Prognostic Significance of Depth of Invasion in Cancer of the Larynx

Abstract

To determine the prognostic significance of depth of invasion in laryngeal cancer, the depth of invasion of tumor was measured with an ocular micrometer on the laryngectomy specimens of 94 surgically treated patients with T1, T2, and T3 laryngeal cancer and was expressed in millimeters. There was a significant negative correlation between the depth of invasion and disease-free survival. The tumors with no clinical involvement of regional lymph nodes in neck (NO neck) had significantly less depth of invasion than those with involvement (N+ neck). The tumors with pathologically confirmed cervical lymph node metastasis had significantly more depth of invasion than those without metastasis. For tumors with a depth of invasion equal to or greater than 3.25 mm, the rate of cervical metastasis in this study has always been significantly higher than for those with a depth of invasion less than 3.25 mm (P < .05). The mean depths of invasion for cases with and without recurrence were not significantly different. According to the multivariate analysis, depth of invasion (P = .047) and patient age (P = .113) significantly affected the disease-free survival independently. The depth of invasion did not significantly affect the recurrence and the interval between surgery and the development of recurrence (P > .15). The depth of invasion should be measured in every laryngectomy specimen. The depth of invasion influences the cervical metastasis and disease-free survival significantly but does not affect the recurrence rate. The depth of invasion plays an independent role in determining the disease-free survival.

Association of Pain and Itch With Depth of Invasion and Inflammatory Cell Constitution in Skin Cancer

“…We examined depth of invasion, which has been previously reported to be a prognostic marker for survival in cancer. 7-9 Significantly, the intensity of pain was associated with depth of invasion. The presence of ulceration was also associated with pain intensity, whereas itch intensity was not significantly associated with ulceration or depth of invasion.…”

Laryngectomy whole organ serial sections Histological Parameters Correlated with Recurrence Rate

“…In a prospective, randomized trial including different head and neck cancers, nerve invasion was listed as a factor of increased risk of local Á/regional recurrence but only when associated with one or more additional adverse prognostic factors (9).…”

Total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer in a Nigerian tertiary health center: Prognosis and outcome

“…Other prognostic factors may include sex, age, performance status and a variety of pathologic features of the tumor, including grade and depth of invasion. [9] Prognosis for small laryngeal cancers that have not spread to lymph nodes is very good, with cure rates of 75% to 95% depending on the site, tumor bulk, and degree of infiltration. [10] Although most early lesions can be cured by either radiation therapy or surgery, radiation therapy may be a reasonable choice to preserve voice, leaving surgery for salvage[11] because at our center, laryngeal cancers present late; some patients with fungating anterior neck lesions hardly have any other option than total laryngectomy with follow-up radiotherapy to prolong life.…”

“…[1–59–11] Absence of these facilities remains a major challenge in the Sub-Saharan Africa regions; and total laryngectomy, coupled with pharyngeal reconstruction, becomes a major concern to address. [15] Selective neck dissection was carried out along with the total laryngectomy.…”