Prognostic significance of cystic lymph nodal metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of cystic lymph nodal metastasis (CLNM) and its prognostic value in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on 257 patients with NPC, analyzing the presence of CLNM on MRI or CT scans. Oncologic outcomes were performed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

One hundred eleven patients (43.2%) had CLNM at diagnosis. Overall, patients with CLNM had a poorer disease-specific survival (DSS; P < .001) and overall survival (OS; P < .001) compared with patients without CLNM. When analyzed according to nodal status, CLNM was associated with a higher rate of distant metastasis recurrence (P = .007), a poorer DSS (P < .001), and a poorer OS (P < .001) among patients with N2 disease.

Conclusion

The prevalence of CLNM was 43.2%. In patients with N2 disease, the presence of CLNM was significantly associated with a poorer DSS, OS, and increased risk of distant metastasis recurrence.

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