Histological features and prognostic significance of treatment effect in lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The presence of viable SCC in cervical lymph nodes has prognostic import when taken in context with the patient's history. Viable SCC in lymph nodes was significantly associated with worse outcome among patients with non-oropharyngeal SCC who received preCRT. Nucleate keratin debris should not be considered viable SCC in lymph nodes.