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The Journal of the Korean Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 2005;23(3): 137-142. |
| Treatment Outcome of Metastatic Carcinoma of Cervical Lymph Node from an Unknown Primary |
| Kyubo Kim, Eui Kyu Chie, Hong Gyun Wu, Kwang Hyun Kim, Myung Whun Sung, Dae Seog Heo, Charn Il Park |
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine. wuhg@snu.ac.kr
2Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
3Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
4Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University. |
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| ABSTRACT |
PURPOSE:
To analyze the outcome of radiation therapy for patients with a metastatic carcinoma of cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary (MUO), and identify the prognostic factors for these patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Between July 1981 and June 1999, 39 patients with MUO underwent radiation therapy with curative intent. Twelve patients were treated with radiation therapy alone (Group 1), 8 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy (Group 2), and 19 with either an excision or neck dissection and postoperative radiation therapy (Group 3). There were 31 males and 8 females, with a median age of 55 years, ranging from 25 to 77 ears. The median duration of follow-up was 38 months, ranging from 3 to 249 months.
RESULTS:
The 5-year overall survival rate was 55%. According to the treatment modality, the 5-year disease-free survival rates of Groups 1, 2 and 3 were 48, 19 and 75%, respectively (p=0.0324). In addition to the treatment modality, the appearance of the primary site was a significant prognostic factor for disease-free survival (p=0.0085).
CONCLUSION:
Surgical resection and radiation therapy achieves a superior disease-free survival compared to radiation therapy alone, either with or without chemotherapy. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of MUO. |
| Key Words:
Metastatic carcinoma of cervical lymph node, Unknown primary, Radiation therapy |
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