Treatment strategy of thyroid cancer with trachea,larynx, and major vessels involvement / 中国实用外科杂志

Surgical treatment of thyroid cancer with surrounding structures involved remains a challenge for physicians.Trachea and larynx are common affected organs,and complete resection can bring the greatest survival benefit.However,postoperative quality of life may be greatly affected.It is necessary to improve the quality of life of patients by stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ reconstruction. The case of papillary thyroid carcinoma invading the internal jugular vein or with internal jugular vein tumor thrombus can still be safely and completely removed.Some cases with carotid artery invasion could benefit from radical resection,in which case vascular reconstruction should be done simultaneously.Multidisciplinary treatment should be emphasized for the locally advanced cases. Postoperative radioactive iodine therapy,external beam radiotherapy,endocrine therapy should be considered to reduce local recurrence. For inoperable patients,participating a clinical trial or trying targeted therapy could be good choices. Patients with poor general condition may be given palliative care to alleviate the symptoms.

Familial Nonmedullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of 117 Families / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>The first and most important step in characterizing familial nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma (NMTC) is to distinguish the true familial patients, which is the prerequisite for all accurate analyses. This study aimed to investigate whether patients from families with ≥3 first-degree relatives affected with NMTC have different characteristics than patients from families with only two affected members, and to compare these patients with those with sporadic disease.</p><p><b>Methods:</b>We analyzed the clinicopathological features and prognosis of 209 familial and 1120 sporadic cases of NMTC. Familial patients were further divided into two subgroups: families with two affected members and families with ≥3 affected members.</p><p><b>Results:</b>The familial group had a significantly higher risk of bilateral growth, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, and lateral lymph node metastasis than the sporadic group (P < 0.05). These main features were also different between the group with ≥3 affected members and the sporadic group. The only difference between the two affected members' group and the sporadic group was incidence of multifocality (P < 0.05). The probability of disease recurrence in patients from families with ≥3 affected members was significantly higher than that in sporadic cases (14.46% vs. 5.27%; P = 0.001), while the probability in patients from families with two affected members was similar to that in sporadic patients (6.35% vs. 5.27%; P = 0.610). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a statistically significant difference in disease-free survival between the two subgroups (85.54% vs. 93.65%; P = 0.045).</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b>Patients from families with ≥3 members affected by NMTC have more aggressive features and a worse prognosis than those from families with only two affected members. Patients from families with ≥3 affected first-degree relatives may be considered to have true familial NMTC.</p>

Survival Outcome of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is a rare benign tumor of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. It is destructive or bone-remodeling, tends to recur after surgical resection, and has a significant malignant potential. The present study aimed to perform a retrospective analysis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from IP, including characteristics, survival outcome, and predictors of associated malignancy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The medical records of 213 patients diagnosed with IP from January 1970 to January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighty-seven patients were diagnosed with SCC/IP; their clinical characteristics, treatments, and survival outcomes were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 87 patients with SCC/IP, the 5- and 10-year overall survival outcomes were 39.6% and 31.8%, respectively. Twenty-nine of these patients received surgery and 58 received combined surgery and radiation. Of the patients with stages III-IV, the 5-year survival rate was 30.7% for those treated with surgery only and 39.9% for those given the combination treatment (P = 0.849). Factors associated with significantly poor prognosis were advanced-stage, metachronous tumors, or with cranial base and orbit invasion. Age, synchronous or metachronous tumors, and pathological stage were independent risk factors for mortality, shown by multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with SCC/IP had low overall survival outcomes. Advanced age, stage, and metachronous tumors are the main factors affecting prognosis. Treatment planning should consider high-risk factors to improve survival outcome.</p>

Minimally invasive endoscopy-assisted neck dissection to treat lateral cervical metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Traditional open surgery for lateral neck dissection for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) leaves an unsightly scar. It is necessary to apply small incision to complete lateral neck dissection with endoscopy-technique for PTC and to evaluate its feasibility and safety.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between March 2010 and May 2011, 6 cases of PTC with no definite lymph node metastasis at level II-IV and 12 cases of PTC at T1-T4 with definite lymph node metastasis at level II-V received minimally invasive endoscopy-assisted lateral neck dissection. After accomplishing thyroidectomy and central compartment dissection, ipsilateral level II-IV,VI orII-VI dissection via small neck incision was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This procedure was carried out successfully in all 18 patients. The incision was 5 cm every patient. Postoperative pT1 was 5 cases, pT2 5 cases, pT3 6 cases, pT4 2 cases, pN0 5 cases, N1b 13 cases. Mean operative time for lateral neck dissection was 3.6 hours (ranging 2.5-5.0 hours). No significant blood loss or complications occurred. Thirteen patients showed lymph node metastases in both central or lateral neck. The mean number of harvested nodes was 33.1 (ranging 16-61). No residual or recurrent disease was found in 2-3 years follow-up time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Minimally invasive video-assisted comprehensive neck dissection for metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma is feasible and safe with excellent cosmetic results.</p>

Clinical analysis of 318 cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective review of 318 consecutive cases with OSCC treated from January 1999 to December 2011. Survival rates and prognostic factors were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox model survival analysis respectively. There were 281 males and 37 females, with a median age of 56 years. Of the 318 cases, 163 carcinomas were from tonsil, 108 from tongue base and 47 from soft palate-uvula. The presenting symptoms were pharyngalgia (128 cases, 40.3%), neck masses (71 cases, 22.3%), foreign body sensation in the pharynx (63 cases, 19.8%) and dental ulcer (44 cases, 13.8%). The median time from onset of the first symptoms until diagnosis of OSCC was 3 months. Of the 318 OSCC, 75 were with high grade, 110 with intermediate grade and 133 with low grade, including 10 patients at stageI, 39 at stage II, 68 at stage III and 201 at stage IV.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rates of lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and second primary carcinoma were 72.3%, 13.2% and 7.9%, respectively. Of 318 patients, 117 received radiotherapy alone, 66 underwent surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy, 59 underwent preoperative radiotherapy plus surgery, 33 received concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 20 received concomitant molecular targeted therapy and radiotherapy, 16 underwent surgery alone and 7 received induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. The 3-, 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 58.4%, 50.7%, respectively, and the median overall survival time was 60.1 months. Ages (P = 0.034), gender(P = 0.024), smoking and alcohol consumptions(P = 0.008), doses of radiotherapy(P = 0.046) and clinic stages(P = 0.001) were independent factors for OS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>OSCC is poor in prognosis, with a high incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis. Radiotherapy and salvage surgery are the main treatments for OSCC.</p>

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: retrospective analysis of 28 cases / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (SCCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective review of SCCT cases in our hospital from January 1999 to May 2012. Demographic data and clinical charts, including presenting symptoms, histologic grade of tumor, treatment, and outcome of 28 consecutive patients were obtained. Survival rates and prognostic factors were calculated with SPSS 13.0 software using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox model survival analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SCCT accounted for only 0.36% of all types of thyroid malignancy. There were 15 males and 13 females, and the median age was 63 years. The presenting symptoms were neck masses (26/28) and hoarse voice (18/28). The 28 SCCTs included 15 high grade tumors, eight intermediate grade tumors and five low grade tumors. According to the UICC 2002 staging criteria, 16 patients were stage IVa, and 12 were stage IVb. Of the 28 patients, 19 underwent surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy, seven underwent surgery alone, and two received radiotherapy alone. The rates of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were 60.7% and 25.0%, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate were 50.4%, 25.8% and 19.3%, respectively, and the median overall survival time was 12.2 months. Kaplan-Meier univariate survival analyses indicated that the sizes of the tumors, esophageal invasions and treatment policies are prognostic factors, and multivariate Cox model survival analyses confirmed that the sizes of the tumors and treatment policies were independent factors for OS. Multivariate survival analyses confirmed that the sizes of the tumors and treatment policies were independent factors for OS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SCCT is a rare malignant tumor with strong invasive ability, high malignancy and poor prognosis. Combined modality therapy was strongly recommended, and surgical resection plus postoperative radiotherapy may be the main treatment protocol for patients with SCCT.</p>

Prognostic value of the number of lymph nodes retrieved after selective neck dissection in hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the influence of the number of lymph nodes retrieved after selective neck dissection on the prognosis of hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review was performed on 96 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma between January 1995 and December 2009, and all cases were accepted initial treatment for selective neck dissection. t test was used for analysis of normally distributed and Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed continuous data in two groups. Comparisons were made by χ(2) analysis for categorical variables. Overall survival, disease-free survival and neck-control rate were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved in all patients with hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma was 19.0 ± 11.3. Preoperative radiotherapy significantly decreased the number of retrieved lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes (t = -4.45, P < 0.001 and U = 568, P < 0.001, respectively). The number of nodes retrieved ≤ 15 was associated with 3-year overall survival of 37.7% compared with 71.3% in those with nodes retrieved > 15 by using Kaplan-Meier analysis (χ(2) = 8.214, P < 0.01). 3-year disease-free survival rates were 34.8% in those with ≤ 15 nodes and 61.7% in patients with > 15 nodes (χ(2) = 7.345, P < 0.01). The 3-year neck-control rates were 97.4% and 76.7% (> 15 nodes vs. ≤ 15 nodes;χ(2) = 5.539, P < 0.05), respectively. After adjusting for the effect of T stage and N stage on multivariate analysis, the number of nodes retrieved > 15 was an independent prognostic factor in patients undergoing selective neck dissection for hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The number of lymph nodes retrieved is a valuable prognostic factor in patients received selective neck dissection for hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma. These results suggest that at least 15 nodes should be examined in this setting.</p>

Nearby perforator flaps as alternative choices for anterolateral thigh flap when lacking useful perforator / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the proposal using nearby perforator flaps as alternative reconstructive choices for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap when lacking useful perforator.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 2010 to August 2012, 8 cases with head and neck cancer were found lacking reliable perforator during ALT flap elevation, a tensor fascia latae (TFL) flap or an anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap was used to complete the reconstruction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 8 alternative flaps were successfully harvested, other donor sites were not needed. Flap harvest time was 50-85 min. Of 5 TFL flaps, pedicle lengths were 6-10 cm, and the diameters of the arteries and veins were 2.5-3.0 mm and 2.5-3.5 mm respectively. Of 3 AMT flaps, pedicle lengths were 10-15 cm, the rectus femoris branch was used as pedicle in 1 flap, with artery and vein more than 1.0 mm in diameter, and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was used as pedicle in other 2 flaps, the diameters of the arteries were 3.5 and 3.0 mm respectively, the diameters of the veins were 3.5 mm. The donor sites were directly closed in 7 cases and skin graft was performed in another case. All the flaps were alive and no complication was found in the donor sites.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TFL or AMT flap is an good alternative to ALT flap lacking useful perforator.</p>

Efficacy of mouth opening exercises in treating trismus after maxillectomy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Patients with maxillary tumor often suffer from trismus after maxillectomy, which could turn out to be a permanent sequela without proper intervention. In this study, the efficacy of mouth opening exercises in preventing and treating trismus was observed in patients with maxillary tumor early after their operations. At the same time, radiotherapy as an influencing factor for the mouth opening exercises was evaluated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, 22 patients with maxillary oncology began their mouth opening exercises at an early stage (1-2 weeks) after maxillectomy. They were divided into two groups based on the principle of voluntariness: 11 patients in group 1 chose TheraBites as their instruments of mouth opening exercises, and the other 11 in group 2 chose stacked tongue depressors to help their exercises. All participants were trained to exercise 3-5 times a day, 30-40 oscillations at one time, with a 2-second pause at their maximum possible mouth open position. The maximal interincisor distances (MID) of patients were measured and recorded by a single investigator every week after the beginning of the mouth opening exercises. Medical information and the responses of patients were also recorded. Initial and final MIDs were calculated by SPSS 13.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The changes of the mouth aperture every week during exercises in both groups were described in figures, and there were statistical increases in the final MIDs compared with the initial ones. However, no significant differences were achieved between groups 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). Radiotherapy seemed to have no negative impact on the mouth opening results during the exercises.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Physical mouth opening exercises should be executed early after maxillectomy for the prevention and treatment of trismus, especially for those who had radiotherapy as part of antitumor treatments.</p>

Prognostic value of lymph node ratio in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma after chemoradiotherapy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Lymph node ratio (LNR) has recently been reported as a potential prognostic marker in many malignant diseases. We aimed to analyze the potential prognostic effect of LNR on hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) after neoadjuvant therapy in our institution.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a retrospective study of 279 patients with HPSCC who underwent radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy followed by neck dissection between November 1965 and December 2008. Patients were divided into four groups according to quartiles based on LNR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean LNR was 10.4% (range 0-100%, median 4.3%). Males and advanced clinical N classification significantly increased the LNR (P = 0.014 and P < 0.001, respectively). Compared with those with LNR <0.14, LNR ≥0.14 was associated with reduced overall, disease-specific and disease-free survival (all at P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that LNR is an independent predictor of prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that LNR is a strong predictor of HPSCC after chemoradiotherapy.</p>

Clinical analysis of 27 cases of well differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid isthmus / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Well differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) may be located in the isthmus. The guidelines now have not mentioned an appropriate procedure for WDTC in the isthmus. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the outcomes in patients with WDTC in the isthmus treated at our institution.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-seven patients with WDTC in the isthmus were managed by surgery in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 1985-2006. Their demographic data, surgical procedures, pathological features, stages and outcomes were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five patients were men and 22 were women. The median age was 41 (range, 20-69) years. Nine patients received isthmusectomy, fourteen patients received extended isthmusectomy and four received isthmusectomy with unilateral lobectomy. There were no complications of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or hypocalcaemia. The median size of lesion was 1.0 cm(range, 0.5-4.0 cm). Sixteen patients had a pathologically T1a lesion (pT1a), seven patients were pT1b, two patients were pT2 and two pT3. Three patients had papillary carcinoma detected in perithyroid lymph nodes (pN1a). Among the 27 cases, 25 patients had a solitary malignant nodule confined to the isthmus, one had two malignant nodules confined to the isthmus and one had two malignant nodules located separately in the isthmus and right lobe. The patients were followed up with a median follow-up time of 85 months(range, 37-274 months). The 5-year recurrence-free survival was 95.2% and overall survival rate was 100%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our results suggest that isthmusectomy or extended isthmusectomy are feasible and efficient for the patients with WDTC located in the isthmus, and concurrent pretracheal lymph node dissection should be considered.</p>

Clinical analysis of relevant factors causing postoperative recurrence of laryngeal cancer after partial laryngectomy / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the clinical relevant factors causing recurrence and failure of laryngeal cancer after partial laryngectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 183 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent partial laryngectomy from January 2005 to July 2009 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. 12 selected factors which might cause recurrence including sex, age, smoking condition, drinking condition, laryngeal cancer type, T stage, N stage, clinical stage, pathological grade, mode of operation, radiotherapy and margin status were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 183 patients, 37 cases were recurrence, the recurrence rate was 20.2%, 3-year survival rate was 83.1%, and 5-year-expected survival rate was 71.8%. Seven factors, i.e. T stage, N stage, pathological grades, surgical margins, radiotherapy, drinking and smoking condition were associated with recurrence after partial laryngectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that drinking condition, surgical margins, adjuvant radiotherapy and pN stage were the main factors affecting the prognosis of patients with partial laryngectomy, and they all were risk factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Simple surgical treatment of early laryngeal cancer alone can achieve satisfactory therapeutic effect. However, multidisciplinary treatment mode of the operation combined with radiotherapy should be considered for patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma and positive surgical margins.</p>

Application value of sentinel node biopsy in early stage oral tongue cancer with clinically negative neck / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the liability of sentinel node biopsy in the treatment of early stage oral tongue carcinoma with clinically negative neck.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen patients with T1 or T2 oral tongue carcinoma were enrolled in the prospective study. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operative hand-held gamma probe techniques were used to detect the sentinel lymph nodes. The sentinel lymph node biopsies were sent to frozen section pathology and the results were compared with specimen of routine selective neck dissection (I ∼ III or I ∼ IV). The accuracy of cervical metastasis prediction was compared between sentinel node biopsy and tumor thickness.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sentinel lymph nodes were identified in all 18 cases. The numbers of sentinel lymph nodes of level Ib, IIa and III were 6, 22 and 2, respectively. In this series, positive sentinel lymph nodes were revealed in 4 cases, which were also positive in the postoperative routine histology.In other cases, both sentinel lymph nodes and routine histology were negative. Both the sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Sentinel lymph node biopsy obviously improved the specificity of predicting cervical metastasis comparing with the tumor thickness. (100% vs. 36.4%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sentinel node biopsy is effective and reliable in the treatment of early stage oral tongue cancer, and deserves clinical application.</p>

Relationship between HPV-DNA status and p16 protein expression in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between HPV-DNA status and p16 protein expression in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas treated in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2009 were included in this study. Their formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor tissue blocks met the eligibility criteria and were used in this study. A "sandwich" technique was used to prepare paraffin sections for HPV-DNA analysis. HPV-DNA was detected using the SPF10 LiPA25 version 1 assay. The expression of p16 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. The survival rates of patients with different HPV-DNA and p16 protein status were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HPV-DNA was detected in 11 (16.7%) of all specimens. Expression of p16 protein was detected in 9 of the 11 patients with HPV-positive tumors, and in 12 patients of 55 HPV-negative tumors. The expression of p16 protein was highly correlated with the presence of HPV-DNA (P < 0.001). The tumors were classified into three groups based on the p16 protein expression and HPV-DNA status: group A (9 patients): HPV(+) and p16 protein(+); group B (14 patients): HPV-DNA(+)/p16 protein(-) or HPV-DNA(-)/p16 protein(+); and group C (43 patients): HPV-DNA(-)/p16 protein(-). The 3-year OS rates of these 3 groups were 100%, 77.8% and 42.0% (P = 0.001), and their DSS rates were 100%, 77.8% and 46.4%, respectively(P = 0.004).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas, p16 protein expression is highly correlated with the presence of HPV-DNA, and might be a surrogate marker for HPV-positive OSCC. Combination of p16 protein and HPV-DNA status detection may help to more accurately stratify oropharyngeal carcinomas and predict their prognosis.</p>

Management and prognostic factors for 119 patients with follicular thyroid carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the optimal management and analyze the prognostic factors for follicular thyroid carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathological data of 119 patients with well-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma treated in our hospital from 1970 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The overall survival (OS) rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Log rank and Cox regression analyses were used to identify the prognostic factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 81.1% and 66.7%, respectively. The 3- , 5- and 10-year cumulative distant metastasis rates were 27.4%, 29.6% and 35.9%, respectively. The age of ≥ 45 years old was one of the most important factors affecting survival rate (P < 0.05) and an independent factor for distant matastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Follicular thyroid carcinoma has some special features such as diffuse growth and vascular tumors thrombosis and with a relatively poor prognosis. The key measure to improve local control and prognosis is radical resection. Some aggressive management such as total thyroidectomy combined with (13)1I therapy and regular follow-up should be performed to improve the survival rate and to control postoperative distant metastasis for patients ≥ 45 years old.</p>

Significance of selective neck dissection in patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the significance of selective neck dissection in patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty three patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis were prospectively studied at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between August 2006 and June 2011. The patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma easy to occur neck lymph node metastasis include: The maximum diameter of primary tumor is ≥ 2 cm; The primary tumor invaded the thyroid capsule; Lymph node metastasis in level VI is found; Lymph node enlargement in level III or/and IV were detected preoperatively by ultrasonography, but not considered as metastasis. The surgical procedure is that the selective neck dissection in level III and IV is performed depending on the collar incision of thyroid surgery. The lymph node chosen from the specimen has a frozen section. If lymph node metastasis is found in the frozen section, a functional neck dissection should be performed through prolonging the collar incision.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All cases were pathologically confirmed as thyroid papillary carcinoma. The occult metastasis rate of lateral neck lymph nodes was 39.7%. According to the univariate analysis, the patients with thyroid capsule invasion and lymph node metastasis in level VI were more likely to have lateral neck lymph node metastasis, and the occult metastasis rate was 46.9% and 54.3%, respectively (P = 0.028, P = 0.008), and there were statistically no significant difference in the primary tumor size and the preoperative neck lymph node status by ultrasonography with occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (P = 0.803 and P = 0.072). According to the multivariate analysis, there was a significant correlation only between the lymph node metastasis in level VI and occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (P = 0.017), but there was no significant correlation with the thyroid capsule invasion, primary tumor size and neck lymph node status by preoperative ultrasonography in prediction of occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Selective neck dissection is feasible for the patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk lateral neck lymph node metastasis and the lateral occult metastatic lymph node can be promptly found and removed. We suggest that the selective neck dissection for level III and IV should be routinely performed in cN0 thyroid carcinoma patients with thyroid capsule invasion and lymph node metastasis in level VI.</p>

Surgical management of parapharyngeal lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective study of 25 patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Parapharyngeal lymph node (PPLN) metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is rare. We describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of this condition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five patients with PPLN metastasis from thyroid carcinoma were treated at our institution from January 1999 to December 2010, including 22 patients with papillary carcinoma, two with medullary carcinoma, and one with follicular carcinoma. Of these, 16 had a history of surgical treatment prior to PPLN metastasis. Of the nine patients without a history of surgical treatment, five had widespread cervical lymph node metastases and four had occult papillary thyroid carcinoma. PPLN metastasis was diagnosed by enhanced computed tomography in 22 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Resection of metastases was performed via a transcervical approach in 23 patients and a transmandibular approach in two patients. After a median follow-up time of 31 months (range: 6 - 130 months), nine patients developed distant metastases, and six of these died of their disease. The 5-year survival rate was 63.8%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PPLN metastasis from thyroid carcinoma may occur in patients: with previous neck dissection, with widespread metastases to cervical lymph nodes prior to initial treatment, and with occult thyroid carcinoma. Enhanced computed tomography is helpful for diagnosis in the first two presentations. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment for this disease. PPLN metastasis has a tendency to be associated with distant metastases and a poor prognosis.</p>

Clinical analysis of squamous cell carcinoma of the subglottis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics, pattern of lymph node metastasis, optimal management and relative prognostic factors of subglottic squamous cell carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review was conducted in 36 cases with subglottic squamous cell carcinoma from 1970 to 2005. TNM staging showed 6 patients with stage I, 9 stage II, 8 stage III and 13 stage IV (AJCC 2010). Eight of these 36 cases were treated with radiotherapy alone, 18 with surgery alone and 10 with surgery plus perioperative radiotherapy. The overall 5-year survival rate was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method according to different clinical stages and treatments. Log-Rank analysis was used to identify the prognostic factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 5-year survival rate was 58.2%, and 5-year survival rates were 66.7%, 66.7%, 62.5% and 30.8% for patients with stage I, II, III and IV, respectively, and the rates were 43.8%, 66.7% and 51.9% for radiotherapy alone, surgery alone, surgery plus perioperative radiotherapy, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of patients with stage I-III was significantly higher than that of patients with stage IV (χ(2) = 3.955, P < 0.05). Pathologically confirmed positive rate of cervical lymph node was 25.0% (9/36), and the positive cervical lymph nodes were mainly distributed in level VI, followed by level II. The 5-year survival rate of patients with negative cervical lymph node was significantly higher than that of patients with positive cervical lymph node (χ(2) = 6.466, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prognosis of subglottic squamous cell carcinoma was relatively poor. Total laryngectomy was the the main therapeutic management, and only part of the early cases could be treated with radiotherapy alone or partial laryngectomy. For locally advanced cases, the typical neck dissection including level II-IV and VI should be performed.</p>

Human papillomavirus infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and prognosis: a preliminary analysis of 66 cases / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the relationship between the prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in OSCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma who met the enrollment criteria during the period from January 1999 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The presence or absence of HPV oncogenic types in OSCC specimen was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) for HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HPV-DNA was detected in 11(16.7%) of all specimens. Among them, 7 were positive for HPV-16, 1 for HPV-16/11, 1 for HPV-35, 1 for HPV-58/52, and 1 for HPV-33/52/54. With the follow-up of 3-78 months (a median of 24.5 months), patients with HPV-positive tumors had significantly better overall survival (χ2=5.792, P=0.016) and disease specific survival (χ2=4.721, P=0.030), the 3-year OS and DSS were 90.0% vs 52.4% and 90.0% vs 56.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression model showed that HPV infection and nodal status were both independent prognostic factors for patients with OSCC (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Patients with HPV-positive OSCC have significantly better prognosis than patients with HPV-negative tumors. HPV infection is an independent prognostic factor.</p>

Association of antigen processing machinery and HLA class I defects with clinicopathological outcome in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of antigen-processing machinery (APM) component defects in HLA class I antigen down-regulation in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to assess the clinical significance of these defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-one formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded SCC specimens were examined for the expressions of APM component transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1) and low molecular weight polypeptide (LMP-7) and HLA class I antigen by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HLA class I antigens, TAP-1 and LMP-7 expressions were down-regulated in 56.9% (29/51), 39.2% (20/51) and 45.1% (23/51) of the tested specimens respectively, whereas HLA class I antigens, TAP-1 and LMP-7 expressions lost in 21.6% (11/51), 33.3% (17/51) and 27.5% (14/51) of the tested specimens respectively. TAP-1 and LMP-7 expressions were significantly correlated with HLA class I antigen expression (r=0.460, P<0.05 and r=0.685, P<0.05, respectively). HLA class I antigens down-regulation was significantly correlated with T stage (χ2=8.61, P<0.05). Both TAP-1 and LMP-7 down-regulations were significantly correlated with T stage (χ2 values were 9.72 and 8.97 respectively, P<0.05) and TNM stage (χ2 values were 9.18 and 7.70 respectively, P<0.05). TAP-1, LMP-7 and HLA class I antigen down-regulations were significantly associated with reduced patients' overall survival (P<0.05) and disease-free survival (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed lymph node metastasis, recurrence and HLA class I antigen down-regulation were unfavorable prognostic factors (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Down-regulated expressions of HLA class I antigen and APM component TAP-1 and LMP-7 occur frequently in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, by which cancer cells could avoid immune surveillance, while HLA class I antigen down-regulation is a major contributing factor to tumour progression and mortality.</p>