Pathologic features of occult lymphatic metastasis in supraglottic carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To study the pathologic features of occult lymphatic metastasis in supraglottic carcinoma.


METHODS
Serial sections of 153 neck dissection specimens in 100 patients with supraglottic carcinoma were evaluated under the microscope.


RESULTS
In 100 patients, 38 had occult metastatic lymph nodes. 51 metastatic lymph nodes were found in pathology, and their sizes ranged from 0.5 cm to 2.6 cm (average 1.1 cm). The distribution of 51 lymph nodes was 1 in level I (2%), 37 in level II (73%), 12 in level III (24%), and 1 in level IV (2%). Among the 51 nodes, 21 (41%) were early stage, 18 (35%) were growth stage, 7 (14%) were tull stage, and 5 (10%) were extracapsular stage. The differentiation degree and appearance of supraglottic carcinoma was not directly related with occult metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
The occult metastatic rate of supraglottic carcinoma is high, and selective neck dissection may be necessary.
Ji
W
W
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Yu
J
J
Guan
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged