Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1999 Jul;42(7):482-485.

Is it Necessary to Dissect Level I in Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

• Choi EC
• Kim YH
• Kim DY
• Lee SY
• Hong WP

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx rarely metastasizes to the submental and submandibular lymph nodes. But comprehensive neck dissection including level I is still regarded as a standard treatment of neck in N+ laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Material and Methods: 82 comprehensive neck dissections of squamous cell carcinoma of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer in 78 patients treated between 1992 to 1998 were pathologically reviewed.
RESULTS
Only two cases of metastasis at the level I was noted. These 2 patients received radical neck dissection as a salvage procedure and had multiple nodes metastasis at other levels.
CONCLUSION
Lymph nodes of level I are not believed to be at risk for cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx.

Keyword

Laryngeal cancer; Hypopharyngeal cancer; Cervical lymphnode metastasis; Neck dissection

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Humans
Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms
Hypopharynx
Laryngeal Neoplasms
Larynx
Lymph Nodes
Neck
Neck Dissection
Neoplasm Metastasis