Prevalence and prognostic impact of retropharyngeal lymph nodes metastases in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Meta-analysis of published literature.

Tirelli, Giancarlo; Gardenal, Nicoletta; Zanelli, Enrico; Borsetto, Daniele; Phillips, Veronica; Marcuzzo, Alberto Vito; Fussey, Jonathan; Polesel, Jerry et al. · Head Neck · 2022

meta_analysis · Level I

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Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to estimate the prevalence and prognostic impact of retropharyngeal lymph node metastases (RLNMs) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). This meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. studies with more than 20 patients reporting the prevalence or prognostic impact of RLNMs in OPSCC. Whenever available, data on HPV status and subsites were extracted. Twenty-two articles were included. The overall prevalence of RLNMs in OPSCC was 13%, with no significant differences depending on HPV status. The highest prevalence was observed for posterior pharyngeal wall SCC (24%), followed by soft palate (17%), palatine tonsil (15%), and base of tongue (8%). RLNMs were associated with a significantly higher risk of death (HR:2.54;IC95%1.89-3.41) and progression (HR:2.44;IC95%1.80-3.30). The prevalence of RLNMs in OPSCC was 13%, being higher in tumors of the posterior pharyngeal wall. RLNMs were associated with unfavorable outcomes.

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