From JAMA article on extracapsular spread (ECS) of nodes in SCC patients.

Can ECS be determined without neck biopsy done from removed nodes in neck dissection? There was no indication on the PET/CT, FNA of lymph node, or other biopsies done on me.

Maybe spending too much time trying to scare myself these days but got interested in the topic of extracapsular nodes.

[quote]Five-year adjusted survival for patients without metastatic nodes in the neck dissection (pN0) was 85.5%, for patients with neck node metastases without ECS (pN+/ECS−) it was 62.5%, and for patients with neck node metastases with ECS (pN+/ECS+) it was 29.9%. [/quote]

http://archotol.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1688126#RESULTS

Don
Male, 57 - Great health except C
Dec '12
DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes
1 tooth out
Jan '13
2nd tooth out
Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT
4-6/2013
CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150
ended 5/29,6/4
All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com