Parathyroid Carcinoma-An Experience of the Enigma Over 10 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an uncommon clinical entity. Identification and appropriate treatment of PC remains a challenge. In this study, we explore clinico-radiological features suggestive of PC, the utility of Castleman's histopathological criteria for the diagnosis of PC and discuss the MD-Anderson prognostic stratification system for PC. METHODS: Retrospective analysis (case series) of patients who were treated at our tertiary oncology institution between January 2009 and December 2018 with an eventual diagnosis of PC. RESULTS: The study group comprised 15 patients. The most common presentation was related to the musculoskeletal system (n = 9, 60%). In one of the cases, ultrasound features were recorded to be suspicious of PC. The highest histopathological correlation with PC was found with capsular and vascular invasion (n = 12, 80%). The primary tumor was found in inferior parathyroid glands in most cases (n = 12, 80%). The average tumor size was 2.47 cm. Six patients (40%) received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Three patients (20%) developed recurrence, all having distant metastasis. Overall survival (OS) at 3 years was 92.31% and disease-free survival (DFS) of 76.61%. CONCLUSION: The presence of certain features on ultrasonography might suggest PC preoperatively. Among Castleman's criteria, capsular invasion and vascular invasion had a maximum association with PC in our series. At present, there is no evidence to routinely give adjuvant RT to all patients with PC.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in HIV, HBV and HCV seropositive patients - Prognosis and its predictors.

INTRODUCTION: Patients receiving treatment for head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) also may have coexisting viral infections caused by HIV, HBV, and HCV (seropositive). There is scarce literature regarding the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes for these patients with coexisting viral infections (seropositive HNSCC). We conducted this study to assess the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes (overall survival [OS] and disease-specific survival [DSS]) of seropositive HNSCC patients. METHODOLOGY: This was a retrospective cohort study on seropositive HNSCC patients registered at our center from 2012 to 2014. The viral infections were identified by the presence of the antibodies to these viruses in the patient's blood samples. RESULTS: Out of the 19,137 HNSCC patients registered, 156 patients had HBV, HCV, and/or HIV infection. Among these, HBV infection was the most common (n = 86/156, 55.1%) followed by HIV infection (n = 36/156, 23.1%) and HCV infection (n = 29/156, 18.6%). The oral cavity was the most common subsite involved. Majority of these patients presented at an advanced stage (advanced T stage - 71.8% and node positive - 62.2%). The majority of the patients received curative-intent treatment (65.4%). The OS at 3 years for these HNSCC patients with coexisting HIV, HBV, and HCV infection was 60%, 62.6%, and 57.5%, respectively, and their DSS at 3 years was 58.8%, 78.6%, and 53.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Seropositive patients with HNSCC often present in the advanced stage but have a good survival if treated appropriately.

The results of sequential swallowing assessments after total laryngectomy for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Swallowing after total laryngectomy (TL) is altered and the swallowing related issues are largely underreported. It is important to identify factors that may negatively influence swallowing after TL in order to rehabilitate these patients appropriately. METHODS: The study included patients who underwent TL from June 2015 to November 2017 for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancy. Sequential swallowing assessment was done in these patients over time. The assessments were done using the FOIS scale and the PSS-HN normalcy of diet scores and analysed to assess the presence of swallowing related issues, factors influencing swallowing and its recovery over time. RESULTS: Sixty-seven who underwent total laryngectomy (TL) were included in the study. Swallowing assessments were done once in 3 months. Overall there was an improvement in swallowing over time. Both the FOIS (Median score of 3.82 in first to 5.77 in the fifth visit) and the PSS-HN scores (median score of 33.63 at first visit to 63.66 at fifth visit) improved over time. Patients undergoing TL after treatment failure with chemoradiotherapy (p value < 0.001) and those with advanced stage disease (p-value < 0.001) did poorly in terms of swallowing. At the last follow up only 8 patients were dependent on feeding tube; the rest of the patients were able to take food orally. CONCLUSION: Following total laryngectomy swallowing gradually improves in the first 18 months after surgery. It is essential to identify factors influencing swallowing negatively so that these patients can get appropriate attention to improve swallowing.

Referral Practice for Radioactive Iodine Ablation (RAI) after ATA guidelines 2015: results from a Tertiary Cancer Care Centre.

INTRODUCTION: The ATA guidelines for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) are one of the most widely referred to. Their 2015 edition proposed a new risk stratification system and modified the indications for radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation especially for the low risk category. We attempted to analyze whether the new guidelines altered referral practices for RAI ablation at our institute. METHODOLOGY: Patients who underwent total or completion thyroidectomy for DTC during 2016-2017 were included. Relevant demographical and pathological data was tabulated. Patients were classified as per the new stratification system and referral practice for RAI ablation documented. RESULTS: 238 patients were included. Of these 20.6% were low risk, 44.1% were intermediate and 35.3% were high risk as per modified guidelines. All patients within the intermediate and high-risk group and 77.8% of the low risk group were referred for RAI ablation. Analysis of risk factors revealed that within the low risk group there were three patients with < 5 metastatic nodes, all within 3 cm in size-a category that the ATA failed to stratify appropriately. Among those labeled as Intermediate risk due to microscopic extra thyroidal extension (ETE), 85% had no other risk factors and were upstaged solely due to microscopic ETE, which is interestingly no longer included in the TNM staging. CONCLUSION: Majority of low risk patients continue to receive RAI ablation due to persistent belief emanating from literature that remnant ablation improves outcomes and aids in follow up. The issue of RAI ablation for low risk group and prognostic implications of microscopic ETE and limited nodal disease need to be revisited.

Risk factors predisposing for recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy following thyroid malignancy surgery: experience from a tertiary oncology centre.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is one of the major morbidities encountered after thyroid surgery. The risk further increases when surgery is performed for thyroid malignancies. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of patients who underwent hemi, total or completion thyroidectomy at our institute between June 2017 to May 2019 were analyzed. We assessed factors that predisposed to the development of RLN palsy. RESULTS: The study comprised of 228 patients. A total of 400 nerves were at risk. The RLN palsy rate was 6.8% (n = 27). On univariate and multivariate analysis, the risk of RLN palsy was seen most with pT4a tumor (OR = 8.5), gross extra-thyroidal extension (ETE) (OR = 3.5) and tracheo-esophageal groove (TEG) (OR = 2.8) involvement, followed by aggressive histopathology, and central compartment node positivity. CONCLUSION: pT4a tumors, gross ETE, and TEG involvement were the leading causes predisposing for the development of RLN palsy in our series.