Lymph node density as a predictive factor for worse outcomes in laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND

The lymph node density (LND) is the number of positive metastatic lymph nodes divided by the total number of dissected lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate LND as a prognostic factor in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

METHODS

The study included 186 patients with laryngeal SCC submitted to laryngeal surgical treatment with neck dissection between January 2009 and December 2016. Clinical-pathological variables were assessed, as well as the cut-off point for LND.

RESULTS

LND value was calculated considering pN+ (LND = 0.060). The Kaplan-Meier curve (log-rank) related to cumulative survival demonstrated that patients with LND ≥ 0.060 had a higher mortality rate than those with LND < 0.060, presenting a more aggressive form of the disease, with earlier recurrence. However, only the LND ≥ 0.060 group had impact on both disease-free survival and overall survival.

CONCLUSION

The LND proved to be an important index in the prognostic evaluation of larynx SCC patients having a direct relationship with disease recurrence. Patients with LND ≥ 0.060 should be considered for adjuvant therapy.