[Short-term quality of life assessment after sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis]. / Kurzfristige Lebensqualitätsbewertung nach Nasennebenhöhlenoperation bei chronischer Rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the treatment of choice for those not responding to medical treatments. To date, the short-term effects of FESS on HRQoL are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the short-term effects of FESS on HRQoL in CRS patients using the SNOT-22 questionnaire. METHODS: The results of the validated German version of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire were analysed from 89 patients with CRS before surgery and 10-14 days (n = 77), four (n = 77), six weeks (n = 76) and 6 months (n = 71) after FESS, and compared with those of 1,000 healthy controls selected using a non-probability quota sample in accordance to the distribution of the German Microcensus. RESULTS: Compared to the preoperative mean SNOT-22 score (47.35), CRS patients significantly improved in HRQoL 10-14 days (31.75, p < 0.01), 4 weeks (25.84, p < 0.01), 6 weeks (24.16, p < 0.01) and 6 months after FESS (27.16, p < 0.01). Pre- and 6 months postoperatively, the five most important SNOT-22 items were nasal obstruction, smell and taste reduction, thick, mucous nasal secretions, need to blow the nose and postnasal drip. At the 2, 4 and 6-week follow-up, the reduction in smell and taste was most frequently perceived as limiting the HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: This follow-up study shows for the first time that the reduction in smell and taste should be treated and controlled concervatively in the short term after FESS.

Long-term outcome of patients with Ménière's disease following cochlear implantation: a comprehensive outcome study with validated assessment tools.

PURPOSE: Patients suffering from Ménière's disease (MD) experience vertigo, and impairments in hearing and quality of life (QoL). This study aims to investigate the impact of cochlear implantation (CI) on various aspects affecting patients with MD. METHODS: A single tertiary centre's CI database for CI recipients with MD between 2014 and 2022 was screened retrospectively. Hearing, vertigo, tinnitus symptoms, and hearing-related QoL were assessed. Pre- and postoperative hearing tests in conjunction with subjective outcome measures by visual analogue scale (VAS) and validated tools such as the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), as well as the assessment of the pre- and postoperative Functional Level Scale (FLS) were examined. RESULTS: Eleven ears were included (median age: 59 years at implantation). Following implantation, there was a significant enhancement in Word Recognition Scores at sound levels of 65 dB and 80 dB compared to before treatment (preop vs. 12 months postop: p = 0.012). However, no significant enhancement was observed for 50 dB. MD-related impairments improved significantly postoperatively, as measured by the VAS (vertigo: p = 0.017; tinnitus: p = 0.042), DHI (p = 0.043), THI (p = 0.043) and NCIQ (p < 0.001). The FLS improved significantly (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: CI has positive effects on all areas examined in our cohort. However, discrimination of speech at low sound pressure levels remained problematic postoperatively. In patients suffering from MD, the prioritized treatment goals include not only improved hearing but also the rehabilitation of vertigo and tinnitus, as well as the enhancement of QoL. Validated instruments are useful screening tools.

[Choanal atresia repair in Germany : Resection of dorsal septal parts and stents in focus]. / Versorgung von Choanalatresien in Deutschland : Dorsale Septumresektion und Stents im Fokus.

BACKGROUND: Various surgical techniques using transpalatinal, transseptal, and transnasal approaches for surgical repair of choanal atresia have been developed over the past 200 years. Endoscopic endonasal surgery with resection of dorsal septal parts and without the use of stents is the current scientific trend, as high success rates with low complication rates can be achieved. This study examined whether this technique has actually become standard in Germany, and also investigates the role played by stents. METHODS: A total of 52 ear, nose, and throat (ENT) hospitals in Germany, including all 39 university ENT hospitals and 13 non-university maximum-care ENT hospitals, were asked which surgical technique they use for choanal atresia repair and whether stents are used. RESULTS: For dorsal septal resection, 39 of 44 responding hospitals (89%) indicated that they resect dorsal septal parts, 85% of the university hospitals and 100% of the non-university hospitals. For use of stents, 20 of 48 responding hospitals (42%) reported not using stents, whereas 39% of the university hospitals and 50% of the non-university hospitals do use them. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal choanal atresia repair with resection of dorsal septal parts is, in most instances, used as the standard technique in large ENT hospitals in Germany. Routine use of stents is still widespread. The future aim should be to reduce the use of stents in the treatment of choanal atresia and to use this method only in difficult, individual cases.

Impact of Psychiatric Symptoms on Nasal Perception in Septorhinoplasty Patients.

Psychological assessment plays a crucial role in the preoperative phase of septorhinoplasty (SRPL), exerting potential influence on both pre- and postoperative aspects of quality of life (QoL). In this prospective study, SRPL patients were systematically screened using two validated questionnaires for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and one each for anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Nasal perception was evaluated utilizing two disease-specific, self-report instruments: The Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17). A total of 95 patients were enrolled. Positive screening rates were 40.4 and 28.3% for BDD, 37.3% for elevated anxiety, 16.4% for depression, and 22.4% for SSD. Mean scores on the ROE and FROI indicated lower QoL in all positive screening groups. Statistically significant differences were observed for anxiety (FROI total score: 47.1 ± 14.6 to 37.8 ± 16.2; p = 0.021) and BDD (ROE: 43.7 ± 15.7 to 32.5 ± 15.5; p = 0.003 and FROI total score: 47.4 ± 15.3 to 37.8 ± 17.1; p = 0.014). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale exhibited a significant correlation with the preoperative FROI score (r = 0.34, p = 0.005). Patients with positive screenings for depression, anxiety, BDD, and SSD demonstrated compromised QoL during preoperative assessments compared with their negative counterparts, reflecting diminished nasal perception in both esthetic and functional dimensions. Surgeons must be cognizant of these psychological aspects during preoperative evaluations.

Quality of Life and Screening on Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Depression, Anxiety in Septorhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Septorhinoplasty (SRPL) can improve quality of life (QoL) in functional and aesthetical aspects of the nose. A key factor compromising postoperative satisfaction is symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), defined by excessive concerns and distress over slight or imagined physical defects. Although a high prevalence of BDD in SRPL patients is evident, the effect of positive screening on BDD and other psychiatric disorders is understudied. It was hypothesized that patients screening positive for BDD, depression or anxiety do not show increased postoperative QoL. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study including 259 patients. For psychiatric evaluation, the BDD concern questionnaire-aesthetic version and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used; for disease-specific QoL the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory (FROI-17). RESULTS: In preoperative evaluation, 32.5% had a positive screening for BDD, 42.2% for increased anxiety, and 32.9% for depression. Mean QoL improved in the whole cohort (FROI total score: 54.4 ± 21.8 to 32.8 ± 23.7 and ROE: 32.3 ± 15.6 to 69.8 ± 23.1, both p < 0.001). Patients screening positive for BDD, depression or anxiety did show an increased postoperative QoL, but to a significantly lower degree and with lower pre- and postoperative QoL levels. CONCLUSIONS: SRPL patients show a high prevalence of BDD symptoms, elevated anxiety, and depression. These subgroups show lower QoL levels and an impaired QoL increase after surgery. Rhinoplasty surgeons must be aware of the disorders and their symptoms, discuss potential concerns with the patients, and potentially refer them to a specialist. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2187-2193, 2024.

Recurrent laryngeal lymphangiomatosis in a patient with Proteus syndrome: A case report.

Proteus syndrome is a rare genetic disease characterized by an asymmetrical growth of individual parts of the body and has only been described in single cases. This patient presented with recurrent manifestations of a laryngeal and hypopharyngeal lymphangioma, which were treated with laser surgery, systemic therapy, and sclerotherapy. The reported data depict the diagnosis and treatment in the department of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery of the university hospital Heidelberg from 2019 until May 2023. The recurrent endoscopy of the upper airway was performed using a flexible HD-endoscope and the Visera Elite video tower from Olympus, Hamburg. The 29-year old female patient initially presented in February 2019 with stridor and exertional dyspnea due to a lymphatic malformation of the left larynx and hypopharynx. In April 2019 there was no improvement by sclerotherapy with Picibanil, so that systemic therapy with the PIK3CA inhibitor alpelisib was initiated (03-07/2020) and discontinued due to a high side effect profile. In the course of 2021-2023, three microlaryngoscopies with laser surgical resection and renewed sclerotherapy of the lymphangioma with Picibanil were carried out due to fluctuating findings. After these interventions a stable disease could be established until May 2023. Laser surgical therapy is currently described as the therapy of choice in lymphangiomas in the head and neck region and also showed the highest effectiveness in our patient. In case of airway obstruction in particular, it can bring rapid symptom relief. Alternatively, and with a lower surgical risk, local improvements have been reported by sclerotherapy, which was less effective in the presented case. Rare syndromic diseases require multidisciplinary collaboration. In the case of laryngeal lymphangiomatosis, other treatment options should be considered in addition to surgical excision, especially in the case of recurrence.

Normative data for interpreting the SNOT-22.

Objectives: The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) is a validated patient-reported outcome instrument to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). There are no published normative SNOT-22 scores, limiting its interpretation. Methods: Symptom scores from 1,000 SNOT-22 questionnaires were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) and exploratory factor analyses. Data were derived from a survey with 1,000 healthy Europeans (reference cohort) who were recruited using the Respondi panel for market and social science research. This subsample was quoted to the population distribution of the German Microcensus and selected from a non-probability panel. Results: The overall normative SNOT-22 score can be detected to be 20.2 ± 19.44. Male (18.49 ± 19.15) and older (> 50 years old; 18.3 ± 17.49) participants had overall lower SNOT-22 mean results than females (21.8 ± 19.6) and younger (21.4 ± 20.55) participants, indicating higher levels of satisfaction. PCA proposed two SNOT-22 domains ("physiological well-being" and "psychological well-being"), which explained 65% of the variance. Conclusions: These are the first published (German) normative scores for the SNOT-22 and provide a clinical reference point for the interpretation of data.

Establishment of a Machine Learning Model for the Risk Assessment of Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Perineural invasion is a prevalent pathological finding in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and a risk factor for unfavorable survival. An adequate diagnosis of perineural invasion by pathologic examination is limited due to the availability of tumor samples from surgical resection, which can arise in cases of definitive nonsurgical treatment. To address this medical need, we established a random forest prediction model for the risk assessment of perineural invasion, including occult perineural invasion, and characterized distinct cellular and molecular features based on our new and extended classification. RNA sequencing data of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used as a training cohort to identify differentially expressed genes that are associated with perineural invasion. A random forest classification model was established based on these differentially expressed genes and was validated by inspection of H&E-stained whole image slides. Differences in epigenetic regulation and the mutational landscape were detected by an integrative analysis of multiomics data and single-cell RNA-sequencing data were analyzed. We identified a 44-gene expression signature related to perineural invasion and enriched for genes mainly expressed in cancer cells according to single-cell RNA-sequencing data. A machine learning model was trained based on the expression pattern of the 44-gene set with the unique feature to predict occult perineural invasion. This extended classification model enabled a more accurate analysis of alterations in the mutational landscape and epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation as well as quantitative and qualitative differences in the cellular composition in the tumor microenvironment between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with or without perineural invasion. In conclusion, the newly established model could not only complement histopathologic examination as an additional diagnostic tool but also guide the identification of new drug targets for therapeutic intervention in future clinical trials with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients at a higher risk for treatment failure due to perineural invasion.

Can patient-reported outcomes and inflammatory markers define endotype 2 in chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps?

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogeneous disease at the clinical phenotype level (without nasal polyp [CRSsNP] vs with nasal polyp [CRSwNP]) and at the underlying inflammatory endotype level (type 2 vs non-type 2). Whether the endotype is associated with clinical presentation in patients with CRSsNP has yet to be explored in detail. OBJECTIVE: To identify associations between endotypes and their clinical significance in patients with CRSsNP based on tissue interleukin-5 levels. METHODS: A total of 104 patients with CRSsNP who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery between 2013 and 2017 were endotyped. We collected immunologic and clinical parameters and evaluated whether there were associations between the endotype and clinical features using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), Sniffin' Sticks test, Lund-Mackay CT score, and nasal endoscopy. RESULTS: Mean tissue interleukin-5 levels were used to identify type 2 inflammation (non-type 2: 3.37 vs type 2: 191.98 pg/g tissue; P < .001). There were no significant clinical differences measured by patient-reported outcome measures between patients with type 2 CRSsNP and those with non-type 2 CRSsNP preoperatively. Type 2 and non-type 2 CRSsNP did not differentiate in CT score, Sniffin' Sticks test, and nasal endoscopy. Postoperative SNOT-22 and VAS scores correlated well with each other (r = 0.75; P < .01). Postoperative VAS scores were in both groups significantly lower than before the operation (type 2: 5.07 vs 2.99; P < .01; non-type 2: 5.74 vs 3.22; P < .01), but not associated to the inflammatory subtype. CONCLUSION: The type of inflammation does not affect the symptoms, the computed tomography scan, or the postoperative results in CRSsNP in contrast to former findings in CRSwNP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Belgian registration number (B.U.N.) No. B6702020000097.

Does a closed reduction improve aesthetical and functional outcome after nasal fracture?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: How closed reduction (CR) to repair a nasal fracture affects the patient's quality of life (QoL) has not been investigated. Here, we assessed QoL before and after CR using disease-specific questionnaires and compared the QoL scores of patients with nasal fractures with normative scores from a reference cohort. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 96 patients with nasal fractures undergoing CR. Patients were interviewed about aesthetic, functional, and QoL issues before and after surgery using the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory (FROI-17) and the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE). Photographs of the nasal area were taken before and after surgery and reviewed. Data were compared with those from a reference cohort (n = 1000). RESULTS: Most fractures were type I (80.6%) and most were caused by sport-related accidents (36.5%). The ROE scores increased from 67.3 preoperatively to 73.4 postoperatively (p = 0.001). The FROI-17 also improved, indicating the overall effect of the nose on QoL (p = 0.002). Compared with the reference cohort, patients felt more affected by nasal symptoms before surgery (- 9.37, p = 0.02) than by more general aspects. ROE scores returned to normative values after surgery (p < 0.001). The postoperative cohort had lower scores for the FROI-17 item overall effects of the nose on QoL than the reference cohort did, although the nasal symptom score remained higher in patients than in reference controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that CR can improve the aesthetical but not the functional outcome of the nose.

Intensity modulated proton therapy for early-stage glottic cancer: high-precision approach to laryngeal function preservation with exceptional treatment tolerability.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing expertise in transoral laser surgery and image-guided radiation therapy, treatment outcomes have recently improved in patients with early-stage glottic cancer. The objective of the current study was to evaluate intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) as novel treatment option. METHODS: A total of 15 patients with T1-2N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma, treated between 2017 and 2020, were evaluated. Toxicity was recorded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03. RESULTS: The majority were T1a/b tumors (66.7%) and no patient had lymph node or distant metastases. The median total dose was 70 Gy relative biological effectiveness (RBE) (range 66-70 Gy RBE). The one- and two-year OS and metastases-free survival were 100%. One patient developed local failure and received salvage laryngectomy. No higher-grade acute or late toxicity was reported. The mean number of CTCAE grade I and II overall toxicity events per patient was 4.1 (95%-[confidence interval] CI 3.1-5.3) and 1.0 (95%-CI 0.5-1.5). CONCLUSION: High-precision proton therapy of T1-2N0 glottic cancer resulted in exceptional treatment tolerability with high rates of laryngeal function preservation and promising oncological outcome. IMPT has the potential to become a standard treatment option for patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer.

Human Leucocyte Antigens as Prognostic Markers in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The induction and regulation of immune responses depend on human leucocyte antigen (HLA) molecules that present peptides derived from mutated neoantigens or tumor-associated antigens to cytotoxic T cells. The natural variation of HLA molecules might differ between tumor patients and the normal population. Thus, there might be associations between the frequencies of HLA alleles and the survival of tumor patients. METHODS: This issue was studied in a cohort of 84 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) of different localizations. The cohort was followed up for more than 10 years. HLA-A/B/C CTS-PCR-SSP typing at 1 field level from blood samples was performed, and the results were correlated with survival. RESULTS: HLA-A*02 was the most prevalent allele in our cohort and was present in 51.1% of patients. The HLA-A*25 and HLA-C*06 alleles exhibited a significantly higher frequency in cancer patients than in the normal population of 174 blood and kidney donors (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively, Fisher's exact test). For HLA-C*04, a negative impact on overall survival in univariate analysis (p = 0.045) and a negative, but statistically insignificant effect on survival toward poorer survival in multivariate analysis (HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 0.99-3.34, p = 0.053) were observed. In addition, HLA-A*02 was also beneficial for overall survival and progression-free survival in multivariate analysis (HR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.31-0.92; p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: HLA-A*02 allele expression might not only predict better survival but might also indicate superior tumor antigen presentation and, thus, help to select patients who could benefit from T-cell-dependent immunotherapies.

Long-term outcomes and quality of life following parotidectomy for benign disease.

Objective: Parotidectomy worsens quality of life (QoL) in the short-term, but the long-term impact is unknown. In this study, we analysed the long-term effects of parotidectomy on QoL. Methods: In this prospective long-term follow-up study, participants were divided into three groups: short-term (ST) follow-up of six weeks, long-term (LT) follow-up of 13 years and short- and long-term (SLT) follow-up. QoL was assessed using the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory (POI-8). Parotidectomies were classified based on whether the great auricular nerve (GAN) had been preserved or sacrificed. Results: In total, 164 observations were analysed, 74 in the LT group, 57 in the ST group and 33 in the SLT group. Hypoaesthesia was a major problem and facial palsy was a minor problem. Pain (p < 0.01) and hypoaesthesia (p < 0.001) were significantly lower after 13 years compared with after six weeks, and QoL was higher after 13 years compared with after six weeks (p = 0.04). The disease-specific impairment rate decreased from 70% at short-term follow-up to 30% at long-term follow-up. Removal of the GAN was associated with hypoaesthesia in the ST group (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Hypoaesthesia has a long-term impact on the QoL, and this should be emphasised during preoperative discussions.

Conjoint analysis of OPRPN and SMR3A protein expression as potential predictive biomarkers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after radiotherapy.

Increased submaxillary gland androgen­regulated protein 3A (SMR3A) expression was previously shown to serve as an independent risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and as a surrogate biomarker for active estrogen receptor 2 signaling in radioresistant tumor cells. In the present study, it was aimed to unravel the expression and clinical significance of another member of the opiorphin family, opiorphin prepropeptide (OPRPN), in the radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Expression of SMR3A and OPRPN were analyzed for the prior and post fractionated irradiation (4x2 Gy) by double immunofluorescence staining in established HNSCC cell lines as well as by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in ex vivo tumor tissues. Next, in a retrospective experimental cohort study, primary tumor samples from OPSCC patients (n=96), who received definitive surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy were reviewed, and expression levels of OPRPN protein were detected by IHC. Immunoreactivity scores (IRS) were associated with pathological and clinical risk factors by Chi­square analysis. Survival analysis was performed by using the Kaplan­Meier plot, log­rank test and Cox regression analysis. The expression levels of OPRPN and SMR3A protein were both induced by fractionated irradiation in vitro and ex vivo. In primary tumor samples, IRS of OPRPN was significantly higher than scores of SMR3A expression and positively correlated with expression patterns of SMR3A. SMR3A was confirmed to serve as an unfavorable factor, while OPRPN protein had no significant association with the clinical outcome of patients with OPSCC. A combinational analysis revealed that the subgroup with SMR3AhighOPRPNlow staining pattern had the worst clinical outcome among the various subgroups. Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that high expression of SMR3A serves as an independent unfavorable biomarker, while increased expression of OPRPN appears to exert protective function. In summary, the present study indicated that SMR3A and OPRPN serve as potential prognostic markers for HNSCC after radiotherapy.

[Larynx preservation: recommendations for decision-making in T3 laryngeal cancer patients]. / Organerhalt: Entscheidungskriterien für Patienten mit T3-Larynxkarzinom.

BACKGROUND: By today's standard, the optimal treatment of every individual tumor patient is discussed and determined in an interdisciplinary tumor board. According to the new S3 guidelines, larger volume T3 laryngeal cancers which are no longer safely resectable with larynx-sparing surgery are ideal candidates for a larynx preservation approach using primary chemoradiation (pCRT). So far, no clear criteria have been defined under what circumstances primary radiotherapy alone (pRT) might be acceptable in case chemotherapy (CT) is prohibited or in what cases, even in T3, upfront total laryngectomy with risk-adapted adjuvant treatment (TL±a[C]RT) should be recommended. METHOD: The literature was searched for parameters chosen as criteria for an inclusion in the surgical rather than the conservative arm in non-randomized LP studies or which proved to be significant prognostic markers after conservative treatment. Development of a counselling tool for therapeutic decision making. RESULTS: Significant prognostic markers were tumor volume (< 3.5 ccm/< 6 ccm vs. 6-12 ccm vs. > 12 ccm), presence and kind of vocal cord fixation (none vs. Succo I/II vs. Succo III/IV), extent of cartilage infiltration (none vs. minimal vs. multiple/gross), nodal status (N0­1 vs. N2-3), and laryngeal dysfunction (pretreatment necessity of feeding tube or tracheostomy). CONCLUSION: For T3 laryngeal cancers, pRT could be acceptable when the tumor volume is < 3.5 ccm for glottic and < 6 ccm for supraglottic tumors and there are no further risk factors. pCRT can be regarded as the standard for LP for tumors between 6 ccm and 12 ccm, vocal cord fixation Succo pattern I/II, only minimal cartilage infiltration and a high nodal burden. For tumor > 12 ccm, vocal cord fixation Succo pattern III/IV, gross or multiple cartilage infiltration or clinically relevant laryngeal dysfunction, upfront TL±a[C]RT should be considered.

[Larynx preservation up to T4 laryngeal cancer?] / Larynxorganerhalt bis zum T4­Larynxkarzinom?

Could primary chemoradiotherapy (pCRT) possibly be viewed as an alternative standard therapy to upfront total laryngectomy (TL)? According to the new German S3 guideline, despite higher rates of local recurrence, there would be no survival disadvantage and salvage surgery would be a curative option. In several large database studies and case series, statistically significant survival disadvantages of more than 30% between pCRT and TL have been reported for T4 laryngeal cancer. According to the literature, the success rate of salvage TL for T4 laryngeal cancer is only about 25-50%. Larynx preservation (LP) studies which could qualify the recommendation of pCRT as an alternative standard therapy to TL in T4 carcinomas should 1) evaluate T4a cancers within the T4 category; 2) perform subgroup analysis of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers; 3) be sufficiently highly powered; 4) provide long-term outcomes of at least 5 years; 5) with oncological and 6) functional outcomes (duration of the need for tracheostomy and/or feeding tube dependency; necessity and success of salvage laryngectomies). 7) Specification of the criteria of the respective T4 classification (invasion through the outer cortex of the cartilage, or infiltration of which extralaryngeal structures) and 8) evaluation of pretreatment laryngeal function (at least: tracheostomy, feeding tube dependency). Collection of all the aforementioned data of T4 patients treated with pCRT in a large prospective observational cohort study in German-speaking countries is suggested. In case of rejection of TL by T4 laryngeal cancer patients, differentiation between primary spontaneous reluctance and a definitive, carefully considered decision is important. This distinction should be achieved by sensitive discussions. Not only oncological but also functional outcome probabilities should be included in the overall decision-making process.

Outcome after Radiotherapy for Vestibular Schwannomas (VS)-Differences in Tumor Control, Symptoms and Quality of Life after Radiotherapy with Photon versus Proton Therapy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate differences in local tumor control (LC), symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of 261 patients with VS after stereotactic radiosurgery/hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/HFSRT) vs. fractionated radiotherapy (FRT) vs. fractionated proton therapy (FPT) were studied. METHODS: For SRS/HFSRT (n = 149), the median fraction dose applied was 12 Gy. For FRT (n = 87) and FPT (n = 25), the median cumulative doses applied were 57.6 Gy and 54 Gy (RBE), respectively. FRT and FPT used single median doses of 1.8 Gy/Gy (RBE). Median follow-up was 38 months. We investigated dosimetry for organs at risk and analyzed toxicity and QOL by sending out a questionnaire. RESULTS: LC was 99.5% at 12 months after RT with no statistical difference between treatment groups (p = 0.19). LC was significantly lower in NF2 patients (p = 0.004) and in patients with higher tumor extension grade (p = 0.039). The hearing preservation rate was 97% at 12 months after RT with no statistical difference between treatment groups (p = 0.31). Facial and trigeminal nerve affection after RT occurred as mild symptoms with highest toxicity rate in FPT patients. CONCLUSION: SRS/HFSRT, FRT and FPT for VS show similar overall clinical and functional outcomes. Cranial nerve impairment rates vary, potentially due to selection bias with larger VS in the FRT and FPT group.

Prospective study on health-related quality of life in patients before and after cochlear implantation.

PURPOSE: Assessing cochlear implant (CI)-associated patient outcomes is a focus of implant research. Most studies have analyzed outcomes retrospectively with low patient numbers and few measurement time points. In addition, standardized CI-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments have not been used. To address this, we prospectively assessed HRQoL in patients before and after implantation. METHODS: We assessed HRQoL using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), Hearing Participation Scale (HPS), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in 100 deaf or severely hearing-impaired patients (57 unilaterally deaf and 43 bilaterally deaf) before and 3, 6, and 12 months after cochlear implantation. We compared the results of unilaterally and bilaterally hearing-impaired patients and patients with or without a hearing aid. Principal component (PCA) and exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were also conducted. RESULTS: The NCIQ measured improvements in all 6 domains after CI and correlated well with other QoL instruments. The PCA revealed that the NCIQ can be better explained by physical, physical advanced, and socio-psychological components. The APHAB score ameliorated over time, except for the background noise domain. The overall HPS score improved over time, but the hearing handicap subscore significantly decreased. Sociodemographic influences on the questionnaire scores were relatively weak. CONCLUSION: Assessing HRQoL is essential for quantifying the patient outcome after CI. NCIQ scores in our patient cohort showed improved HRQoL in all domains and we recommend that the NCIQ be used as a first-line questionnaire for assessing QoL in hearing-impaired patients after CI.

Retrospective analysis of outcome and toxicity after postoperative radiotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lip.

BACKGROUND: Carcinomas of the lips are a relatively common malignancy of the head and neck region, accounting for roughly one quarter of all oral cavity cancers. Compared to other oral cancer sites, this location has a favorable prognosis, with 5-year survival rates between 85% and 95%. This study summarizes our institutional experience in utilizing postoperative radiation for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper and/or lower lip following incomplete surgical resection or positive lymph node involvement with extracapsular extension. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients at the University Hospital of Heidelberg between 2005 and 2018 treated with postoperative radiotherapy of the upper and lower lip. Nineteen patients were identified with a median age at diagnosis of 67 years (range, 41-95 years), with 58% male and 42% female patients. Fourteen patients (73.7%) underwent neck dissection, with 5 (35.7%) found to have extracapsular extension (ECE) and positive resection margin (R1/2), 2 (14.3%) only ECE, and 7 (50.0%) with only R1/2. All patients received a median cumulative dose of 66.0 Gy (range, 60.0-70.0 Gy) in a median of 2.0 Gy per fraction (range, 1.8-2.2 Gy). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 5.2 years. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.9 years (range, 0.2-12.4 years), local disease-free survival (LDFS) was 4 years (range, 1-12 years) and overall survival (OS) was 5.2 years (range, 0.2-12.4 years). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for OS, PFS, and LDFS were 61.4%, 85.7%, and 100.0%, respectively. At last follow-up, 13 patients (68.4%) were still alive. Although no patient developed locoregional relapse, two patients developed distant relapse at a median of 15 months after radiotherapy. There was a statistically significant improvement in OS in patients treated with higher radiotherapy doses (>60.0 Gy, p = 0.044) compared to lower radiotherapy doses. PFS was significantly improved among patients who had N0 disease, with a negative resection margin, without ECE, and who were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy to doses >60.0 Gy. No grade 3/4 toxicity was detected; the most common grade 1/2 toxicities included dermatitis (n = 11, 57.9%), oral mucositis (n = 8, 42.1%), and dysphagia (n = 8, 42.1%). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate excellent local control and OS with acceptable toxicity when utilizing postoperative radiotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper and lower lip, despite unfavorable characteristics (advanced T or N stage and/or ECE).