A nomogram involving immune-inflammation index for predicting distant metastasis-free survival of major salivary gland carcinoma following postoperative radiotherapy

Influence of parotid lymph node metastasis on distant metastasis in parotid gland cancer

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the number and extranodal extension (ENE) of positive parotid lymph nodes (LNs) on distant metastasis in parotid cancer.

Methods

Patients with surgically treated parotid cancer were retrospectively enrolled. The hazard ratios (HRs) of the number and ENE of positive parotid LNs on distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were evaluated.

Results

In the Cox model, the groups with zero and one positive LN had comparable 10-year DMFS, but those with two positive LNs had an HR of 2.11 (95% CI: 1.36-5.29), and those with three or more positive LNs had an HR of 3.31 (95% CI: 2.05-8.43). The presence of ENE in parotid LNs did not impact the DMFS (p = 0.462; HR: 2.17; 95% CI: 0.84-6.17).

Conclusion

Parotid LN metastasis was associated with decreased DMFS; this effect was mainly driven by the number of positive LNs rather than ENE.