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Squamous cell carcinoma antigen concentration in fine needle aspiration samples: A new method to detect cervical lymph node metastases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Schaik Jeroen E.,
Muller Kobold Anna C.,
Laan Bernard F. A. M.,
Vegt Bert,
Hemel Bettien M.,
Plaat Boudewijn E. C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.25733
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , lymph node , lymph , fine needle aspiration , cervical lymph nodes , pathology , carcinoma , epidermoid carcinoma , antigen , radiology , oncology , head and neck cancer , biopsy , cancer , metastasis , immunology
Background The purpose of this study was to determine the additional diagnostic value of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC‐Ag) in cervical lymph node fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples for the detection of regional metastases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods In 149 FNA samples of 114 patients, SCC‐Ag concentration was retrospectively analyzed and associated with diagnosis to establish a cutoff concentration in relation to sensitivity and specificity of HNSCC detection. Results SCC‐Ag was elevated in lymph nodes from patients with HNSCC compared to lymph nodes from other patients ( P < 0.01). With 0.3 μg/L as the cutoff concentration, SCC‐Ag has 96% sensitivity for detecting HNSCC. Conclusions SCC‐Ag in FNA is a reliable test for detecting HNSCC in cervical lymph nodes.