Pattern of regional metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer: our experience of 86 cases

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) have a high propensity for regional metastasis which ranges from 30- 80%. The objective of the study is to assess the pattern of lymph node metastasis and to plan the extent of neck dissection accordingly. Though central neck dissection (CND) is routinely done in PTC but the indication of extent of  neck dissection is still controversial.Methods: The medical records of   86 patients with PTC  who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) and neck dissection at Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute(BBCI) from January 2010 to  December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.Results: Out of 86 patients 22 were males and 64 were females. The median age of presentation was 40.0 years. 43 out of 86 patients (50%) had cervical lymph node metastasis. Ipsilateral nodal metastasis was found in 37 patients (43.0%) and contralateral metastasis was found in only 6 patients (7.0%).Tumors with size more than 3cm had ipsilateral nodal metastasis in 21(56.7%) patients which is statistically significant (p 0.03).A strong association was found between level VI and the ipsilateral group of lymph nodes involving level II,III,IV and V.Conclusions: Majority of patients present with multiple level nodal metastasis, with the central compartment commonly involved. In view of the high incidence of metastatic lymph nodes in levels II, III, IV and level VI ,our study  supports the recommendation  for posterolateral  and anterior  neck dissection in patients with clinically positive neck  nodes and tumor with aggressive criteria.

Pathobiological Characteristics of Intestinal and Diffuse-Type of Gastric Carcinoma-Retrospective Study of Gastric Cancers

Background: Gastric carcinomas have various pathological features. Based on patterns of growth and invasiveness, however, they fall into two types: diffuse type and intestinal type. These two types of carcinoma appear to be different in their histogenetic origins. Objectives: To analyse various types of gastric cancer reported in last five years. To compare the features of intestinal and diffuse type gastric carcinoma including gross appearance, staging, grading of tumor. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 324 gastric cancer which were surgically resected and received over 5 years. The tumors were divided into groups according to their gross and microscopic patterns. Gross appearance was classified based on Borrmann classification. Microscopic features evaluated include tumor cell type, extent of invasion, degree of maturation, formation of glandular structures, nodal metastasis. Results: Totally 320 cases of gastric cancer were received of which 218(68%) were male, 102(32%) were female. Gastric cancers are rare below the age of 30 years. Comparing the type of gastric cancer intestinal type were 269(84%), diffuse type were 24(7.5%) and other type of gastric cancer including GIST, lymphoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma were 27(8.5%). Younger patients have higher stage of lymph node metastasis in diffuse type, but not for the intestinal type. Conclusion: Gastric cancer more common in male (M:F= 2:1) and most frequently seen in 5th decade. Intestinal type constitutes the most common type of gastric tumor. Gross appearance of diffuse type was predominantly infiltrative (79%).

Expression of CDX-2 and Ki-67 in different grades of colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Background: CDX2 is a caudal homeobox gene essential for intestinal differentiation and is specifi cally expressed in colorectal adenocarcinomas. Its role in colorectal carcinogenesis is not fully elucidated. Aims and Objectives: To study the expression pattern of CDX2 and Ki-67 in different grades of colorectal adenocarcinomas and to observe the relationship of their staining patterns in various tumor stages and to look for correlation if any, between Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) and CDX2 expression. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 cases were enrolled. Detailed clinical profi le, peroperative fi ndings, histological grading and staging were noted. Immunohistochemistry for CDX2 and Ki-67 was done, and Ki-67 LI was calculated. CDX2 staining was graded semiquantitatively, and statistical analysis was done. Result: Age of presentation ranged from 20 to 75 years, and the male:female ratio was 1.83:1. There were 8, 47 and 13 cases of well, moderate and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, respectively. The mean Ki-67 LI of well, moderate and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas were 14.25, 31.34 and 43.08 respectively, and their difference was statistically signifi cant, correlation was also noted with stage. CDX2 expression appeared to be stronger in poorly differentiated cases, but there was no signifi cant difference in its expression in the different grades and stages. There was no correlation between Ki-67 LI and CDX2 immunostaining pattern. The lymph node metastasis showed CDX2 positivity in all the cases. Conclusion: Expression of CDX2 does not signifi cantly change with the grade of colorectal adenocarcinomas. However, it is an important diagnostic marker in metastatic colonic lesions. The Ki-67 LI, on the other hand, showed a strong correlation with histopathological grades.

Nodal skip metastasis is not a predictor of survival in middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship of nodal skip metastasis(NSM) and clinicopathological factors of middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.Methods Between January 1999 and December 2007,695 patients with middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who had lymph node metastasis were reviewed.All patients received McKeown esophagectomy.We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and NSM status.Survival rates were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank test.Multivariate analysis were also performed to assess the element which affect the survival by Cox regression.Results NSM were present in 226 (32.5％) patients.No significant differences in age,gender,tumor differentiation and extent of lymph node dissection depth of tumor invasion were found between skip metastasis group and continuous metastasis group.The NSM group included more patients with earlier T stage and N stage.Univariate analysis displayed that NSM was beneficial for patients with middle thoracic esophageal tumors (P ＜ 0.001).Cox-proportional multivariate analysis showed NSM was not a significant prognostic factor in overall survival.The overall survival did not differ according to NSM status in subgroups with different N stage.T1-2 patients,no significant difference of 5-year survival rate was found between skip metastasis group and continuous metastasis group(P =0.059).T3-4 patients,significant difference of 5-year survival rate was found between skip metastasis group and continuous metastasis group(P =0.001).NSM patients were then separated into 3 groups based on the extent of metastasis lymph nodes:both cervical and abdominal NSM (n =45,19.9％),cervical NSM (n =120,53.1％) and abdominal NSM (n =61,27.0％).The number of metastasis lymph nodes was significantly different among the three groups.No survival differences were observed among the three groups.Conclusion NSM is more frequently in the earlier stage compared to continuous metastasis.Three field lymphadenectomy can reduce the recurrence of T3-4 patients,and improve the survival rate of five years.The presence of NSM does not predict prognosis.

Patterns and prognostic value of lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on 2013 updated consensus guidelines of neck node levels / 中国癌症杂志

Background and purpose:In 2013, the ofifcial journal of European Society of Radiotherapy &Oncology (ESTRO) -Radiotherapy & Oncology published the updated version of Consensus Guidelines of Delineation of the neck node levels for head and neck tumors, which contributed to the standardization of description of neck nodal metastasis, as well as reduction of treatment variations from various institutions. This study applied this updated guidelines to analyze the patterns of lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and explore the prognostic value of the radiologic characteristics of nodes, in order to provide evidence for future revision of N staging system. Methods:A total of 656 patients from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2010 were retrospectively recruited to analysis. All were pathologically diagnosed as non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. All patients received a pretreatment MRI scan. We retrospectively reviewed the MRI imaging of 656 patients and mapped the lymph node metastasis using the 2013 International Consensus Guidelines.Results:Median follow-up was 46.9 months. Four-year local recurrence-free survival, nodal recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival and overall survival was 91.3%, 95.1%, 87.7%, 78.5% and 92.8%, respectively. The most common metastatic node levels were levelⅡ (76.2%) and levelⅦa (65.1%), followed by levelⅢ (50.4%),Ⅴa(17.5%) andⅣa (11.7%). There was a very low incidence of node skipping (1.0%). Cervical nodal necrosis was observed in 46.4%of patients with positive nodes and extracapsular spread was noted in 74.4% of them. Univariate analysis showed that bilateral nodal involvement, greatest dimension of positive nodes (≥6 cm), central nodal necrosis, T stage and N stage were prognostic factors for disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival (P<0.05). Extracapsular spread showed a trend to correlate with poor distant metastasis-free survival (P=0.060). The involvement of lower neck levels (below the caudal border of cricoid cartilage) did not have a signiifcant impact on disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. In multivariate analysis, T stage and greatest dimension of nodes (≥6 cm) were independent prognostic factors for distant metastasis-free survival (P<0.05). T stage, greatest dimension of nodes (≥6 cm) and central nodal necrosis were independent prognostic factors of disease-free survival (P<0.05).Conclusion:This study demonstrates the patterns of lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on 2013 International Consensus Guidelines. Bilateral nodal involvement, greatest dimension of positive nodes and central nodal necrosis had prognostic values on disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. In our study, the involvement of lower neck levels was not proved to be a prognostic factor for disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival.

Clinical outcomes of neo-adjuvant therapy followed by surgical re-section in 84 patients withⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:This work presents the therapeutic advantage of induction therapy in patients withⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (ⅢA-N2 NSCLC). Methods:ⅢA-N2 NSCLC patients with ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node metastasis (>1 cm as shown by CT scan) who were admitted in our hospital between January 2008 and July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The response rates and survival outcomes of patients were presented and the prognostic factors were analyzed. Results:The 3-and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 57.7%and 34.2%, respectively, and the 3-and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 37.9%and 30.5%, respec-tively. No significant differences in OS and DFS were observed between R0 and R1 resections (P=0.118; P=0.369), between groups who received neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy and chemotherapy (P=0.771; P=0.953), between cases with and without clinical re-sponse (P=0.865;P=0.862), and among groups of different histological subtypes (P=0.685;P=0.208). However, patients with standard lobectomy or pathological nodal downstaging exhibited better OS (P=0.023 and P=0.024, respectively) and DFS (P=0.036 and P=0.025, respectively) than those who had extensive resections or persistent N2. Univariate analysis predicted better OS and DFS for both standard lobectomy and pathological nodal donwstaging. In addition, Cox multivariate analysis revealed that only pathological nodal downstaging could be considered as a favorable prognostic factor for DFS, while non-smoking and standard lobectomy are the corre-sponding variables for OS. Conclusion:Neo-adjuvant therapy with platinum-based doublet is feasible and useful in tumor and patho-logical nodal downstaging, which potentially improved resectability and survival rates in patients withⅢA-N2 NSCLC. Performing lo-bectomy or pathological nodal downstaging following induction therapy improved the patients' survival rate.

Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of apocrine carcinoma of breast / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of apocrine carcinoma ( AC) of breast. Meth-od Clinical data of 70 ACs and 283 invasive carcinomas, not otherwise specified were collected. Differences between the prognostic outcomes of the two groups were compared, and the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was also ana-lyzed. Results The mean age of the patients with AC (56. 17 ± 12. 41 years) was older than those with invasive carcinoma not other-wise specified (52. 77 ± 11. 07 years) (P=0. 039). The patients with AC had a lower frequency of axillary nodal metastasis, a lower frequency of ER and PR positivity comparing to invasive carcinoma not otherwise specified ( P<0. 05 ) . No significant differences in the overall survival (P=0. 221) and disease-free survival (P=0. 378) periods of the two groups were observed. Kaplan-Meier surviv-al analysis showed tumor size, lymph node metastasis, pathological stage, lymph node tissue infiltration were related with prognosis of patients with AC ( P<0. 05 ) . In multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis was associated with a worse prognosis ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusions Although AC and invasive carcinoma not otherwise specified have different clinicopathologic characteristics, the prog-noses of patients with these diseases are similar. Lymph node metastasis could be used as an independent factor for predicting the prog-nosis of patients with AC, early diagnosis and early treatment is the key to improve its prognosis.

Metastasis via Peritumoral Lymphatic Dilation in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

PURPOSE: Nodal metastasis is the main prognostic factor in the patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We investigated the association between tumor-associated lymphatics and OSCC characteristics. METHODS: Thirty-four specimens were used for the immunohistochemical staining with the antibody for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, phosphorylated VEGFR-3, D2-40, and matrix metallproteinases (MMPs). We observed the distribution of the lymphangiogenic factors and quantified the degree of expression. We determined lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and lymphatic vessel dilatation with D2-40 immunostaining. We assessed the association of LVD or lymphatic vessel dilatation with tumor progression or tumor differentiation. RESULTS: OSCC cells expressed lymphangiogenic ligands. Lymphangiogenic receptor, VEGFR-3, was expressed and activated in some tumor cells as well as in tumor-associated endothelial cells. LVD was not associated with tumor size or nodal status, but lymphatic vessel dilatation was higher in tumors with nodal metastasis, and also higher in poorly differentiated tumors. In stromal area of OSCC, MMP-1 and MMP-10 were up-regulated and the basement membrane of tumor-associated endothelial cells was destroyed by these collagenases. CONCLUSION: In the primary tumors with nodal metastasis, especially in poorly differentiated OSCC, tumor cells invaded the dilated lymphatic vessels via ruptured sites. MMP-1 and MMP-10 are important in the lysis of the glycocalyx inside the tumor-associated lymphatic endothelial cells.

Conversion from Selective to Comprehensive Neck Dissection: Is It Necessary for Occult Nodal Metastasis? 5-Year Observational Study

OBJECTIVES: To compare the therapeutic results between selective neck dissection (SND) and conversion modified radical neck dissection (MRND) for the occult nodal metastasis cases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-four cases with occult nodal metastasis were enrolled in this observational cohort study. For twenty-nine cases, SNDs were done and for fifteen cases, as metastatic nodes were found in the operative field, conversion from selective to MRNDs type II were done. Baseline data on primary site, T and N stage, extent of SND, extracapsular spread of occult metastatic node and type of postoperative adjuvant therapy were obtained. We compared locoregional control rate, overall survival rate and disease specific survival rate between two groups. RESULTS: Among the 29 patients who underwent SND, only one patient had a nodal recurrence which occurred in the contralateral undissected neck. On the other hand, among the 15 patients who underwent conversion MRND, two patients had nodal recurrences which occurred in previously undissected neck. According to the Kaplan Meier survival curve, there was no statistically significant difference for locoregional control rate, overall survival rate and disease specific survival rate between two groups (P=0.2719, P=0.7596, and P=0.2405, respectively). CONCLUSION: SND is enough to treat occult nodal metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and it is not necessary to convert from SND to comprehensive neck dissection.

N Stage: Controversies and Recent Issues / 대한갑상선학회지

The current TNM staging including N staging has been suggested as a gold standard for the appropriate therapy in the well differentiated thyroid cancer patients. N staging was established based on histopathologic findings, however, the newly suggested prognostic factors for the revision of N staging include some clinicopathologic factors, such as clinical metastasis (macrometastasis), large node metastasis (> or =3 cm), extranodal extension and the number of metastatic node. Recently, American Thyroid Association reported the possibility that the low-risk group patients would be overestimated as high-risk group patients that leads to the overtreatment, the following unnecessary complication and the economic cost. The preexisting N1a/N1b classification by anatomical location of metastatic node still remains as a strong prognostic factor; however, many evidences indicated that the clinicopathologic factors described above should be considered in the risk stratification in the near future. Thus, it needs to be stressed that the four factors of micrometastasis, large node metastasis (> or =3 cm), gross or microscopic extranodal extension and multiple metastatic node (>5 cm) have been established as negative or positive prognostic factors and should be noted in clinical practice.

Division of the N2 Stage According to the Multiplicity of the Involved Nodal Stations May be Necessary in the N2-NSCLC Patients Who are Treated with Postoperative Radiotherapy / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the prognostic factors for the pathologic N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who were treated by postoperative radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 112 pN2 NSCLC patients who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) From January 1999 to February 2008. Seventy-five (67%) patients received segmentectomy or lobectomy and 37 (33%) patients received pneumonectomy. The resection margin was negative in 94 patients, and it was positive or close in 18 patients. Chemotherapy was administered to 103 (92%) patients. Nine (8%) patients received PORT alone. The median radiation dose was 54 Gy (range, 45 to 66), and the fraction size was 1.8~2 Gy. RESULTS: The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 60.2% and the disease free survival (DFS) rate was 44.7% for all the patients. Univariate analysis showed that the patients with multiple-station N2 disease had significantly reduced OS and DFS (p=0.047, p=0.007) and the patients with an advanced T stage (> or =T3) had significantly reduced OS and DFS (p or =5 cm) and positive lymphovascular invasion reduced the OS (p=0.035, 0.034). Using multivariate analysis, we found that multiple-station N2 disease and an advanced T stage (> or =T3) significantly reduced the OS and DFS. Seventy one patients (63.4%) had recurrence of disease. The patterns of failure were loco-regional in 23 (20.5%) patients, distant failure in 62 (55.4%) and combined loco-regional and distant failure in 14 (12.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: Multiple involvement of mediastinal nodal stations for the pN2 NSCLC patients with PORT was a poor prognostic factor in this study. A prospective study is necessary to evaluate the N2 subclassification and to optimize the adjuvant treatment.

Localización del ganglio centinela “natural“ en el carcinoma de laringe e hipofaringe / Localization of "natural" sentinel node in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer

La técnica del ganglio linfático centinela localiza el ganglio que drena primariamente el territorio neoplásico anatómico. Más tarde, este procedimiento ha sido aplicado a pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide (CE) de cabeza y cuello. Nuestra experiencia de veinte años con las disecciones cervicales funcionales en el cáncer de laringe e hipofaringe nos permite asegurar que existe un ganglio linfático centinela natural en estos órganos. En nuestro estudio, examinamos una serie de 170 pacientes con disecciones funcionales del cuello con metástasis mediante el uso de un procedimiento quirúrgico de acuerdo con la anatomía topográfica clásica. En los casos con metástasis ganglionares únicas, resultaban afectados en alto porcentaje los ganglios de Küttner, supraomohioideo y prelaríngeo (46%, 38% y 6%, respectivamente), lo que representa una prueba in vivo de ganglio linfático centinela. En los casos con más de tres metástasis ganglionares, los ganglios de Küttner y supraomohioideo siempre estaban afectados primariamente. En cambio, en las metástasis detectadas en otros ganglios, podría suponerse la aparición de un drenaje linfático inconstante del pedúnculo laríngeo superior o un cambio patológico del flujo linfático. Por lo tanto, el examen histopatológico intraoperatorio simple de estos ganglios permitiría a los cirujanos controlar la difusión locorregional de la neoplasia y reducir la disección cervical total. Esta acción no es predecible cuando se emplea la división de los ganglios cervicales por niveles que se utiliza actualmente.

Sentinel lymph node technique locates that node whichprimarily drains anatomic neoplastic territory. Lately, thisprocedure has been applied to patients with head andneck squamous cell carcinoma. Our twenty-yearexperience in functional neck dissections for larynx andhypo pharynx cancer let us to assert that there exists anatural sentinel lymph node in these organs. In our study,we examined a series of 170 patients with metastasized functional neck dissections using a surgical procedure according to classic topographic anatomy. In the cases with single nodal metastasis, Küttner, Supraomohyoid, Pre-laryngeal nodes were involved with a high percentage(46%, 38%, 6% respectively) representing an “in vivo”evidence of sentinel lymph node. In cases with more thanthree nodal metastases, Küttner and supraomohyoid werealways primarily interested. Instead, for the metastasesdetected in other nodes, it might be supposed theoccurrence of an unsteady lymphatic drainage of thesuperior laryngeal peduncle or a pathological change ofthe lymphatic flow. Therefore, the simple intraoperative histopathological examination of these nodes would allow surgeons to control locoregional diffusion of neoplasia and to reduce total neck dissection. This acting is not predictable using the division of cervical nodes bylevels currently used.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Nodal MetastasisConfirmed by Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / 대한피부과학회지

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer and the majority of such patients can be easily treated with a relatively low risk of recurrence and metastasis. However, there are subgroups of SCC that are at a higher risk, depending on patient's or tumor's characteristics. A greater part of the metastases from these high-risked SCCs spread towards the regional lymph nodes, whereas distant metastases are relatively uncommon. Early identification of nodal metastasis can allow the selective and timely inclusion of possible high-risked SCC patients into more aggressive treatments and meticulous follow-up protocols for achieving potential survival benefit. Therefore, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is popular in the management of malignant melanoma, and it may also be useful to detect regional metastasis of high-risked SCCs. This procedure could also spare node-negative patients the morbidity of unnecessary additional therapy, like elective lymph node dissection. We report herein on a case of SCC with regional nodal metastasis, which is confirmed by SLNB.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Nodal MetastasisConfirmed by Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / 대한피부과학회지

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer and the majority of such patients can be easily treated with a relatively low risk of recurrence and metastasis. However, there are subgroups of SCC that are at a higher risk, depending on patient's or tumor's characteristics. A greater part of the metastases from these high-risked SCCs spread towards the regional lymph nodes, whereas distant metastases are relatively uncommon. Early identification of nodal metastasis can allow the selective and timely inclusion of possible high-risked SCC patients into more aggressive treatments and meticulous follow-up protocols for achieving potential survival benefit. Therefore, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is popular in the management of malignant melanoma, and it may also be useful to detect regional metastasis of high-risked SCCs. This procedure could also spare node-negative patients the morbidity of unnecessary additional therapy, like elective lymph node dissection. We report herein on a case of SCC with regional nodal metastasis, which is confirmed by SLNB.

Expression of α1-AT and VIEGF-C in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To study the expressions of α1-AT and VEGF-C in human bronchoalveolarcarcinorrm, and the relation of the expression to the patholo~cM differentiation and clinical stage. Methods All 49 Darffin embedding samples of patients with bronchoalveolar carcinoma were studied. α1-AT and VEGF-C were detected by immunohistochemical SP method.Automated image analyzer was used to quantify α1-AT and VEGF-C expressions.Results The immunohistochemical positive stainings of α1-AT and VEGF-C in brown or dark brown were located in cytopla8m.The expression levels of α1-AT and VEGF-C were not related with the gender,age,tumor position and size,and histology subtypos(P＞0.05).It Was found that the expression of α1-AT in patients with local lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than those without node metastasis(P＜0.001).It was found that the expression of VEGF-C in patients with local node metastasis significantly higher than th08e without node metastasis(P＜0.001).There Was a negative correlation between the expression level of α1-AT and the expression level of VEGF-C in bronchoalveolar carcinoma(r=-0.324,P＜0.05).Conclusion α1-AT and VEGF-C could be secreted by bronehoalveolar carcinoma.Bronehoalveolar carcinoma with lower α1-AT expression and higher VEGF-C expression is more likely to have lymph node metastasis.Lower α1-AT expression and higher VEGF-C expression can participate in the mechanism of lymph node metastasis in carcinoma together.

Frequency and Patterns of nodal metastasis in supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Supraglottic larynx is a well-known primary site of the head and neck cancer with frequent nodal metastasis, but pathologically confirmed data is lacking in our country. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pathologic reports of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed using the records of 73 patients who underwent surgery as an initial treatment at Severance Hospital between April 1992 and December 1999. Fifty-three patients had simultaneous bilateral neck dissection, while 13 had unilateral neck dissection. The average number of nodes investigated was 46.5 +/- 14.0 for the comprehensive neck dissection specimen and 29.4 +/- 10.9 for he lateral neck dissection. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of the patients had patholigically proven nodal metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Ninty-percent (47/52) of patients with pathologically proven metastasis had multiple lymph node metastasis. Nodal metastasis rate according to T stages was as follows ; T1 57.1% (4/7), T2 72.0% (18/25), T3 76.0% (19/25), T4 68.8% (11/16) respectively. Metastasis rate according to subsite was as follows ; 79.3% for epiglottis, 56.5% for false cord, 76.2% for aryepiglottic fold respectively. Ipsilateral and contralateral occult metastasis rate were 28.6% (8/28) and 14.3% (4/28), respectively. The percentage of contralateral occult metastasis for clinically ipsilateral node positive patient was 27.8% (10/36). 40.4% (19/47) of the patients with tumor which involved the midline had contralateral metastasis while 11.5% (3/26) for the patients with tumor were confined to one side. CONCLUSION: Patients with supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma need aggressive treatment of neck, because nodal metastasis is very frequent at the time of diagnosis. Elective treatment of contralateral neck may be needed for ipsilateral node positive patients. Patients who were clinically proven NO also need to take elective treatments at least for the ipsilateral side.

The Clinical Significance of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen as a Predictor of Nodal Metastasis in Early Stage Cervical Carcinoma / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: SCC-Ag(Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen) is a tumor marker for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. It has shown that the SCC-Ag was well related with the response of cancer therapy and course of cervical cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the presence of pelvic lymph node metstasis can be predicted by the measurement of the preoperative SCC-Ag levels in the patients with early staged squamous cell carcinoma of cervix. METHODS: The preoperative serum SCC-Ag levels were measured in 45 patients with stage I-II squamous cell carcinoma of cervix undergoing radical hysterectomy from September 1995 to December 1997. The serum SCC-Ag levels were analyzed for the clinicopathologic characteristics and other prognostic factors using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The serum SCC-Ag levels of the patients exhibited pelvic lymph node metastasis were above 4.8ng/ml. An elevated preoperative serum SCC-Ag level, and tumor size were independent predictors for the presence of lymph node metastasis(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The determination of the preoperative serum SCC-Ag levels provides a new prognostic factor in early staged cervical cancer.

nm23 Protein Immunohistochemical Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma and its Relationship with Other Prognostic Factors

The purpose of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical expression of nm23-H1, a putative metastatic suppressor gene, and to correlate its expression with clinicopathologic variables in 75 cases of surgically resected colorectal carcinomas. There appeared to be a trend between increasing relative nm23 protein expression and Dukes' stage, vessel invasion, and metastasis of lymph nodes. nm23 was expressed in 67 cases (89.3%) and increased in cases with lower Dukes' stage (P<0.05) and in cases without vessel invasion (P<0.01) or lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). No significant relationship was observed between the nm23 protein expression and other parameters, such as tumor size, location and differentiation of the tumor. The results suggest that the nm23 protein expression plays a role in the suppression of nodal metastasis and vessel invasion in colorectal carcinomas.

The Role of Pelvic Irradiation after Hysterectomy in Early Stage Cervical Carcinoma with Pelvic Nodal Metastasis / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: To determine the role of pelvic irradiation in stage I or IIA cervical carcinoma with pelvic nodal metastasis after hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 68 cervical carcinoma patients who were found to have pelvic nodal metastasis at hysterectomy and received pelvic irradiation from 1983 to 1996 at Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital. External beam radiation therapy to pelvis was delivered using 4 MeV Linac and intracavitary irradiation was given via vaginal ovoids or cylinders. Five-year survival and disease-free survival were estimated by Kaplan-Meier Method and prognostic factors related to survival were analysed by log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Median length of follow-up was 52months. Five-year overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were 81.8% and 81.7% respectively. Patients with endometrial invasion had a 57.1% 5-year DFS compared to 87.5% for those without endometrial invasion (p=0.0074). Multivariate analysis revealed endometrial invasion as an only statistically significant prognostic factor for 5-year DFS. Among total 15 (22%) recurrences, pelvic recurrences occcured in 4 cases and distant metastases occurred in 13 cases. CONCLUSION: We have been able to confirm previous results demonstrating marked decrease in local recurrence after pelvic irradiation. In view of the high proportion of distant metastasis found in this study, a trial of aggressive adjuvant systemic therapy and irradiation in early stage cervical carcinoma patients with pelvic nodal metastasis, especially with endometrial invasion, appears to be warranted.