Prospective case-control study of efficacy of bilateral selective neck dissection in primary surgical treatment of supraglottic laryngeal cancers with clinically negative cervical findings (N0)

Addressing the Neck: An NCDB Study of Clinically Node-Negative Supraglottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Identify the proportion of patients undergoing elective neck dissection (END) in surgically managed supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa), assess associations between patient, tumor, and treatment factors with END, and assess associations between neck management and overall survival (OS).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

National Cancer Database (NCDB) 2019 Participant User File.

METHODS

Patients with previously untreated, clinically node-negative (cN0) supraglottic SCCa treated with partial laryngectomy were queried from NCDB. Patients without known neck management and who underwent total laryngectomy were excluded. Patient and tumor factors associated with END were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Univariable Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to examine associations between patient factors and OS, and factors with P < .05 were included on multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1352 patients met eligibility criteria. Eight hundred eleven (60%) patients had END performed with occult nodal metastasis identified in 177 (22%) patients. END was more likely to be performed at academic centers than nonacademic centers (odds ratio: [1.66], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32-2.09, P < .001). On multivariable analysis, patients who underwent adjuvant radiation had worse OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.13-3.29, P = .017). END was associated with improved OS overall on univariable analysis (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69-0.98, P = .026), but not on multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

In this NCDB study, 22% of cN0 supraglottic SCCa patients had occult nodal metastatic disease. Despite this, 40% of patients do not receive END at the time of primary resection. Patients who receive END for supraglottic SCCa are more likely to avoid adjuvant radiation without impacting OS.

Treatment discordance in the utilization of neck dissection for stage I-II supraglottic tumors

BACKGROUND

In 2018, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network treatment guidelines began recommending the use of neck dissection during surgical management of stage I-II supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

METHODS

Trends and factors associated with the use of neck dissection during larynx-preserving surgery for patients with cT1-2, N0, M0 supraglottic LSCC in the National Cancer Database (2004-2020) were evaluated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 2080 patients who satisfied study eligibility criteria, 633 (30.4%) underwent neck dissection. Between 2018 and 2020, the rate of neck dissection was 39.0% (114/292). After multivariable adjustment, academic facility type, undergoing biopsy prior to surgery, and more radical surgery were significant predictors of receiving neck dissection.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this national analysis suggest that the utilization of guideline-concordant neck dissection for management of stage I-II supraglottic LSCC remains low and highlight the need to promote the practice of neck dissection for this patient population.

Comparing three-dimensional and two-dimensional deep-learning, radiomics, and fusion models for predicting occult lymph node metastasis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on CT imaging: a multicentre, retrospective, diagnostic study

Background

The occult lymph node metastasis (LNM) of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) affects the treatment and prognosis of patients. This study aimed to comprehensively compare the performance of the three-dimensional and two-dimensional deep learning models, radiomics model, and the fusion models for predicting occult LNM in LSCC.

Methods

In this retrospective diagnostic study, a total of 553 patients with clinical N0 stage LSCC, who underwent surgical treatment without distant metastasis and multiple primary cancers, were consecutively enrolled from four Chinese medical centres between January 01, 2016 and December 30, 2020. The participant data were manually retrieved from medical records, imaging databases, and pathology reports. The study cohort was divided into a training set (n = 300), an internal test set (n = 89), and two external test sets (n = 120 and 44, respectively). The three-dimensional deep learning (3D DL), two-dimensional deep learning (2D DL), and radiomics model were developed using CT images of the primary tumor. The clinical model was constructed based on clinical and radiological features. Two fusion strategies were utilized to develop the fusion model: the feature-based DLRad_FB model and the decision-based DLRad_DB model. The discriminative ability and correlation of 3D DL, 2D DL and radiomics features were analysed comprehensively. The performances of the predictive models were evaluated based on the pathological diagnosis.

Findings

The 3D DL features had superior discriminative ability and lower internal redundancy compared to 2D DL and radiomics features. The DLRad_DB model achieved the highest AUC (0.89-0.90) among all the study sets, significantly outperforming the clinical model (AUC = 0.73-0.78, P = 0.0001-0.042, Delong test). Compared to the DLRad_DB model, the AUC values for the DLRad_FB, 3D DL, 2D DL, and radiomics models were 0.82-0.84 (P = 0.025-0.46), 0.86-0.89 (P = 0.75-0.97), 0.83-0.86 (P = 0.029-0.66), and 0.79-0.82 (P = 0.0072-0.10), respectively in the study sets. Additionally, the DLRad_DB model exhibited the best sensitivity (82-88%) and specificity (79-85%) in the test sets.

Interpretation

The decision-based fusion model DLRad_DB, which combines 3D DL, 2D DL, radiomics, and clinical data, can be utilized to predict occult LNM in LSCC. This has the potential to minimize unnecessary lymph node dissection and prophylactic radiotherapy in patients with cN0 disease.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province.

Elective neck dissection for T3-T4N0 laryngeal carcinoma: evidence from Japan's National Head and Neck Cancer Registry

BACKGROUND

Although total laryngectomy is the standard treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer, the significance of elective neck dissection (END) for N0 laryngeal cancer remains unclear in Japan, which is an aging society.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective nationwide observational study on patients with T3-T4N0 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with curative total laryngectomy from 2011 to 2018 in Japan.

RESULTS

A total of 1,218 patients were analyzed. The median patient age was 72 years, with 735 cases of T3N0 and 483 cases of T4N0. END was performed on the affected side in 850 patients (70%) and on the contralateral side in 502 patients (41.2%). END on the affected side was omitted in patients aged > 80 years (40.4%) and in patients with an advanced performance status. The occult lymph-node metastasis rate did not differ by age (18.8%-19.6%); it tended to increase chronologically from 2011 (11.1%) and was higher in cT4a (22.5%) and pT4a (24.3%) cases. In this study, coherent clinical information and follow-up data were available for 252 patients. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed no significant prognostic factors for overall survival or recurrence-free survival for either affected or contralateral END. Older age and subglottic location were poor prognostic factors, but death due to factors other than laryngeal cancer could not be ignored in older patients.

CONCLUSION

Omission of END during laryngectomy for T3-T4N0 laryngeal cancer is acceptable for older patients who want their operation to be completed in a short time.

Treating Head and Neck Cancer in the Age of Immunotherapy: A 2023 Update

Most patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) will present with locally advanced disease, requiring multimodality therapy. While this approach has a curative intent, a significant subset of these patients will develop locoregional failure and/or distant metastases. The prognosis of these patients is poor, and therapeutic options other than palliative chemotherapy are urgently needed. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is an important factor in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, and a decade ago, the EGFR targeting monoclonal antibody cetuximab was approved for the treatment of late-stage HNSCC in different settings. In 2016, the anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab were both approved for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy, and in 2019, pembrolizumab was approved for first-line treatment (either as monotherapy in PD-L1 expressing tumors, or in combination with chemotherapy). Currently, trials are ongoing to include immune checkpoint inhibition in the (neo)adjuvant treatment of HNSCC as well as in novel combinations with other drugs in the recurrent/metastatic setting to improve response rates and survival and help overcome resistance mechanisms to immune checkpoint blockade. This article provides a comprehensive review of the management of head and neck cancers in the current era of immunotherapy.

The role of adjuvant therapy in pT4N0 laryngectomized patients: Multicentric observational study

BACKGROUND

To retrospectively evaluate oncological outcomes in two groups of patients with pT4aN0 glottic SCC treated with total laryngectomy (TL) and neck dissection (ND) who underwent postoperative radiotherapy or exclusive clinical and radiological follow-up.

METHODS

It includes patients with pT4N0 glottic SCC who underwent TL and unilateral or bilateral ND with or without PORT. Divided in two comparison groups: the first group underwent adjuvant RT (TL-PORT); the second group referred to clinical and radiological follow-up (TL).

RESULTS

PORT was associated with a better OS while no differences were found in terms of DSS. A better local control is achieved when PORT is administered while no differences in terms of regional and distant control rates were found. Bilateral ND positively impacts on the regional control while the PNI negatively impact the regional control.

CONCLUSIONS

A tailored PORT protocol might be considered for pT4N0 glottic SCC treated with TL and ND, both considering the ND's extent and presence of PNI.

Assessment of Occult Nodal Micrometastases to the Clinically Negative Contralateral Neck in Locally Advanced Supraglottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study is  to study the incidence of occult nodal micrometastases (ONM) in the contralateral neck and compare it to the laterality of the primary tumor. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients with locally advanced supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma and Clinically negative contralateral neck (cN0-CLN) - who had concurrent total laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissection as their primary treatment at the Otolaryngology Department, Al Kas Al Ainy School of Medicine-Cairo University between 2015 and 2020 - was conducted. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the extent of the primary tumor. 28 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients with well-lateralized tumors were 14 (Group A), tumors abutting the midline were 4 (Group B) and tumors significantly involving the contralateral side were 14 (Group C). There was no statistically significant difference in age of patients among the three groups. Eleven patients had cervical lymphadenopathy in the final pathology reports. Seven patients had ONM, all of whom were among group C patients (7/14; 50%). The degree of tumor differentiation was not associated with the presence of ONM. Treatment of the cN0-CLN is justified in locally advance supraglottic carcinoma significantly crossing the midline. The total number of patients with ONM in the cN0-CLN exceeds the threshold for observation, however the authors could not recommend or refute the practice of routine prophylactic treatment of the cN0-CLN as none of the patients-in this study-with well-lateralized tumors or tumors just abutting the midline showed ONM.

Efficacy of superselective neck dissection (IIA and III) for supraglottic laryngeal cancer with clinically negative neck

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of superselective neck dissection(SSND) (levels IIA and III) for patients with supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx and clinically negative (N0) neck.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective analysis of consecutive patients.

METHODS

A prospective analysis of 60 patients with SCC of the supraglottic larynx and N0 neck who underwent surgical treatment of the primary lesion with simultaneous SSND (levels IIA and III). The incidence of occult metastasis in the lymph nodes, regional recurrence, survival rate, and spinal accessory nerve function were evaluated.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight superselective neck dissection (levels IIA and III) procedures were performed for 60 patients. The occult metastasis rate was 20% (12 of 60). Four patients (6.7%) developed regional recurrence, none of them was in level IIB. The 5-year overall, cancer-specific and disease-free survival rate was 82.8%, 87.6%, and 80.7%, respectively. Spinal accessory nerve function was maintained in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Superselective neck dissection removing lymph nodes in levels IIA and III was safe and effective for supraglottic SCC of the larynx with clinically negative neck. The spinal accessory nerve function was maintained without compromising clinical outcome.

Occult lymph node metastasis in patients with laryngeal cancer and relevant predicting factors: a single-center experience

OBJECTIVE

To reveal the incidence and predictive parameters of occult cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with cN0 laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) who underwent surgery as definitive treatment.

METHODS

Patients with cN0 laryngeal cancer who had undergone elective neck dissection together with partial or total laryngectomy between January 2006 and November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and histopathologic predictors of occult metastasis were also analyzed. Follow-up data were used to obtain recurrence and survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 86 patients with a mean age of 62.5 years were included in the study. Occult LNM was detected in 15 (17.4%) patients. Tumor grade, pT stage, thyroid cartilage invasion, and extralaryngeal extension were found to predict occult neck metastasis in univariate analysis. The mean follow-up time was 60.7 months and in the survival/recurrence analysis, pT stage, tumor location, tumor grade, presence of occult metastasis, pre-epiglottic space involvement. and extralaryngeal extension were found to predict poorer outcome.

CONCLUSION

Overall occult LNM is low (17.4%) in N0 laryngeal cancer, but the presence of LNM is a poor prognostic factor. Correct determination of the neck status and proper treatment is crucial. The incidence of LNM is very low in T1-T2 stages and well-differentiated tumors. The "wait and see" strategy may be applied in T1-T2 cases as well as selected T3 cases with well-differentiated tumors.

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.

Occult Metastasis in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of occult metastasis (OM) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is still widely debated. In this systematic review, we aim to determine the rate of OM in laryngeal SCC, its impact on recurrence, and the role of elective neck dissection (END) in the management of the clinically negative neck.

METHODS

A systematic review of the English-language literature in Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases on occult metastasis in laryngeal SCC from 1977 to 2018 was conducted. Studies evaluating occult metastasis (OM) in patients with laryngeal SCC with clinically negative necks undergoing surgery were included. Studies evaluating other head and neck subsites, clinically node positive, and salvage patients were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-one articles with a total of 5630 patients were included. The overall rate of OM was 20.5% and was 23% and 12.2% in supraglottic and glottic tumors, respectively. The OM rate in T1-T2 tumors was 13% and 25% in T3-T4 tumors. T3-T4 tumors had significantly greater odds of developing OM compared to T1-T2 tumors (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.61, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.92-3.55, P < .00001). Patients with OM were more likely to develop distant metastasis (OR = 5.65, 95% CI = 3.36-9.51, P < .00001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with advanced T-stage laryngeal SCC should undergo elective neck treatment. More aggressive treatment for patients with history of OM should be considered due to the risk of subsequent regional and distant metastasis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Incidence of Occult Lymph Node Metastasis in Primary Larynx Squamous Cell Carcinoma, by Subsite, T Classification and Neck Level: A Systematic Review

Background: Larynx cancer is a common site for tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. In cases with a clinically negative neck, the indications for an elective neck treatment are still debated. The objective is to define the prevalence of occult metastasis based on the subsite of the primary tumor, T classification and neck node levels involved. Methods: All studies included provided the rate of occult metastases in cN0 larynx squamous cell carcinoma patients. The main outcome was the incidence of occult metastasis. The pooled incidence was calculated with random effects analysis. Results: 36 studies with 3803 patients fulfilled the criteria. The incidence of lymph node metastases for supraglottic and glottic tumors was 19.9% (95% CI 16.4–23.4) and 8.0% (95% CI 2.7–13.3), respectively. The incidence of occult metastasis for level I, level IV and level V was 2.4% (95% CI 0–6.1%), 2.0% (95% CI 0.9–3.1) and 0.4% (95% CI 0–1.0%), respectively. For all tumors, the incidence for sublevel IIB was 0.5% (95% CI 0–1.3). Conclusions: The incidence of occult lymph node metastasis is higher in supraglottic and T3–4 tumors. Level I and V and sublevel IIB should not be routinely included in the elective neck treatment of cN0 laryngeal cancer and, in addition, level IV should not be routinely included in cases of supraglottic tumors.

Rational choice of neck dissection in clinically N0 patients with supraglottic cancer

BACKGROUND

The mainstay treatment of the neck for clinically negative neck (cN0) supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma (SGLC) is neck dissection. However, the optimal extent remains controversial. This study's purpose is to determine whether ipsilateral level II-III neck dissection is appropriate for cN0SGLC patients.

METHODS

The records of 220 consecutive untreated cN0SGLC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant factors related to occult and contralateral neck metastasis were analyzed and the distribution of metastasis was described.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven and 143 patients underwent unilateral and bilateral neck dissection, respectively. The rate of occult neck metastases was 21.4%. The histologic differentiation was an independent risk factor for occult neck metastasis. In the bilateral neck dissection group, the incidence of contralateral neck metastasis of patients with noncentral tumors was 0.7%. Moreover, only 1.7% of patients had positive nodes at level IV, and no isolated nodal metastases existed in level IV.

CONCLUSION

Ipsilateral level II-III neck dissection is feasible for patients with noncentral cN0SGLC.

The prognostic value of tumor depth for cervical lymph node metastasis in hypopharyngeal and supraglottic carcinomas

Background

To analyze the prognostic value of the clinicopathological parameters of primary lesions for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with hypopharyngeal and/or supraglottic carcinoma.

Methods

We enrolled 127 patients with squamous cell carcinomas originating in the hypopharyngeal and/or supraglottic regions.

Results

Multivariate analysis identified the tumor depth as an independent predictive factor for lymph node metastasis (odds ratio, 4.959; 95% confidence interval, 2.290‐10.739; P < 0.0001) with a predictive value of 0.966. A cutoff value of 4.5 mm was determined.

Conclusion

The tumor depth of the primary lesion is a potent predictor of cervical lymph node metastasis in hypopharyngeal and supraglottic carcinomas. In cases with clinically negative nodal status, elective neck dissection should be adopted for patients with a tumor depth reaching 4.5 mm. Regular outpatient follow‐up is recommended for patients with a tumor depth less than 1.0 mm. Close follow‐up or preventative therapy should be considered between 1.0 and 4.5 mm.

Guidelines for the Surgical Management of Laryngeal Cancer: Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery

Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to develop clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer. This Task Force conducted a systematic search of the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases to identify relevant articles, using search terms selected according to the key questions. Evidence-based recommendations were then created on the basis of these articles. An external expert review and Delphi questionnaire were applied to reach consensus regarding the recommendations. The resulting guidelines focus on the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer with the assumption that surgery is the selected treatment modality after a multidisciplinary discussion in any context. These guidelines do not, therefore, address non-surgical treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The committee developed 62 evidence-based recommendations in 32 categories intended to assist clinicians during management of patients with laryngeal cancer and patients with laryngeal cancer, and counselors and health policy-makers.