Lateral retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinomas: a review of the Japanese literature

Metastasis of the lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes （LRPNs） from oral squamous cell carcinoma is very rare, and there are few case reports in the literature. In this study, we researched reported cases in the Japanese literature, including our own cases, to confirm the clinical characteristics of oral cancer patients with LRPN metastases. We analyzed: age and gender of the patients, primary tumor locations, T-stage, histological differentiation, N-stage, number and size of LRPN metastases, LRPN metastasis side （ipsilateral or contralateral to the primary site, neck metastasis）, duration from treatment of the primary site and neck or neck metastasis to LRPN metastasis, relationship between late LRPN metastasis and treatment methods of the primary site and / or neck, treatment methods of LRPN metastases, treatment results, survival time from detecting LRPN, and prognosis. As a result, only 22 cases could be analyzed. LRPN metastasis develops less frequently in oral squamous cell carcinoma, may develop contralaterally （23％）, and is correlated with low survival rate （18％）. Surgical treatment is suggested as a better method because of its high control rate of LRPN metastasis （80％）. However, in order to improve prognosis, earlier detection by imaging diagnosis should be performed.