Diagnostic adequacy and accuracy of surgeon-performed ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration in lateral neck masses.

BACKGROUND: Surgeon-performed ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (SUS-FNA) reduces the time to diagnosis and treatment of head and neck pathology. Although it has been validated in the investigation of thyroid pathology, there is a paucity of evidence to support its use in lateral neck masses. This study aims to determine the accuracy and adequacy of SUS-FNA in the investigation of lateral neck masses. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed of patients who underwent a SUS-FNA for lateral neck mass between June 2018 and October 2022 at a single institution. Pathologist reports were reviewed to determine the rate of FNA sample adequacy. A comparison was made between FNA cytology results and final histopathological diagnosis following surgical excision in a subset of patients to determine FNA accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 110 SUS-FNAs were performed on lateral neck masses. Diagnostic adequacy of SUS-FNA was determined to be 91% (100/110). When analysing the subset of patients who proceeded to surgical excision, the diagnostic accuracy of SUS-FNA was determined to be 88% (38/43). CONCLUSION: SUS-FNA results in high adequacy rates with good diagnostic accuracy in the investigation of lateral neck masses. This tool has great potential in reducing treatment delay in the management of head and neck cancer.

Surgeon-performed ultrasound changes surgical management in patients with thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive neck ultrasound (US) is essential in the operative planning of patients with thyroid disease. Recent literature has shown surgeon-performed US (SUS) can be more accurate than radiology-performed US for the purpose of surgical planning. Missed findings on radiology-performed ultrasound may lead to inadequate surgical management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection for thyroid cancer, with both radiology-performed US and SUS performed by a Head and Neck surgeon. Ultrasound findings and adherence to American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines were compared, and changes in management based on SUS findings were identified. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection met the inclusion criteria. Preconsultation US investigations fulfilled criteria as recommended by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in 57.7%% of cases. The central and lateral neck compartments were assessed in 57.7% and 84.6% of preconsultation US investigations respectively. Central and lateral metastatic neck metastases were incorrectly reported or not reported in 78.6% and 42.3% of cases. The SUS findings prompted a change in surgical management in 65.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: SUS changed surgical management in two thirds (65.4%) of patients. Reliance on radiology-performed ultrasound alone may result in incorrect staging. Awareness of the additional benefits of SUS is important for surgeons treating patients with thyroid disease to prevent inadequate surgery being performed.

Cervical Nodal Metastatic Pituitary Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Pituitary carcinomas are rare tumors with only 170 cases reported in the literature.1 They form a very small proportion of pituitary tumors, which are commonly benign adenomas. Metastatic disease diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology is extremely rare and has only been reported in 6 patients,2-5 3 of whom had cervical nodal metastases, with other sites of metastases being the liver and cervical vertebra. We report a case of cervical metastatic pituitary carcinoma diagnosed by core needle biopsy.

Salvage transoral robotic surgery in early-stage oropharyngeal recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: Limited data are currently available regarding outcomes following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the salvage setting. This study aims to investigate the functional and oncological outcomes following TORS in salvage oropharyngeal tumors. STUDY DESIGN: All patients undergoing salvage TORS for a residual, recurrent, or new primary oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma within a previously radiated field between March 2014 and October 2018 were included. Patients undergoing salvage TORS for other subsites were excluded. Margin status, complication rates, long-term tracheostomy, and gastrostomy requirements and overall and disease-free survival outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were included. Three patients (11%) experienced a TORS-specific major complication. A gastrostomy tube was required in 42% of patients on discharge (n = 11), and in 28% of patients on long-term follow-up (n = 7) at a median of 34 (interquartile range, 11.8-47.8) months. A tracheostomy was placed in 5 patients and all were removed before discharge. The 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 74% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Salvage TORS is a viable and effective option in the management of selected tumors within a previously radiated field.

A critical analysis of the 8th edition TNM staging for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastases and comparison to N1S3 stage and ITEM risk score: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We performed a critical analysis of the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) with nodal metastases and compared the performance to the N1S3 and ITEM systems. METHODS: Multicenter study of 990 patients with metastatic HNcSCC treated with curative intent. The end points of interest were disease-specific (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Model fit was evaluated using Harrell's Concordance Index (C-index), proportion of variation explained (PVE), Akaike information criterion, and Bayesian information criterion. RESULTS: N1S3 and ITEM demonstrated good distribution into risk categories in contrast to the AJCC system, which classified the majority (90.6%) of patients as N2-3 and Stage IV due to the high rate of extranodal extension. The N2c and N3a categories appeared redundant. There was considerable discordance between systems in risk allocation on an individual patient basis. N1S3 was the best performed (DSS: C-index 0.62, PVE 10.9%; OS: C-index 0.59, PVE 4.5%), albeit with relatively poor predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: The AJCC N category and tumor node metastasis stage have poor patient distribution and predictive performance in HNcSCC. The AJCC stage, N1S3, and ITEM score all provide limited prognostic information based on objective measures highlighting the need to develop a staging system specific to HNcSCC.

Contralateral neck failure in oral tongue cancer: Outcomes from two centers using predefined treatment criteria.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to determine the incidence of, and factors associated with contralateral neck failure (CNF) in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). METHODS: Consecutive patients with OTSCC between 2007 and 2016 were included. The predefined policy of the contralateral neck included neck dissection (ND) where the primary tumor extended/crossed midline or the contralateral neck was involved; and elective nodal irradiation (ENI) where the primary tumor was ≤1 cm from midline/2 cm from tip. RESULTS: This study included 258 patients. ND was ipsilateral 169 (66%) and bilateral 33 (13%). Fifty-five patients (21%) received ENI to the undissected contralateral neck. CNF occurred in 19 patients (7%) and was similar by treatment received. Utilizing this approach, we observed higher rates of CNF with increasing N classification, perineural invasion, extracapsular extension, and depth of invasion ≥6 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Using our institutional policy of treatment to the contralateral neck, a low rate of CNF (≤10%) was observed.

Surgeon-performed ultrasound in a head and neck surgical oncology clinic: saving time and improving patient care.

INTRODUCTION: Surgeon-performed ultrasound (SUS) for head and neck masses is increasingly being performed by head and neck surgeons. This is the first study assessing its impact in a head and neck surgical oncology clinic, examining the effect on various parameters. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on a database, analysing and comparing all new patients reviewed 6 months prior to (pre-SUS group) and 6 months following (post-SUS group) the introduction of SUS to the outpatient head and neck surgical oncology clinic. The numbers of radiology imaging investigations (ordered through a medical imaging department), fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) performed, clinical appointments and time to definitive treatment decision were analysed and compared. RESULTS: A total of 365 patients were included: 169 in the pre-SUS group and 196 in the post-SUS group. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of total radiological imaging investigations performed (1.60 vs. 0.70, p < 0.00001), radiologist-performed FNAs (0.24 vs. 0.10, p = 0.0234), time for definitive treatment decision being made (16.4 days vs. 11.6 days, p = 0.04338), and number of clinical encounters (3.03 vs. 2.29, p < 0.00001). No statistically significant difference was observed in the number of head and neck surgical oncology clinic appointments (1.70 vs. 1.66, p = 0.6672). CONCLUSION: Surgeon-performed ultrasound reduces the number of radiological imaging investigations and FNAs performed, reduces time for definitive treatment decision being made, and reduces the number of clinical encounters for patients. This supports its use in head and neck cancer setting and has important implications for both patients and the health-care system.

Impact of histological Oral Tongue Cancer margins on locoregional recurrence: A multi-centre retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of the histological margins (HM) upon locoregional failure (LRF) and overall survival (OS) for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of 258 patients, across two institutions, treated for OTSCC between 2007 and 2016. A Cox-proportional hazards model was used to compare the relative hazard ratio of HM to the accepted standard of 5 mm margins for LRF and OS. RESULTS: The median follow up period was 4.8 years. The 5 year OS and freedom from LRF were 69% and 75% respectively. The Cox-proportional hazards model adjusted for age, DOI and LVI showed increasing risk of mortality and LRF with decreasing HM widths of <5 mm. CONCLUSION: HM >5 mm were associated with a risk reduction of both LRF and mortality in OTSCC. This study supports >5 mm HM being the oncologic goal of surgery.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging for metastatic head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A multi-institutional study of within-stage heterogeneity and impact on prognostic performance.

BACKGROUND: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) stratifies risk poorly. We hypothesized that this results from prognostic heterogeneity within N and TNM groups. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of disease-specific survival (DSS) in a multicenter study of 1146 patients with nodal metastases from HNcSCC. RESULTS: The majority of patients were classified as pN2a or pN3b (83.1%) and TNM stage IV (90.6%). On multivariate analysis, there was statistically significant prognostic heterogeneity within these groups based on the number and size of nodal metastases, immunosuppression, and perineural invasion. When stage IV patients were categorized into low, moderate, and high-risk groups based on adverse features, there was wide variation in prognosis with 5-year DSS ranging from 90% to 60% (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The AJCC staging system stratifies risk poorly in HNcSCC due to significant prognostic heterogeneity within pN2a, pN3b, and stage IV groups.

Number of nodal metastases and the American Joint Committee on cancer staging of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine if the number of nodal metastases is an independent predictor of survival in HNcSCC, whether it provides additional prognostic information to the AJCC N and TNM stage and identify optimal cut-points for risk stratification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective multi-institutional cohort study of patients with parotid and/or cervical nodal metastases from HNcSCC treated with curative intent by surgery ±â€¯adjuvant therapy. The impact of number of nodal metastases on disease-specific and overall survival was assessed using multivariate Cox regression. Optimal cut-points for prognostic discrimination modelled using the AIC, BIC, C-index and PVE. RESULTS: The study cohort included 1128 patients, with 962 (85.3%) males, median age of 72.9 years (range: 18-100 years) and median follow-up 3.4 years. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to 946 (83.9%) patients. Based on objective measures of model performance, number of nodal metastases was classified as 1-2 (N = 816), 3-4 (N = 162) and ≥5 (N = 150) nodes. In multivariate analyses, the risk of disease-specific mortality progressively increased with 3-4 nodes (HR, 1.58; 95% CI: 1.03-2.42; p = 0.036) and ≥5 nodes (HR, 2.91; 95% CI: 1.99-4.25; p < 0.001) with similar results for all-cause mortality. This simple categorical variable provided superior prognostic information to the TNM stage. CONCLUSION: Increasing number of nodal metastases is an independent predictor of mortality in HNcSCC, with categorization as 1-2, 3-4 and ≥5 nodes optimizing risk stratification and providing superior prognostic information to TNM stage. These findings may aid in the development of future staging systems as well as identification of high-risk patients in clinical trials.

Surgical management of recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after definitive surgery and radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the primary treatment for patients with recurrent head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) who have previously been treated by definitive surgery and radiotherapy. There are limited published data to direct management and the role of immunotherapy is currently under evaluation. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with at least stage III recurrent head and neck cSCC previously managed by definitive surgery and radiotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients met the inclusion criteria. Eighty-seven percent were male and the median age at the time of surgery was 79 years. After salvage surgery, 7% developed local recurrence and 43% regional or distant failure. The 2-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 45% (95% confidence interval 24-64) and 11% (95% confidence interval 1-34), respectively. Advanced age was associated with a higher risk of overall mortality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with recurrent head and neck cSCC in the setting of previous radiotherapy have high recurrence rates with poor survival justifying consideration for treatment with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy strategies.

Introduction of surgeon-performed ultrasound to a head and neck clinic: indications, diagnostic adequacy and a new clinic model?

BACKGROUND: Surgeon-performed ultrasound (SUS) changes management and surgical decision-making. It allows for immediate ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) for the work-up of neck masses, lymph node metastases and thyroid nodules. We examined the introduction of SUS to an Australian Head and Neck cancer unit, identifying situations where it was used, and evaluated the diagnostic adequacy and accuracy of US-FNA. METHODS: A prospective database was created for all patients undergoing SUS and US-FNA, performed by two head and neck surgeons, between September 2018 and June 2019. The data were retrospectively analysed to identify when SUS was performed. Diagnostic adequacy and accuracy of US-FNA were determined after evaluating formal cytology and histopathology reports. RESULTS: A total of 183 diagnostic, surveillance and interventional SUS scans were performed for multiple indications. A total of 100 US-FNAs were performed on a number of different sites. Diagnostic adequacy and accuracy were 92% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: After the introduction of SUS to our weekly routine head and neck cancer clinic, we identified multiple situations where it can be used successfully within our clinical landscape. Our diagnostic US-FNA results compared favourably to current literature, without additional need for clinic attendance by consultant radiologists or pathologists, saving valuable hospital resources. This introduction proposes a promising alternative to current neck lump clinic models.

Positive survival trend in metastatic head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma over four-decades: Multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed changes over time of survival of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) with lymph node metastases. METHODS: A multicenter analysis of 1301 patients with metastatic HNcSCC treated between 1980 and 2017. Differences in disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) by decade were assessed using multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: Over the study period, we noted an increase in the proportion of patients aged over 80 years (3.9%-31.7%; P < .001) and immunosuppression (1.9%-9.9%; P = .03). After adjusting for number and size of metastatic nodes, extranodal extension, perineural invasion, immunosuppression, treatment, and institution, there was a reduction in risk of cancer-related mortality from 0.47 in 1990-1999 (P = .04) to 0.30 in 2000-2009 (P < .001) when compared to 1980-1989. This remained stable at 0.30 in 2010-2017 (P = .001). OS remained stable after 1990. CONCLUSION: Despite an aging and more frequently immunosuppressed population, fewer patients are dying from metastatic HNcSCC.

Surgeon performed ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates of the thyroid: 1067 biopsies and learning curve in a teaching center.

BACKGROUND: Surgeon performed ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates (UG-FNAs) reduce delay in diagnosis and allow for surgeon surveillance. We present the first report on a learning curve and impact of head and neck surgical trainees on adequacy rates. METHODS: Thyroid UG-FNA biopsies from 2009 to 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Specimen adequacy, cytologic diagnosis, and surgical pathology were used to calculate adequacy and accuracy. RESULTS: One thousand sixty-seven biopsies were examined in 723 individuals. The adequacy rate from adoption into practice improved from 71% to 78% to 85% over 300 cases. When UG-FNA was subsequently taught to trainees, adequacy rates varied among trainees (p < .037), and there were higher nondiagnostic rates earlier in training (p = .04). Adequacy was not related to size or palpability, but cystic lesions yielded more inadequate specimens (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Surgeon performed UG-FNA biopsy can be performed adequately in an outpatient setting. Adequacy rates reach acceptable levels after 300 cases, whereas trainee involvement impacts adequacy rates. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1281-E1284, 2016.

Recurrent well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

The incidence of Well-differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (WDTC) has been increasing over the past several decades. Consequently, so has the incidence of recurrence, which ranges from 15% to 30%. Factors leading to increased risk of recurrence are well described. However, the impact of local and regional recurrence is not well understood, but distant recurrence dramatically reduces 10-year survival to 50%. Recurrent WDTC has several established options for treatment; Observation, Radioactive Iodine (RAI), Surgery and External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT). Novel treatments such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ultrasound-guided ethanol injection (PUEI) are beginning to gain popularity and have promising early results. A review of the current literature, outcome measurements and a strategy for revision surgery within the central neck compartment are discussed within this manuscript.