China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ›› 2024, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (4): 360-364.doi: 10.19438/j.cjoms.2024.04.007

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Head and neck cancer therapy-induced lymphedema: clinical factors and prognostic analysis

GUO Yi-bo1, LI Chen-yao2, FAN Qi3, JI Tong4, REN Zhen-hu1   

  1. 1. Department of Oromaxillofacial Head and Neck Oncology, 2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology. Shanghai 200011;
    3. Department of Radiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Shanghai 200011;
    4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Shanghai 200030, China
  • Received:2023-12-22 Revised:2024-02-10 Online:2024-07-20 Published:2024-08-07

Abstract: PURPOSE: To analyze the correlation between the severity of lymphedema in patients with head and neck malignancies and relevant clinical data related to the tumors. METHODS: In this paper, a retrospective study was conducted on 79 patients with head and neck cancer who received multimodality treatment. The diagnosis and grading were conducted by MRI results of patients more than 6 months after surgery, and the electronic records and telephone follow-up data were utilized. SPSS 26.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: As TNM stage increased and the extent of cervical lymph node dissection expanded, the incidence rate of severe lymphedema in patients also rose. Compared to patients who did not receive chemotherapy before surgery, those who underwent preoperative drug-induced chemotherapy had a higher prevalence of severe lymphedema. However, there was no significant difference in the disease-free survival period among patients with varying degrees of severity of lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Head and neck lymphedema correlates with tumor stage, extent of lymphatic clearance, and comprehensive treatment modalities. However, further research and attention are still needed.

Key words: Lymphoedema, Head and neck cancer, Multimodality treatment, Disease-free survival

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