Tissue characterization of locoregionally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using quantified ultrasonography: A prospective phase II study on prognostic relevance.

Röper, B; Nuse, N; Busch, R; Zimmermann, FB; Nährig, J; Molls, M

doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2007.04.003

journal article

Document type:: Journal Article; Article
Author(s):: Röper, B; Nuse, N; Busch, R; Zimmermann, FB; Nährig, J; Molls, M
Title:: Tissue characterization of locoregionally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using quantified ultrasonography: A prospective phase II study on prognostic relevance.
Abstract:: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Information on a patient's prognosis is important for the clinical decision-making process. This study explored the capacity of quantitative ultrasound imaging to increase prognostic information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-resolution B-scan and colour-coded duplex-sonography of the neck was prospectively applied to 50 HNSCC-patients stage IVA-B 05/99-01/02 before definite radio-(chemo-)therapy. Every lymph node >1.5cm was scored for the following Malignancy Criteria: Inhomogeneity, Surface-irregularity, Missing hilar sign, Spherical form, Matting, Aberrant intranodal vessels, Infiltration of surrounding tissue, Intranodal cystic necrosis. RESULTS: Median Overall Survival (OS) was 1year. High MMCC (Maximal Malignancy Criteria Count in a single node) predicted a poor outcome with a median OS of 8.1 months (MMCC=7-8, n=24) vs. 24.7 months for low MMCC (1-6, n=26, p=0.0004, logrank). Estimated 1- and 3-year-OS was 25% and 8% for high vs. 69% and 41% for low MMCC. Ten out of eleven living patients (follow-up 2.3-5.3years) had a low MMCC. Of the clinical parameters determined, only pre-treatment hemoglobin levels <12g/dl and treatment less radical than chemoradiation to 70Gy predicted poor OS (univariate p=0.04 and 0.02, respectively). In multivariate Cox analysis, MMCC continued to significantly predict for OS (p=0.002) and Disease-Free Survival (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of nodal ultrasonography offers valuable prognostic information for the conservative management of HNSCC.
Journal title abbreviation:: Radiother Oncol
Year:: 2007
Journal volume:: 85
Journal issue:: 1
Pages contribution:: 48-57
Language:: eng
Fulltext / DOI:: doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2007.04.003
Pubmed ID:: http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17482302
Print-ISSN:: 0167-8140
TUM Institution:: Institut für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie; Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Epidemiologie; Klinik und Poliklinik für RadioOnkologie und Strahlentherapie
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