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Low risk of lymph node metastasis found in cutaneous head, neck SCC

Patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck had a low incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis, according to recently published study results.

Researchers conducted a retrospective data collection on 572 patients (average age, 71.6 years; 58.6% men) with 725 head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), diagnosed between 1998 and 2005. The patients were treated at Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel.

Ten patients (1.3%) developed lymph node metastases during the median follow-up period of 6 years. Seven patients (70%) had a T1 primary tumor and three patients (30%) had a T2 primary tumor. No patients developed distant metastases.

There was a 1.09% probability of lymph node metastasis within 6 years for T1 tumors and a 5.46% probability of metastasis within 6 years for T2 tumors (P = .0387).  

When compared with other head and neck regions, scalp lesions tended to be diagnosed at a later stage, the researchers reported.

“Head and neck [cutaneous] SCC at early stages is associated with low risk of neck metastasis,” the researchers concluded. “These metastases tend to appear up to 18 months after the primary tumor removal, so that routine follow-up examinations are strongly recommended. This study justifies the policy of not performing [sentinel lymph node biopsy] for patients with low T stage [cutaneous] SCC of the head and neck.” – By Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.