Lymph Node Involvement in T1a Glottic Carcinoma: Controversial Case Series

Abstract

The treatment modality of laryngeal cancer is complete resection of the primary lesion and dissection of the cervical lymph nodes that is related to their staging. Following the patient without neck dissection is the usual expectation in T1 glottic carcinomas. However, a combination of elective neck dissection with surgical treatment for clinically N0 neck in early glottic tumors may be an effective treatment modality in the prevention of missed micrometastases. In these two case reports, elective neck dissection and re-examination of the treatment were discussed accordingly. We aimed to point out the importance of evaluation, examination, and, if it is uncertain, moreover the dissection of lymph nodes in early-stage glottic carcinoma since there are rarely any studies available.

Keywords

• glottic carcinoma
• lymph node
• t1a