Prediction of outcome by lymph node ratio in patients with parotid gland cancer

Clin Otolaryngol. 2017 Feb;42(1):98-103. doi: 10.1111/coa.12672. Epub 2016 May 30.

Abstract

Objective: Lymph node ratio (LNR) has been shown to be an independent predictor of recurrence risk and survival in different entities of carcinoma.

Methods: In this retrospective chart review, 128 patients with parotid gland cancer (PGC) subsequently treated by primary surgery were included. About 64% (n = 82) of these patients were additionally treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. Five-year overall survival rates were determined by subgroups based on LNR value.

Results: Lymph node ratio was found to be significantly associated with overall survival rate (P < 0.001). Using univariate analyses, pathological tumour-node-metastasis (TNM)-stage, UICC-stage grouping and extracapsular spread were found to be significant predictors of overall survival (P < 0.001). However, with a multivariate analyses, LNR remained the only independent predictor of overall survival (P = 0.043).

Conclusions: After surgery for PGC, evaluation of the neck using LNR was found to reliably stratify the overall survival rate.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma / mortality
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Carcinoma / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Parotid Neoplasms / mortality
  • Parotid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Young Adult