Standardised definitions and diagnostic criteria for extranodal extension detected on histopathological examination in head and neck cancer: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations

Ahmad K. Abou-Foul, Christina Henson, Rebecca D. Chernock, Shao Hui Huang, William M. Lydiatt, Lachlan McDowell, Brian O'Sullivan, Bayardo Perez-Ordonez, Max Robinson, Paul C. Nankivell, Elena Ruiz-Bravo, Simion I. Chiosea, Tina M. Green, Keith D. Hunter, Jacqueline SG Hwang, Senada Koljenovic, Sjors A. Koppes, Stine R. Larsen, Anthony W.I. Lo, Valérie Costes-MartineauNeha Mittal, Taisuke Mori, Toshitaka Nagao, Ioannis G. Panayiotides, Clóvis A.L. Pinto, Kathrin Scheckenbach, Raja R. Seethala, Benedicte P. Ulhøi, Andrea Vingiani, Yan Zhang, Sue S. Yom, Hisham Mehanna*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Detection of extranodal extension on histopathology in surgically treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma indicates poor prognosis. However, there is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria, interpretation, and reporting of histology detected extranodal extension, which has contributed to conflicting evidence in the literature, and likely clinical inconsistency. The Head and Neck Cancer International Group conducted a three-round modified Delphi process with a group of 19 international pathology experts representing 15 national clinical research groups to generate consensus recommendations for histology detected extranodal extension diagnostic criteria. The expert panel strongly agreed on terminology and diagnostic features for histology detected extranodal extension and soft tissue metastasis. Moreover, the panel reached consensus on reporting of histology detected extranodal extension and on nodal sampling. These consensus recommendations, endorsed by 19 organisations representing 34 countries, are a crucial development towards standardised diagnosis and reporting of histology detected extranodal extension, and more accurate data collection and analysis.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Lancet Oncology
Volume25
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)e286-e296
ISSN1470-2045
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2024

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