title: Prognostic factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The metastatic spread of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) to the cervical lymph nodes is a negative prognostic factor in terms of survival. We have used multivariate analysis to identify the possible prognostic significance of a number of clinical and pathological characteristics in relation to possible involvement of the cervical lymph nodes in a series of 396 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  396 patients with SCCHN were studied. Variables regarding the patient, the carcinoma and histology were analysed by multivariate analysis using BMDP's PLR programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Some variables appear to represent predisposing factors for tumor spread to the lymph nodes: tumor site (supraglottic larynx: P = 0.005; base of the tongue: P = 0.02; hypopharynx: P = 0.02), grading (P = 0.001), and a number of histological parameters (lower degree of histological differentiation: P = 0.001; vascular permeation: P = 0.04; perineural invasion: P < 0.05; prevalently plasmocytic infiltrate: P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The identification of cases at risk for metastasis can be improved by the assessment of prognostic factors, with a consequent improvement in treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Second Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Stefani
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lerda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ragona
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bussi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cortesina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome