[Value of B-image ultrasound in patients with carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract and N0 lymph node stage].
BACKGROUND
The wait-and-see policy in patients with a N0 neck stage is not common.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-one patients with a pT1 or pT2 carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract and a N0 neck stage in ultrasound studies underwent transoral laser microsurgery without neck dissection or radiation therapy. In these patients the probability of survival and local or regionals recurrence were analyzed in a follow-up period of 18 to 36 months.


RESULTS
Thirty patients in whom cervical lymph nodes were detected in ultrasound studies, underwent a curative neck dissection procedure. In 8 of these 30 patients, lymph node metastases were histologically demonstrated, and 6 patients showed a local recurrence. The probability of survival was 1.0 and the probability of being free of local or regional recurrence was between 0.95 and 0.6 depending on the tumor location.


CONCLUSIONS
A wait-and-see policy will not necessarily alter the prognosis, which depends on the location of the tumor. Ultrasound follow-up studies should be performed at regular intervals.
Schipper
J
J
Universitäts-Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik Freiburg.
Gellrich
N C
NC
Marangos
N
N
Maier
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D014463:Ultrasonography
Stellenwert der B-Bildsonographie bei Patienten mit Karzinomen des oberen Aerodigestivtraktes und einem "N0"-Lymphknotenstadium.