The association between level IV/V metastasis and the recurrence, distant metastasis, and survival outcomes in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The presence of level IV/V metastasis is a significant prognostic factor for patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer, while level IV lymphadenopathy defines the N3 stage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the current staging system for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) does not consider the location of involved nodes.

Objectives

To evaluate the risk factors and prognostic impact of level IV/V metastasis in patients with HPSCC.

Methods

The analysis included 2740 HPSCC patients from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database, followed by a validated study on 232 patients with pathologically positive nodes (pN+) at our center.

Results

Of the 2740 patients, 1961 presented with metastatic lymph nodes (LNs), 20.8% a

SUBMITTER: Li R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11760138 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature