[Pathologic feature of occult lymphatic metastasis in supraglottic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To study the pathologic features of occult lymphatic metastasis in patients with supraglottic carcinoma and its implication in treatment.

METHODS

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

RESULTS

Clinically negative nodes had been proved histologically positive in 58 specimens (38%) and 51 occult nodes, size ranged from 0.5 cm to 2.6 cm with average of 1.1 cm. The distribution of metastastic lymph nodes was 1 in level I (2%), 37 in level II (73%), 12 in level III(23%) and 1 in level IV(2%). Among the 51 nodes, 21(41%) were in early stage, 18 (35%) in growth stage, 7(14%) in full stage, 5(10%) were extracapsular.

CONCLUSION

Occult metastasis rate of supraglottic carcinoma is as high as 38%, selective neck dissection is recommended for the surgical treatment of this disease.