Incidental cervical metastases from thyroid carcinoma during neck dissection

Publication date: Available online 26 July 2016
Source:European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases
Author(s): S. Périé, F. Torti, M. Lefevre, N. Chabbert-Buffet, A. Jafari, J. Lacau St Guily
ObjectivesTo quantify and discuss the prevalence of unsuspected thyroid lymph node metastases discovered in specimens from neck dissection for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and discuss the impact on patient management.Study designRetrospective study between May 2004 and January 2007.SettingUniversity hospital.MethodsPathological analysis of cervical lymph node dissection performed during surgery for HNSCC in a total of 349 neck dissections in 266 consecutive patients.ResultsTwenty-one patients showed metastatic lymph nodes from thyroid cancer (prevalence 7.9%): 13 cases were metastatic from a papillary thyroid carcinoma and 8 cases from a follicular carcinoma. In 5 of the 21 patients, classical dissection was associated to recurrent nerve dissection and unilateral lobectomy; no thyroid carcinoma was found. Thirteen patients received radiotherapy for HNSCC.Follow-up comprised annual ultrasonographic examination of the neck and thyroid in these 21 patients. Total thyroidectomy was decided on in 5, with discovery of 3 micro-papillary thyroid carcinomas, in a single patient (complementary ¹³¹I treatment). No thyroid carcinomas were found for the other 4 patients. No patients died from thyroid carcinoma during follow-up (mean: 41 months).ConclusionThe prevalence of lymph node metastasis from thyroid carcinoma in cervical lymph node dissection during treatment of HNSCC seems higher (7.9%) than rates reported in the literature (0.3 to 1.6%). This may be due to the histopathological methods employed. Management of patients should be discussed in the light of thyroid ultrasonography and prognosis of HNSCC.



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