Risk Factors Assessment for Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Head and neck cancer in one of the most disturbing health problems considering morbidity and mortality. Detecting and treating occult lymph node metastasis have the most influence on patients' survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This article aimed to introduce some potential risk factors for cervical node metastasis in this type of malignancy. Subjects & Methods: 164 patients with head and neck SCC who underwent cervical node dissection of all types from 2001 to 2011were enrolled in this study. Then the effect of the assumed risk factors including age, sex, smoking, alcohol, and opium, primary site of tumor and extra-capsular extension of involved lymph node son cervical lymph node involvement frequency were evaluated. Results: This study showed that cervical node metastasis was more frequent in older patients (mean age of 58.83 y/o) (P=0.038). On the other hand there was no significant difference in cervical lymph node metastasis in presence or absence of other assumed risk factors (P >0.05) in this series. There was no significant relationship between extra-capsular extension of involved lymph nodes with primary tumor site and levels of cervical node involvement too. Conclusion: This study revealed that maybe older patients (mean age of 58.83 y/o) with head and neck SCC are at higher risk for involvement of cervical nodes and they may receive more aggressive approach for detecting and treating occult cervical node metastasis.