Prognostic value of lymph node ratio in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma after chemoradiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Lymph node ratio (LNR) has recently been reported as a potential prognostic marker in many malignant diseases. We aimed to analyze the potential prognostic effect of LNR on hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) after neoadjuvant therapy in our institution.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of 279 patients with HPSCC who underwent radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy followed by neck dissection between November 1965 and December 2008. Patients were divided into four groups according to quartiles based on LNR.


RESULTS
The mean LNR was 10.4% (range 0-100%, median 4.3%). Males and advanced clinical N classification significantly increased the LNR (P = 0.014 and P < 0.001, respectively). Compared with those with LNR <0.14, LNR ≥0.14 was associated with reduced overall, disease-specific and disease-free survival (all at P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that LNR is an independent predictor of prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that LNR is a strong predictor of HPSCC after chemoradiotherapy.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China.
Yue
Y
Yu
Xiao-Lei
XL
Wang
Zhen-Gang
ZG
Xu
Cheng-Cheng
CC
Fan
Qing
Q
Li
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck