High expression of PD-L1 on conventional dendritic cells in tumour-draining lymph nodes is associated with poor prognosis in oral cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), while common and with a favorable prognosis in early stages, presents a marked reduction in survival rate upon metastasis to lymph nodes. Early detection of lymph node metastasis via biomarkers could enhance the therapeutic strategy for OSCC. Here, we explored dendritic cells (DCs) and cytotoxic T-cells in tumour-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) as potential biomarkers. METHOD: Dendritic cells and cytotoxic T-cells in 33 lymph nodes were analyzed with multi-parameter flow cytometry in TDLNs, regional non-TDLNs surgically excised from 12 OSCC patients, and compared to 9 lymph nodes from patients with benign conditions. RESULTS: Our results displayed a higher proportion of conventional cDC1s with immunosuppressive features in TDLN. Further, high PD-L1 expression on cDC1 in TDLNs was associated with metastasis and/or recurrent disease risk. Also, elevated levels of memory CD8+ T-cells and terminally exhausted PD-1+TCF-1-CD8+ T-cells were observed in TDLNs and non-TDLNs compared to healthy lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that TDLNs contain cells that could trigger an anti-tumor adaptive response, as evidenced by activated cDC1s and progenitor-like TCF-1+ T-cells. The detection of high PDL1 expression on cDC1s was indicative of TDLN metastasis and an adverse prognosis, proposing that PD-L1 on dendritic cells in TDLN could serve as a predictive biomarker of OSCC patients with a worse prognosis.

Distribution of sentinel nodes from parotid tumors-A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Optimum management of the N0 neck is unresolved in parotid salivary gland cancer. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) can reliably detect microscopic lymph node metastasis and its´ clinical use is increasing for head and neck tumors. The object of this study was to establish whether the technique is applicable to detect distribution of sentinel nodes for parotid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prosepective observational study in 30 patients with benign or low-grade T1-T2N0 malignant tumors in the parotid gland planned for surgical treatment. Distribution of SN was detected with a preoperative ultrasound-guided peritumoral injection with a technetium-99 (Tc-99 m) laballed tracer followed by a SPECT-CT and intraoperative measurement in the neck and parotidal tissue. In patients with cytologically suspected malignant tumor or highly unclerar cytology, SNB was also performed. RESULTS: Sentinel nodes (SNs) were detected in 26/30 cases. Out of these, 7 presented with only one SN, whereas multiple sentinel nodes where detected in 19 cases. No SNs were found in neck level 1. SN was detected in level 5 independent of tumor location within the parotid gland. An intraparotidal distribution of SNs was more frequent in larger tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SN-technique in the planning of surgical treatment of parotid tumors seems feasible. It may be of clinical value for patients with parotid cancer to enable a more accurate staging and to detect occult metastasis in the SNs within the parotid as well as in the neck, enabaling the possibility to surgically remove all positive SNs at primary surgery and with reduced surgical morbidity.

Sentinel node-assisted neck dissection in advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma-A new protocol for staging and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is used to improve the staging of and guide treatment in patients with early-stage T1-T2 N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The role of sentinel nodes (SNs) and the use of SN-technique in advanced OSCC (T3-T4 and/or N+) remain to be evaluated. This study investigates the nodal drainage and the rate of positive SNs (SNs+) in all stages of OSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 85 patients with T1-T4 OSCC diagnosed 2019-2021 were included. We used a prolonged interval between peritumoral injection of radionuclide and SPECT-CT to include all SNs. RESULTS: Patients with advanced OSCC presented a higher proportion of contralateral lymphatic drainage and a higher rate of SN+ compared to patients with early-stage disease. T3-T4 and N+ tumors presented a tendency for a higher rate of contralateral lymphatic drainage compared to T1-T2 and N0 tumors (p = 0.1). The prevalence of positive nodes (SNs+) was higher among patients with advanced disease, T3-T4 versus T1-T2 (p = 0.0398). CONCLUSION: SN-assisted ND enables identification and removal of all SNs + and has the potential for more accurate staging and could possibly give prognostic advantages regarding regional recurrence for all OSCC patients, especially among those with advanced disease. The precise localization of the SNs + also suggests that a more individualized ND approach might be possible in the future even for patients with advanced OSCC.

Complications of Gastrostomy Tubes in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) include various malignant tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Due to their anatomical location, HNCs can cause obstruction, odynophagia, or trismus, leading to dysphagia. In addition, this patient group may be vulnerable to treatment side effects both by surgery and oncological treatment, exposing the patients to an even higher risk of malnutrition. The risk of malnourishment is often resolved by applying a feeding gastrostomy tube. The present study aims to identify complication rates after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and open gastrostomy (OG) in patients treated for HNC in a high-volume center. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all patients treated for a new diagnosis of HNC at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Karolinska University Hospital between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2018 in whom gastrostomy was performed. RESULTS: Regarding tumor location, 165 (56.7%) were in the pharynx, 68 (23.4%) in the oral cavity, 57 (19.6%) in the larynx, and 1 (0.3%) in the nasal cavity. PEG was performed in 240 (82.5%) and OG in 51 (17.5%) patients. The overall complication rate was 28.2%: 64 (26.7%) among PEG patients and 18 (35.3%) among OG patients. The incidence of major complications was 3.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that enteral feeding via gastrostomy is a safe method, regardless of the technique used (PEG or OG), with a low rate of major complications and no mortality linked to the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:1778-1784, 2022.

Prevalence of cystic metastases in a consecutive cohort of surgically removed branchial cleft cysts.

BACKGROUND: Solitary cystic lesion of the neck may often be the only initial presenting symptom for branchial cleft cysts and cystic metastases. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To analyse the malignancy rate detected in patients undergoing surgical treatment for lateral branchial cleft cyst. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of all patients with surgical procedure code ENB40 (Excision of lateral branchial cleft cyst- or fistula) between 2003 and 2019 were reviewed. After excluding 150 patients, 436 patients were included for final analysis. Re-evaluation of the cytology including HPV-analysis was performed in those who had a malignant cyst. RESULTS: Cystic metastases were demonstrated histologically after surgical excision in 13 patients (3%). In patients over 18 years of age, the prevalence of cystic metastasis regardless of the primary tumour type was 3.3%. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: When the investigation protocol for solitary cystic lesions of the neck is followed, the negative predictive value for malignancy is 97%. All adult patients with a cytologic verified diagnosis of branchial cyst should be examined with HPV-analysis of the cystic sample before excision of the cyst. Failure of predicting a malignancy is often associated with cytology of poor cellularity which may be improved by more frequent use of ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

Navigation system for percutaneous tracheotomy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) is a well-established method. The prerequisite is to identify anatomical landmarks of the neck. We introduce a three-dimensional navigation system - SafeTrach. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: We present an alternative technique using internal landmarks that can be used in patients with difficult anatomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The device is a forceps-like instrument with an outer and an inner shank. The later serves as a ventilation lumen and stabilizes the orotracheal tube in the midline of trachea. The outer shank acts as a three-dimensional guide for the puncturing needle. RESULTS: Out of 48 patients we have determined the level of puncture in 20 patients by using intraoperative measurements. The distance from the vocal cords to the puncture site was about 50 mm for men and 40 mm for women. In 13 of the patients who had had CT scans, we studied the distance between the vocal cords and the optimal puncture site and found the median distance for men 45 mm and for women 42 mm. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: With the studied navigation system one may use external or internal landmarks to indicate the puncture level in PDT. The device may minimize the risk of injuring the posterior tracheal wall.

Metastasis to the gastrostomy site in a patient with pharynx cancer after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a case report.

A stenosing tumour in the throat region is a common indication for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), which may be used for enteral nutrition in palliative cases or placed prior to curative treatment (surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and removed when the patient has recovered and has a reliable and adequate oral intake. Major complications related to PEG are rare, but their treatment poses a challenge. We are presenting a case of the transmission of metastasis to the gastrostomy site in a patient with pharynx cancer after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Clinical update on sensorineural hearing loss in Turner syndrome and the X-chromosome.

Hearing loss is one of the major medical concerns in girls and women with Turner syndrome (TS) and has a negative effect on well-being and quality of everyday life. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss, affecting more than half of adults with TS. Karyotypes with a loss of the short p-arm on the X-chromosome are more prone to ear and hearing problems. The importance of detecting, investigating, and treating hearing loss with hearing aids cannot be emphasized enough. The pathophysiology of the sensorineural hearing loss in TS is not known, but theories regarding estrogen deficiency, the cell cycle delay hypothesis, IGF-1 deficiency and the possible role of the KDM6A gene are discussed. Due to the diversity of symptoms and conditions within the same karyotype, a combination of genetic factors altered by epigenetic and/or hormonal effects is probable. Further research is needed regarding the pathophysiology of ear and hearing problems in TS to develop new treatment methods.

Audiometric features in young adults with Turner syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Hearing loss (HL) is a known problem in adults with Turner syndrome (TS). The aim of this study was to investigate audiometric features in young adults with TS and the extent of hearing aid provision. DESIGN: Patients were recruited from the Turner centre at Karolinska University Hospital. Analysis of audiograms was made in relation to hearing aid use, a Swedish normal hearing cohort and the need for hearing rehabilitation. STUDY SAMPLE: Sixty-four women with TS aged 25-38 years at the time of their audiological testing. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent had impaired hearing in at least one ear. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was the most common type of HL, most often characterised by a high-frequency loss and/or a mid-frequency dip. Conductive HL was uncommon in young adults with TS, even though 47 percent were otitis prone as children. Eight of 64 women had previously been fitted with hearing aids. CONCLUSIONS: There is undoubtedly a need for hearing rehabilitation in young adults with TS. Questions about hearing must be asked by all doctors treating women with TS to identify those in need for hearing rehabilitation, even if they have an audiogram with a normal pure tone average.

Cancer of the gingiva.

Cancer of the gingiva is a rare disease in the Western World. It most commonly affects elderly population. Because of its rarity, the reporting on the disease is sparse and often grouped with other subsites of oral cancer, which makes conclusions difficult to interpret. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on gingival cancer as a specific subsite of oral cancer and report on published prognostic factors as well as treatment of local and regional disease. We also present differences between gingival cancer subgroups, mandibular and maxillary gingival cancer. In addition, both surgical and oncological treatments are reviewed. It seems that surgery is the preferred initial treatment approach for the majority of patients with gingival cancer, although adjuvant radiation, with or without chemotherapy, is commonly recommended to increase locoregional control.

Hearing decline in menopausal women--a 10-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: An unexpected rapid hearing decline remained after the 10-year follow up, similar to the hearing decline in 70-year-old women in reference materials. No clear changes concerning hearing in the peri- and postmenopausal period were noted. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether hearing decline correlates with menopause and/or cortisol blood levels. METHODS: A prospective individual longitudinal study of peri-menopausal women followed for 10 years was performed at baseline, and after 2, 7 and 10 years, respectively. With a starting age of around 51 years, 100 women remained in the study after 10 years. Pure-tone audiometry and cortisol blood testing were performed at all visits. RESULTS: A continuous hearing decline, at all frequencies, was found during the follow-up time. The rate of decline during the menopausal period was higher than compared with reference materials for the same age group. The correlation with time for menopause is most apparent at 1 and 3 kHz where the hearing decline is more rapid after menopause than before. Serum cortisol levels did not correlate with rate of hearing decline.