Metastatic carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is the correlation between the different groups of cervical lymph nodes and the primary tumours above the clavicles. Cervical lymph node metastases as the only site of disease is an uncommon presentation of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of unknown primary origin. This retrospective analysis examines the records of 166 consecutive patients at King Hussein Medical Centre diagnosed between 1986 - 1992. All patients presented very late with large neck lymph nodes of more than 4-8 cm in diameter. The diagnostic protocol employed and the results of radical treatment are evaluated. Sixty seven patients received radiation therapy with intent to cure and 99 patients received radiation with intent to palliate. The overall survival for all patients at 2 years was 19%, and at 5 years, 6 patients [3.6%]. The most frequently affected nodes were the jugulodigastric, mid jugular, submandibular and cervical unilateral, contralateral or bilateral. The most common histologies were squamous cell carcinoma, adneocarcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma. Disease control above the clavicles was not achieved despite radical treatment. Lymphomas and leukaemias were excluded from this study