Prognostic value of the nodal yield in elective neck dissections in patients with head and neck carcinomas.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to assess the prognostic capacity of the nodal yield in elective neck dissections performed in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) without clinical or radiological evidence of regional involvement (cN0) at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: Retrospective study including 647 patients with HNSCC treated with an elective neck dissection. RESULTS: Patients with < 15 dissected nodes (n = 172, 26.6%) had a 5-year disease-specific survival of 64.9% (95% CI: 57.3-72.5%), while for patients with ≥ 15 dissected nodes (n = 475, 73.4%), it was of 81.9% (95% CI: 78.4-85.4%) (P = 0.0001). The nodal yield category had prognostic capacity on the disease-specific survival in patients with tumors located in the oral cavity (P = 0.001), the oropharynx (P = 0.023) and the hypopharynx (P = 0.034), while for patients with tumors located in the larynx, no significant differences appeared (P = 0.779). Differences in regional recurrence-free survival were also observed based on the nodal yield category in patients with extra-laryngeal tumors (5-year regional recurrence-free survival of 81.0% in patients with < 15 dissected nodes vs 89.0% in patients with ≥ 15 dissected nodes; P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: The nodal yield in elective neck dissections in patients without evidence of lymph node disease (cN0) had prognostic capacity depending on the location of the primary tumor. For tumors located in the larynx, the number of dissected nodes did not significantly influence the prognosis. For tumors located in the oral cavity, oropharynx or hypopharynx, patients with < 15 dissected nodes had a disease-specific mortality 2.9 times higher than patients with ≥ 15 dissected nodes.

Pathologic Complete Response Despite Nodal Yield Has Best Survival in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the ability of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCR) to diminish lymph node yield (LNY) and how that relationship is influenced by tumor response in patients undergoing proctectomy for locally advanced rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with rectal adenocarcinomas from 2004 to 2014. Patients that received nCR were compared with those that underwent surgery alone. LNY was stratified into <12 and ≥12 groups to determine their differences in stage specific overall survival. RESULTS: Of 56,812 patients 46.5% underwent surgery alone and 53.5% were administered nCR. There were more patients with LNY<12 in the nCR group compared to surgery alone, across all stages (44.1% versus 36.5%, P < 0.001). nCR improved OS regardless of LNY (P < 0.001). Although patients with LNY≥12 had improved overall survival, patients who had a pathologic complete response (pCR) achieved the greatest survival. In patients that did not achieve a pCR, LNY≥12 was a marker of improved OS but LNY did not impact OS in patients that attained pCR (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although nCR diminished LNY, LNY≥12 improved OS demonstrating the importance of quality total mesorectal excision. However, LNY did not impact patients that achieved pCR. These patients, who achieved the best OS, demonstrated that tumors' biologic response to nCR had the greatest impact on patient outcomes.

Adequacy of Lymph Node Yield for Papillary Thyroid Cancer: An Analysis of 23,131 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Threshold numbers for defining adequacy of lymph node (LN) yield have been determined for evaluation of occult nodal disease during papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) surgery. This study assesses the prevalence of adequate LN yield and estimates its association with patient clinicopathologic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients with cN1 pT1b or pT2 and cN0 or cN1 pT3 M0 PTC ≥1 cm who received surgery with ≥1 LN resected were identified from the National Cancer Database, 2004-2015. Adequate yield was defined as removing ≥6, 9, and 18 LNs for pT1b, pT2, and pT3 stages, respectively, based on recently published literature. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with adequate yield. RESULTS: A total of 23,131 patients were included; 7544 (32.6%) had adequate LN yield. Rate of adequate yield increased from 19.9% to 36.6% over time. After adjustment, patients at academic facilities were more likely to have adequate yield than those at community centers [OR 1.94 (95% CI 1.55-2.41), P < 0.001]. Patients with more advanced tumors were less likely to have adequate yield (pT1b: 75.9% versus pT2: 64.5% versus pT3: 24.6% adequate LN yield, P < 0.001). Patients with adequate LN yield were 0.89 times likely to receive radioactive iodine compared with those with inadequate yield [OR 0.98 (95% CI 0.81-0.98), P = 0.02]. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of adequate LN yield has increased over time, but only a minority of lymphadenectomies performed for PTC can be defined as adequate. Disparities still exist based on patient and facility characteristics; patients with more advanced tumors appear less likely to have adequate LN yield.

Nodal yield of neck dissections and influence on outcome in laryngectomized patients.

The appropriate extent of neck dissection (ND) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) continues to be investigated. This study aimed to determine whether the extent of ND as measured by nodal yield (NY) is a prognostic factor in patients undergoing primary total laryngectomy (TL) for advanced laryngeal SCC. A retrospective review at a tertiary referral centre identified 54 patients who underwent TL with elective (n = 39, cN0) or therapeutic (n = 15, cN+) ND with curative intent between 2002 and 2014. Survival analysis was obtained via regression analysis, calculated for overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Stage-independent 5-year OS was 32.1 %. Mean NY was 18.67 (standard deviation 9.898; range 0-45). The rate of cervical lymph node metastasis on pathology (pN+) was 27.8 %. Uni- and multivariate regression analysis detected no association between NY and OS or DFS (P ≥ 0.05). Advantages in OS and DFS were seen among patients without cervical lymph node metastasis (pN0) in comparison to those with pN+ necks (OS: hazard ratio [HR] 0.179; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.046-0.693; P = 0.013, and DFS: HR 0.190; 95 % CI 0.061-0.590; P = 0.004). ND resulted in pathologic upstaging of the neck in seven patients and downgrading in eight; increasing NY was not associated with an increased probability of a change in nodal stage. No significant association was found between NY and OS or DFS in patients undergoing TL with ND as primary therapy for advanced laryngeal SCC.

The impact of surgical technique on neck dissection nodal yield: making a difference.

The nodal yield of neck dissections is an independent prognostic factor in several types of head and neck cancer. The authors aimed to determine whether the applied dissection technique has a significant impact on nodal yield. This is a single-institution, prospective study with internal control group (level of evidence: 2A). Data of 150 patients undergoing 223 neck dissections between February 2011 and March 2013 have been collected in a comprehensive cancer centre. Eighty-two patients underwent neck dissection with unwrapping the cervical fascia from lateral to medial, while 68 patients were operated without specifically unwrapping the fascia, in a caudal to cranial fashion. The standardised, horizontal neck dissection technique along the fascial planes resulted in a significantly higher nodal count in Levels I, II, III and IV, as well as in terms of overall nodal yield (mean: n = 22.53) than that of the vertical dissection applied in the control group (mean: n = 15.00). This is the first publication showing a direct correlation between neck dissection nodal yield and surgical technique. Therefore, it is paramount to optimise the applied surgical concept to maximise the oncological benefit.

[Maximizing nodal yield while minimizing surgical morbidity: the appropriate neck dissection]. / A nyaki dissectiók onkológiai hozamának maximalizálása a sebészi morbiditás egyideju minimalizálása mellett.

Cervical regional lymphadenectomy, also known as neck dissection, is a fundamental procedure in head and neck surgery. Its evolution over 110 years resulted in a great deal of confusion in the literature and in clinical practice, due to the heterogenicity in training, classification and surgical techniques, which makes outcomes comparability virtually impossible. The authors aim to clarify this situation in a structured manner, in order to facilitate communication among all specialists involved in multidisciplinary head and neck cancer care. The ultimate goal is to make sure that each and every head and neck cancer patient receives their optimal treatment. Review of the history and literature with statistical comparison of the two mainstraim methods regarding their nodal yield results. The applied surgical technique has a significant impact on nodal yield. An appropriate surgical concept achieves maximum oncologic benefit, minimum surgical morbidity with optimized adjuvant indications. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(47), 1871-1879.

Impact of thoracic duct resection during radical esophagectomy on oncological and survival outcomes: Systematic review.

Practice is variable in the inclusion or exclusion of the thoracic duct (TD) as part of the resected specimen and associated lymphadenectomy in radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. While some surgeons believe that the removal of TD-associated nodes may improve radicality and survival, others suggest this represents systemic disease and resection may increase morbidity without survival benefit. A systematic review was performed up to March 2023 using the search terms 'esoph∗' AND 'thoracic duct' for relevant articles which compared thoracic duct preservation (TDP) to resection (TDR) in esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Included studies were required to report relevant oncological outcomes including at least one of overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS) and nodal yield. Seven cohort studies were included in data synthesis, including data for 5926 patients. None of the reported studies were randomised controlled trials. All studies originated from Japan or South Korea with almost exclusively squamous cell-type cancer. Nodal yield was higher in TDR groups. TDR was equivalent or inferior to TDP with reference to clinical outcomes (length of stay, morbidity, mortality). A single study reported increased OS in the TDR group while the remaining studies reported no significant difference. Overall study quality was moderate to poor. While an increased nodal yield may be associated with TDR, this may also be associated with higher morbidity, and currently available data does not suggest any survival benefit.

Lymph node level ratio: Are we relying too much on numbers?

The lymph node level ratio appears to be a continuation of nodal yield and nodal density, two prognostic metrics already in use. A retrospective analysis conducted in the current study showed that a value of fewer than 4 lymph nodes/level is linked to a lower overall and disease-specific survival. This letter aims to review the reasoning behind the use of node level ratios and nodal yields as quality and prognostic indicators, and to explore possible factors that could affect these.

Do we still need Crile or Hayes Martin approach for cervical lymphadenectomy? A retrospective study of 56 patients with minimal access neck dissection.

The concept of neck dissection was introduced by Crile more than a century ago. Since then, multiple modifications have been adopted to ensure the preservation of vital structures. With the new era of minimal access surgery, the incorporation of laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgery is becoming the new normal. Over the years we have carried out neck dissections using minimal access incisions. Although there is no definitive answer about the average nodal yield required in selective or modified neck dissections, it has been reported that the average nodal yield of more than 18 is associated with better survival rate. In this publication we share the results of our three-year retrospective study of 56 patients who underwent minimal access neck dissection. We look at the nodal yield, assess operating duration, complications, outcome with a three-year follow up from a single unit. Our results demonstrate that minimal access neck dissection should be considered in head and neck lymphadenectomies.

Robotic Neck Dissection in Head and Neck Cancer via Modified BABA Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Neck dissection forms an important component in the surgical management of head and neck cancers. By using the conventional techniques of neck dissection, a conspicuous scar is inevitable for the patients. The development of robotic assisted neck dissection provides for a scar-free neck along with good oncological and functional outcomes. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in our institute from 2020 March to 2022 March, where robotic-assisted neck dissections performed via the modified bilateral axillo-breast insufflation technique. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients underwent robotic neck dissections in our institute. Notably, 79 patients were treatment-naïve. The average docking time was 12 min and console time was 160 ± 15 min. The mean lymph node yield was 28.2. The average post-operative stay was 5.6 days. The average follow-up was noted to be 6.4 months. The mean cosmetic satisfaction score in our patients was 4.45. Only one patient presented with nodal recurrence, who was identified as a defaulter for adjuvant treatment. Robotic neck dissection gives similar functional and oncological outcomes as compared with conventional neck dissection. Patients had excellent cosmetic satisfaction following the procedure. The limitations of these techniques include high cost of procedure and longer operating time. This is a level IV evidence study. CONCLUSION: Although good oncological, functional, and cosmetic outcomes have been attained in robotic assisted neck dissection, further randomized controlled studies need to be conducted to justify the added costs, cosmetic advantage, and the time taken. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 134:4045-4051, 2024.

Is Young Age an Independent Prognostic Factor in Carcinoma Breast? A Single-Institution Retrospective Comparative Study from South India.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally(1). It is usually a disease of old age. The incidence of breast cancer in females younger than 40 years is as low as 0.5%. Disease in patients with age less than or equal to 40 years at diagnosis is usually considered a young breast cancer(2). Occurrence of more adverse pathological features like triple negative and Her2 positive breast cancer as well as lacking reliable screening methods in young women leads to the poor prognosis in this group of patients(3). In the present study we aim to find the clinical and pathological characteristics of breast cancer in young women and their survival outcome for 5 years comparing the same with those characteristics of the older patients. Patients with nonmetastatic carcinoma breast who had registered at Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, during the year 2012 were selected for the study. Patient's details including the clinicopathological features, treatment details, oncologic outcomes including recurrence, and survival data until 31 July 2019 were collected from treatment files kept in the hospital and via telephonic interview. Kaplan-Meier method was employed for survival analysis. Survival comparison was done using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was done for assessing the risk. Out of 1611 curatively treated patients with carcinoma breast, 281 (17.44%) were young breast cancer (equal to or less than 40 years). The median follow-up period was 82 months. Median age of diagnosis was 51.3 years. Young patients presented with larger tumour size, but nodal stage and composite stage, were not different. They had more TNBC status, 35% vs. 24%, p = 0.001. Young patient group had a drop in 5-year OS but statistically insignificant (75.9% vs. 82.5%, p = 0.179) and marginally significant drop in DFS (68.1% vs. 73.8%, p = 0.064). The proportion of young breast cancer is very high in the Indian population. Age is not an independent risk factor for worse prognosis. T and N stage, Her2nue status, and adequacy of nodal clearance are the most important independent risk factors deciding the 5-year OS.

Rational surgical neck management in total laryngectomy for advanced stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

PURPOSE: Controversies exist in regard to surgical neck management in total laryngectomies (TL). International guidelines do not sufficiently discriminate neck sides and sublevels, or minimal neck-dissection nodal yield (NY). METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive primary TL cases from 2009 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed in terms of local tumor growth using a previously established imaging scheme, metastatic neck involvement, and NY impact on survival. RESULTS: There was no case of level IIB involvement on any side. For type A and B tumor midline involvement, no positive contralateral lymph nodes were found. Craniocaudal tumor extension correlated with contralateral neck involvement (OR: 1.098, p = 0.0493) and showed increased involvement when extending 33 mm (p = 0.0134). Using a bilateral NY of ≥ 24 for 5-year overall survival (OS) and ≥ 26 for 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) gave significantly increased rate advantages of 64 and 56%, respectively (both p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This work sheds light on regional metastatic distribution pattern and its influence on TL cases. An NY of n ≥ 26 can be considered a desirable benchmark for bilateral selective neck dissections as it leads to improved OS and DFS. Therefore, an omission of distinct neck levels cannot be promoted at this time.

Impact of Lymph Node Yield in Patients Undergoing Total Laryngectomy and Neck Dissection.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of lymph node yield (LNY) in patients undergoing neck dissection at the time of total laryngectomy (TL). To determine the impact of radiation therapy (RT) on LNY. METHODS: Retrospective review of LNY and clinical outcomes in 232 patients undergoing primary or salvage total laryngectomy (TL) with ND. RESULTS: Preoperative RT significantly decreased mean LNY from 31.7 to 23.9 nodes (P < .001). In primary TL patients, age (P < .001) and positive margins (P = .044) were associated with decreased OS. In salvage TL patients, only positive margins was associated with poorer OS (P = .009). No LNY cutoff provided significant OS or DFS benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy significantly reduces LNY in patients undergoing TL and ND. Within a single institution cohort, positive margins, but not LNY, is associated with survival in both primary and salvage TL patients.Level of Evidence: 4.

Factors Associated with Lymph Node Count in Mucosal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Neck Dissection.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Decreased lymph node count (LNC) from neck dissection (ND) for mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients is correlated with decreased survival. Advanced age and low BMI due to undernutrition from dysphagia from advanced T-stage tumors are common in patients with HNSCC. We studied the relationship between these two well-described causes for immune dysfunction and LNC in patients undergoing neck dissection. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective review at a single tertiary care institution of patients with HNSCC that underwent neck dissection from 2006 to 2017. METHODS: Stepwise linear and logistic regression analyses were performed on 247 subjects to identify independent significant factors associated with 1) the LNC per neck level dissected; 2) advanced T-stage. One-way ANOVA was utilized to demonstrate differences between the p16 positive and negative subgroups. RESULTS: Low BMI (<23 vs. ≥23) (P = .03), extra nodal extension (ENE) (P = .0178), and advanced age (P = .005) were associated with decreased LNC per neck level dissected on multivariable analysis. Higher T-stage (P = .0005) was correlated with low BMI (<23) after controlling for the effects of tobacco, smoking, sex, ECE, and p16 status. p16+ patients, on average had higher BMI, were younger and produced a higher nodal yield (P < .0001, .007, and .035). CONCLUSIONS: Patient intrinsic factors known to correlate with decreased immune function and worse outcomes, including p16 negative status, advanced age, and low BMI from undernutrition and ENE are associated with low nodal yield in neck dissections. LNC may be a metric for anti-tumor immune function that correlates with prognosis and T-stage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:1516-1521, 2021.

Metrics of pN-staging in oral squamous cell carcinoma: An analysis of 1,905 patients.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the predictive performance of pN-categories in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) encompassing the most recent 8th edition (TNM8), its predecessor (TNM7), and a newly proposed algorithm (pN-N+), which classifies patients according to the number of positive lymph nodes and extranodal extension. METHODS: Consecutive, primary OSCC patients from seven previously published cohorts were included and classified according to the three pN-classifications: TNM7, TNM8 and pN-N+. Overall survival probabilities were summarised with the Kaplan-Meier method. We added each of the three metrics to a Cox regression adjusted for pT-category, lymph nodal yield, age, sex, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and trained these models in one institution. We evaluated the predictive performance in the remaining six institutions and assessed the predicted 5-year risk of death using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and Brier scores. RESULTS: All 1,905 included patients were classified according to TNM7 and pN-N+. A subset of 1,575 patients was additionally classified according to TNM8, leading to upstaging in 27.0%. The pN-N+ ranked overall best determined by the obtained AUC and Brier scores. In contrast to pN-N+, TNM7 and TNM8 both suffered from disproportionate patient distribution across pN-categories and poor pN-categorial discrimination on overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: The TNM8 pN-classification designates a larger subset to more advanced disease stages but failed to show improvement of its predictive performance compared to TNM7. The pN-categories of TNM7/8 are disproportionate and inconsistently discriminated. The pN-N+ conveyed the best measures of prognosis and should be considered in future TNM iterations.

Efficacy of Single Transverse Neck Incision for Modified Radical Neck Dissection.

BACKGROUND: To assess the viability of the single transverse neck incision (STNI) for modified radical neck dissection and to analyze the yield of lymph nodes using this approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in the Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at our Tertiary Cancer Care Centre from November 2013 to May 2017. RESULTS: A total of 257 patients underwent surgical treatment for malignant tumors of the head and neck which included 265 modified radical neck dissections (eight bilateral and 249 unilateral). Average of total dissected nodal yield was 37.07. Average yield of positive neck nodes was 2.78. CONCLUSION: Single transverse neck incision is an acceptable technique for modified radical neck dissection as it provides adequate surgical exposure for achieving optimal nodal clearance with little technical difficulty.

Retro-auricular endo assisted selective neck dissection (how I do it).

Elective neck dissection (END) is preferred in all treatment naïve patients with invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), including the early stage, node negative cases (T1/T2 N0). Usually the conventional horizontal neck crease incision leads to a faintly visible scar in the neck. However sometimes, the neck scar is hypertrophic and is highly unaesthetic and psychologically distressing to the patient. Retro-auricular hairline approach has been popularized in the Robot assisted neck dissections (RoAND), to avoid easily visible scar in neck crease. We have been using the retro-auricular incision for selective neck dissection in early invasive OSCCs using an assembly of customized retractors as an open approach with only occasional use of endoscopes. This approach to the neck surgery is oncologically safe, reproducible and economical. It is cosmetically superior as the scar of neck dissection is in a less conspicuous area of the face, hidden behind the ear and in the hairline.

Prognostic value of the nodal yield in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Literature analysis on the prognostic factor of the nodal yield (NY) in neck dissections (NDs), which in general surgical oncology is a strong prognosticator and quality-of-care marker. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of all PubMed and Embase publications until June 30, 2018 screening for data on NY as prognosticator and overall survival (OS) as outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Risk for bias was asserted by application of the Quality In Prognosis Studies tool. RESULTS: Of the 823 screened publications, 15 were included in this analysis. Five out of seven that compared NY ≥18 vs <18 as prognosticator, showed significantly improved survival if NY ≥18. Six studies used other cutoffs and three reported improved survival with each additionally harvested lymph node. CONCLUSION: Increased NY in ND specimen for HNSCC, most commonly described as ≥18 lymph nodes, is associated with improved OS and could be used as a prognosticator and quality-of-care marker.

Impact of Lymph Node Yield on Outcome of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer and pN0 Neck.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The extent of neck dissection in patients with head and neck cancer (HNSCC) and N0 neck remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of lymph node yield on overall survival in patients with pathologically node-negative HNSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 157 pN0 HNSCC patients undergoing primary surgery with neck dissection between 2000 and 2014. The patients were divided into three groups according to the lymph node count using the optimal cut-points method. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze overall survival and compare survival curves. RESULTS: The lymph node count cut-offs were determined to be 15 and 40. A total of 22 patients had 1-14, 79 patients had 15-39 and 56 patients had 40 or more harvested lymph nodes. There were significant differences in survival between all groups (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: A lymph node yield of at least 15 nodes was significantly associated with better overall survival in pathologically node-negative patients who underwent surgical resection of HNSCC.