Pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma: oncological outcomes in good responders of induction chemotherapy-based larynx preservation protocols.

Induction chemotherapy-based larynx preservation protocols use chemotherapy to select exclusively patients with 'chemosensitive' tumors for a nonsurgical treatment with radiation therapy. This study on pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is interested in the oncological outcome of treatment based on radiation therapy when offered to patients with tumors responding to induction chemotherapy. This was a retrospective cohort study. The cohort included good responders to induction chemotherapy, subsequently treated with definite radiation therapy (with or without concomitant chemotherapy) for pyriform sinus SCC, in a tertiary referral cancer center. The primary endpoints were overall, laryngectomy-free and disease-free survival and the secondary endpoints were analysis of treatment failures and possibilities of salvage treatment. Forty-two patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were retained for analysis; 7% were stage II (3/42), 48% stage III (20/42) and 45% stage IV (19/42). At 1, 3 and 5 years, the overall survival was 95% (40/42), 74% (31/42), and 60% (SE ≈ 0.08), respectively. For the same intervals, the laryngectomy-free survival was 90% (38/42), 69% (29/42) and 50% (SE ≈ 0.08), respectively. The estimated 5-year disease-free survival was also 50%. Disease-free survival was significantly better for N0 patients. There was a 28% recurrence rate, mainly in the primary tumor site (9/11), with or without simultaneous nodal recurrence. Interestingly, more than one-third of all oncologic failures occurred beyond the first 3 years of follow-up. Salvage treatment was not possible or definitely inefficient in at least 2/3 of all recurrences. In candidates for larynx preservation for a pyriform sinus SCC, good response to induction chemotherapy followed by definite radiation therapy seems to be associated with a more favorable prognosis. Nevertheless, in case of locoregional recurrence the possibilities for efficient salvage treatment are limited.

Larynx preservation protocols: long-term functional outcomes in good responders to induction chemotherapy for pyriform sinus carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Larynx preservation for laryngopharyngeal carcinomas aims to avoid the mutilation of a total laryngectomy without compromising survival or functionality. The aim of the present study on pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes of larynx preservation in good responders to induction chemotherapy (ICT). METHODS: The study was carried out in a tertiary referral cancer center in France. The subjects were good responders to ICT for pyriform sinus SCC, subsequently treated with adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) - with or without concomitant chemotherapy - between 1999 and 2008. Only patients without recurrence at 3 years were included. The evaluated pharyngolaryngeal functions were airway patency, oral communication and oral feeding, based on a self-administered questionnaire and the patients' medical records. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were retained. Two (7%) patients needed a tracheotomy during or after the treatment and 2 (7%) had total laryngectomy for a late local recurrence. At least 3 years after the end of treatment, all patients were exclusively fed by mouth. All the evaluated patients judged their voice performance as 'adequate for everyday oral communication'. CONCLUSIONS: In the long run, patients with pyriform sinus SCC who are candidates for larynx preservation and respond favorably to ICT present a satisfactory functional outcome when treated with adjuvant RT.

[HPV associated head and neck cancers]. / Les cancers ORL HPV positifs.

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is rising and this increase is linked to sexual behaviors. Viral and epidemiological studies have linked tonsillar and base of tongue carcinoma with a human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The patients involved are usually younger and do not exhibit other risk factors such as smoking and alcohol abuse. HPV positive squamous cell carcinoma are associated with a better prognosis than other head and neck carcinoma. Differences in the carcinogenesis mechanisms open options for different and specific oncologic treatments and the potential for prevention of these HPV-related carcinoma by vaccination.

Sarcoidosis of the submandibular gland: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Submandibular gland sarcoidosis is rare and little is known about its clinical presentation besides the usual neck swelling. The aim of the study was to extract clinical knowledge on submandibular sarcoidosis from the literature. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using a search in Medline with the key-words "sarcoidosis," "submandibular," "submaxillary." RESULTS: Forty-six articles fitting the search criteria were found, whereas 31 had to be excluded because they did not report submandibular gland sarcoidosis. Twenty cases of submandibular gland sarcoidosis were considered suitable for analysis. Almost all reported cases concerned female patients. In some cases submandibular gland's swelling is the first and only manifestation of the disease. CONCLUSION: Sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all progressive and painless swellings of the submandibular gland, especially in women. Rarely, it may be the first manifestation of the disease.

Retropharyngeal abscess complicating 'innocent' foreign body ingestion.

An adult patient presented to the emergency department with pharyngeal discomfort on swallowing, persisting several hours after lunch. Transnasal fibre-optic endoscopy performed by an otolaryngologist identified a hypopharyngeal foreign body, and the stalk of a dry leaf partially penetrating the mucosa was easily removed under general anaesthesia. Symptoms regressed completely and the patient was discharged. Two days later he presented again, reporting slight dysphagia without odynophagia or other associated symptoms. Meticulous physical examination by the same otolaryngologist revealed this time a slight asymmetry of the posterior pharyngeal wall. A history of recent pharyngeal trauma and findings on clinical examination raised clinical suspicion of retropharyngeal abscess which was supported by CT scan findings. The diagnosis was confirmed in the operating theatre where a purulent collection was drained under new general anaesthesia.

Oropharyngeal cancers: significance of HPV16 detection in neck lymph nodes.

BACKGROUND: An increasing proportion of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs) is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection. Several authors have suggested that HR-HPV DNA could be used as a marker of metastases in cervical cancers. Although HPV16 DNA has been detected in neck lymph node (LN) metastases of HPV16-positive OPSCC, its significance remains controversial. Does this presence correlate to metastatic involvement or is it just the consequence of LN filter function? OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyse the relationship between HPV16 detection in neck LNs of HPV16-positive OPSCC and their pathological status. STUDY DESIGN: HP16-viral load (VL) was quantified by real-time-polymerase-chain reaction in primary tumours and neck LNs, in 11 patients with HPV16-positive OPSCC and in three patients with HPV16-negative OPSCC. HPV16 in situ hybridisation and p16 immunohistochemistry were performed in all LNs. RESULTS: A total of 45 LN levels were assessed. HPV16 DNA was not identified in HPV16-negative OPSCC LNs. All metastatic LNs from HPV16-positive OPSCC had a high VL and the viral DNA was located within tumoural cells. Among 27 pathologically tumour-free LN (PTFLN) levels 16/27 had no detectable VL, whereas the VL was low or medium (<10(5)copies/million cells) in 8/27 and high (>10(5)copies/million cells) in 3/27 PTFLN. In the latter group, no metastatic cell was identified and the viral DNA was located in immune cells. CONCLUSION: HPV16 detection in LN is explained by its presence within either metastatic cells or immune cells. HPV16 detection in PTFLN is not necessarily correlated to occult LN metastases.

Screening for staphylococcal superantigen genes shows no correlation with the presence or the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus secretes numerous exotoxins which may exhibit superantigenic properties. Whereas the virulence of several of them is well documented, their exact biological effects are not fully understood. Exotoxins may influence the immune and inflammatory state of various organs, including the sinonasal mucosa: their possible involvement in chronic rhinosinusitis has been suggested and is one of the main trends in current research. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of any of the 22 currently known staphylococcal exotoxin genes could be correlated with chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a prospective, multi-centred European study, analysing 93 Staphylococcus aureus positive swabs taken from the middle meatus of patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis, with or without nasal polyposis, and controls. Strains were systematically tested for the presence of the 22 currently known exotoxin genes and genotyped according to their agr groups. No direct correlation was observed between chronic rhinosinusitis, with or without nasal polyposis, and either agr groups or the presence of the most studied exotoxins genes (egc, sea, seb, pvl, exfoliatins or tsst-1). However, genes for enterotoxins P and Q were frequently observed in nasal polyposis for the first time, but absent in the control group. The number of exotoxin genes detected was not statistically different among the 3 patient groups. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Unlike many previous studies have been suggesting, we did not find any evident correlation between staphylococcal exotoxin genes and the presence or severity of chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis.