[Immunohistochemical detection of micrometastases in cervical lymph nodes from squamous cell carcinoma of tongue in neck dissection specimens].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore a feasible method to detect the micrometastases.


METHODS
Totally 152 cases of negative cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) from 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in tongue were included in this study. The HE-stained slices of the CLN were reexamined by two experienced pathologists and, conformed that no carcinoma cells were found. Two slices were made from each paraffin specimen and, the slices were stained with the microwave immunohistochemical technique with monoclonal antibody CK (AE1/AE3) (DAKO Co. Denmark, 1:100).


RESULTS
Among these 152 cases 7 (4.6%) positive lymph nodes were found in 4(13.3%) patients, and CLN metastases were found in all the patients before the surgical treatment. Most of the micro-metastatic nodes appeared in the upper deep cervical area, except that one of them was found in the submandibular triangle.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that micrometastases frequently occurred in negative lymph nodes. The present method may be useful in detecting the micrometastases of lymph nodes and in evaluating clinical stages of patients with oral cancers.
Li
Weizhong
W
Nanfang Hospital, the First Military Medical University.
Zhao
Tong
T
Zhang
Jinhua
J
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009333:Neck; D037981:Neck Dissection; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery