Clinical significance of micrometastases detection in lymph nodes from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Study the clinical relevance of micrometastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: We reviewed the outcome of 31 patients who underwent neck dissection for HNSCC with lymph node analysis by cytokeratin 19 real-time Taqman polymerase chain reaction (CK19RT-PCR) for detection of micrometastasis. Fifteen patients were N+ on histopathology (group 1) and 16 were N-; nine of these 16 patients were CK19RT-PCR positive (group 2), whereas seven were negative (group 3). Local and neck recurrences, metastases, and other tumour sites were recorded during follow-up. RESULTS: Five patients in group 1, eight patients in group 2, and one patient in group 3 experienced a tumor-related event. N-patients in groups 2 and 3 had a different outcome ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that CK19RTPCR detection of micrometastasis in lymph nodes could be of significant prognostic value in HNSCC, because more aggressive treatment could be indicated in these patients.