Outcome of patients treated surgically for lymph node metastases from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Head Neck. 2011 Jul;33(7):999-1004. doi: 10.1002/hed.21574. Epub 2011 Jan 31.

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of outcomes data for patients with lymph node metastasis from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods: Patients from a tertiary care center with cutaneous SCCHN metastatic to parotid and or cervical lymph nodes were identified. Data were abstracted and analyzed using COX multivariate analysis.

Results: Fifty-one patients (47 men, and 4 women) with a median age of 73 years were identified. Eight patients (16%) had recurrent disease and 11 (22%) were immunosuppressed. Forty patients (71%) received adjuvant radiation therapy. Median overall survival was 23 months (range, 3-148 months). Recurrent disease was associated with higher risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-6.9) and radiation therapy with reduced risk (HR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.54).

Conclusion: Lymph node metastases from cutaneous SCCHN is associated with poor survival.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Parotid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Parotid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Skin Neoplasms / mortality
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Treatment Outcome