Pathways for cervical metastasis in malignant neoplasms of the head and neck region

Yuan Wang, Thomas J. Ow, Jeffrey N. Myers

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

There have been significant changes in the evaluation and management of lymphatic metastases in the neck during the past several decades, and knowledge of the functional anatomy of the cervical lymphatics is fundamental to the clinical management of metastasis in this region. This review provides a comprehensive description of the cervical lymphatics and discusses how this knowledge is used in the modern management of the neck lymphatics in the setting of common cancers of the head and neck. The patterns of tumor spread can be delineated based on the well-studied functional anatomy of the lymphatic networks in the cervical region. The characteristics and patterns of metastatic spread for two common cancers found in this region, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous malignant melanoma, are discussed in this review. Significant improvements in clinical care, namely, selective neck dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy aided by lymphoscintigraphy, have been developed and are based upon detailed studies of the pathways of metastatic spread. These advances have significantly decreased the morbidity associated with the evaluation and treatment of metastatic disease to the neck.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)54-71
Number of pages18
JournalClinical Anatomy
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • anatomy
  • head and neck cancer
  • lymphatic drainage
  • melanoma
  • metastasis
  • neck dissection
  • sentinel lymph node biopsy
  • squamous cell carcinoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Histology

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