Distribution and impact of lymph node metastases in oropharyngeal cancer

Conclusions. In the treatment of oropharyngeal cancers, possible metastases to retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs) should be taken into account, especially in tumors arising in the lateral wall and/or posterior wall. Patients with multiple positive neck nodes must have intensified adjuvant therapy, especially when they have extracapsular spread (ECS). Objective. To develop optimal treatment strategies for oropharyngeal cancers, we retrospectively analyzed the lymph node metastases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients and methods. Between 1988 and 2003, 77 patients with previously untreated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent neck dissections. Results. Among the patients with tumor arising in the lateral wall or posterior wall, retropharyngeal nodes were involved in 29% (11/38), while RPLN metastasis was not observed in patients with tumors arising in the superior wall or anterior wall. The survival rate of patients with two or fewer positive lymph nodes was significantly better t...