Prognostic survival value of retropharyngeal lymph node involvement in sinonasal tumors: A retrospective, descriptive, and exploratory study

Background Sinonasal carcinomas are rare. The purpose of this study was for us to present our assessment of the effects of retropharyngeal lymph node involvement at diagnosis on patient outcomes. Methods Retropharyngeal lymph node involvement in 36 patients with sinonasal carcinoma was determined by radiology at initial presentation. Clinical outcome, in particular, overall survival (OS) and locoregional control, was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank testing. Results Retropharyngeal lymph node involvement was associated with statistically significant decreased OS (P = .0066) in the patient collective. In the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) subgroup (n = 23), decreased OS (P = .0046) and worse locoregional control (P = .0065) were observed. In these patients, decreased OS (P = .0423) and worse locoregional control (P = .0315) were also seen in the advanced tumor subgroup. Conclusion Retropharyngeal lymph node involvement at diagnosis is a significant prognostic factor for decreased OS and locoregional control in sinonasal carcinoma.