Clinical analysis of ten papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis patients with parapharyngeal lymph node metastasis / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the treatment experience and surgical strategy in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with parapharyngeal lymph node metastasis. Methods A retrospective review was performed on ten patients with PTC metastasis to parapharyngeal lymph node from January 2005 to August 2014. The treatment experience and surgical strategy were analyzed. Results Three patients accepted initial treatment and 7 patients had a history of surgical treatment prior to PTC. Parapharyngeal lymph node metastasis was diagnosed by imaging examination or fine needle aspiration cytology. Resection of lymph node metastasis was performed via transcervical approach and transmandibular approach. Total thyroidectomy and neck dissection were performed synchronously. All patients received 131I therapy after surgery and did not have recurrence in neck or parapharyngeal space. During follow-up, 3 patients died in 5 years because of lung metastasis, 3 patients survived with tumor , and 4 patients survived without recurrence. The 5-year overall survival rate was 7/10 and the 5-year disease-free was 4/10. Conclusions Parapharyngeal lymph node metastasis from PTC may occur in patients with previous neck dissection or widespread cervical metastases. CT and MRI is helpful for establishing the diagnosis. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment for this disease. PTC patients with parapharyngeal lymph node metastasis have a poor prognosis.