Survival Outcome of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma.

BACKGROUND: Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is a rare benign tumor of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. It is destructive or bone-remodeling, tends to recur after surgical resection, and has a significant malignant potential. The present study aimed to perform a retrospective analysis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from IP, including characteristics, survival outcome, and predictors of associated malignancy. METHODS: The medical records of 213 patients diagnosed with IP from January 1970 to January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighty-seven patients were diagnosed with SCC/IP; their clinical characteristics, treatments, and survival outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients with SCC/IP, the 5- and 10-year overall survival outcomes were 39.6% and 31.8%, respectively. Twenty-nine of these patients received surgery and 58 received combined surgery and radiation. Of the patients with stages III-IV, the 5-year survival rate was 30.7% for those treated with surgery only and 39.9% for those given the combination treatment (P = 0.849). Factors associated with significantly poor prognosis were advanced-stage, metachronous tumors, or with cranial base and orbit invasion. Age, synchronous or metachronous tumors, and pathological stage were independent risk factors for mortality, shown by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with SCC/IP had low overall survival outcomes. Advanced age, stage, and metachronous tumors are the main factors affecting prognosis. Treatment planning should consider high-risk factors to improve survival outcome.

Laryngeal reconstruction with a sternohyoid muscle flap after supracricoid laryngectomy: postoperative respiratory and swallowing evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative respiratory and swallowing functions between patients who underwent classic supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL) and those who underwent SCL with laryngeal reconstruction using the sternohyoid muscle. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: National cancer center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients who consecutively underwent SCL for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma from December 2009 to March 2011 were included. Postoperative parameters including the mean tracheostomy decannulation time, tracheostomy decannulation rate at 6 months, mean nasogastric tube (NGT) removal time, degree of dysphagia at 3 months, and survival time after surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients underwent classic SCL (group A), and 23 underwent SCL with laryngeal reconstruction (group B). After a median follow-up period of 37 months (range, 3-44 months), group A had a significantly longer mean decannulation time (120.05 ± 109.38 days vs 33.43 ± 22.60 days, respectively; P < .01) and NGT removal time (37.30 ± 29.97 days vs 17.22 ± 10.95 days, respectively; P < .01) than group B. Swallowing function after 6 months was significantly better in group B than in group A (P = .004). The decannulation rate after 6 months was significantly higher in group B than in group A (95.7% vs 66.7%, respectively; P = .036). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was not significantly different between group A and group B (95.2% vs 95.7%, respectively; P = .961). CONCLUSION: Laryngeal reconstruction using a sternohyoid muscle flap seems to improve quality of life in the early postoperative period after SCL.

[Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: retrospective analysis of 28 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (SCCT). METHODS: Retrospective review of SCCT cases in our hospital from January 1999 to May 2012. Demographic data and clinical charts, including presenting symptoms, histologic grade of tumor, treatment, and outcome of 28 consecutive patients were obtained. Survival rates and prognostic factors were calculated with SPSS 13.0 software using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox model survival analysis. RESULTS: SCCT accounted for only 0.36% of all types of thyroid malignancy. There were 15 males and 13 females, and the median age was 63 years. The presenting symptoms were neck masses (26/28) and hoarse voice (18/28). The 28 SCCTs included 15 high grade tumors, eight intermediate grade tumors and five low grade tumors. According to the UICC 2002 staging criteria, 16 patients were stage IVa, and 12 were stage IVb. Of the 28 patients, 19 underwent surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy, seven underwent surgery alone, and two received radiotherapy alone. The rates of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were 60.7% and 25.0%, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate were 50.4%, 25.8% and 19.3%, respectively, and the median overall survival time was 12.2 months. Kaplan-Meier univariate survival analyses indicated that the sizes of the tumors, esophageal invasions and treatment policies are prognostic factors, and multivariate Cox model survival analyses confirmed that the sizes of the tumors and treatment policies were independent factors for OS. Multivariate survival analyses confirmed that the sizes of the tumors and treatment policies were independent factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: SCCT is a rare malignant tumor with strong invasive ability, high malignancy and poor prognosis. Combined modality therapy was strongly recommended, and surgical resection plus postoperative radiotherapy may be the main treatment protocol for patients with SCCT.

Surgical management of parapharyngeal lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective study of 25 patients.

BACKGROUND: Parapharyngeal lymph node (PPLN) metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is rare. We describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of this condition. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with PPLN metastasis from thyroid carcinoma were treated at our institution from January 1999 to December 2010, including 22 patients with papillary carcinoma, two with medullary carcinoma, and one with follicular carcinoma. Of these, 16 had a history of surgical treatment prior to PPLN metastasis. Of the nine patients without a history of surgical treatment, five had widespread cervical lymph node metastases and four had occult papillary thyroid carcinoma. PPLN metastasis was diagnosed by enhanced computed tomography in 22 cases. RESULTS: Resection of metastases was performed via a transcervical approach in 23 patients and a transmandibular approach in two patients. After a median follow-up time of 31 months (range: 6 - 130 months), nine patients developed distant metastases, and six of these died of their disease. The 5-year survival rate was 63.8%. CONCLUSIONS: PPLN metastasis from thyroid carcinoma may occur in patients: with previous neck dissection, with widespread metastases to cervical lymph nodes prior to initial treatment, and with occult thyroid carcinoma. Enhanced computed tomography is helpful for diagnosis in the first two presentations. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment for this disease. PPLN metastasis has a tendency to be associated with distant metastases and a poor prognosis.

[Clinical outcomes of salvage surgery for nasopharyngeal carcinoma after irradiation failure].

OBJECTIVE: To study salvage surgery for persistent or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after irradiation failure. METHODS: A total of 84 cases underwent salvage surgery for persistent or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after irradiation failure between 1993 and 2009 was reviewed. rTNM stage: rT1 34 cases, rT2 27 cases, rT3 12 cases and rT4 11 cases; rN0 70 cases, rN1 9 cases and rN2 5 cases; No with distance metastatic. The salvage surgeries were performed using maxillary swing approach (47 cases), transcervical-mandibulo-palatal approach (21 cases), palate nasopharyngectomy (6 cases), lateral rhinotomy (7 cases), and maxillectomy (3 cases). RESULTS: Persistent or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after irradiation failure was resected completely in 57 patients (67.9%) and there were microscopic residual diseases in 27 patients (32.1%). The median follow-up was 27 months. Postoperative recurrence occurred in 35 cases. Thirty-six patients died of recurrence, metastasis and other diseases. The overall 5 year survival rate was 43.6%. Cox regression analysis indicated the complete resection for persistent or recurrent disease and no cervical metastasis were two independent factors affecting survival. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage surgery for persistent or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after irradiation failure is an effective treatment.

Triple dumbbell-shaped jugular foramen schwannomas.

PURPOSE: Triple dumbbell-shaped jugular foremen schwannomas (DSJFSs) have high cervical extension according to Bulsara's classification. One-stage, single-discipline, total removal of triple DSJFSs is not always possible due to their both intracranial and cervical extensions. We evaluated our experience in one-stage resection of triple DSJFSs by using a combined neurosurgical and head and neck approach. METHODS: Between October 2004 and May 2009, eight patients with triple DSJFSs were treated surgically at our institute. The clinical and radiological features, operative procedures and outcomes are retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Total tumour removal was achieved in seven patients and near total in one. New cranial nerve (CN) paresis occurred after surgery in one patient and worsening of preoperative CN deficits was noted in three. Two patients experienced cerebrospinal fluid leakage and one of them had a repeated operation with closure of the dural deficit. Follow-up period ranged from 23 to 60 months (mean 38 months). All CN dysfunction had improved considerably at the last follow-up examination. There have been no clinical or radiological signs of tumour recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage total resection of triple DSJFSs can be achieved by a multidisciplinary cranial base team composed of neurosurgeons and head and neck surgeons via a craniocervical approach.

[Managements of vagal paragangliomas: a report of 11 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characters, diagnosis, surgical outcomes and treatment strategies of vagal paraganglioma (VP). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 11 patients with VP confirmed by surgery and pathology between January 2000 and July 2010. RESULTS: Although the combined application of ultrasonography, enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the preoperative diagnostic accuracy rate was only 27.2%. All patients were managed by surgical resection (one malignant case with postoperative radiotherapy). All patients either had or developed a vagal palsy and additional cranial nerve or sympathetic nerve deficits were sustained in 8 patients after operation. With a median follow-up time of 41 months (range: 4 - 132 months), one case lost and the others survived without local recurrence or distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: VP are rare and liable to misdiagnose. For increasing the preoperative diagnosis rate of VP, the combined application of imaging tests is important and clinicians and radiologists should also enhance the awareness of this disease. Postoperative complications including nerve injury are inevitable and individual treatment is required.

[Clinical analysis of surgical complications after preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy of pyriform sinus cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgery complications and laryngeal function sparing rate after preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy and preoperative radiotherapy of pyriform sinus cancer. METHODS: Forty-six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of pyriform sinus from March 2002 to March 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy (CRT + S group) was conducted in twenty-three patients. Cisplatin (50 mg/weekly) was mostly applied. Twenty-three patients were treated with radiation only (RT + S group). Surgery was conducted after a break-time of 21 - 44 days (median, 31 d) and 17 - 40 days (median, 28 d), respectively. RESULTS: The complication rate of CRT + S group and RT + S group were 30.4% and 39.1% respectively, no significant differences was found (χ(2) = 0.099, P < 0.05). The one-year laryngeal function sparing rate of the two groups were 52.2% and 17.4% respectively, with significant differences (χ(2) = 6.133, P < 0.05). The one-year local regional control rate and disease free survival rate for the CRT + S group were 89.9%, 71.1%, and for RT + S group were 56.3%, 47.1%, P level were 0.018 and 0.037, respectively. There was significant differences in one year local regional control rate and disease free survival rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of concurrent chemotherapy to preoperative radiotherapy in patients with pyriform sinus cancer does not increase the incidence of surgery complications. Chemotherapy improves the remission rate and appears to increase the laryngeal function sparing rate. Preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy can improve the local and regional control, and certainly, more investigations will be needed.

[Functional reconstruction after total or near total glossectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients who underwent total or near total glossectomy with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) or free flap (FF) reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective study of 38 consecutive patients undergoing total or near total glossectomy with PMMF or FF reconstruction. The outcomes of decannulation, feeding and speech function recovery were compared. RESULTS: Near total glossectomy was performed in 33 patients and total glossectomy was performed in 5 patients. Twenty five patients underwent reconstruction with PMMF including 2 salvage reconstructions after free flaps failure. All PMMFs survived except one complete necrosis. The success rate of PMMF was 96.0% (24/25). Fifteen patients underwent reconstruction with FF. Two flaps developed complete necrosis and the success rate of FF was 86.7% (13/15). The difference in the rates between the two groups was not significant (P=0.545). In the PMMF and FF groups, the renewal of oral feeding were 65.2% (15/23) and 100% (13/13), P<0.05, and the tracheostomy decannulation were 52.2% (12/23) and 100% (12/12), P<0.05, respectively. Postoperative feeding function recovery was better in FF group than that in PMMF group (P=0.011). Single factor analysis showed that using FF and maintaining the continuity of the mandible were related to successful rate of renewal of oral feeding. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the continuity of the mandible was the only independent predictor for renewal of oral feeding. There was no significant difference in the postoperative speech functions between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The continuity of the mandible is the major factor to restore the functional outcomes in feeding after total or near total glossectomy. Compared with PMMF, using FF is more beneficial to retain or rebuild the continuity of the mandible.

[Cooperation management by head and neck surgery and neurosurgery for skull base tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To present the experience and advantage of cooperation management by head and neck surgery and neurosurgery for communicating skull base tumors. METHODS: A review of 54 communicating skull base tumors (benign tumor 21, malignant tumor 33) cooperation resection by head and neck surgery and neurosurgery from July 2005 to July 2008 in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was presented. The tumor originated in the anterior skull base in 19 cases, originated in the lateral skull base in 12, in the central skull base in 17, and in the posterior skull base in 6. RESULTS: All procedures were conducted in a single stage by a multidisciplinary team. Total resection of tumor was achieved in 45 cases, and subtotal resection was achieved in 9. There was no operative death. There were 2 cases postoperative hemorrhage. All cases except 3 were followed up with a period of 8 to 43 months (median, 19.1 months for benign tumor and 21.0 months for malignant tumor). Three patients with malignant tumor were lost. Twelve cases of malignant tumor and one case of benign tumor recurred postoperatively. Nine patients with malignant tumor had died (one of these died from heart trouble). Three-year disease-free survival rates and overall survival rates of malignant tumor were 52.7% and 53.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It suggested that a special operative team constituted of head and neck surgeon and neurosurgeon may improve the outcome of the difficult skull base tumors.

[Parathyroid glands are differentiated from lymph node by activated-carbon particles].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into an new methods preserving parathyroid gland of patients with thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with thyroid carcinoma that primary treated were random divided into two groups: trial group and control group. Emulsion of activated-carbon particles was injected into the thyroid gland of trial group patients. After thirty minutes, central compartment dissection was performed in the all patients. The black stained tissue in the dissection specimen of trial group was separated. Total lymph node, metastasis lymph node and parathyroid gland in the black stained tissue, and non-black stained tissue in the central compartment dissection specimen of trial group and central compartment dissection specimen of control group were counted respectively. RESULTS: Nineteen and twenty central compartment dissection was performed in trial group and control group respectively. There are 177 lymph nodes included 83 metastasis lymph nodes in the black-stained tissue of central compartment dissection specimen of trial group. No parathyroid gland was found in the black-stained tissue. Nine lymph nodes included 2 metastasis lymph nodes and 7 parathyroid glands were found in the non-black stained tissue of central compartment dissection specimen of trial group. There were 124 lymph nodes included 80 metastasis lymph nodes and 8 parathyroid glands in central compartment dissection specimen of control group. There are statistic difference between the amount of lymph node in black stain tissue and that of control group (t = 0.340, P = 0.003). Rate of staining lymph node were 95.2 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node of VI group can be stained black by activated carbon particles, and parathyroid gland cannot be stained black. Maybe, parathyroid gland can be preserved by removing the black stain lymph node and retaining the non-black stained tissue.

[Prospective cohort study on prevention of Frey syndrome in parotid surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevention of Frey syndrome after parotidectomy. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 100 patients with parotid cancer who received parotid surgery was underwent in our hospital from 2001 to 2004. These patients were assigned to two groups, study group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). The patients in the study group received parotidectomy and intraoperative placement of collagen pieces within the parotid bed, between the skin flap and the facial nerve. The patients in the control group received a conventional parotidectomy and no collagen pieces was implanted. All of the patients were followed-up and were evaluated for Frey syndrome with identical questionnaires. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the incidence rate of Frey syndrome was significantly decreased in the study group (20% vs 60%, chi(2) = 15.04, P < 0.001). Postoperative incidence of facial contour apparent deformity was 80% (40/50) in control group and 44% (22/50) in study group (chi(2) = 12.26, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Use of collagen pieces as an interposition fill barrier improves parotidectomy outcome by reducing the incidence of Frey syndrome, and it improves cosmetic results concurrently.

[Surgical approach for intrathoracic goiter].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the Surgical approach and management of intrathoracic goiter. METHODS: Seventy patients were operated on for thyromegaly extending to the thorax in an 15-year period at the department of Head and Neck surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The median age of the 70 patients (44 women and 26 men) was 55 years, with a range of 23 to 71 years. Sixty cases were benign intrathoracic goiter and ten cases were malignancy. To help choice of operative approach, the intrathoracic goiter was divided into three types to based on chest film, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and clinical symptom. I type: the inferior extremity of goiter is on the aortic arch. II type is the goiter to enter intrathoracic and portion located behind aortic arch, or the goiter enter posterior mediastinum. For III type, intrathoracic goiter intrude thoracic cavity, or accompany superior vena caval syndrome. Operative method, surgical access and treatment effect were discussed in this essay. RESULTS: A cervical incision alone was performed in 62 cases (I type 41 cases, II type 21 cases), and sternotomy in 8 (II type 3 cases, III type 5 cases). There was low morbidity and no deaths. Removal rate by cervical approach for intrathoracic benign and malignant goiter were 95% (57/60) and 50% (5/10) respectively. The Complication rate of cervical approach was significantly lower (8.1%) than that sternotomy approach (37.5%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of intrathoracic goiter can be managed by cervical incision alone. Only a few cases, a median sternotomy approach may be needed when adhesions or an anomalous blood supply are present or carcinoma is suspected.

[Current opinions in therapeutics of advanced laryngeal carcinoma].

The treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer constitutes a constant challenge to surgeons. Although various therapeutic modalities have been employed in the past century, the cure rate remains unsatisfactory. Current opinions in the therapeutics of this disease pay more attention to the preservation of larynx function and the improvement of quality of life. It is practical to improve the survival rate and quality of life by upgrading the conservative surgical techniques and radiotherapy tactics, neo-adjuvant therapies, and especially the combined treatment using concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

[Reconstruction with free jejunal interposition for defect after tumor resection of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the use of free jejunal flap in reconstruction for circumferential defect after tumor resection of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer. METHODS: Retrospective review of 51 patients who underwent circumferential pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with free jejunal flap after tumor ablation. RESULTS: In 51 patients, 5 had flap failure and the flap success rate was 90% (46/51). Forty-five patients had oral intake after operation excluding one who had anastomosis stenosis and 5 who had flap failure. The 1-year and 3-year survival rate was 62% and 48% respectively. Positive surgical marginal status and external invasion including thyroid gland, carotid artery, skin and pre-vertebral area were indicators for bad prognosis. Except 5 patients who had flap failure, one of which died from mediastinal infection, no other severe complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Patients reconstructed with free jejunal flap after resection of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer had low mortality and few complications. Those without positive surgical margin and external invasion including thyroid gland, carotid artery, skin and pre-vertebral area had higher survival rate. Most of them had good quality of life. The choice of free jejunal flap for reconstruction of hypopharyngoesophageal defect was appropriate in selected patients who had guarantee of negative surgical margin and no external invasion.

[Application of maxillary swing approach in operation of para-pharynx and cranial base].

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of the maxillary swing approach to the nasopharynx and its vicinity was evaluated. METHODS: Using maxillary swing approach, the tumors in the nasopharyngeal region and infratemporal fossa in 60 patients were removed at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences during the period 1995 to 2005. Among them, 51 suffered from primary nasopharyngeal and cranial base tumor, and 9 had tumor of primary infratemporal fossa. Thirteen patients had benign and 47 patients had malignant tumor. Twenty eight cases were received preoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: The facial wounds in all 60 patients healed primarily with no evidence of necrosis of the maxilla Twelve patients developed palatal fistula, six of them subsequently healed, two patients did not request surgical closure, whereas two patients required to wear a dental plate. Patients were followed up from 5 to 85 months (median interval, 38 months). Fourteen patients had local recurrence after treatment and five of them died. Three patients developed pulmonary metastasis. Five year survival and free tumor survival of malignant tumor were 76.4% and 36.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary swing approach is a proven method for access to the nasopharynx, middle cranial base and infratemporal fossa. The tumors in these regions can be adequately exposure and safely resected. The associated morbidity is low and there is no postoperative disturbance of cosmetic appearance using this approach.