Analysis of nodal size criterion of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in nasopharyngeal cancer patients

VernacularTitle:鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的最大短径标准分析
Author: Yizhuo LI ; Huayu LI ; Zhiyong QIN ; Chunyan CUI ; Chuanmiao XIE ; Yaopan WU ; Rong ZHANG ; Peihong WU
Keywords: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Magnetic resonance imaging; Lymph node; Prognosis
From:Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2017;33(7):989-992
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To explore the reasonable radiologic nodal size criterion of retropharyngeal lymph node (RLN) metastasis in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).Methods Imaging and clinical data of 817 NPC patients were analyzed retrospectively.The patients with RLN metastasis were classified into two groups according to the nodal size of 5 mm or 6 mm as standard in diagnosis.Overall survival (OS),distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and the local-relapse-free survival (LRFS) were assessed between the two groups taking 5 mm or 6 mm as standard in diagnosis of RLN.Results No significant difference was found for OS,DMFS,LRFS between nodal size ＜5 mm group and ≥5 mm group.Difference of OS (P＜0.001),DMFS (P=0.001) were significant statistical and difference of LRFS (P=0.380) had no significant statistical between nodal size ＜6 mm group and ≥6 mm group.OS,DMFS,LRFS were not an independent prognostic factor for NPC.Conclusion Using the minimal axial diameter of 6 mm as the nodal size criterion in diagosis of RLN metastasis in patients with NPC may be more reasonable.