Analysis of Prognostic Factors For External Auditory Canal Carcinoma: A 22-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in patients with the external auditory canal (EAC) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: All patients diagnosed with EAC SCC and treated with curative intent at a single tertiary institution were retrospectively reviewed over a 22-year period. Treatment modalities included surgery with adjuvant treatment or definitive radiotherapy. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS: There were 51 patients in our cohort. The 5-year OS and DSS were 64.0% ± 7.0% and 72.0% ± 7.0% respectively. Patients in the surgical arm and RT arm showed no significant difference in OS, DSS, and LRFS (p = 0.075, 0.062, 0.058 respectively). Compared to other routes of spread within the temporal bone, pattern of posterior disease invasion (involving mastoid/sigmoid sinus) showed poorer OS and DSS on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, HR4.34 and 5.88; p = 0.006 and 0.009). On multivariate analysis, the following factors were independently prognostic of poorer OS and DSS: Previous radiotherapy (HR 3.29 and 4.81, p = 0.021 and p = 0.029); Presence of facial nerve palsy (HR 3.80 and 7.63, p = 0.013 and p = 0.003); Posterior pattern of invasion (HR4.05 and 3.59, p = 0.013 and p = 0.043). Advanced modified Pittsburgh stage was not predictive of poor OS and DSS (HR1.17 and 1.17 E+5, p = 0.786 and p = 0.961). CONCLUSION: Presence of previous radiotherapy, facial nerve palsy and posterior pattern of disease invasion were independent prognostic factors of poorer survival in patients with EAC SCC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:2203-2210, 2023.

Concordance of the ACR TI-RADS Classification With Bethesda Scoring and Histopathology Risk Stratification of Thyroid Nodules.

Importance: Although most thyroid nodules are benign, 10% to 15% of them harbor cancer. Thyroid ultrasonography is useful for risk stratification of nodules, and American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) classification provides recommendations for fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) based on objective ultrasonographic features of these nodules. Objective: To validate the concordance of ACR TI-RADS classification with Bethesda classification and histopathology. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the concordance of ACR TI-RADS classification with Bethesda classification and histopathology and was conducted in Singapore General Hospital Outpatient Otolaryngology clinic in March 2021 to May 2021. Data analysis was performed in May 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: Results were deemed concordant when ACR TI-RADS recommendations aligned with Bethesda scores. Conversely, results were classified as nonconcordant with Bethesda scores and/or histopathology results when nodules that were recommended for FNAC yielded benign results or nodules that were not recommended for FNAC yielded malignant results. Results: A total of 446 patients (370 women [83%]; mean [range] age, 60 [24-89] years) who underwent ultrasonography of the thyroid and ultrasonography-guided thyroid FNACs were identified. A total of 492 of 630 nodules (78.1%) were benign on FNAC (Bethesda II). Score 3 ACR TI-RADS nodules yielded the highest negative predictive values: 94.6% (95% CI, 92.9%-95.9%; P < .001) compared with Bethesda scoring and 100.0% (95% CI, 15.8%-100.0%; P = .003) compared with histopathology. Score 4 or 5 ACR TI-RADS nodules yielded positive predictive values of 2.8% and 16.2%, respectively, compared with Bethesda scoring and 6.1% and 66.7%, respectively, compared with histopathology. Small (<1.5 cm) ACR TI-RADS nodules of scores of 4 and 5 that were not recommended for FNAC yielded a malignant risk of 5.7% and 25.0% on Bethesda 5 and 6, respectively. On surgical excision, 5 of 46 (10.9%) ACR TI-RADS 4 nodules and 15 of 21 (71.4%) of ACR TI-RADS 5 nodules were confirmed to be malignant. Among nodules initially not recommended for FNAC, histopathology-proven cancer was found in 4 of 13 (30.7%) and 3 of 6 (50.0%) of nodules, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that ACR TI-RADS score 3 nodules have a low risk of cancer and should be considered for FNAC only if nodules are 2.5 cm or larger. Patients with small (<1.5 cm) ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 nodules should be appropriately counseled for FNAC to exclude cancer.

Elderly Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma: Does Aggressive Treatment Result in Better Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: There are no well-defined treatment recommendations for elderly patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate whether aggressive treatment among the elderly translated into better survival outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single tertiary institution. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Elderly patients (≥60 years) with advanced-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (stage III and IV) treated between January 1991 and May 2014 were reviewed. According to current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, they were classified to have received standard or substandard treatment. Overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival, and distant recurrence-free survival were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 355 patients were treated curatively: 194 with up-front surgery and 161 with radiotherapy or concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Median OS was higher among patients who received standard treatment (42.0 vs 16.0 months, P < .001). On multivariate analysis, standard treatment showed superior OS ( P < .001). Use of substandard treatment showed a hazard ratio of 2.09 (95% CI, 1.59-2.74) for poorer OS. CONCLUSION: Aggressive standard treatment protocols should be advocated for elderly patients, where comorbidities permit, as they confer better outcomes.