The impact of prelaryngeal node metastases on early glottic cancer treatment results.

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of positive prelaryngeal node on the outcome of early glottic cancer and to compare the rate of local and regional recurrences and overall survival rates in patients with positive and negative Delphian node (DN). In the years 1989-2008, a consecutive cohort of 212 patients with T1b and T2 glottic cancer with anterior commisure involvement were treated by means of supracricoid partial reconstructive laryngectomies. No adjuvant radiotherapy was administered. Out of 212 patients, in 75 suspected prelaryngeal tissue was found, harvested and separately sent for histological investigation (16-thyroid, 11-fat, 14-connective tissue, 34-lymph nodes). In 137 remaining cases, there were only muscles and fascia without even a small amount of tissue to be taken. In 16 cases out of the whole group, metastases were found. 33 patients with positive ultrasound findings on the lateral neck underwent selective neck dissection; in 4 cases metastases were confirmed. Local and regional recurrence developed in 37 out of 212 patients (17.5%). There was significant correlation between local relapse and prelaryngeal node metastases; out of 20 cases with local recurrence, 13 had positive DN (P < 0.005). There was also significant correlation between nodal relapses and DN metastases; out of 22 cases with nodal relapse, 12 had positive DN and 10 were DN negative (P < 0.005). The organ preservation rates for DN positive and DN negative patients were 62.5 and 93.88%, respectively. There was noted a significant difference in the mean survival between the groups with positive and negative DN (P = 0.004; 38.7 vs. 49.3 months, respectively). In conclusion, positive DN seems to be a strong isolated factor influencing prognosis in patients with early glottic cancer. DN metastases are responsible for the increased rates of local and nodal relapses, decreased chances of organ preservation and poor overall survival rates.