Contralateral Node Metastasis Research Articles

Machine learning algorithms for identifying contralateral central lymph node metastasis in unilateral cN0 papillary thyroid cancer.

The incidence of thyroid cancer is growing fast and surgery is the most significant treatment of it. For patients with unilateral cN0 papillary thyroid cancer whether to dissect contralateral central lymph node is still under debating. Here, we aim to provide a machine learning based prediction model of contralateral central lymph node metastasis using demographic and clinical data. 2225 patients with unilateral cN0 papillary thyroid cancer from Wuhan Union Hospital were retrospectively studied. Clinical and pathological features were compared between patients with contralateral central lymph node metastasis and without. Six machine learning models were constructed based on these patients and compared using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic and decision curve analysis. The selected models were then verified using data from Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in China study. All statistical analysis and model construction were performed by R software. Male, maximum diameter larger than 1cm, multifocality, ipsilateral central lymph node metastasis and younger than 50 years were independent risk factors of contralateral central lymph node metastasis. Random forest model performed better than others, and were verified in external validation cohort. A web calculator was constructed. Gender, maximum diameter, multifocality, ipsilateral central lymph node metastasis and age should be considered for contralateral central lymph node dissection. The web calculator based on random forest model may be helpful in clinical decision.

Lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer: Is there a difference between PTC and PTMC?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) are generally characterized as less invasive forms of thyroid cancer with favorable prognosis. However, once lateral cervical lymph node metastasis takes place, the prognosis may be significantly impacted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is a difference in the pattern of lateral lymph node metastasis between PTC and PTMC. A retrospective analysis was performed for PTC and PTMC patients that underwent central area dissection and unilateral lateral neck lymph node dissection (II-V area) between January 2020 and December 2021. Compared with PTMC group, the PTC group exhibited higher incidence of capsule invasion, extrathyroid invasion and lymphatic vessel invasion. Both the number and rate of central lymph nodes metastasis were elevated in the PTC group. While the number of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis was higher, the metastasis rate did not demonstrate significant difference. No significant differences were identified in the lymph node metastasis patterns between the 2 groups. The determination of the extent of lateral neck lymph node dissection solely based on the tumor size may be unreliable, as PTC and PTMC showed no difference in the number and pattern of lateral neck metastasis. Additional clinical data are warranted to reinforce this conclusion. For patients categorized as unilateral, bilateral, or contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis (including level I, II, III, IV, or V) or retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis who require unilateral lateral neck dissection, the size of the primary tumor may not need to be a central consideration when assessing and deciding the extent of lateral neck dissection.

Incidence and distribution of contralateral lymph node metastasis associated with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Incidence and distribution of contralateral lymph node metastasis associated with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Proposals for the delineation of neck clinical target volume for definitive Radiation therapy in patients with oral/ oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer based on lymph node distribution

Purpose/Objective(s)To establish the distribution pattern of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) and propose optimized clinical target volume (CTV) boundaries specific to oral/ oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OSCC/OPSCC). Materials/Methods531 patients with pathologically confirmed OSCC/OPSCC were enrolled from January 2013 to June 2022. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the minimal distance from the lesion's edge to the body's midline: ≤1 cm or > 1 cm. The geometric center of cervical metastatic LN was marked on a template CT. LN distribution probability maps were established. The relationships between the LN distribution and consensus guidelines were analyzed to propose modifications for CTV boundaries specific to OSCC/OPSCC. ResultsA total of 1962 positive LNs were enrolled. Compared with the > 1 cm group, the ≤ 1 cm group has following feature tendencies: male smokers, younger, median organs, large gross lesion, infiltrative growth pattern, contralateral LNM. The most frequently involved level of LNM was ipsilateral II, but ipsilateral Ib had the highest involvement rate in the > 1 cm OSCC group. In addition, tongue cancer had a higher incidence of LN extranodal extension (ENE), which mainly distributes in ipsilateral level II. The skip metastasis was prone to from level III to Vb (3.5 %) in LN(+)/ENE (-), and level Ib to VIa (3.7 %) in LN(+)/ENE (+). Accordingly, we proposed the following modifications: 1. only including lateral and posterior margin of submandibular gland within 5 mm; 2. retracting posterior boundary of level II to front edge of levator scapula muscle, and descending the upper boundary to transverse process of C2 vertebra only for OSCC; 3. including posterior third of thyroglossal muscle or anterior edge of sternocleidomastoid muscle; 4. sparing level Va in case of only level II involvement; 5. including upper area of the thyroid cartilage plate in case of level Ib LN(+)/ENE (+); 6. sparing level VIIa is considered. ConclusionThis is the first description of LN topographic spread patterns for OSCC/OPSCC. Modified CTV for prophylactic irradiation was proposed to spare the organs at risk and minimize adverse effects.

Nomogram model based on preoperative clinical characteristics of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma to predict contralateral medium-volume central lymph node metastasis.

To explore the preoperative high-risk clinical factors for contralateral medium-volume central lymph node metastasis (conMVCLNM) in unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (uPTC) and the indications for dissection of contralateral central lymph nodes (conCLN). Clinical and pathological data of 204 uPTC patients who underwent thyroid surgery at the Hangzhou First People's Hospital from September 2010 to October 2022 were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the independent risk factors for contralateral central lymph node metastasis (conCLNM) and conMVCLNM in uPTC patients based on the preoperative clinical data. Predictive models for conCLNM and conMVCLNM were constructed using logistic regression analyses and validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that gender (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), tumor diameter (P < 0.001), and multifocality (P = 0.008) were independent risk factors for conCLNM in uPTC patients. Gender(P= 0.026), age (P = 0.010), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (P =0.003), and tumor diameter (P = 0.036) were independent risk factors for conMVCLNM in uPTC patients. A predictive model was established to assess the risk of conCLNM and conMVCLNM, with ROC curve areas of 0.836 and 0.845, respectively. The C-index, the calibration curve, and DCA demonstrated that the model had good diagnostic value. Gender, age, tumor diameter, and multifocality are high-risk factors for conCLNM in uPTC patients. Gender, age, tumor diameter, and PLR are high-risk factors for conMVCLNM in uPTC patients, and preventive conCLN dissection should be performed.

Optimal range of lymph node dissection in patients with unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma with lateral cervical lymph node metastasis.

Whether patients with unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (LLNM) require prophylactic central regional lymph node dissection (CLND) remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the independent risk factors associated with contralateral central lymph node metastasis (cCLNM) in unilateral PTC with LLNM and analyzed the optimal extent of lymph node dissection by comparing the 5-year recurrence-free survival rates. We retrospectively analyzed 695 patients with unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis. Factors including sex, age, multifocal, location of primary tumor, tumor diameter, capsule invasion, thyroid nodular goiter, Hashimoto thyroiditis, ipsilateral central lymph node metastasis(iCLNM), and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to explore the independent risk factors of cCLNM. Propensity scores were matched to compare the 5-year recurrence-free survival rates in patients divided by different lymph node metastases and dissections. Of all patients who underwent bilateral (b)CLND, 52% (149/286) had cCLNM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed on 286 patients who underwent bCLND, for which a tumor diameter of 20.5 mm and number of LLNM of 3.5 were used as the thresholds for predicting cCLNM. The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates in the cCLN-negative and cCLN-positive groups were 98.6% and 91.2%, with statistically significant differences (P=0.034). The 5-year RFS rates showed no significant difference between the ipsilateral (i)CLND and bCLND groups (P=0.235). Multifactorial regression analysis showed that tumor diameter >2 cm, presence of iCLNM, and number of LLNM >3 were independent risk factors of cCLNM.But male sex, young age (<45 years), multifocality, location of primary tumor, capsule invasion, thyroid nodular goiter, and Hashimoto thyroiditis were not associated with cCLNM. Not all unilateral PTC with LLNM require prophylactic cCLND; however, prophylactic cCLND is necessary in cases which display high-risk factors for cCLNM, including primary diameter >2 cm, iCLNM, and number of LLNM >3.

Potential of preoperative fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography to diagnose contralateral lymph node metastases in patients with oral cancer.

To establish a decision tree using preoperative PET/computed tomography (CT) parameters for detecting contralateral lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in oral cancer patients. In total, 140 patients with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of oral carcinoma showed fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation of contralateral lymph nodes in PET images. Of 260 lymph nodes, eight were metastatic. We compared metastatic and non-metastatic nodes using Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact and Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. The diagnostic performance was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves. We established a decision tree using exhaustive chi-squared automatic interaction detection algorithm. Five PET/CT parameters were significantly different between metastatic and non-metastatic nodes: the longest ( P = 0.015) and shortest ( P = 0.023) diameter, and the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the contralateral node ( P = 0.030), primary tumor ( P < 0.001), and ipsilateral node ( P < 0.001). The area under the curves of SUVmax of the primary tumor (0.887), ipsilateral node (0.886), and longest diameter (0.752) were the largest and these three parameters were used as predictive criteria in the decision tree. The accuracy of the decision tree was 97.7% with 100% sensitivity and 97.6% specificity. Preoperative PET/CT imaging with a decision tree has the potential to diagnose CLNM in patients with oral cancer.

Can contralateral lymph-node metastases be ruled out in prostate cancer patients with only unilaterally positive prostate biopsy?

PurposeOur study evaluated the diagnostic benefits of bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer patients with unilaterally positive prostate biopsy.MethodsOur retrospective analysis included clinical, surgical, and histopathological data of 440 prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy and bilateral sentinel-guided and risk-adapted complementary extended pelvic lymphadenectomy at our hospital between 2015 and 2022. We performed multiparametric logistic regression analysis to identify the most relevant predictive factors for detecting lymph-node metastasis in this group of patients.ResultsOverall, 373 patients (85%) had histopathologically bilateral tumours and 45 (10%) pN1 status, of which 22 (49%) also had lymph-node metastasis contralateral to the side of the positive prostate biopsy. In two patients with confirmed unilateral disease in prostatectomy specimens, bilateral lymph-node metastases were observed. Eight pN1 patients would have been missed by unilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, resulting in a false-negative rate of 18%, 82% sensitivity, and 98% accuracy. Clinical tumour category, International Society of Urological Pathology grade, and percentage of prostate biopsy cores that are positive, as well as number of dissected lymph nodes contralateral to positive prostate biopsy, were determined as the most relevant predictive factors for detecting lymph-node metastasis. Our analysis was limited by its retrospective nature as well as by the fact that 80% of the patients did not receive MRI-targeted biopsy.ConclusionOur study highlights the diagnostic value of bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and the need for careful planning in surgery for prostate cancer patients with unilaterally positive prostate biopsy.

Patterns of lymph node metastasis in level IIB and contralateral level VI for papillary thyroid carcinoma with pN1b and safety of low collar extended incision for neck dissection in level II

ObjectiveTo explore relevant clinical factors of level IIB and contralateral level VI lymph node metastasis and evaluate the safety of low-collar extended incision (LCEI) for lymph node dissection in level II for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with pN1b.MethodA retrospective analysis was performed on 218 patients with PTC with pN1b who were treated surgically in the Head and Neck Surgery Center of Sichuan Cancer Hospital from September 2021 to May 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), tumor location, maximum tumor diameter, multifocality, Braf gene, T staging, surgical incision style, and lymph node metastasis in each cervical subregion were collected. The chi-square test was used for comparative analysis of relevant factors. All statistical analyses were completed by SPSS 24 software.ResultEach subgroup on sex, age, BMI, multifocality, tumor location, extrathyroidal extension, Braf gene, and lymphatic metastasis in level III, level IV, and level V had no significant difference in the positive rate of lymph node metastasis in level IIB (P > 0.05). In contrast, patients with bilateral lateral cervical lymphatic metastasis were more likely to have level IIB lymphatic metastasis than those with unilateral lateral cervical lymphatic metastasis, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.000). In addition, lymph node metastasis in level IIA was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis in level IIB (P = 0.001). After multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis in level IIA was independently associated with lymph node metastasis in level IIB (P = 0.010). The LCEI group had a similar lymphatic metastasis number and lymphatic metastasis rate in both level IIA and level IIB as the L-shaped incision group (P > 0.05). There were 86 patients with ipsilateral central lymphatic metastasis (78.2%). Patients with contralateral central lymphatic metastasis accounted for 56.4%. The contralateral central lymphatic metastasis rate was not correlated with age, BMI, multifocality, tumor invasion, or ipsilateral central lymphatic metastasis, and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). The contralateral central lymphatic metastasis in males was slightly higher than that in females, and the difference was statistically significant (68.2% vs. 48.5%, P = 0.041).ConclusionLymphatic metastasis in level IIA was an independent predictor of lymphatic metastasis in level IIB. When bilateral lateral cervical lymphatic metastasis or lymph node metastasis of level IIA is found, lymph node dissection in level IIB is strongly recommended. When unilateral lateral cervical lymphatic metastasis and lymphatic metastasis in level IIA are negative, lymph node dissection in level IIB may be performed as appropriate on the premise of no damage to the accessory nerve. LCEI is safe and effective for lymph node dissection in level II. When the tumor is located in the unilateral lobe, attention should be given to contralateral central lymph node dissection because of the high lymphatic metastasis rate.

Machine Learning Algorithms for Predicting Treatment Outcomes of Oropharyngeal Cancer After Surgery

Background and Objectives This study analyzed data from patients who were diagnosed with human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal (OPC) and treated surgically to construct a machine learning survival prediction model.Subjects and Method We retrospectively analyzed the clinico-pathological data of 203 patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) from 2007 to 2015.Results In the Cox proportional hazard (CPH) model, the c-index values for the training set and the test set were 0.81 and 0.59, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that contralateral lymph nodes (LNs) metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, pN, stage, surgical margin status, histologic grade, pT, and the number of metastatic LNs had significant correlations with survival. Contrastively, the multivariate analysis showed pT and histologic grade to have significant correlation with survival. In the random survival forest model, the c-index values for the training set and the test set were 0.83 and 0.87, respectively. In the DeepSurv model, the cindex values for the training set and the test set were 0.75 and 0.83. Among the three models mentioned above, Random Survival Forest and DeepSurv showed the best performance for predicting the survival of HPV-associated OPSCC patients.Conclusion We confirmed that a survival prediction model using machine learning and deep learning algorithms showed reasonable survival estimates for HPV-associated OPSCC patients.

Contralateral lymph node metastasis in recurrent ipsilateral breast cancer with Lynch syndrome: a locoregional event

IntroductionContralateral axillary lymph node metastasis (CALNM) in breast cancer (BC) is considered a distant metastasis, marking stage 4cancer. Therefore, it is generally treated as an incurable disease. However, in clinical practice, staging and treatment remain controversial due to a paucity of data, and the St. Gallen 2021 consensus panel recommended a curative approach in patients with oligometastatic disease. Aberrant lymph node (LN) drainage following previous surgery or radiotherapy is common. Therefore, CALNM may be considered a regional event rather than systemic disease, and a re-sentinel procedure aided by lymphoscintigraphy permits adequate regional staging.Case reportHere, we report a 37-year-old patient with Lynch syndrome who presented with CALNM in an ipsilateral relapse of a moderately differentiated invasive ductal BC (ER 90%, PR 30%, HER2 negative, Ki-67 25%, microsatellite stable), 3 years after the initial diagnosis. Lymphoscintigraphy detected a positive sentinel LN in the contralateral axilla despite no sign of LN involvement or distant metastases on FDG PET/CT or MRI. The patient underwent bilateral mastectomy with sentinel node dissection, surgical reconstruction with histological confirmation of the CALNM, left axillary dissection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and anti-hormone therapy. In addition to her regular BC follow-up visits, the patient will undergo annual colonoscopy, gastroscopy, abdominal, and vaginal ultrasound screening. In January 2023, the patient was free of progression for 23 months after initiation of treatment for recurrent BC and CALNM.ConclusionThis case highlights the value of delayed lymphoscintigraphy and the contribution of sentinel procedure for local control in the setting of recurrent BC. Aberrant lymph node drainage following previous surgery may be the underlying cause of CALNM. We propose that CALNM without evidence of systemic metastasis should be considered a regional event in recurrent BC, and thus, a curative approach can be pursued. The next AJCC BC staging should clarify the role of CALNM in recurrent BC to allow for the development of specific treatment guidelines.

Safety and Feasibility of Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE) with Three-Field Lymphadenectomy and Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Resectable Esophageal Cancer and Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis.

In the West, patients with cervical lymph node metastasis of resectable esophageal cancer at diagnosis are generally precluded from curative treatment. This study prospectively explored the safety and feasibility of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) with three-field lymphadenectomy for these patients. Between 2015 and 2021, patients with resectable thoracic esophageal cancer and cervical lymph node metastasis were recruited nationwide in the Netherlands. Patients without interval metastasis following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and good physical condition underwent RAMIE with bilateral three-field lymphadenectomy. Safety was predefined as ≤50% Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3b postoperative complications. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was administered to 29 patients (19 (66%) adenocarcinoma and 10 (34%) squamous cell carcinoma). After restaging, nine (31%) patients were excluded (interval metastasis, clinical deterioration, or withdrawn consent). RAMIE was performed in 20 patients (R0-rate 95%). A median of 42 [range 21-71] lymph nodes were resected of which 13 [range 2-35] were cervical. Only 1 (5%) patient had an unexpected contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis. Complications grade ≥3b occurred in 50%. Most frequent complications of any grade were recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (45%) and pneumonia (40%). Overall survival at 1 year was 85% and quality of life at 6 months was comparable to esophageal cancer patients treated with curative intent. RAMIE with three-field lymphadenectomy following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for patients with resectable esophageal cancer presenting with cervical lymph node metastasis is feasible in a Western population. Because contralateral cervical metastasis is rare, a unilateral neck dissection would suffice in the majority of cases. gov Identifier: NCT02426879. Dutch trial register Identifier: NTR 4552.

Role of Sentinel Lymph Node Drainage Mapping for Localization of Contralateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Locally Advanced Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - A Prospective Pilot Study.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the standard of care for nodal staging in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as an alternative to elective neck dissection. However, the role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) and lymphatic drainage mapping with image-guided surgery has not been studied in locally advanced OSCC. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the role of lymphatic drainage mapping in the identification of contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis in locally advanced OSCC (Stage III-IVb). We have prospectively analyzed treatment-naïve patients of locally advanced, lateralized OSCC (n = 20). All patients underwent SLN imaging using peritumoral injection 0.5-1.0 mCi of 99 mTc-Sulfur colloid (Filtered) and intraoperative identification of contralateral neck nodes using a handheld gamma probe (Crystal Photonics). A total of 20 patients (18 males and 2 females) with a median age of 52.5 (33-70 years) were included. Ipsilateral SLN was localized in 18 (90%) patients. Bilateral cervical nodes were visualized only in 7 (35%) patients on lymphoscintigraphy (LSG). Out of the seven patients, 5 patients underwent bilateral neck dissection and 2 patients had unilateral neck dissection with LSG-guided exploration of contralateral cervical node and intraoperative frozen section examination. Six out of these seven patients had one or other risk factor for contralateral metastasis (patients had either primary in the tongue, involvement of floor of mouth, or tumor thickness >3.75 mm). On postoperative HPE, only 1/20 (5%) patient showed metastasis in the contralateral cervical lymph node. Correct identification of metastatic disease in contralateral neck directly influences clinical management, as it can reduce contralateral neck failure rate and limit the morbidity associated with unnecessary contralateral neck dissection, and it is also crucial in radiotherapy planning in locally advanced OSCC. In the current study, lymphatic drainage mapping showed a metastatic rate of 5% in the contralateral neck nodes in locally advanced, lateralized OSCC. However, the role of SLNB and lymphatic drainage mapping in this subgroup of OSCC needs to be studied in larger population to validate these findings.

A retrospective study of factors affecting contralateral central-neck lymph node metastasis in unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma

BackgroundIn 30–40% of papillary thyroid cancer patients, central neck lymph node metastasis occurs. As a result, prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection is performed. The extent of lymph node dissection and prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection is still debatable. The incidence of central neck lymph node metastasis and related factors were investigated in this study, and also the necessity of both central neck lymph node dissections. MethodsBetween December 2017 and December 2019, 482 patients had thyroidectomy at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital. A retrospective study of 186 patients who had a thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck lymph node dissection for unilateral thyroid carcinoma was done. ResultsIpsilateral and contralateral central neck lymph node metastasis were identified in 40.9% (76/186) and 19.3% (36/186), respectively. Male (p < 0.001), tumor size >1 cm (p = 0.047), extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.002), central neck lymph node metastases >5 (p < 0.001), lateral neck lymph node metastasis (p = 0.012), and ipsilateral central neck lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001) were associated with the contralateral central neck lymph node metastasis in univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, extrathyroidal extension (OR, 3.664), more than 5 central neck lymph node metastases (OR, 29.667), ipsilateral central neck lymph node metastasis (OR, 3.911), and male (OR, 5.890) were related to contralateral central neck lymph node metastasis. ConclusionMale, extrathyroidal extension, and ipsilateral central neck lymph node metastasis may be considered for contralateral prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection. In the future, it is thought that more research on the recurrence rate will be required.

Relationship between pretracheal and/or prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis and paratracheal and lateral lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveWe conducted a meta-analysis to study the relationship between pretracheal and/or prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis and paratracheal and lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.MethodA systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases for studies published up to February 2022. The reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed. Two authors independently assessed the methodological quality and extracted the data. A random-effects model was used to calculate the overall pooled relative risk. Publication bias in these studies was evaluated using Egger’s test and Begg’s test.ResultsTwenty-five independent studies involving 10,525 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled relative risk for ipsilateral and contralateral paratracheal lymph node metastasis was 3.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.66, 5.45) and 5.68 (95% CI: 2.50, 12.88), respectively, in patients with pretracheal lymph node metastasis. Among patients with prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis, the pooled relative risk for ipsilateral paratracheal and/or pretracheal contralateral paratracheal, and lateral lymph node metastasis was 2.02 (95% CI: 1.90, 2.14), 2.22 (95% CI: 1.34, 3.67), and 3.85 (95% CI: 2.89, 5.14), respectively.ConclusionPretracheal lymph node metastasis and prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of both ipsilateral lymph node metastasis and contralateral paratracheal lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis was positively correlated with the incidence of lateral lymph node metastasis.

Pretracheal Lymph Node Subdivision in Predicting Contralateral Central Lymph Node Metastasis for Unilateral Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Preliminary Results.

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to assess the clinical value of pretracheal lymph node subdivision in identifying patients with contralateral central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and risk factors for occult contralateral CLNM in unilateral PTC.MethodsA total of 139 unilateral PTC patients with a clinically node-negative neck (cN0) who underwent bilateral central neck dissection (CND) were prospectively enrolled. Intraoperatively, the pretracheal region was further divided into ipsilateral and contralateral subregions. Ipsilateral and contralateral pretracheal lymph nodes (LNs) as well as other CLNs (prelaryngeal, ipsilateral paratracheal and contralateral paratracheal) were labeled separately and sent for pathological examination. Demographic and clinicopathologic variables were analyzed to identify factors predictive of contralateral CLNM.ResultsOf 139 patients, bilateral CLNM was present in 37 (26.6%) patients. Contralateral pretracheal LNM was significantly associated with contralateral CLNM. In multivariate analysis, prelaryngeal LNM (P = 0.004, odds ratio = 3.457) and contralateral pretracheal LNM (P = 0.006, odds ratio = 3.362) were identified as risk factors for contralateral CLNM. Neither neck recurrence nor distant metastasis was observed within the mean follow-up duration of 9.1 ± 1.8 months.ConclusionsIn most unilateral cN0 PTCs, performing ipsilateral CND is appropriate, while patients presenting with evident nodal disease intraoperatively or preoperatively in the contralateral central neck should undergo bilateral CND. Intraoperative re-evaluation of prelaryngeal and contralateral pretracheal LNs may be helpful in determining the extent of CND.

Breast cancer combined with contralateral neck lymph node metastasis: a case report

BackgroundContralateral neck lymph node metastasis is rare in primary breast cancer. Its clinical staging and treatment principles lack authoritative guidelines. A case of a 30-year-old breast cancer patient with contralateral neck lymph node metastasis is presented. The clinical treatment is discussed in combination with current research.Case presentationA 30-year-old woman presented with a right breast mass for 5 months and left neck lymph node enlargement for 5 days. Mammography showed a 33 mm*14.3 mm mass in the inner quadrant of the right breast. The ultrasound showed several hypoechoic nodules on the left side of the neck. Rapid intraoperative pathological examination diagnosed a right breast malignant tumor and poorly differentiated carcinoma of the left cervical lymph nodes. Then, right mastectomy was performed immediately. The patient was scheduled to undergo chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy after the operation. The long-term efficacy remains to be seen.ConclusionThe infrequent presentation of breast cancer with metastasis to the contralateral neck lymph node can be challenging for standard therapies.

Prophylactic contralateral neck dissection has no advantage in patients with early stage HPV-positive tonsil cancer

ABSTRACT Background Patients with locally advanced HPV-positive tonsil cancer would benefit from prophylactic contralateral neck dissection (pCND). Aims/Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze rates of contralateral lymph node metastases (LNM) and their prognostic effects on locally advanced HPV-positive tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and methods Medical records of 54 patients who underwent upfront primary surgery and pCND were retrospectively reviewed. Results Six (11.1%) patients had contralateral LNM in 54 locally advanced HPV-positive tonsil cancer. Of these, five patients had contralateral level II LNM and one patient had contralateral level II and III LNM. Contralateral LNM showed significant positive correlations with advanced T stage (p = .017) and the presence of extracapsular spread (p = .007). Contralateral lymph node metastasis had no significant association with five-year disease-specific survival. Conclusions and significance This study demonstrated no advantage in performing pCND in early stage HPV-positive tonsil cancer.

Occult lymph node metastasis in the contralateral neck of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis and literature review.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether contralateral cervical lymph node dissection is needed in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with contralateral cervical cN0. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) and Cochrane Library databases up to August 14, 2021 for studies examining the contralateral neck occult metastasis rate of patients with ipsilateral clinical neck-negative (cN0) OPSCC and the contralateral neck occult metastasis rate of patients with ipsilateral clinical neck-positive (cN1, cN2a, cN2b) OPSCC. This rate is used to determine whether patients with contralateral cN0 OPSCC need contralateral cervical lymph node dissection. A total of 14 articles, including 532 cases, were included in the analysis. When studying the rate of ipsilateral cervical occult metastasis in patients with ipsilateral cN0, 163 cases were included in 11 studies. The results showed that the rate of contralateral cervical occult lymph node metastasis in patients with ipsilateral cN0 was 0.6816% (95% CI 0.0000-4.4880 (P = 0.3005)). In the study ofipsilateral cN+ (cN1, cN2a, cN2b), a total of 369 cases of 10 articles were included in the analysis. The results showed that the rate of contralateral cervical occult lymph node metastasis in patients with ipsilateral cN+ was 11.4920% [95% CI 7.8944-15.5223 (P = 0.0000)]. For cancer treatment, the ultimate goal is to achieve the best control of cancer and the lowest complications. It seems unnecessary to intervene in the contralateral neck of patients with OPSCC with ipsilateral cN0. For OPSCC with ipsilateral cN+ , this index is a factor that cannot be ignored when making clinical decisions.

Prophylactic bilateral central neck dissection should be evaluated based on prospective randomized study of 581 PTC patients

BackgroundProphylactic central lymph node dissection (PCND) was a basic consensus for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in China. However, unilateral or bilateral central lymph node dissection (CND) was still controversial. This study aimed at investigating the safety and long-term benefit for the patients undergone with bilateral central lymph node dissection (BCCD).Methods581 patients were enrolled and divided randomly into the test and control groups according to range of CND. 285 patients were prospectively assigned to undergo thyroid lobectomy plus BCND in the test group, other 296 patients were assigned to undergo thyroid lobectomy plus ipsilateral central lymph node dissection (ICND) in the control group.ResultsWe found that the numbers of total LN and pN1a in the test group were more than that of the control group (p = 0.002,0.004), but there was no difference in the number of metastasized lymph nodes (p = 0.857) and tumor recurrence (p = 0.308). Additionally, in the aspect of postoperative complication (1 day after surgery), the serum levels of parathyroid hormone in the BCND group were lower than that in the ICND group (P = 0.010), and the numbers of transient laryngeal nerve palsy were more than that(p = 0.033). Meanwhile, we further found that pathological tumor size larger than 1 cm and tumor side lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for contralateral central lymph node metastasis(p = 0.002,0.001).ConclusionBCND may be an alternative for patients with tumor sizes larger than 1 cm, but it would significantly increase the rate of transient vocal cord palsy, parathyroid auto transplantation and decreased PTH, but the risk of permanent complications was similar to the ICND group.