Separate lateral parametrial lymph node dissection improves detection rate of parametrial lymph node metastasis in early-stage cervical cancer: 10-year clinical evaluation in a single center in China

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of separate lateral parametrial lymph node dissection(LPLND) in improving parametrial lymph node(PLN) and its metastasis detection rate during radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.Methods: From July 2007 to August 2017, 2,695 patients with cervical cancer in stage IB1-IIA2 underwent radical hysterectomy were included. Of these patients, 368 underwent separate dissection of PLNs using the LPLND method, and 2,327 patients underwent conventional radical hysterectomy(CRH). We compared the surgical parameters, PLN detection rate and PLN metastasis rate between the two groups.Results: Compared with CRH group, the rate of laparoscopic surgery was higher(60.3% vs. 15.9%, P<0.001),and the blood transfusion rate was lower(19.0% vs. 29.0%, P<0.001) in the LPLND group. PLNs were detected in 356 cases(96.7%) in the LPLND group, and 270 cases(11.6%) in the CRH group(P<0.001), respectively. The number of PLNs detected in the LPLND group was higher than that in the CRH group(median 3 vs. 1, P<0.001).The PLN metastases were detected in 25 cases(6.8%) in the LPLND group, and 18 cases(0.8%) in the CRH group(P<0.001), respectively. In multivariable analysis, LPLND is an independent factor not only for PLN detection [odds ratio(OR)=228.999, 95% confidence interval(95% CI): 124.661-420.664;P<0.001], but also for PLN metastasis identification(OR=10.867, 95% CI: 5.381-21.946;P<0.001).Conclusions: LPLND is feasible and safe. The surgical method significantly improves the detection rate of PLN and avoids omission of PLN metastasis during radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

Occipital lymph node metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma:a special case report and literature review

Cervical lymph node metastasis is common in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC),but occipital lymph node metastasis in NPC patients has not yet been reported.In this case report,we describe an NPC patient with occipital lymph node metastasis.The clinical presentation,diagnostic procedure,treatment,and outcome of this case were presented,with a review of the related literature.

Study on the risk factors of lymphatic metastasis and the indications of less invasive operations in early gastric cancer

The principle of surgical treatment for gastric cancer is the radical resectioning although the suitable resecting range for different cases of gastric cancer is still being argued upon[1-9]. However, the diagnostic accuracy of early gastric cancer (EGC) without lymphatic metastasis has obviously improved with an improvement in the diagnostic technique and due to the accumulation of knowledge on the biological profiles of EG C[10-17]. The D2 lymph node excision was used as a regular operation to treat the EGC previously. But the concept for the EGC without lymphatic metastasis has gradually changed and the less invasive resections has been applied in some cases[18-20]. This study aimed at investigating the risk factors of lymphatic metastasis in EGC in order to find out the proofs for the suitable indications for less invasive operations such as endoscopic mucosal resectioning (EMR), laparoscopic and laparotomic resectioning.

Factors related to lymph node metastasis and surgical strategy used to treat early gastric carcinoma

AIM:The prognosis of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) is generally excellent after surgery. The presence or absence of lymph node metastasis in EGC is an important prognostic factor. The survival and recurrence rates of node-negative EGC are much better than those of node-positive EGC. This study examined the factors related to lymph node metastasis in EGC to determine the appropriate treatment for EGC.METHODS: We investigated 748 patients with EGC who underwent surgery between January 1985 and December 1999 at the Division of Gastroenterologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital. Several clinicopathologic factors were investigated to analyze their relationship to lymph node metastasis: age, sex, tumor location, tumor size, gross type, histologic type, depth of invasion, extent of lymph node dissection, type of operation,and DNA ploidy.RESULTS:Lymph node metastases were found in 75 patients (10.0%). Univariate analysis showed that male sex, tumor size larger than 2.0cm, submucosal invasion of tumor, histologic differentiation, and DNA ploidy pattern were risk factors for regional lymph node metastasis in EGC patients. However, a multivariate analysis showed that three risk factors were associated with lymph node metastasis:large tumor size, undifferentiated histologic type and submucosal invasion. No statistical relationship was found for age, sex, tumor location, gross type, or DNA ploidy in multivariate analysis. The 5-year survival rate was 94.2% for those without lymph node metastasis and 87.3% for those with lymph node metastasis, and the difference was significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: In patients with EGC, the survival rate of patients with positive lymph nodes is significantly worse than that of patients with no lymph node metastasis. Therefore,a standard D2 lymphadenectomy should be performed in patients at high risk of lymph node metastasis: large tumor size, undifferentiated histologic type and submucosal invasion.

Lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion:Feasibility of minimally invasive surgery

AIM:To explore the feasibility of pertorming minimally invasive surgery(MIS)on subsets of submucosal gastric cancers that are unlikely to have regional lymph node metastasis. METHODS:A total of 105 patients underwent radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for submucosal gastric cancer at our hospital from January 1995 to December 1995.Besides investigating many clinicopathological features such as tumor size,gross appearance,and differentiation, we measured the depth of invasion into submucosa minutely and analyzed the clinicopathologic features of these patients regarding lymph node metastasis. RESULTS:The rate of lymph node metastasis in cases where the depth of invasion was<500 μm,500-2 000 μm,or >2 000 μm was 9%(2/23),19%(7136),and 33%(15/46), respectively(P<0.05).In univariate analysis,no significant correlation was found between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological characteristics such as age,sex,tumor location,gross appearance,tumor differentiation,Lauren's classification,and lymphatic invasion.In multivariate analysis, tumor size(>4 cm vs≤2 cm,odds ratio=4.80, P=0.04)and depth of invasion(>2 000 μm vs ≤500 μm, odds ratio=6.81,P=0.02)were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis.Combining the depth and size in cases where the depth of invasion was less than 500 μm, we found that lymph node metastasis occurred where the tumor size was greater than 4 cm.In cases where the tumor size was less than 2 cm,lymph node metastasis was found only where the depth of tumor invasion was more than 2 000 μm. CONCLUSION:MIS can be applied to submucosal gastric cancer that is less than 2 cm in size and 500 μm in depth.

Significance of the lymph nodes in the 7th station in rational dissection for metastasis of distal gastric cancer with different T categories

Objective： To determine the clinicopathological characteristics, and evaluate the appropriate extent of lymph node dissection in distal gastric cancer patients with comparable T category. Methods： A retrospective study was conducted on 570 distal gastric cancer patients, who underwent gastric resection with D2 nodal dissection, which was performed by the same surgical team from January 1997 to January 2011. We compared the differences in lymph node metastasis rates and metastatic lymph node ratios between different T categories. Additionally, we investigated the impact of lymph node metastasis in the 7th station on survival rate of distal gastric cancer patients with the same TNM staging. Results： Among the 570 patients, the overall lymph node metastasis rate of advanced distal gastric cancer was 78.1%, and the metastatic lymph node ratio was 27%. The lymph node metastasis rate in the 7th station was similar to that of perigastric lymph nodes. There was no statistical significance in patients with the same TNM stage （stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ）, irrespective of the metastatic status in the 7th station. Conclusions： Our results suggest that to a certain extent, it is reasonable to include lymph nodes in the 7th station in the D 1 lymph node dissection.

Metastasis in an axillary lymph node in hepatocellular carcinoma:a case report

INTRODUCTIONAlthough hepatocellular carcinoma oftenmetastasizes to regional lymph nodes,spread tomore distant lymph nodes is rare.Involvementof axillary lymph nodes by metastases appears not tohave been documented.We report a patient withhepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a metastasisin a lymph node in the right axilla,and discusspossible routes by which such spread might occur.

Radical lymph node dissection and assessment:Impact on gallbladder cancer prognosis

AIM: To investigate the lymph node metastasis patterns of gallbladder cancer(GBC) and evaluate the optimal categorization of nodal status as a critical prognostic factor.METHODS: From May 1995 to December 2010,a total of 78 consecutive patients with GBC underwent a radical resection at Liaocheng People's Hospital.A radical resection was defined as removing both the primary tumor and the regional lymph nodes of the gallbladder.Demographic,operative and pathologic data were recorded.The lymph nodes retrieved were examined histologically for metastases routinely from each node.The positive lymph node count(PLNC) as well as the total lymph node count(TLNC) was recorded for each patient.Then the metastatic to examined lymph nodes ratio(LNR) was calculated.Disease-specific survival(DSS) and predictors of outcome were analyzed.RESULTS: With a median follow-up time of 26.50 mo(range,2-132 mo),median DSS was 29.00 ± 3.92 mo(5-year survival rate,20.51%).Nodal disease was found in 37 patients(47.44%).DSS of node-negative patients was significantly better than that of nodepositive patients(median DSS,40 mo vs 17 mo,χ2= 14.814,P < 0.001),while there was no significant difference between N1 patients and N2 patients(median DSS,18 mo vs 13 mo,χ2= 0.741,P = 0.389).Optimal TLNC was determined to be four.When node-negative patients were divided according to TLNC,there was no difference in DSS between TLNC < 4 subgroup and TLNC ≥ 4 subgroup(median DSS,37 mo vs 54 mo,χ2 = 0.715,P = 0.398).For node-positive patients,DSS of TLNC < 4 subgroup was worse than that of TLNC ≥ 4 subgroup(median DSS,13 mo vs 21 mo,χ2= 11.035,P < 0.001).Moreover,for node-positive patients,a new cut-off value of six nodes was identified for the number of TLNC that clearly stratified them into 2 separate survival groups(< 6 or ≥ 6,respectively;median DSS,15 mo vs 33 mo,χ2= 11.820,P < 0.001).DSS progressively worsened with increasing PLNC and LNR,but no definite cut-off value could be identified.Multivariate analysis revealed histological grade,tumor node metastasis staging,TNLC and LNR to be independent predictors of DSS.Neither location of positive lymph nodes nor PNLC were identified as an independent variable by multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION: Both TLNC and LNR are strong predictors of outcome after curative resection for GBC.The retrieval and examination of at least 6 nodes can influence staging quality and DSS,especially in nodepositive patients.

Molecular mechanism about lymphogenous metastasis of hepatocarcinoma cells in mice

AIM: To investigate the correlation between lymphogenous metastasis and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity and the expression of Fas ligand of tumor cells in lymph nodes. METHODS: Fifty-six inbred 615-mice were equally divided into 2 groups and inoculated with Hca-F and Hca-P cells. Their lymph node metastatic rates were examined. Growth fraction of lymphocytes in host lymph nodes was detected by flow cytometry. The Hca-F and Hca-P cells were cultured with extract of lymph node, liver or spleen. The quantity of MMPs in these supernatants was examined by zymographic analysis. The expression of Fas ligand, PCNA, Bcl-2 protein of Hca-F and Hca-P cells in the mice were examined by immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis signals of macro-phages in lymph nodes were observed with in situ DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: On the 28th day post-inoculation, the lymph node metastatic rate of HcaF was 80%(16/20), whereas that of Hca-P was 25%(5/20). The growth fraction of lymphocytes was as follows: in the Hca-F cells, the proliferating peak of lymphocytes appeared on the 14th day post inoculation and then decreased rapidly, while in HcaP cells, the peak appeared on the 7th day post inoculation and then kept at a high level. With the extract of lymph node, the quantity of the MMP-9 activity increased (P【0.01) and active MMP-9 and MMP-2 were produced by both Hca-F and Hca-P tumor cells, which did not produce MMPs without the extract of lymph node or with the extracts of the liver and spleen. The expression of Fas Ligand of Hca-F cells was stronger than that of Hca-P cells (P 【0.01). The expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 protein of Hca-F cells in the tumors of inoculated area were the same as that of Hca-P cells. In situ DNA fragmentation showed that the positive signals of macrophages were around Hca-F cells. CONCLUSION: Secretion of MMPs which was associated with metastatic ability of Hca-F and Hca-P tumor cells depends on the environment of lymph nodes. The increased expression of Fas ligand protein of Hca-F tumor cells with high lymphogenous metastatic potential in lymph nodes may help tumor cells escape from being killed by host lymphocytes.

Assessment of lymph node involvement in colorectal cancer

Lymph node metastasis informs prognosis and is a key factor in deciding further management, particularly adjuvant chemotherapy. It is core to all contemporary staging systems, including the widely used tumor node metastasis staging system. Patients with nodenegative disease have 5-year survival rates of 70%-80%, implying a significant minority of patients with occult lymph node metastases will succumb to disease recurrence. Enhanced staging techniques may help to identify this subset of patients, who might benefit from further treatment. Obtaining adequate numbers of lymph nodes is essential for accurate staging. Lymph node yields are affected by numerous factors, many inherent to the patient and the tumour, but others related to surgical and histopathological practice. Good lymph node recovery relies on close collaboration between surgeon and pathologist. The optimal extent of surgical resection remains a subject of debate. Extended lymphadenectomy, extra-mesenteric lymph node dissection, high arterial ligation and complete mesocolic excision are amongst the surgical techniques with plausible oncological bases, but which are not supported by the highest levels of evidence. With further development and refinement, intra-operative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy may provide a guide to the optimum extent of lymphadenectomy, but in its present form, it is beset by false negatives, skip lesions and failures to identify a sentinel node. Once resected, histopathological assessment of the surgical specimen can be improved by thorough dissection techniques, step-sectioning of tissue blocks and immunohistochemistry. More recently, molecular methods have been employed. In this review, we consider the numerous factors that affect lymph node yields, including the impact of the surgical and histopathological techniques. Potential future strategies, including the use of evolving technologies, are also discussed.

Selective lateral lymph node dissection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Lateral lymph node metastasis is one of the leading causes of local recurrence in patients with advanced mid or low rectal cancer.Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NCRT)can effectively reduce the postoperative recurrence rate;thus,NCRT with total mesorectal excision(TME)is the most widely accepted standard of care for rectal cancer.The addition of lateral lymph node dissection(LLND)after NCRT remains a controversial topic.AIM To investigate the surgical outcomes of TME plus LLND,and the possible risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis after NCRT.METHODS This retrospective study reviewed 89 consecutive patients with clinical stage II-III mid or low rectal cancer who underwent TME and LLND from June 2016 to October 2018.In the NCRT group,TME plus LLND was performed in patients with short axis(SA)of the lateral lymph node greater than 5 mm.In the non-NCRT group,TME plus LLND was performed in patients with SA of the lateral lymph node greater than 10 mm.Data regarding patient demographics,clinical workup,surgical procedure,complications,and outcomes were collected.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the possible risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis in NCRT patients.RESULTS LLN metastasis was pathologically confirmed in 35 patients(39.3%):26(41.3%)in the NCRT group and 9(34.6%)in the non-NCRT group.The most common site of metastasis was around the obturator nerve(21/35)followed by the internal iliac artery region(12/35).In the NCRT patients,46%of patients with SA of LLN greater than 7 mm were positive.The postoperative 30-d mortality rate was 0%.Two(2.2%)patients suffered from lateral local recurrence in the 2-year follow up.Multivariate analysis showed that cT4 stage(odds ratio[OR]=5.124,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.419-18.508;P=0.013),poor differentiation type(OR=4.014,95%CI:1.038-15.520;P=0.044),and SA≥7 mm(OR=7.539,95%CI:1.487-38.214;P=0.015)were statistically significant risk factors associated with LLN metastasis.CONCLUSION NCRT is not sufficient as a stand-alone therapy to eradicate LLN metastasis in lower rectal cancer patients and surgeons should consider performing selective LLND in patients with greater LLN SA diameter,poorer histological differentiation,or advanced T stage.Selective LLND for NCRT patients can have a favorable oncological outcome.

Determination of Metastatic Axillary Lymph Node in Breast Cancer: Differentiation with Dynamic MRI Examination by Signal Intensity-Time Curves

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the role of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis based on the signal intensity-time curves. Materials and Methods: The data of 120 patients (benign patients, n = 91;malignant patients, n = 29) who underwent dynamic breast MRI were reviewed. The lymph nodes with the strongest criteria for malignancy (morphological-dynamic properties) were included in the analysis. Signal intensity-time curves were plotted by the software. Results: Of 29 patients with breast cancer, axillary lymph nodes were involved in 21 and not involved in the remaining 8. There was no significant difference between benign and malignant cases in terms of the distributions of Type Ia, Type Ib and Type IV curves (p = 0.12), whereas a significant difference was found between benign and malignant cases in terms of the distributions of Type II and III curves (p Conclusion: On dynamic MRI studies, benign and metastatic lymph nodes display different signal intensity-time curves.

2023版子宫内膜癌FIGO分期更新对病理诊断内容的影响

子宫内膜癌是女性生殖系统最常见的恶性肿瘤,近年来子宫内膜癌诊疗中备受关注的热点问题,如淋巴脉管间隙浸润的定量评价、前哨淋巴结超分期和子宫内膜癌分子分型等,已经逐渐用于临床实践。目前,子宫内膜癌相关的新进展已被写入2023版国际妇产科联盟(International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics,FIGO)子宫内膜癌分期修订版本,并在临床推广应用。规范的病理诊断是评估子宫内膜癌患者预后和指导辅助治疗的重要依据,介绍2023版FIGO子宫内膜癌分期更新对病理诊断内容的影响,旨在帮助提高病理医生子宫内膜癌病理诊断的规范化及标准化水平,辅助临床医生更准确地理解和应用新分期。

宫颈癌患者淋巴脉管间隙浸润的影响因素及ADC值结合DISCO参数在宫颈癌淋巴脉管浸润中的诊断价值

目的探讨宫颈癌患者淋巴脉管间隙浸润(LVSI)的影响因素及表观扩散系数(ADC)值结合超快动态增强扫描(DISCO)参数在宫颈癌LVSI中的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析2021年11月至2022年10月南京医科大学附属妇产医院(南京市妇幼保健院)收治的129例早期宫颈癌患者的病例资料。采用GE SIGNA Architect 3.0T MR仪行盆腔扫描,根据患者是否出现LVSI,分为LVSI阳性组(n=94)及LVSI阴性组(n=35)。分析LVSI阳性组与LVSI阴性组患者的基础资料[年龄、术前国际妇产科联盟(FIGO)分期、组织学类型、组织学分级、浸润深度、脉管内癌栓、神经侵犯、宫旁侵犯、淋巴结转移、鳞状细胞癌抗原(SCCA)、病灶最大径、平均ADC值、血管外细胞外间隙容积比(Ve)、增强曲线下初始面积(IAUGC)、速率常数(Kep)、铜蓝蛋白(CER)、最大增强斜率(MaxSlope)、容量转移常数(Ktrans)、肩胛间棕色脂肪组织(BAT)];采用多因素Logistic回归分析对宫颈癌患者LVSI影响因素进行分析;采用受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线评估ADC值、DISCO参数对宫颈癌LVSI的诊断效能。结果LVSI阳性组与LVSI阴性组患者的年龄、ADC值、术前FIGO分期、组织学类型、浸润深度、脉管内癌栓、神经侵犯、淋巴结转移、Ve、Kep、MaxSlope、Ktrans比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,LVSI阳性的影响因素包括神经侵犯、淋巴结转移、ADC值降低、Ve增加、Kep降低、MaxSlope降低、Ktrans增加(P<0.05)。ROC结果显示,ADC、Ve、Kep、MaxSlope、Ktrans诊断宫颈癌LVSI阳性的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.988、0.886、0.909、0.957、0.854,各指标对宫颈癌LVSI阳性均具有较好的诊断效能(P<0.05)。结论LVSI阳性的影响因素包括神经侵犯、淋巴结转移、ADC值降低、Ve增加、Kep降低、MaxSlope降低、Ktrans增加。ADC值结合DISCO参数均可用于宫颈癌LVSI阳性的诊断。

Predictors to assess non-sentinel lymph node status in breast cancer patients with only one sentinel lymph node metastasis

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of avoiding axillary lymph node dissection （ALND） for patients with only one sentinel lymph node （SLN） metastasis. The characteristics and predictive factors for non-sentinel lymph node （NSLN） metastasis of patients with single positive SLN were also analyzed. Methods Patients with no and only one SLN metastasis （OIn and 1In group, n ≥2） were selected from 1228 cases of invasive breast carcinoma, who underwent axillary dissection in Shandong Cancer Hospital between November 1999 and December 2011, to compare the characteristics of NSLN metastasis between them. For the 1In group, the factors that influenced the NSLN metastasis were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Differences of the NSLN metastasis between the OIn and the 1In groups were significant （P 〈0.001）. There was no significant difference between the axillary lymph node metastasis on level III in 1In group and OIn group （P=0.570）. When the total SLN number was 〉4 and with one positive case, the NSLN metastasis was not significantly different from that in the OIn group （P=-0.118）. In the 1In group, clinical tumor size （P = 0.012）, over-expression of Her-2 （P=0.003）, tumor grade （P=0.018） and the total number of SLN （P=0.047） significantly correlated with non-SLN metastasis. Clinical tumor size （P=0.015） and the expression of Her-2 （P=0.01） were independent predictive factors for non-SLN metastasis by the Logistic regression model. Conclusion Under certain conditions, breast cancer patients with single SLN metastasis could avoid ALND.

Sentinel lymph node identification in patients with early stage cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy

Background In general,sentinel lymph node (SLN) can reflect the whole state of the entire drainage area. The present study evaluated the clinical significance of sentinel lymph node identification in the treatment of early stage cervical cancer.Methods Twenty-eight patients with early stage (Ia-IIa) cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were included in this study. At two locations 8 hours before operation,0.4 ml 37 Mbq technicium-99 labeled dextran was injected intracervically. After that,preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed to detect SLNs. During the operation,lymph nodes were detected ex vivo by a γ-counter to identify SLNs. The samples of SLNs and non-SLNs were used for pathological examination separately and compared with the final results. Results SLNs were identified in 27 of 28 (96.4%) patients. A total of 123 SLNs were identified from 814 nodes. Six patients had altogether 11 positive lymph nodes,which were all SLNs. No patient had false-negative sentinel node. Conclusion SLNs can successfully predict the lymphatic metastasis in patients with cervical cancer. The clinical validity of this technique should be evaluated prospectively.

Lymph node metastasis from non-melanoma skin cancer

The management of non-melanoma skin cancers metastatic to the neck is challenging due to variability in biological behavior and patterns of regional lymphatic spread.Metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers to the parotid and neck often behave aggressively,with a high incidence of local recurrence after treatment and reduced five-year survival outcomes.Patterns of lymphatic spread are different from those seen in mucosal squamous cell carcinoma,with higher prevalence of disease in the parotid and superficial lymphatics.These factors require that treatment is individualized to achieve optimal outcomes.Traditionally,the management of non-melanoma skin cancers metastatic to lymph nodes has involved surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiation therapy.However,novel systemic therapies are showing promising results and their role in the management of these cancers is evolving.

1401例甲状腺微小乳头状癌临床病理特征及中央区淋巴结转移危险因素分析

目的：探讨甲状腺微小乳头状癌 （papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, PTMC ）患者的临床病理特征及中央区淋巴结转移的危险因素。方法：回顾性分析2014年1月至2014年12月天津医科大学肿瘤医院甲状腺颈部肿瘤科收治的1401例具有完整病例资料的甲状腺微小乳头状癌患者临床病理特征，应用X2检验和多因素Logistic回归模型分析中央区淋巴结转移的危险因素。结果：临床病理特征方面，PTMC男女性别比约1：3．4，其中央区淋巴结转移率为30．5％。单因素分析显示发病年龄（x2=14．587，P〈0．01）、性别（X2=21．636，P〈0．01）、原发灶数目（X2=35．505，P〈0．01）、肿瘤最大直径（X2=58．868，P〈0．01）、肿瘤位置（x2=8．385，P〈0．05）及被膜外腺外侵犯（X2=26．481，P〈0．01）均与中央区淋巴结转移有显著性差异。肿瘤处于甲状腺下极时，中央区淋巴结转移率最高（48．1％）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示男性、年龄〈45岁、肿瘤直径〉6mm、被膜外腺外侵犯及双侧多发癌灶为PTMC患者中央区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。结论：具备男性、年龄〈45岁、肿瘤直径〉6min、腺外侵犯及双侧甲状腺受累等特征的PTMC患者较易发生中央区淋巴结转移，建议行预防性中央区淋巴结清扫。

咽后淋巴结转移在鼻咽癌分期中的意义

背景与目的:鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的发生率高,X92分期系统未明确其在临床分期中的意义,本研究旨在分析咽后淋巴结转移对鼻咽癌预后的影响及评价它在鼻咽癌分期中的意义。方法:收集1999年1月至1999年12月间中山大学肿瘤防治中心放疗科收治的经病理证实、治疗前进行鼻咽和颈部增强CT扫描的初诊鼻咽癌749例。多因素分析采用Cox风险比例模型,根据临床分期的原则,采用风险一致性、风险差异性、预后预测及分布均衡性等指标进行评价。结果:咽后淋巴结转移的发生率为51.5%。T分期、N分期及临床分期晚的患者咽后淋巴结转移发生率分别为57.8%、60.3%和57.9%,高于早期患者的发生率(45.2%、47.6%和38.9%),其差异均有统计学意义(P值分别为0.001、0.001、<0.001)。咽后淋巴结转移患者和无咽后淋巴结转移患者5年总生存率分别为58.7%和72.2%,5年无远处转移生存率分别为74.5%和84.9%,其差异有统计学意义(P均<0.001);多因素分析,咽后淋巴结转移并不是影响鼻咽癌总生存率的独立预后因素,对无远处转移生存率的影响有临界意义(P=0.053)。N0合并咽后淋巴结转移的死亡及远处转移的风险比分别为0.540及0.411,与N1组(0.601及0.555)相似。将其归为N1或T2比较,前者N分期预后的风险一致性较好,但N分期分布极不均衡,N1患者比例达50.2%。后者N分期及临床分期预后的风险差异性明显,且T、N分期及临床分期分布均衡性较好。结论:咽后淋巴结转移对鼻咽癌无远处转移生存率可能有影响,在目前&92分期系统及现行的鼻咽癌原发灶放射治疗模式的情况下,将咽后淋巴结转移归为T2分期内容更符合分期的原则。

512例鼻咽癌颈淋巴结转移规律的研究

背景与目的:合理定义鼻咽癌颈部靶区在临床上显得越来越重要,本研究旨在探讨鼻咽癌颈淋巴结转移的规律,以指导三维适形放射治疗颈部靶区的勾画。方法:收集2003年1月～2004年6月在中山大学肿瘤防治中心初治的鼻咽癌病例512例,所有病例均经病理证实、并行增强CT模拟扫描。淋巴结分区标准采用2003年RTOG推荐的颈部淋巴结分区标准。结果:512例病例中,328例(64.1%)诊断为有淋巴结转移。淋巴结阳性的病例中61.3%为单侧淋巴结转移,38.7%为双侧淋巴结转移。咽后淋巴结的发生率为64.1%,其中单侧占50.9%,双侧占49.1%。淋巴结阳性的病例中Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ和咽后区的转移率分别为3.0%、97.9%、46.0%、9.5%、13.7%、0%和74.4%。跳跃性转移率仅为4.6%～6.5%。25.3%的N1-3病例出现了推荐标准以外区域的侵犯。结论:鼻咽癌的颈部淋巴结转移是由上而下循序性的;跳跃性转移发生率低;咽后淋巴结为鼻咽癌转移的首站淋巴结。咽后、Ⅱ区和Ⅲ区最容易受累及;Ⅰa和Ⅵ区从未受累。有部分阳性淋巴结超出了RTOG推荐用于N0的颈部CTV范围。以上结果有助于鼻咽癌的三维适形放疗和调强放疗颈部靶区的勾画。