Effectiveness and outcomes of endoscopic resection for superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: With the development of endoscopic imaging, superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma can now be detected during routine endoscopy. Recently, the effectiveness of endoscopic resection for superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma have been reported. METHODS: This study had a retrospective single-center design that included patients with superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent endoscopic resection. A total 47 patients with 53 lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: En bloc and R0 resection rates were 83.0% and 56.6%. Local recurrence and cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) were detected in 1 and 3 patients during follow-up. The macroscopic type 0-I was an independent factor for CLNM. The 3-year cumulative incidence of metachronous pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma following endoscopic resection was 33.0%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 89.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection is an effective treatment for superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas, and the macroscopic type 0-I is a useful predictor of CLNM.