Integrated bioinformatics analysis of SEMA3C in tongue squamous cell carcinoma using machine-learning strategies.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is an aggressive oral cancer with a high incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis. We aim to identify and verify potential biomarkers for TSCC using bioinformatics analysis. To begin with, we examined clinical and RNA expression information of individuals with TSCC from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis and functional analysis were conducted. Multiple machine-learning strategies were next employed to screen and determine the hub gene, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess diagnostic value. Semaphorin3C (SEMA3C) was identified as a critical biomarker, presenting high diagnostic accuracy for TSCC. In the validation cohorts, SEMA3C exhibited high expression levels in TSCC. The high expression of SEMA3C was a poor prognostic factor in TSCC by the Kaplan-Meier curve. Based on the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, SEMA3C was mapped in terms related to cell adhesion, positive regulation of JAK-STAT, positive regulation of stem cell maintenance, and positive regulation of NF-κB activity. Single-cell RNA sequencing (ScRNA-seq) analysis showed cells expressing SEMA3C were predominantly tumor cells. Then, we further verified that SEMA3C had high expression in TSCC clinical samples. In addition, the knockdown of SEMA3C suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TSCC cells in vitro. This study is the first to report the involvement of SEMA3C in TSCC, suggesting that upregulated SEMA3C could be a novel and critical potential biomarker for future predictive diagnostics, prevention, prognostic assessment, and personalized medical services in TSCC.

The significance of elective neck dissection for patients with T2N0M0 OSCC at different ages.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the significance of elective neck dissection (END) for patients of different ages with T2N0M0 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and sought to analyze the reasons behind it and its value for clinical guidance. METHODS: This study enrolled 391 patients with T2N0M0 OSCC who were surgically treated in our hospital and were divided into young-, moderate-, and advanced-age groups according to our previous study. The Chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Compared with moderate- and advanced-age patients, young patients with T2N0M0 OSCC had higher lymph node metastasis rates and lymph node ratios. Therefore, END significantly improved the recurrence (p = 0.001) and survival (p = 0.001) for young patients, but not for moderate-age patients. Advanced-age patients even benefit from watchful waiting. END significantly improved recurrence and survival in young patients with smoking or alcohol consumption habits. CONCLUSIONS: END improved the prognosis of young patients, and it was related to their higher metastasis rate. However, advanced-age patients benefited from the wait-and-see policy. END is essential for the young patients with smoking or drinking habit, it is also highly recommended for nonsmokers and nondrinkers.

The modified vermilion border-marionette line approach: A management for buccal cancer with wider indications and higher satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of modified vermilion border-marionette line (MVBML) approach on postoperative facial scar, nerves injury, and prognosis of patients with buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective cohort study that enrolled 80 patients with BSCC from June 2015 to December 2020. According to the different surgical approaches, the patients were divided into two groups: the lower lip median (LLM) approach group and the MVBML approach group. RESULTS: The results showed that the appearance (p = 0.003), scar consciousness (p < 0.001) and satisfaction with appearance (p = 0.001) of patients in the MVBML group were significantly better than those in the LLM group, and the difference was more obvious in elderly group. Statistical analysis of postoperative nerves injury showed that the MVBML group had a lower risk of facial and mental nerves injury than the LLM group, and there was a significant statistical difference in mental nerve injury between the two groups (p < 0.001). Through Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, we found no significant difference in disease-specific survival (p = 0.47) or disease-free survival (p = 0.70) between the LLM approach group and the MVBML approach group. CONCLUSIONS: The MVBML surgical approach is worthy of advancement for the surgical treatment of BSCC.

Family history of cancer is associated with poorer prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the family history of cancer (FHC) in predicting survival and clinicopathological features in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-institution study utilized data from 610 patients undergoing surgery from 2014 to 2020 that was prospectively collected and cataloged for research purposes. All patients underwent standard surgery with/without radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. We statistically evaluated whether FHC was associated with changes in disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS: Among 610 patients, 141 (23.1%) reported a family history of cancer. The distribution of clinicopathological characteristics was balanced between FHC-positive and FHC-negative OSCC patients. FHC-positive patients had decreased DFS (p = 0.005) and DSS (p = 0.018) compared to FHC-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: FHC-positive OSCC patients have a poorer prognosis. FHC positivity is an independent predictor of negative outcomes based on DFS and DSS. FHC should be a consideration in screening, evaluating, counseling, and treating OSCC patients.

Chemotherapy for primary cancer can reduce the risk of head and neck second primary malignancy: a propensity-matched analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of chemotherapy versus no chemotherapy on the risk of second primary head and neck malignancies (SPHNMs) in patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to assess the survival outcomes of patients with SPHNM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 937 OSCC patients were divided into chemotherapy and nonchemotherapy groups by propensity score matching (PSM). In the presence of the competing event of non-SPHNM death, the fine and gray modified Cox proportional hazard model was fitted to detect the impact of various factors, including the history of chemotherapy, on SPHNM risk. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the survival outcomes of patients. RESULTS: After PSM, the 10-year cumulative probability of SPHNM was 10.7% for patients who received chemotherapy and 22.1% for patients who did not. The fine and gray regression model showed that prior chemotherapy was associated with a 51% reduced risk of SPHNM (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (sHR): 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29-0.84, P = 0.1). The disease-free survival (DFS) rates did not differ significantly between the SPHNM and non-SPHNM groups. And there were no significant differences in DFS rates between the patients with and those without prior chemotherapy in the SPHNM group. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy for locally advanced primary OSCC is associated with a decreased incidence of subsequent SPHNM. However, chemotherapy for the primary cancer does not improve DFS in patients with SPHNM. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chemotherapy plays a positive role in preventing SPHNMs for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Before January 2015, the data were retrieved retrospectively, while after January 2015, the data were collected prospectively in a POROMS database (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02395367).

The prevalence of chronic medication therapy problems and pharmacists' interventions among hospitalized perioperative patients: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate preoperative management of chronic medications can place perioperative patients at risk and cause unnecessary delays in surgical procedures. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of chronic medication therapy problems (CMTPs) in hospitalized perioperative patients and assess the relevance of pharmacists' interventions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of pharmacist-led preoperative management of chronic medications in hospitalized adult patients from November 2018 to April 2019. The recorded drug-related problems (DRPs) were retrospectively reviewed and categorized according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification V9.1 and were analyzed with a multinomial regression model to identify risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 254 DRPs were recorded, with an average of 0.52 DRPs per patient. Treatment safety (66.9%) was the most common DRP. The most frequent causes of perioperative DRPs and nonperioperative DRPs were drug selection (72.9%) and patient related (50.8%), respectively. Of the 292 documented interventions, 71.6% were fully accepted by the clinicians and patients. The majority (68.9%) of the recorded problems were completely resolved. The number of comorbidities (OR = 3.815) and the number of chronic medications taken (OR = 1.539) were risk factors for the occurrence of DRPs. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that pharmacist-led chronic medication therapy management in surgical wards may be an effective method to help reduce medication-related surgical risks and optimize the medication therapies used for the long-term treatment of chronic diseases.

Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluating the Depth and Level of Invasion of Buccal Carcinoma: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the depth and level of invasion of buccal carcinoma. METHODS: Patients with buccal squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed pathologically from July 2016 to December 2019 were included. The depth of invasion (DOI) and level of invasion (LOI) were evaluated by MRI, intraoperative specimens and pathological sections. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS software version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were ultimately included. The overall difference in DOI between MRI and pathological sections (DMP) was 5.55 ± 2.40 mm, and T category correlated with the differences in DOI measurement and LOI assessment. The threshold value of DOI by MRI to identify lymph node metastasis was 8.5 mm, and that for overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) was 14.1 mm for both. Buccinator invasion on MRI correlated with OS and DSS. CONCLUSION: Tumors with MRI-derived DOI larger than 8.5 mm deserve simultaneous neck dissection at initial surgery. Buccinator invasion was found to be an independent prognostic factor for buccal carcinoma patients.

Prognostic factors and related complications/sequalae of squamous cell carcinoma located in the gingivobuccal complex.

BACKGROUND: Gingivobuccal complex (GBC) was a relatively new concept of oral subsite that was comprises of the upper and/or lower gingiva, gingival buccal sulcus, and adjacent buccal mucosa. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the GBC had a poor prognosis, with few studies analyzing this particular entity. The objective of this study was to analyze the risk factors affecting the prognosis and complications/sequalae of gingivobuccal complex cancer. METHODS: Between December 2014 and August 2019, a total of 122 patients diagnosed with primary gingivobuccal complex cancer in Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University were enrolled in the study. Through outpatient reviewed and telephone followed-up for 2-5 years postoperatively, postoperative relapse and complications/sequalae were assessed. The primary outcome parameter was 2-year disease-free survival. RESULTS: The most common central site of the tumor was the buccal mucosa (45.1%), followed by the lower gingiva (36.9%). The most diseases were pT4a (45.1%) and there was lymph node invasion (pN+) in 41.8% of patients. Moderate differentiated squamous carcinoma (77.9%) accounted for the vast majority of the histopathological differentiation. A total of 62.3% of tumors invaded the bone, while, 5.7% invaded the skin layer. Survival analysis found that 44.3% of patients experienced relapse within two years postoperatively and the mortality rate after relapse was 75.9%. Almost 60.0% of the tumors involving the maxilla and/or mandible developed relapse. Cox proportional hazards model found that pN stage (p= 0.002) and bone invasion (p= 0.007) were significant independent predictors of 2-year disease-free survival. Importantly, 63.1% of patients had postoperative (and postradiotherapy) complications/sequalae. It was noteworthy that 18 of 43 patients (41.9%) who implanted with titanium plates had hardware-related complications/sequalae, and the most of them were titanium plate exposure (61.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Squamous cell carcinoma of the gingivobuccal complex cancer, as a new subsite worthy of attention in oral cancer, has a high complication/sequalae rate, high relapse rate and poor prognosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospective, Observational, Real-world Oral Malignant Tumors Study ( clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02395367). The approval of the Institutional Review Board of the Beijing Stomatological Hospital of Capital Medical University (Approval number: CMUSH-IRB-KJPJ-2015-08).

GPD1L is negatively associated with HIF1α expression and predicts lymph node metastasis in oral and HPV- Oropharyngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The study is to determine if Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1-like (GPD1L) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) can identify high-risk patients with delayed lymph node metastasis in early-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mRNA and protein expressions of markers were analyzed using fresh and paraffin embedded HNSCC specimens. The statistical analyses included chi-squared test, t test, correlation analysis, and univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: GPD1L (downregulated) and HIF1α (upregulated) mRNA expression had a negative correlation (r = -.496, p = .001) in cT1-2N0 HNSCC. The low GPD1L + high HIF1α expression group (22.6%) showed a significant decrease in disease-free survival compared with the high GPD1L + low HIF1α expression group (71.4%) in the neck dissection group. The low GPD1L + high HIF1α expression (39.4%) resulted in a significantly higher delayed metastasis rate than the high GPD1L + low HIF1α expression (5.6%) for cT1-2N0 HNSCC in the neck observation group. GPD1L and HIF1α protein expression more accurately predicted lymph node metastasis than the WINTER hypoxia gene panel (false-negative rate in predicting metastasis: 8.1% versus 26.4%). Cox regression analyses found that the combined protein expression of GPD1L and HIF1α could predict delayed metastasis (HR:0.118, 95% CI:0.027-0.525). CONCLUSIONS: Low GPD1L + high HIF1α expression can serve as candidate biomarkers for high-risk populations with lymph node metastases in early-stage HNSCC.

Is Perineural Invasion a Reasonable Indicator for Neck Dissection in cT1N0M0 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity?

PURPOSE: Perineural invasion (PNI) is considered an adverse histological feature in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Controversy exists regarding elective neck dissection (END) in cT1N0M0 OSCC with PNI as the only risk factor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PNI as an indicator for END, as well as its utility when combined with the depth of invasion (DOI) as a second indicator. PATIENTS AND METHODS: cT1N0M0 (AJCC8) OSCC patients treated from August 1998 to July 2017 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Michigan (MI), and Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University (BSH) were reviewed. Data from these sites included both prospectively captured data housed in a database and retrospective data. RESULTS: 283 cT1N0M0 OSCC patients were analyzed. The tongue was the most common subsite (56.2%). Ninety-nine (99) patients received END and 184 neck observation. PNI was found in only 8 patients (2.83%) all in the tongue or inferior gingiva. END was performed in 7 of the PNI patients. The mean depth of invasion for tumors with PNI was 3.97 mm, compared to 2.54 mm in tumors without PNI. PNI was statistically correlated with nodal disease (pN+) and extranodal extension (ENE+). After using DOI as a primary indicator for END, no additional PNI patients benefited from END. In addition, only 2 patients had PNI identified preoperatively both with 5 mm DOI, and therefore, already indicated for END on the basis of DOI status. CONCLUSIONS: PNI status is statistically correlated with pN+ and ENE + pathology in cT1N0M0 OSCC. After using DOI as a primary indicator for END, PNI status had no added value in decision making. Even surgeons who do not use DOI will find very limited value in PNI status with less than 1% preoperative prevalence (0.71%) in this patient population.

Skull Base Vagal Schwannoma.

ABSTRACT: Skull base vagal nerve schwannoma (VNS) is relatively uncommon and poses a challenge to surgeons. Although schwannomas are benign and slowly growing neoplasms arising from Schwann cells, they may cause significant dysfunction by causing the surrounding structures compression or infiltrating vital structures such as the skull base, the orbit, and the cranial nerves. These tumors are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Complete surgical removal is the optimal treatment modality, with recurrence being rare. The authors report a case of a 58-year-old man with an extensive VNS involving the left jugular foramen and parapharyngeal space. The clinical presentation, surgical management, and outcomes of VNS are discussed.

Is it necessary to receive radiation for pT3-4N0 oral cancer without other adverse risk features?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the necessity of adjuvant radiotherapy for well-differentiated pT3-4aN0M0 OSCC without other negative features histologically. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a double-center, ambispective cohort study enrolling 250 patients with well-differentiated pT3-4aN0M0 OSCC. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were enrolled in the double-center study, 155(62.0%) men and 95 (38.0%) women, and the mean age was 60.1 ± 11.1 years. T staging was classified as follows: T3 (n = 99, 39.6%) and T4a (n = 151, 60.4%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the DSS between patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (72.2%) and those who did not (77.4%) (p = .615). Specifically, no significant difference was found in the DSS of pT3N0M0 or pT4aN0M0 patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy compared with those who did not (pT3N0M0: 71.9% vs. 75.8%, p = .993; pT4aN0M0: 72.4% vs. 78.5%, p = .491). The Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that no factor was independent prognostic factor for pT3-4aN0M0 patients, or pT3N0M0 subgroup or pT4aN0M0 subgroup in DSS. And no independent prognostic factor was found for the surgery-alone subgroup and adjuvant radiotherapy subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that adjuvant radiotherapy did not obviously improve the prognosis of pT3-4aN0M0 well-differentiated OSCC without other negative features.

Elective Neck Dissection in T1N0M0 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: When Is It Necessary?

PURPOSE: Elective neck dissection (END) versus observation remains controversial for cT1N0M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to determine whether neck dissection is indicated for cT1N0M0 OSCC versus observation when considering oral cavity subsites and depth of invasion (DOI) as predictors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, ambispective cohort study of patients with cT1N0M0 OSCC treated at the University of Michigan and Beijing Stomatological Hospital from August 1998 to July 2017 with a follow-up end date of July 2019 was performed. Patients were excluded if follow-up was less than 2 years and no neck disease had occurred or if the final pathologic analysis resulted in upstaging to T2 using American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria, eighth edition. A total of 283 patients met the criteria. The main outcome parameter was the 2-year neck metastatic rate. RESULTS: The total 2-year lymph node metastatic rate was 11.3%. Overall neck metastatic rates escalated consistently according to DOI: less than 2 mm, 2.1%; 2 to 3 mm, 9.4%; 3 to 4 mm, 15.2%; and 4 to 5 mm, 24.6%. On univariate Cox regression analysis, DOI greater than 3 mm, tumor grade, and perineural invasion were statistically significant indicators of 2-year neck metastasis. On multivariate analysis, only DOI and tumor grade remained. On multivariate analysis of 2-year survival, no factors were independent predictors. Our proposed treatment strategy for END based both on statistically significant results for DOI and on review of the raw data using a 20% cutoff analysis showed cutoffs of 2 mm for the tongue (18.2%), 3 mm for the floor of the mouth (40.0%) and upper gingiva (20%), and 4 mm for the lower gingiva (33.3%) and no cutoff for the hard palate (0.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The watch-and-wait approach remains a reasonable approach in selected patients with cT1N0M0 OSCC. Decision making for END in T1N0M0 patients should minimally consider tumor grade, DOI, and oral cavity subsite.

Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management of First Branchial Cleft Fistula/Sinus: A Case Series and Literature Review.

PURPOSE: First branchial cleft fistula/sinus is a rare congenital developmental deformity that can sometimes be acquired from incision and drainage of a branchial cleft cyst. The aim of the present study was to explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and surgical management of first branchial cleft fistula/sinus in both a large patient series and a review of the pertinent literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from 31 cases diagnosed from February 2004 to April 2019 as first branchial cleft fistula/sinus were retrospectively reviewed. The patient demographic data and outcomes were explored. In addition, we performed a literature review of studies reported from 1923 to 2018 for first branchial cleft fistula/sinus and summarized those results. RESULTS: The present study included 31 patients (15 males, 16 females) with a median age of 4 years. All the patients reviewed had presented with a unilateral first branchial cleft fistula/sinus. The parotid region was the most frequent site of presentation (41.9%) in these cases. The fistula/sinus had occurred on the left side in 13 patients (41.9%) and on the right side in 18 patients (58.1%). Of the 31 patients, 24 (77.4%) had acquired the disease from infection of an existing brachial cleft cyst or incomplete previous excision. Of the 31 cases, 28 (90%) had an intimate relationship between the tract and the facial nerve. Despite this close association, no patient developed postoperative facial nerve palsy. Of the 31 operations, 30 (97%) successfully accomplished complete resection with no recurrence postoperatively. Only 1 patient with a history of multiple recurrences experienced a subsequent recurrence, which was successfully treated with a second surgery. CONCLUSIONS: First branchial cleft fistula/sinus is a frequently misdiagnosed and, therefore, undertreated entity, which leads to recurrence. It is closely associated with the facial nerve and extra auditory canal. The correct diagnosis and meticulous removal can be effectively achieved with minimal risk to the facial nerve.

Prognosis of Pediatric Patients With Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the prognosis of pediatric patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the parotid gland. METHODS: Pediatric patients with MEC of parotid gland who were surgically treated at the Capital Medical University School of Stomatology from 2000 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics, pathology reports, and operation records were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 33 patients with an average age of 13.2 years were enrolled. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 95.8% and 84.4%, respectively. The disease-free survival and overall survival rates were lower in the under-10 age group (75.0 versus 87.7% and 83.3% versus 100%), though no statistically significant difference was found (P = 0.279 and P = 0.075). The patients who underwent complete resection all had a good prognosis without any recurrence or death regardless of whether the cut margin was 1.0 cm, 0.5 cm, or only extracapsular. One patient experienced 3 recurrences within 18 months and eventually died of disease. CONCLUSION: Good outcomes were achieved in pediatric patients with MEC of the parotid gland. Radical resection ensured a good prognosis regardless of the extent of resection. Frequent recurrence in a short period was associated with a poor prognosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: None.

Relationship between body mass index and outcomes for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to investigate body mass index (BMI) as a prognostic factor and to examine the relationship between pretreatment BMI and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) outcomes in northern Chinese patients. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 633 patients with OSCC who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2014. RESULTS: Most baseline characteristics (gender, sites, smoking history, comorbidity, hypertension, T stage, clinical features, perineural invasion, flap reconstruction) were differentiated by BMI groups. Overall, the Kaplan-Meier curves indicated no significant relationship between BMI and disease-free survival (DFS) or disease-specific survival (DSS). Interestingly, obese patients exhibited higher risks of recurrence and death than normal-weight patients (DFS: HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.16-2.96; DSS: HR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.08-3.86). However, postoperative complications occurred more frequently in underweight patients than in normal-weight patients. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity may contribute to a higher recurrence rate and a worse prognosis in OSCC patients than in normal-weight patients in northern China. However, underweight patients have a higher risk of postoperative complications.

The impact of age on oral squamous cell carcinoma: A longitudinal cohort study of 2,782 patients.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to assess the influence of age on oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and sought to analyze the reasons that may contribute to this difference. METHODS: This study enrolled 2,782 patients included 2,443 patients in a retrospective cohort to find the influence of age and 339 patients in a prospective cohort to testify these findings. The patients were divided into young age-group (≤40 years old), moderate age-group (41-75 years old), and advanced age-group (>75 years old). All patients were diagnosed as oral squamous cell carcinoma and were surgically treated in our hospital. Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox proportional-hazards regression model were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Younger patients started smoking (p < 0.001) and drinking (p < 0.001) earlier than the older patients and consumed more tobacco (p = 0.005) and alcohol (p = 0.156). Patients with advanced age had worse outcomes in both recurrence (p = 0.002) and survival (p < 0.001). They also had more severe comorbidity (p < 0.001) and were more likely to receive conservative treatment (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with young patients, older patients had worse prognosis, and it was related with their more severe comorbidity and received more conservative treatment. Young adults smoking and drinking earlier and heavier than old patients, it may relate with their occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Surgery Alone Is Effective in the Management of Pediatric Salivary Gland Acinic Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The treatment strategy for salivary gland acinic cell carcinoma in pediatric patients remains controversial. This retrospective study was undertaken to analyze the role of surgery in the treatment of acinic cell carcinoma of the major salivary gland in pediatric patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the medical records of all pediatric patients with acinic cell carcinoma of the major salivary gland who were treated at Beijing Stomatological Hospital of Capital Medical University from 1998 to 2015. The predictor variable was treatment modality. The outcome variables were disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), local control, and freedom from distant metastasis. Other variables of interest were as follows: age, gender, tumor site, T category, N category, recurrence history, pathologic grade, perineural invasion, extracapsular extension, positive margin, and resection condition. The data analysis methods used were descriptive, bivariate statistics and the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients, 7 received surgery alone and 12 received initial surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy (RT). During the median follow-up period of 86 months, the overall estimates of DFS, OS, local control, and freedom from distant metastasis were 82.6, 93.3, 89.5, and 94.4%, respectively. Good outcomes were achieved in patients who received surgery alone (100% OS and 85.7% DFS). Initial surgery combined with postoperative RT was appropriate for patients with risk factors (91.7% OS and 83.3% DFS). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery alone is appropriate for salivary gland acinic cell carcinoma in pediatric patients without risk factors, even if extracapsular excision is adopted. Preserving the invaded facial nerve during surgery is a good choice because a curative effect can be obtained when adjuvant RT is administered. Older age, high-grade pathology, incomplete resection, recurrence history, and extracapsular extension were identified as risk factors of poor prognosis.

Surgical Management of Giant Cell Tumor Involving the Lateral Skull Base.

The aim of the study is to discuss the current management options for intra- and extra-cranial communication giant cell tumor of the lateral skull base and perform a review of the literature. A total of 6 patients with giant cell tumor of the lateral skull base were retrospectively enrolled in the study. The principal complaints, imaging manifestations, surgical resection and reconstruction of intra- and extra-cranial communication defects for the diseases were discussed. There were 2 males and 4 females. The most of principal complaints were discomfort or pain in the temporomandibular joint in 5 cases (83.3%). Imaging examination showed invasion of the temporal bone alone in 3 cases (50.0%) and both temporal bone and sphenoid bone involvement in 3 cases (50.0%). C-shaped preauricular infratemporal fossa approach was used for tumour removal and gross total resection was done in all 6 cases. The pedicled temporal muscle fascial flap was used to reconstruct the intra- and extra-cranial communication defect of the lateral skull base. The conclusion is that giant cell tumor is a benign tumor but is also locally aggressive. Gross total resection is the most commonly recommended treatment choice for giant cell tumor of the skull and can achieve good treatment outcomes. The temporalis muscle flap is a good alternative choice for reconstruction of the defect.

Predicting Radiotherapy Necessity in Tongue Cancer Using Lymph Node Yield.

PURPOSE: In patients with head and neck cancer and a single metastatic lymph node (pN1), the value of lymph node yield (LNY) remains controversial in determining the prognosis and identifying patients who require radiotherapy. This study evaluated the role of LNY in predicting the adequacy of neck dissection, need for adjuvant radiotherapy, and survival in patients with pN1 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors implemented a retrospective cohort study. The predictor variable was LNY. The outcome variables were 5-year disease-specific survival and the need for adjuvant radiotherapy. Other study variables were age, gender, tumor stage, pathologic grade, growth pattern, tobacco and alcohol habits, and time frame. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed, and a P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The sample was chosen from among 2,792 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed as having oral squamous cell carcinoma and underwent surgical treatment from June 1996 through December 2012. One hundred forty-one patients treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology of the Beijing Stomatological Hospital (Beijing, China) were screened for the study. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis identified that a cutoff (LNY, 20; area under the curve, 0.708; 95% confidence interval, 0.625-0.781; sensitivity and specificity, 64.94 and 70.31%, respectively; P = .0001) could best discriminate patients into 2 groups according to need for adjuvant radiotherapy. Interestingly, subgroup analyses showed that patients who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy had notably better 5-year disease-specific survival than those who did not undergo radiotherapy if the LNY was smaller than 20 (58.0 vs 21.0%; P = .021). However, there was no significant association for 5-year disease-specific survival between the low and high LNY groups (49.2 vs 58.7%; P = .363). CONCLUSIONS: An LNY smaller than 20 at levels I to III predicted a benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with tongue cancer who had pN1 neck status without other adverse histopathologic features.