the conventional CT was performed for the whole chest with 10 mm-thickness and 10 mm-interval. Secondary, among them, the Dynamic CT by bolus-injection at the sites of detected hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes was performed. For this method, the Thin Section CT with 2 mm-thickness was used, and the image-detected nodes were isolated by surgery. We studied 25 cases whose images were compared with the histological findings. By the conventional CT sensitivity were 35.7%, specificity 54.5%, and accuracy 44.0%, in regarding the shorter diameter over 1 cm as positive nodes, then under diagnosis were 36%, over diagnosis 20%. Morphological features were reviewed on the image of metastatic lymph nodes in the Dynamic Thin Section CT, and were (1) lump-like lymph nodes, (2) disappearance of the fatty plane around the lymph nodes or uneven and irregular margins, (3) irregular internal structures of enhanced lymph nodes. Moreover, small lymph nodes were clearly detected, and the size was exactly measured.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

Para-aortic lymph node metastasis in carcinoma of the head of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Metastasis to para-aortic lymph nodes often occurs in pancreatic head cancer, but factors that predict it are not well known. METHODS: Using histopathologic data of 178 patients who underwent extended lymph node dissection for pancreatic head cancer, we analyzed the distribution of metastases to lymph node groups classified in detail and attempted to identify the lymph node groups that have a strong relation with metastasis to para-aortic lymph nodes. RESULTS: A high incidence of lymph node metastasis was found in para-aortic lymph nodes (No. 16, 19%) as well as in regional lymph nodes, such as those on the posterior aspect of the pancreas head (No. 13, 47%), on the anterior surface of the pancreas head (No. 17, 29%), along the superior mesenteric artery (No. 14, 28%), and along the hepatoduodenal ligament (No. 12, 19%). Statistical analysis showed that metastases to para-aortic lymph nodes had a strong correlation with metastases to Nos. 12, 13, 14, and 17 lymph nodes. Para-aortic lymph node metastases were seldom observed among the patients who had no metastases to Nos.13, 14, and 17 lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of Nos. 13, 14, and 17 lymph nodes may be useful to predict the involvement of para-aortic lymph nodes.

Adult↗

Lymph node sampling in lung cancer: how should it be done?

OBJECTIVES: Systematic lymph node dissection in radical operation for lung cancer is recognized as an operative procedure which is expected to improve local control. We investigate the most effective method of lymph node dissection or sampling. METHODS: A retrospectrive study was carried out on 1815 patients who underwent systematic lymph node dissection and complete resection. The lymphatic route of metastatis from each lobe was investigated by examining which nodes had the most likelihood of metastasis, or to find out which is the sentinel lymph node in the case of small sized tumor, suitable for the video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach. RESULTS: At N2 level, distribution of major metastases from each lobe are as follows: right upper lobe tumor, #3 - 12.3% (80/648) and/or #4 - 8% (52/648); right middle lobe tumor, #3 and/or #7 - 16.4% (13/79); right lower lobe tumor, #7 - 13.7% (52/380); left upper lobe tumor, #5 - 12.3% (60/489) and/or #6 - 6.7% (33/489); and left lower lobe tumor, #7 - 11.9% (26/219). Small sized tumor requires lymph node sampling upon staging, and the lymph node most likely to become the first metastasis, i.e. sentinel node, are as follows: regardless of the location of tumor, #12, #11, and/or #10 in N1 level, which means dissection or sampling within these locations of lymph nodes are prerequisite. In N2 level, #3 and/or #4 in right upper lobe tumor, #3 and/or #7 in right middle lobe tumor, #7 in right lower lobe tumor, #5 and/or #6 in left upper lobe tumor, and, #7 in left lower lobe tumor. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical T1NO lung cancer, sentinel lymph node sampling should be done first, if the nodes are negative, complete mediastinal lymph node dissection might be omitted. On the other hand, if the sentinel nodes are positive for pathology, complete medistinal lymph node dissection is required for curative resection.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary dissection in breast cancer: results in a large series.

BACKGROUND: Axillary lymph node dissection is an established component of the surgical treatment of breast cancer, and is an important procedure in cancer staging; however, it is associated with unpleasant side effects. We have investigated a radioactive tracer-guided procedure that facilitates identification, removal, and pathologic examination of the sentinel lymph node (i.e., the lymph node first receiving lymphatic fluid from the area of the breast containing the tumor) to predict the status of the axilla and to assess the safety of foregoing axillary dissection if the sentinel lymph node shows no involvement. METHODS: We injected 5-10 MBq of 99mTc-labeled colloidal particles of human albumin peritumorally in 376 consecutive patients with breast cancer who were enrolled at the European Institute of Oncology during the period from March 1996 through March 1998. The sentinel lymph node in each case was visualized by lymphoscintigraphy, and its general location was marked on the overlying skin. During breast surgery, the sentinel lymph node was identified for removal by monitoring the acoustic signal from a hand-held gamma ray-detecting probe. Total axillary dissection was then carried out. The pathologic status of the sentinel lymph node was compared with that of the whole axilla. RESULTS: The sentinel lymph node was identified in 371 (98.7%) of the 376 patients and accurately predicted the state of the axilla in 359 (95.5%) of the patients, with 12 false-negative findings (6.7%; 95% confidence interval = 3.5%-11.4%) among a total of 180 patients with positive axillary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy using a gamma ray-detecting probe allows staging of the axilla with high accuracy in patients with primary breast cancer. A randomized trial is necessary to determine whether axillary dissection may be avoided in those patients with an uninvolved sentinel lymph node.

Albumins↗

Complete response of highly advanced colon cancer with multiple lymph node metastases to irinotecan combined with UFT: report of a case.

Massive lymph node metastasis of the para-aortic region and supraclavicular lymph nodes, Virchow's lymph node metastasis due to colon cancer, is extremely rare. We herein report a case of such systemic lymph node metastasis that was successfully treated with a combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) and UFT, a combination drug of tegafur and uracil. The patient was a 57-year-old woman who had a tumor in the ascending colon, and massively swollen para-aortic and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. She was treated with combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 and UFT. The main tumor was detected as a decompressed scar, and the supraclavicular and para-aortic lymph nodes had completely disappeared after the second cycle of treatment. A histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry with cytokeratin showed complete remission of adenocarcinoma in the tumor and para-aortic lymph nodes. She remains alive without recurrence 52 months after chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 and UFT may be of potential value in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma, and both histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation of a complete remission may indicate prolonged disease-free survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Limb lymph node response to bone fracture.

In previous clinical studies, dilation of afferent lymphatics and enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes (LN) were observed in lymphoscintigrams from patients with persistent posttraumatic edema of lower extremities after fractures and trauma of soft tissues. In this study, changes in rat popliteal and iliac lymph nodes draining lymph from the site of tibial fracture and adjacent soft tissue injury were investigated. The observed parameters were lymph node weight, cell number, phenotype frequency, cell cytokine expression, and reactivity to mitogens. The key observations included: a) increase in the weight and total cell number of the lymph nodes; b) increased autotransformation rate and responsiveness of lymph node cells to mitogen; c) decreased frequency of ED1 macrophages and activated OX8 cytotoxic cells in flow cytometry analysis; d) high expression of OX6 class II-positive, OX7 (stem cells), OX62 (migrating dendritic cells), ED1 (macrophages), and OX12 (B cells) on immunohistochemical sections of LNs with some few HIS48 (granulocytes); e) high expression of NOS3 and TGF beta by lymph node lymphocytes and endothelial cells. In summary, local lymph nodes reacted to internal wounds, such as bone fracture and injury to adjacent tissues, through mobilization of cells from the blood circulation, along with activation of cellular subsets. The molecular mechanism that provides the signal for this reaction remains unknown. The absence of major changes in the frequency of lymph node cell subpopulations indicates that lymph nodes are constitutively prepared for influx of antigens from damaged tissues and react only with increase in cell number and cell activation. The nature of the reaction, including lack of immunization against autoantigens, remains unclear. Further elucidation will require studies on the mechanism of cross-tolerance to self-antigens during wound healing.

Animals↗

Sentinel lymph node dissection for thyroid malignancy.

Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) for melanoma and breast cancer has been validated as an accurate technique to assess the status of the lymph nodes in the regional drainage basin. The sentinel node concept has also been investigated in other solid tumors, and more recently, in thyroid carcinoma. SLND using a vital blue dye during thyroidectomy for suspected thyroid malignancy successfully identifies sentinel nodes, with minimal morbidity. Excised sentinel nodes can be examined for micrometastases, and if negative, then the rest of the cervical nodes are likely to be negative. The false negative rate of SLND for thyroid malignancy is unknown, however, because modified neck dissections have not accompanied all cases. The impact that lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma has on prognosis is debatable, unlike breast cancer and melanoma, which therefore makes the utility of thyroid SLND less clear. The technique, results, and morbidity of SLND during thyroidectomy is presented, and its possible utility in well-differentiated and medullary thyroid carcinoma is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Prevention of an additional surgery for regional lymphadenectomy in melanoma: rapid intraoperative immunostaining of sentinel lymph node imprint smears.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is performed at many institutions and is considered a standard of care in the management of cutaneous melanoma. The discriminatory immunostaining pattern with the 'MCW Melanoma Cocktail' (a mixture of MART-1 {1:500}, Melan- A {1:100}, and Tyrosinase {1:50} monoclonal antibodies) allows intraoperative immunocytochemical evaluation of imprint smears of SLNs for melanoma metastases. Cohesive cells of benign capsular melanocytic nevi that were also immunoreactive with the cocktail do not exfoliate easily for imprint smear detection. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 73 lymph nodes (70 SLN & 3 non-SLN) from 41 cases (mean 1.8, 1 to 4 SLNs/case) of cutaneous melanoma using a rapid 17-minute immunostaining previously published protocol. The results were compared with permanent sections also immunostained with 'the cocktail'. RESULTS: 19.5%, 8/41 cases (12%, 9/73 lymph nodes) were positive for melanoma metastases on permanent sections immunostained with the 'MCW melanoma cocktail'. Melanoma metastases in 87.5% (7/8) of these cases were also detected in rapidly immunostained imprint smears, with 100% specificity and 90% sensitivity. None of the 7 SLNs from 7 cases with capsular nevi showed false positive results. CONCLUSION: Melanoma metastases could be detected in imprint smears immunostained with 'MCW Melanoma Cocktail' utilizing a rapid intraoperative protocol. The cohesive cells of the capsular nevi do not readily exfoliate and do not lead to false positive interpretation. In a majority of positive cases, a regional lymphadenectomy could have been completed during the same surgery for SLN biopsy and wide excision of primary melanoma site, potentially eliminating the need for an additional surgery.

Journal Article↗

Some aspects of malignant tumors of the lymph nodes in Iran.

Malignant tumors of the lymph nodes are very widespread in Iran. Out of 15,792 lymph nodes examined during a period of 25 years, in 22% of the cases, the diagnosis was a primary malignancy, and in 10% we had metastatic deposits. Out of 40,690 cancer cases diagnosed in pathology laboratories in Tehran, 8.4% were primary malignant tumors of lymph nodes, with a sex ratio of 3:1. The anatomical distribution of malignant lymph nodes shows 46% in the head and neck, with 17% deep in mediastinal or mesenteric areas. The histological typing of these malignancies shows 40% to be Hodgkin's disease, and 60% sarcoma. The distribution by age group shows that these malignant tumors are observed in patients of all age groups, the highest frequency being found between 20 and 54. The statistical data collected in four provinces of Iran, from North to South, reveal that these malignant tumors are observed with the same frequency in other parts of Iran.

Adolescent↗

A combination of molecular markers accurately detects lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Occult lymph node metastasis (micrometastasis) is a good prognostic indicator in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and could be used to direct adjuvant chemotherapy in stage I patients. This study was designed to evaluate molecular markers for detection of occult lymph node metastasis in NSCLC, define the best marker or marker combination to distinguish positive from benign lymph nodes, and evaluate these markers in lymph nodes from pathologically node-negative (pN(0)) NSCLC patients. Potential markers were identified through literature and database searches and all markers were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in a primary screen of six NSCLC specimens and 10 benign nodes. Selected markers were further evaluated on 21 primary NSCLC specimens, 21 positive nodes, and 21 benign nodes, and the best individual markers and combinations were identified. A combination of three markers was further validated on an independent set of 32 benign lymph nodes, 38 histologically positive lymph nodes, and 462 lymph nodes from 68 pN(0) NSCLC patients. Forty-two markers were evaluated in the primary screen and eight promising markers were selected for further analysis. A combination of three markers (SFTPB, TACSTD1, and PVA) was identified that provided perfect classification of benign and positive nodes in all sample sets. PVA and SFTPB are particularly powerful in tumors of squamous and adenocarcinoma histologies, respectively, whereas TACSTD1 is a good general marker for NSCLC metastasis. The combination of these genes identified 32 of 462 (7%) lymph nodes from 20 of 68 (29%) patients as potentially positive for occult metastasis. Long-term follow-up will determine the clinical relevance of these findings.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Occult metastases in axillary lymph nodes as a predictor of survival in node-negative breast carcinoma with long-term follow-up.

Increased detection rate in the lymph nodes is seen with serial sectioning or immunohistochemistry (IHC), but the importance of occult metastases is not resolved. IHC is still not recommended in routine examination of lymph nodes. Axillary lymph nodes from 385 node-negative breast cancer patients with a median follow-up of 25 years were examined with IHC for cytokeratins, applied on routine sections. The association between classic histopathologic prognostic factors and the presence of occult metastases was evaluated. Metastases were found in 45 of 385 cases (12%), 21 metastases (47%) measured < or =0.2 mm, 8 (18%) were larger than 2 mm; 14 metastases were located in the subcapsular sinus, 22 in the parenchyma of the lymph node; and 51% (23/45) of the metastases were recognized on hematoxylin-eosin staining on "second look." The detection of metastases was significantly associated with the number of sectioned lymph nodes (6% metastases for one to five lymph nodes examined versus 17% for more than five lymph nodes) and with histologic subtype (metastases in 11% of the ductal versus 33% of the lobular carcinomas). No significant association was found between occult metastases and age, tumor size, histologic grade, estrogen or progesterone receptor status, p53, or c-erbB-2. Metastases larger than 2 mm predicted a poorer recurrence-free survival rate for the whole series. A subcapsular location of the metastases was a strong predictor of overall survival. Whether or not the metastases could be identified on hematoxylin-eosin sections did not have any prognostic significance. In the multivariate analysis, histologic grade, tumor size of the primary tumor, progesterone receptor status, and the presence of occult metastasis in the lymph nodes had a prognostic impact on survival with a 25-year follow-up.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Significance of preservation of tracheal proper sheath at the time of cervical and upper mediastinal lymph node dissection for thoracic esophageal cancer].

Extended lymph node dissection in the neck and upper mediastinum often brings about postoperative pulmonary complications. Since September 1987, we have performed this type of lymph node dissection in 18 patients paying special attention to the preservation of tracheal proper sheath along with left bronchial artery and autonomic nerve branches. We compared their postoperative respiratory and circulatory outcomes with those of 17 patients in whom lymph node dissection was carried out without consideration for these aspects. Tracheal mucosal damage, respiratory functional parameters such as PaO2, AaDO2 and Qs/Qp and actual incidence of pneumonia significantly improved in recent cases undergoing meticulous dissection in the neck and upper mediastinum. However, neither circulatory dynamics nor incidences of recurrent nerve palsy and arrhythmia showed a significant improvement. The postoperative period required for reappearance of cough reflex was shorter in this group of patients, but the difference was not significant. The results indicated that pulmonary disorders occurring frequently after extended lymph node dissection for thoracic esophageal cancer was able to be well controlled by meticulous dissection procedure as mentioned above.

Adult↗

Identification of micrometastases in histologically negative lymph nodes of early-stage cervical cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Despite histologically negative lymph nodes, approximately 15% of patients with early-stage cervical cancer will develop recurrence. Micrometastases have been shown to be important in staging and treatment of breast cancers and melanoma and have been identified by polymerase chain reaction analysis in cervical cancers. This study sought to estimate the frequency of micrometastases identified by immunohistochemistry in histologically negative lymph nodes and compare this to other known risk factors for recurrence of cervical cancer. METHODS: Early-stage (stages IA2, IB1, and IB2) cervical cancer patients of all histologic subtypes were identified from the surgical logs of the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center for the period 1994-2000. One hundred thirty-two patients had histologically negative lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical assay was performed on 3,106 lymph nodes by using antibodies against cytokeratins AE-1 and CAM 5.2 in combination according to standard protocols. The stained nodes were then evaluated for the presence of micrometastases and compared against the respective clinicopathologic information in each case. RESULTS: Micrometastases were detected in 19 of 132 (15%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9%, 22%) patients, found in 29 of the 3,106 (0.9%) lymph nodes evaluated. Vascular space invasion was seen in 50 of 132 cases (38%, 95% CI 30%, 47%) and in 8 of 19 (42%, 95% CI 21%, 66%) cases with micrometastases. Surgical margins of the resected specimen were negative in 120 of 132 cases (91%, 95% CI 84%, 95%) and in 16 of 19 (84%, 95%CI 60%, 96%) of those cases with micrometastases. Micrometastases were seen most frequently in pelvic lymph nodes (25 of 29, 86%). Patients with more than 20 lymph nodes removed were more likely to demonstrate metastasis (P <.001). There was no statistically significant association between micrometastasis and vascular space invasion or tumor volume. CONCLUSION: Micrometastases are identifiable in histologically negative lymph nodes in 15% (95% CI 9%, 22%) of early-stage cancer patients, a frequency which approximates the recurrence rate for patients with negative nodes. In this series, patients with greater numbers of lymph nodes analyzed were more likely to have lymph node micrometastasis identified. There appears to be no relationship between tumor volume and the identification of micrometastases. Although micrometastases can be identified in histologically negative lymph nodes, their presence is not strongly associated with other known factors of cervical cancer recurrence. Further research is needed to determine whether the presence of lymph node micrometastases is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3

Adult↗

[Erythrocytes in cervical lymph nodes of the human as a sequela of stasis and/or lymph drainage. Questionable diagnostic significance in strangulation and mechanical injuries of the head].

Information on the diagnostic significance of follicular hemorrhage and/or presence of red blood cells in the lymph node sinus was obtained by microscopic investigation of the superficial and deep human cervical lymph nodes. Fifty cases were selected on the basis of the following criteria: (1) cases without strangulation or mechanical head trauma; (2) cases in which death occurred by strangulation without additional mechanical head trauma; (3) cases without strangulation but with mechanical head trauma; (4) cases with strangulation and mechanical head trauma. The usual degree of stasis and hemorrhages and the dilation of the veins and/or capillaries are not sufficient to discriminate between cases with and cases without strangulation. Moreover, erythrocytes, erythrophages, and siderophages were encountered in the lymph node sinus of both cases with and cases without mechanical head trauma. Neither follicular hemorrhage nor the presence of red blood cells in the sinus is therefore diagnostically significant in forensic pathology.

Asphyxia↗

Detection of lymph node micrometastasis in esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The presence of lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular biology techniques have improved the ability to recognize micrometastasis in lymph nodes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood. Previous studies have demonstrated that cytokeratin 19 reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction can detect tumor cells even when lymph nodes appear normal histologically. However, the presence of pseudogenes for cytokeratin 19 have reduced the specificity of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, thereby reducing its clinical worth as a sensitive diagnostic technique. METHODOLOGY: We examined the expression of mRNA for cytokeratin 19 using a newly designed set of primers, and compared the results with data from histologic examinations. Samples were obtained from tumors, intact tissues, resected lymph nodes and in 10 patients who underwent esophagectomy via right thoracotomy with lymph node dissection in the neck, mediastinum and abdomen. RESULTS: All tumors, non-cancerous tissues were positive for cytokeratin 19 by reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction. However, 2 of the 6 lymph nodes that appeared normal on histologic examination were positive for cytokeratin 19; sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using new primers for cytokeratin 19 detected micrometastasis in specimens of lymph nodes from patients with squamous cell carcinoma. This method may increase the accuracy of tumor staging and provide clinicians with valuable information that will help individualize treatment options.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

A comparison of the accuracy of echo features during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration for diagnosis of malignant lymph node invasion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate echo features of lymph nodes during endoscopic ultrasound and assess the utility of these echo features and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration in predicting malignant lymph node invasion. METHODS: Thirty-five lymph nodes in 25 patients with lung, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer were evaluated by endoscopic ultrasound. Endoscopic ultrasound examinations were performed with a radial scanning echoendoscope. Confirmation of benign lymph nodes was obtained by surgical resection while malignant lymph nodes were confirmed by real-time endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with a linear array echoendoscope. RESULTS: Nineteen benign lymph nodes and 16 malignant lymph nodes in the mediastinum, celiac axis, and the peripancreatic area were included in the study. The following echo features were compared between benign and malignant lymph nodes: size greater than 1 cm, hypoechoic, distinct margins, and round shape. No single feature independently predicted malignant invasion. When all four of the above features were present in the same lymph node, the accuracy for predicting malignant invasion was 80%. However, all four features of malignant involvement were present in only 25% (4 of 16) of malignant lymph nodes. Our study also suggests that the above echo features may be a less reliable predictor of malignant invasion in pulmonary malignancies when compared to gastrointestinal cancers. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes in 22 patients revealed malignant lymph node invasion in 16 and benign cells in 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration is an important adjunct for accurate lymph node assessment for malignancy.

Biopsy, Needle↗

[Patterns and prognostic factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors in the prediction of cervical lymph node metastases and the cervical lymph node prognostic factors in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma. METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out to review the histopathological data from 55 supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma patients. The relationship between histopathological parameters and cervical lymph node metastases were evaluated by means of a univariate chi2 test and multivariate stepwise logistic regression model. And the Cox regression model was used to define possible pathological parameters of cervical lymph node affecting survival including N staging, presence of cervical lymph node metastases and extracapsular nodal spread, size and number of positive neck nodes, and levels of positive neck nodes. RESULT: In a univariate analysis, it was confirmed that the following variables correlated to cervical lymph node metastases, i.e., depth of primary tumor infiltration, size and histological grade of primary tumor. In a multivariate analysis, the most significant risk factors for cervical lymph node metastases were the size and histological grade of primary tumor. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma was 52.7%. In a Cox regression analysis, N staging, size of positive neck nodes, presence of cervical lymph node metastasis and extracapsular nodal spread were found to be related to the prognosis of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Cervical lymph node metastasis is one of the most significant prognostic factors of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma. The identification of patients at risk for cervical lymph node metastasis and the management of the neck by coping with pathological factors of neck node affecting survival are crucial steps to improve the effect of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma treatment.

Adult↗