Metastases to Supramandibular Facial Lymph Nodes in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Petsinis, Vassilis; Papadogeorgakis, Nikolaos; Evangelou, Ioulia; Goutzanis, Lampros; Pandelidaki, Ekaterini; Alexandridis, Constantinos

doi:10.1016/j.joms.2008.12.025

« Previous Next »Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 67, Issue 7 , Pages 1401-1408, July 2009

Metastases to Supramandibular Facial Lymph Nodes in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Vassilis Petsinis, MD, DDS, MSc, PhD
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Athens, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Petsinis: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Evangelismos General Hospital, Ipsilandou St 45-47, 11741, Athens, Greece
Nikolaos Papadogeorgakis, MD, DDS, MSc Lond, PhD
- Associate Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
Ioulia Evangelou, MD
- Pathologist, Department of Pathology, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Lampros Goutzanis, MD, DDS, MSc, PhD
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Athens, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Ekaterini Pandelidaki, MD
- Pathologist and Assistant Director of the Pathology Department, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Constantinos Alexandridis, DDS, MSc, PhD
- Professor and Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece

Purpose

This study evaluated the frequency of metastases to supramandibular facial lymph nodes (SFLNs) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity.

Patients and Methods

SFLNs were identified and removed during neck dissection from 43 patients with oral SCC. All of them were histopathologically and immunohistochemically examined, to detect possible metastases and micrometastases.

Results

Metastases to SFLNs were present in 6 patients (13.95%). Metastases were much more common among patients with palpable neck nodes, larger size of the primary site, advanced TNM stage, and greater age and those in whom the primary site was located in the mucosa of the alveolar ridge of the mandible.

Conclusions

Surgical procedures in the region of the SFLNs must be performed very carefully, because of their close relation with the marginal mandibular nerve. In patients with oral SCC and palpable neck nodes, those with advanced disease, and those in whom the primary site is located in the mucosa of the alveolar ridge of the mandible, removal of SFLNs must be considered.