Treatment Outcome of Metastatic Carcinoma of Cervical Lymph Node from an Unknown Primary.
- Author:
Kyubo KIM
1
;
Eui Kyu CHIE
;
Hong Gyun WU
;
Kwang Hyun KIM
;
Myung Whun SUNG
;
Dae Seog HEO
;
Charn Il PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine. wuhg@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Metastatic carcinoma of cervical lymph node;
Unknown primary;
Radiation therapy
- MeSH:
Disease-Free Survival;
Drug Therapy;
Ear;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Lymph Nodes*;
Male;
Neck Dissection;
Survival Rate;
Treatment Outcome*
- From:The Journal of the Korean Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
2005;23(3):137-142
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of radiation therapy for patients with a metastatic carcinoma of cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary (MUO), and identify the prognostic factors for these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1981 and June 1999, 39 patients with MUO underwent radiation therapy with curative intent. Twelve patients were treated with radiation therapy alone (Group 1), 8 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy (Group 2), and 19 with either an excision or neck dissection and postoperative radiation therapy (Group 3). There were 31 males and 8 females, with a median age of 55 years, ranging from 25 to 77 ears. The median duration of follow-up was 38 months, ranging from 3 to 249 months. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate was 55%. According to the treatment modality, the 5-year disease-free survival rates of Groups 1, 2 and 3 were 48, 19 and 75%, respectively (p=0.0324). In addition to the treatment modality, the appearance of the primary site was a significant prognostic factor for disease-free survival (p=0.0085). CONCLUSION: Surgical resection and radiation therapy achieves a superior disease-free survival compared to radiation therapy alone, either with or without chemotherapy. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of MUO.
