Long-term follow-up ultrasonography surveillance in a large cohort of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors as well as the time and age course of recurrence/persistence in a large cohort of postoperative patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) based on the long-term ultrasonography (US) follow-up data. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2016, 3106 patients underwent surgery for PTC and at least two postoperative US follow-up examination over more than three years. Tumor recurrence/persistence was confirmed based on the follow-up US data and histopathological results. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive factors of tumor recurrence/persistence. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the recurrence-/persistence-free survival curve based on the US results. RESULTS: A total of 321(10.3%) patients developed tumor recurrence/persistence during 54.3 months of mean follow-up (range 36-135 months), including 268(83.5%) cases of lymph node recurrence/persistence, 37 (11.5%) cases of non-lymph node recurrence/persistence, and 16(5%) cases of both types. Recurrence/persistence was observed using US examination at a mean interval of 23.6 ± 21.6 months (range 1-135 months) after surgery and peak incidence was observed 1-2 years after initial treatment. Younger (20-30 years old) and older (70-80 years old) patients had a higher proportion of tumor recurrence/persistence. Multifocality, advanced T and advanced N stages were independent risk factors of tumor recurrence/persistence. CONCLUSION: Tumor recurrence/persistence of PTC usually occurs during the early postoperative period. For patients with multifocal cancer, advanced T and N stage, the US surveillance examination should be cautiously performed, especially in younger and older patients.

[Relationship between cervical micrometastasis and early recurrence and prognosis in laryngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the correlation between the micrometastasis and early recurrence and prognosis in laryngeal cancer. METHODS: Total of 126 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were included in the study. The micrometastasis was detected with hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) and immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin (CK) of the lymph node specimens after selective neck dissection (II-IV). Chi-square test was used to analyse the relationship between the micrometastasis and early recurrence and prognosis, and Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: HE staining showed positive micrometastasis in 41 cases and negative micrometastasis in 85 cases in which 33 cases were positive staining for CK. With a following-up of mean 6.3 years, recurrence or metastasis occurred in 15 cases with positive micrometastasis detected by HE staining, 14 cases with CK positive staining and 4 cases with CK negative staining. The correlation between micrometastasis and early recurrence was significant (P < 0.01). The total 5-year survival rate was 79.8%, 10-year survival rate was 60.5%. The 10-year survival rate (52.1%) of the patients with CK positive staining indicating micrometastasis was significantly higher than that of CK negative patients (81.2%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cervical micrometastasis predicts poor prognosis and early recurrence in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

[Long-term treatment outcome in patients undergoing cricohyoidoepiglottopexy for glottic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term results of cricohyoidoepiglottopexy(CHEP) in the treatment of glottic carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 92 consecutive patients who underwent CHEP in the selected institut from January 1990 to December 2008. Of the 92 cases, 41 cases of stage I, 39 cases of stage II, 12 cases of stage III. The time for the decannulation and the removal of the nasal feeding and quality of phonation were used for evaluating postoperative functional rehabilitation. The estimated long-term survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Among 92 patients, 26 cases (27 sides) received neck dissection and lymph nodes were pathologically positive in 3 patients (11.1%). All final surgical margins were negative for tumor invasion. Seven patients had postoperative radiotherapy and one had chemoradiation. Thirteen patients (14.1%) were found local recurrence and nine patients (9.8%) had postoperative metastases. Overall 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 90.0%, 84.5% and 67.0% respectively. Cox multivariate analysis showed that the recurrence had significant influences on the overall survival rate. CONCLUSION: CHEP not only is relatively easy to master, but also effective in the treatment of glottic carcinoma.