Prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion of the primary tumor in hypopharyngeal carcinoma after total laryngopharyngectomy

Background: We aimed to determinate the prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion in the specimens resected during total laryngopharyngectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Patients who underwent total laryngopharyngectomy at our institution between 2004 and 2014 were included in this study and retrospectively analyzed. We then discriminated for vascular invasion and lymphatic invasion of the primary tumor in all cases. Results: We reviewed 135 records (120 men and 15 women; age range, 36–84 years). Tumors with lymphatic invasion tended to be associated with more metastatic lymph nodes and extracapsular spread (ECS) of metastatic lymph nodes. Tumors with vascular invasion tended to be associated with nonpyriform sinus locations. In a multivariate analysis, nonpyriform sinus locations, >3 metastatic lymph nodes, and vascular invasion remained significant prognostic factors for overall survival (OS); in recursive partitioning analysis, ECS and vascular invasion remained important categorical variables for OS. Conclusion: Vascular invasion is a strong prognostic biomarker for advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma.