Relapsing polychondritis causing breathlessness: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystem autoimmune disease that mainly involves systemic cartilage and proteoglycan-rich tissues. If the larynx and trachea are involved, the patient's condition deteriorates rapidly. When relapsing polychondritis becomes more advanced, the airways collapse and treatment is difficult, rendering a poor prognosis. Therefore, the diagnosis method, treatment strategy and prognosis of relapsing polychondritis with larynx and trachea involvement need to be elucidated to improve clinicians' awareness of the disease. CASE SUMMARY: A man and a woman were admitted because of breathlessness. Relapsing polychondritis was diagnosed after a series of accessory examinations. They were both treated with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, and underwent tracheotomy as their breathing difficulties could not be relieved by the medication. CONCLUSION: The two cases highlight the importance of the timely diagnosis, full evaluation and initiating individualized treatment of relapsing polychondritis with larynx and trachea involvement. Laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and pathological examination are helpful in diagnosis of this disease.

[Effect of Biyanning Granules on local symptoms and immune function of chronic rhinosinusitis].

This study discusses the effect of Biyanning Granules on local symptoms and systemic immune function of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP) within the 6 months of treatment by glucocorticoid nasal spray after surgical treatment. To be specific, a total of 237 CRSwNP patients, treated in Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in Shanxi Bethune Hospital, were enrolled. All patients were treated by nasal endoscopy and classified into hormone group(Budesonide Nasal Spray after surgery), Chinese medicine group(Biyanning Granules after surgery), and combination group(Budesonide Nasal Spray+Biyanning Granules after surgery) with random number table method, 79 cases in each group, and the treatment lasted 3 months. The follow-up was performed from the day of discharge to 12 months after the surgery. The clinical effect was observed. The visual analogue scale(VAS) scores and sino-nasal outcome test-20(SNOT-20) scale scores were used to assess patient's subjective symptoms and quality of life. Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score(LKES), Japanese T&T olfactometry, and standard olfactory test were used to evaluate the objective curative effect on patients. The levels of interleukin(IL)-21, CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg, and CD4~+Th17 in peripheral blood were analyzed. The incidence of complications, recurrence rate, and adverse reactions during treatment were also recorded. The total effective rate after treatment in the combination group was higher than that in the hormone group and Chinese medicine group(P<0.05). VAS scores and SNOT-20 scale scores were lower in the three groups after treatment than before treatment and lower in the combination group than in the other two groups(P<0.05). The improvement in LKES and T&T standard olfactometry test was better in the combination group than in the other two groups(P<0.05). Serum levels of IL-21 and CD4~+Th17 in the three groups were lower than before treatment. The levels in the combination group were lower than those in the other two groups and lower in the hormone group than in the Chinese medicine group(P<0.05). Serum CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg level was higher in the three groups after treatment than before, higher in the combination group than in the other two groups, and higher in the Chinese medicine group than in the hormone group(P<0.05). During the treatment, no serious adverse reactions were observed. After treatment, the combination group showed no significant difference in the incidence and recurrence rate of complications from the hormone group and Chinese medicine group. In the treatment of CRSwNP with glucocorticoid, Biyanning Granules reduced the side effects of glucocorticoid and assisted glucocorticoid in alleviating the symptoms of patients. It significantly improved the curative effect, regulated immune imbalance, accele-rated the recovery of immune function, reduced the recurrence rate of inflammatory reaction, and improved the quality of life. The combination of Chinese and western treatment is more effective than glucocorticoid alone and warrants further clinical study in large sample size.

[Expression and clinical significance of long non-coding RNA LINC00520 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective:To investigate the expression of LINC00520 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC),and analyze its relevance and roles in carcinogenesis and development of LSCC.Method:The expression of LINC00520 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and paired adjacent normal tissue was determined by real-time PCR.The relationship between the expression of LINC00520 and the clinicopathological characteristics including clinical stage,pathological type,histological grade and lymph node metastasis of LSCC was analyzed.Result:(1)The LINC00520 expression level was significantly upregulated in LSCC tissues compared to that of paired adjacent normal tissues(P<0.000 1).(2)There were no statistical differences of the LINC00520 expression level among supraglottic,glottic and subglottic LSCCs(P>0.05).The LINC00520 expression level had no significant changes in poorly differentiated LSCC compared with that of well and moderately differentiated counterparts(P>0.05).Moreover,the expression of LINC00520 had no significant difference between T1+T2 stage and T3+T4 stage LSCC tissues(P>0.05).Interestingly,the LINC00520 level in LSCC with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that in patients without lymph node metastasis(P<0.01).Conclusion:Upregulation of LINC00520 in LSCC may contribute to its metastasis.

Inhibition of autophagy-potentiated chemosensitivity to cisplatin in laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to determine whether autophagy was involved in cisplatin (CDDP) resistance and to investigate the role of the autophagy in the regulation of chemosensitivity to CDDP in laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells. METHODS: A WST-1 assay was performed to determine cell viability and cell proliferation. Autophagy activation and proapoptotic effects were characterized using monodansylcadaverine labeling and Hoechest staining, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of apoptotic and autophagy-related genes. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell apoptosis ratio. RESULTS: Exposure to CDDP induced the aggregation of autophagosomes in the cytoplasms of Hep-2 cells and up-regulated the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3II. However, CDDP treatment could not lead to obvious inhibition of cell proliferation, which implies that the autophagy may protect CDDP-treated cells from undergoing cell death. Meanwhile, the WST-1 assay indicated that knockdown of the autophagic gene Beclin 1 sensitized Hep-2 cells to CDDP. Furthermore, CDDP-mediated apoptotic cell death was further potentiated by pretreatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine or small interfering RNA against Beclin 1. For the definite mechanism of Beclin 1-enhancing chemosensitivity to CDDP, we found that Beclin1 augmented CDDP-induced apoptotic signaling via enhancing caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity but not caspase-8. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that functional autophagy in response to CDDP may lead to cell survival in Hep-2 cells, whereas defective autophagy may contribute to CDDP-induced apoptosis in Hep-2 cells. Thus, modulators of autophagy may be used beneficially as adjunctive therapeutic agents during the treatment of laryngeal cancer with CDDP therapy.

[Expressions of key molecules affiliated cytoskeleton in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their implications for prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expressions of key assemblies of cytoskeleton, Fascin-1, Ezrin and Paxillin, in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and their correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics, cancer recurrence and survival of patients with LSCC. METHODS: The expressions of Fascin-1, Ezrin and Paxillin proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry in 199 cases of LSCC. Unconditional Logistic regression model or Cox proportional hazards model was used for the analyses of recurrent risks and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Significantly increased expression of Fascin-1, Ezrin or Paxillin expression was showed in the LSCC with poorly differentiated, positively cervical lymph nodal metastasis, and clinical stage III + IV respectively (P < 0.05). The expressions of three kinds of proteins in the recurrent cases were higher than those in non-recurrent cases respectively (χ(2) were 42.479, 43.673 and 22.261, P < 0.05). The highest recurrence rate (69.1%) was observed in group of cases with the highly co-expression of the three kinds of proteins (P < 0.05). The expression of Fascin-1 (OR = 7.89, 95%CI 2.26 - 27.53, P = 0.001), or Ezrin (OR = 2.51, 95%CI 1.18 - 5.32, P < 0.001) was independent risk for recurrence. Five-year disease-free survival rates of patients with high expression of Fascin-1, Ezrin or Paxillin were lower than those of patients with negative or low expressions for the proteins (P < 0.05). Patients with highly co-expression of three kinds of proteins showed the poorest survival prognosis, with a 5-year disease free survival (DFS) of only 26.4% (P < 0.05), and expressions of three proteins were independent prognostic factors for 5-year DFS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fascin-1, Ezrin, and Paxillin were correlative with LSCC progression and might be potential predictors for cancer recurrence and survival of patients with LSCC, as well as therapeutic targets for LSCC.

[Selection of surgical modalities for T3 glottic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal surgical modality for T3 glottic carcinoma. METHODS: Clinical data of 57 cases of T3 glottic carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical characteristics, surgical procedures and prognosis were analyzed. At different ages and by surgical procedures performed, the 3-year disease-free survival rate of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: All cases underwent surgical procedures including total laryngectomy, near total laryngectomy and partial laryngectomy, and the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 63.2% (36/57). The 3-year disease-free survival rate of patients who received total laryngectomy was 66.7% (16/24), near total laryngectomy 50.0% (4/8), and partial laryngectomy 64.0% (16/25, P = 0.694). The 3-year survival rate of the cases ≥ 70.0 years old was 70.0% (7/10), and that of < 70 years old was 61.7% (29/47, P = 0.621). Thirty-six cases had neck dissection, including 2 cases with radical neck dissection, 6 cases with modified neck dissection, and 28 cases with selective neck dissection. The lymph node metastasis rate of all cases was 17.5%. Ten cases were diagnosed as postoperative local recurrence, including 1 cases treated with total laryngectomy, 2 cases treated with near total laryngectomy and 7 cases treated with partial laryngectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Both total laryngectomy and partial laryngectomy are important surgical procedures for treating patients with T3 glottic carcinoma. The optimal individual surgical procedure for the patient with T3 glottic carcinoma should be determined on the basis of the local lesions and physical status. Total laryngectomy is prior to partial laryngectomy for the patients with T3 glottic carcinoma ≥ 70 years old.

[A comparative study of sentinel lymph node detection in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma by lymphoscintigraphy method and blue dye].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients with clinically negative neck (cN0) by lymphoscintigraphy method and blue dye. METHODS: Forty patients with cN0 laryngeal neoplasms and ten patients with cN0 hypopharyngeal carcinoma scheduled for tumor resection and neck dissection, were eligible for the study. single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT lymphoscintigraphy was performed with injection of radioactivity isotope 99Tc(m) labeled sulfur colloid (99Tc(m)-SC). Methylthioninium was injected into the same points as 99Tc(m)-SC during surgery, and the patients underwent lymphatic mapping with a handheld gamma-detecting probe. All removed lymph nodes were examined by routine histopathology. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with laryngeal carcinoma and six patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma detected SLN by radiolabeled tracer method, the detection rate of SLN was 82.0%. Twenty-nine patients with laryngeal carcinoma and 4 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma detected SLN by blue dye method, the detection rate of SLN was 66.0%. There were significant difference between two groups (chi² = 2.769, P < 0.05), and the number of SLN were respectively 96 and 83 by radiolabeled tracer method and blue dye (chi² = -2.098, P < 0.05), The sensitivity of SLN detection were respectively 83.3% and 66.7%. Twelve (24.0%) patients had lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Either lymphoscintigraphy or blue dye mapping can be used to detect the SLN in cN0 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The lymphoscintigraphy not only preoperatively can locate the accuracy of SLN detection, but also has higher detection rate and sensitivity than dye method.

[Significance of sentinel lymph node detection for cN0 laryngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of radiolabeled tracer method, methylene blue method and combination of these two methods in detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN), and to evaluate the accuracy of SLN in predicting the cervical lymph nodes status in laryngeal carcinoma patients with clinically negative neck lymph nodes (cN0 ). METHODS: Forty-one patients with cN0 laryngeal neoplasms underwent SLN detection using both of radiolabeled tracer and methylene blue. SLN imaging was performed with laryngoscope-guided injection of radioactive isotope 99Tc(m)-sulfur colloid (SC) into the laryngeal carcinoma before surgery, then all these patients underwent intraoperative lymphatic mapping with a handheld gamma-detecting probe. After mapping of SLN, methylene blue was subsequently injected at the same spots around the tumor in order to identify SLN during surgery. The results of SLN detection by isotope tracer, dye and combination of both methods were compared. RESULTS: The SLN detection rates by radiolabeled tracer, methylene blue and combined method were 87.8%, 70.7% and 92.7%, respectively (P < 0.01). The number of detected SLN was significantly different between radiolabeled tracer method and combined method (P < 0.05), and also between blue dye method and combined method (P < 0.01). However, no statistically significant difference was found between methylene blue method and radiolabeled tracer method (P > 0.05). Nine patients were found to have lymph node metastasis by final pathological examination. The sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive values of SLN detection by the combined method using radiolabeled tracer and methylene blue were 88.9%, 97.4% and 96.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combined method using radiolabeled tracer and methylene blue can improve the accuracy of sentinel lymph node detection. Furthermore, sentinel lymph node detection can accurately predict the cervical lymph node status in cN0 laryngeal carcinoma.

[Association between genetic polymorphism in DNA repair genes XRCC3 and risks of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between polymorphism of DNA repair gene XRCC3 Thr 241 Met and the risks of developing laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas. METHODS: One hundred and seventy five patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma and 525 cancer-free controls were genotyped for the polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression model. RESULTS: The XRCC3 241 Met allele increased the risk of developing laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Comparing with subjects having the XRCC3 241 Thr/Thr genotype, the subjects at least having one XRCC3 241 Met allele had OR of 2. 26 (95% CI 1.33 -3.82). Respectively analyzing the risks of laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma, The allele XRCC3 241 Met increased the risks of developing both laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Comparing with the subjects having the XRCC3 241 Thr/Thr genotype, the subjects with laryngeal carcinoma at least having one XRCC3 241 Met genotype had OR of 2.27 (95% CI 1.26 - 4.09); the subjects with hypopharyngeal carcinoma at least having one XRCC3 241 Met genotype had OR of 2. 99 (95% CI 1.27 - 7.04). Smoking may increase the risk of developing laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The interaction of smoking and XRCC3 Thr241 Met increased risk of laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma in a super-multiplicative manner. The subjects with heavy smoking and at least having one XRCC3 241Met allele had OR of 19.09 (95% CI 7.38 -49.40) comparing with those having the XRCC3 241 Thr/ Thr genotype and no smoking, which was greater than the multiplication of ORs both of subjects at least having one 241 Met allele meanwhile without smoking (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.20 - 4.21) and of subjects having XRCC3 241 Thr/Thr genotype meanwhile with smoking (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 2.38 - 7.17). CONCLUSIONS: XRCC3 Thr 241 Met plays an important role in the development of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

[Association between genetic polymorphism in xeroderma pigmentosum G gene and risks of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between polymorphism of DNA repair gene xeroderma pigmentosum G (XPG) Asp1104His and the risks of developing laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas. METHODS: Totally 175 patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma and 525 cancer-free controls were genotyped for the polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression model. RESULTS: Compared with those having the Asp/Asp genotype, patients having the XPG 1104Asp/His genotype had a higher risk for laryngeal carcinoma (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.15-5.24, P < 0.05), but not for hypopharyngeal carcinoma (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.87-2.12, P > 0.05). In addition, the XPG 1104Asp/His genotype appeared to be associated with well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in both larynx and hypopharynx (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.05-3.40, P < 0.05 ). CONCLUSION: The XPG Asp1104His polymorphism may play a role in the development of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas.

[Role of preoperative ultrasonography in evaluating early cervical metastasis in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of preoperative ultrasonography in detecting early cervical lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Data were reviewed retrospectively from medical records between July 2003 and July 2005, in which patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (study group): 51 (55 sides) patients of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients with impalpable node but with ultrasonic positive nodal metastasis; group B (control group): 57 (64 sides) patients with preoperative palpable cervical lymph nodes. All patients had been undergone modified neck dissection. The preoperative ultrasonographic results and the preoperative pathologic finding had been compared in group A. RESULTS: In 51 patients (55 sides of preoperative positive ultrasonography 49 sides had been demonstrated cervical lymph nodes metastasis pathologically. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 89.1%. Ultrasonography detected cervical lymph node believed to be uninvolved by physical examination in 41.2% of patients. 65.5% of the cervical lymph metastasis was multilevel and the most frequent involvement site was middle neck and the involvement rate was 70.9% in ultrasonography. 75.5% of the cervical lymph metastasis was multilevel and the most frequent involvement site was level Ill (65.3%) in pathologic finding. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ultrasonograpy is a mainstay in detecting cervical lymph nodes metastasis in thyroid cancer patients. It can detect the early cervical lymph node metastasis and localize the position of the cervical metastasis. All the thyroid cancer patients should undergo preoperative ultrasonography and the extent of the neck dissection relies on the preoperative ultrasonic finding of the neck.

[Therapeutic modalities of nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To grasp clinical characteristics, therapeutic methods and prognosis of the patients with nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma, and explore the optimal therapeutic modalities. METHODS: Twenty one cases with nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. The treatment results were compared between radiotherapy alone and combined therapy. RESULTS: The cases with nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma in T1, T2 phases was 28.6%, the cases in T3, T4 phases was 71.4%. The lymphatic node metastasis rate was 14.3%. The present symptoms were nasal discharge with blood, headache, nasal obstruction, deafness, double vision, facial insensibility, etc. One of 21 cases was lost follow up. Five years free-disease survival rates of the patients with nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma was 42.9% (9/21). Five years free-disease survival rate of the patients with radiotherapy alone (RA) and the patients with radiotherapy combining surgery (R + S) were respectively 38.5% (5/12) and 50.0% (4/8), P = 0.472. Ten years free-disease survival rates of the patients was 16.7% (3/18). Ten years free-disease survival rates of the patients with RA and the patients with R + S were respectively 0/12 and 3/6, P = 0.025. The local recurrent rate was 50.0% (10/20). The local recurrent rates of the patients with RA and the patients with R + S were respectively 66.7% (8/12) and 25.0% (2/8), P = 0.085. The distant metastasis rate was 30. 0% (6/20). The distant metastasis rates of the patients with RA and the patients with R + S were respectively 25.0% (3/12) and 37.5% (3/8), P = 0.455. CONCLUSIONS: The course of nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma is long, and it is prone to the local recurrence and the distant metastasis in advanced stage. Comparing with the radiotherapy alone, the radiotherapy combining surgery has better 10 years free-disease survival rate.

[Result analysis of perioperative radiotherapy and laryngeal preservation in hypopharyngeal and pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perioperative radiotherapy and laryngeal preservation clinical result of hypopharyngeal pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 134 pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma cases who were treated at this institute in Department of Head and Neck Surgery from September 1985 to July 2001. One hundred patients received preoperative radiotherapy and surgery (R + S). Thirty-four patients received surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (S + R). The median follow-up interval was 38.1 months. RESULTS: (R + S) and (S + R) group 3-year and 5-year survival according to Kaplan-Meier were 54.8%, 50.1%; 51.1%, 45.9% respectively, and had no significant differences (all P > .05). The laryngeal function preservation of T1, T2, T3, T4 in (R +S) and (S + R) were 4/5, 3/3; 66.7% (32/48), 6/6; 32.4% (12/37), 0 (0/16); 0 (0/10), 0/9 respectively. T3 stage in (R + S) was good and significant different than in (S + R) (P < 0.05) and laryngeal preservation didn't increase hazard of survival and local recurrence. The two group Pathology( + ,P + ) in specimen margin were 7.0% (7/100); 20.6% (7/34) and had significant difference (P <0. 05). P + in specimen margin and clinical N stage are obvious interrelated in prognosis(P < 0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy (R + S) and (S + R) are equal in treat result. T3 (only paraglottic space is invaded) stage of (R + S) could increase preserved laryngeal ratio if condition is permitted and didn't add hazard. P + in specimen margin could be receded in (R + S) and profit to prognosis and function. Clinical N stage is obvious hazard and is an emphasis in combined therapy.

[Clinical analysis of posterior hypopharyngeal wall squamous cell carcinoma: a report of 36 cases].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Posterior hypopharyngeal wall squamous cell carcinoma is few in clinic. This study was to discuss its treatment and the simultaneous reconstruction and function of hypopharyngeal wall. METHODS: Clinical data of 36 posterior hypopharyngeal wall squamous cell carcinoma patients (24 men and 12 women; 4 in stage I, 4 in stage II, 9 in stage III, 19 in stage IV), treated in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between Jun. 1967 and Jan. 2000, were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 36 patients, 20 received combined therapy (surgery plus radiotherapy), 10 received radical radiotherapy, 3 received surgery alone, 3 received salvage surgery after failure of radiotherapy (2 at neck, 1 at hypopharynx and neck). Simultaneous reconstruction of hypopharyngeal wall used gastric tissue, jejunum tissue, ileum tissue, musculi pectoralis majoris flap, forearm flap, larynx tissue, gastroepiploic tissue, platysmal flap, and musculus trapezius flap. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rates were 40% in combined therapy group, and 30% in radical radiotherapy group. In surgery alone group, 2 patients were died, and 1 was lost of follow-up. All 3 patients in salvage surgery group were died within 3 years. Of the 24 patients underwent surgery, 4 (17%) underwent local resection, 20 (83%) underwent hypopharyngeal reconstruction; of the 20 patients, 11 (55%) patients used gastric tissue or jejunum tissue, and 9 (45%) patients used other tissues; no patient died during perioperation; the occurrence of complications was 15%; the reconstruction success rate was 85%; the mean time to eating was 2-3 weeks; 3 patients suffered local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The combined therapy, emphasized on resume swallow function, has good effect on posterior hypopharyngeal wall squamous cell carcinoma. Simultaneous reconstruction of hypopharynx may resume swallow function without increase of prognosis hazard. Gastric and jejunum tissues are mainly used in reconstruction. Local resection could be applied to some patients to preserve swallow function.

[Surgical therapy of subglottic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, surgical procedures and correlated prognostic factors of the cases with subglottic carcinoma; to seek for the optimal surgical treatment for the patients suffering from subglottic carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty-four cases with subglottic carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed, the disease-free survival rates of the patients at 3 years were analyzed according to the different T N phases and the surgical modalities. RESULTS: The free-disease survival rate at 3 years was 50.0% (12/24) for 24 cases with subglottic carcinoma. The survival rates of 19 cases with total laryngectomy was 47.4% (9/19), and the survival rates in T2, T3, T4 phases were respectively 1/1, 6/11, 2/7. The survival rates of 5 cases with partial laryngectomy was 3/5, the survival rates in T2, T3 phases were respectively 3/4, 0/1, and the surgical margins were verified to be positive in 2 of 5 cases being performed partial laryngectomy. The metastasis rate of lymph nodes was 33.3% (8/24). The survival rates of patients with N0, N1, N2 disease were respectively 10/16, 1/4, 1/4. The positive lymph nodes were verified in the neck regions of II-VI and superior mediastinum. CONCLUSIONS: Prognoses of the cases with subglottic carcinoma were poor, early treatment could result in good effect. Until now total laryngectomy still the mainly treatment of subglottic carcinoma. Only the patients with earlier subglottic carcinoma are amenable to partial laryngectomy and should be given postoperative irradiation. Lymph node metastasis was a very important prognostic factor. Paratracheal lymph nodes are the sentinel nodes for subglottic carcinoma, and it is reasonable to probe the nodes. Once verifying positive lymph node, the typical neck dissection involving I-VI regions and superior mediastinum should be performed.