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Prognostic value of the nodal yield in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review
Author(s) -
Kort Willem W. B.,
Maas Sybren L. N.,
Van Es Robert J. J.,
Willems Stefan M.
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.25764
Subject(s) - medicine , oncology , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , lymph node , head and neck , basal cell , meta analysis , overall survival , head and neck cancer , radiology , surgery , cancer
Objective Literature analysis on the prognostic factor of the nodal yield (NY) in neck dissections (NDs), which in general surgical oncology is a strong prognosticator and quality‐of‐care marker. Methods We performed a systematic review of all PubMed and Embase publications until June 30, 2018 screening for data on NY as prognosticator and overall survival (OS) as outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Risk for bias was asserted by application of the Quality In Prognosis Studies tool. Results Of the 823 screened publications, 15 were included in this analysis. Five out of seven that compared NY ≥18 vs <18 as prognosticator, showed significantly improved survival if NY ≥18. Six studies used other cutoffs and three reported improved survival with each additionally harvested lymph node. Conclusion Increased NY in ND specimen for HNSCC, most commonly described as ≥18 lymph nodes, is associated with improved OS and could be used as a prognosticator and quality‐of‐care marker.