Complications including dysphagia following transoral non-robotic surgery for pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Transoral surgery is a minimally invasive treatment but may cause severe dysphagia at a lower rate than chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: We compared clinical information, surgical complications, and swallowing function in patients who underwent transoral nonrobotic surgery for laryngo-pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2015 and 2021 in a multicenter retrospective study. RESULTS: Six hundred and forty patients were included. Postoperative bleeding was observed in 20 cases (3.1%), and the risk factor was advanced T category. Postoperative laryngeal edema was observed in 13 cases (2.0%), and the risk factors were prior radiotherapy, advanced T stage, and concurrent neck dissection in patients with resected HPC. Dysphagia requiring nutritional support was observed in 29 cases (4.5%) at 1 month postoperatively and in 19 cases (3.0%) at 1 year postoperatively, respectively. The risk factors for long-term dysphagia were prior radiotherapy and advanced T category. Short-term risk factors for dysphagia were prior radiotherapy, advanced T category, and concurrent neck dissection, while long-term risk factors for dysphagia were only prior radiotherapy and advanced T category. CONCLUSION: Prior radiotherapy, advanced T stage, and concurrent neck dissection increased the incidence of postoperative laryngeal edema and short-term dysphagia, but concurrent neck dissection did not affect long-term dysphagia. Such features should be considered when considering the indication for transoral surgery and postoperative management.

Impact of cervical lymph node metastasis on transoral surgery for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is likely to spread to the lymph nodes, but there is no established strategy for management in transoral surgery. METHODS: We compared oncologic and functional outcomes in a retrospective multicenter study of patients who underwent transoral surgery for hypopharyngeal carcinoma between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: Two-hundred and thirty-two patients were included. Comparing patients with and without adjuvant radiotherapy, 3-year regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) was not significantly different in pN2b and pN2c, but was significantly worse in pN3b without adjuvant radiotherapy. In patients without neck dissection, the 3-year RRFS was 85.6%, 76.8%, and 70.0% for T1, T2, and T3 primary lesions, respectively, and was significantly worse for T2 or higher (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of extracapsular invasion, regional control did not deteriorate without adjuvant therapy. If prophylactic neck dissection is not performed, careful follow-up is necessary if the primary lesion is T2 or greater.

A multi-institutional retrospective study of 340 cases of sinonasal malignant tumor.

OBJECTIVE: Sinonasal malignant tumors (SNMT) are relatively rare among head and neck malignant tumors. Most are squamous cell carcinomas, and malignant melanomas, olfactory neuroblastomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas, sarcomas, and others also occur. The most common primary site of nasal sinus squamous cell carcinoma is the maxillary sinus. In recent years, a decrease in incidence of maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma (MSSCC) has been reported along with a decrease in the incidence of sinusitis. MSSCC is treated with a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment decisions are made according to the progression of the disease, the patient's general condition, and the patient's own wishes. There are variations in treatment policies among facilities due to the specialty of staff and cooperation with other departments at each facility. We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study to compare outcomes by treatment strategy. METHODS: In this study, 340 patients with SNMT who were treated at 13 Hospitals (Head and Neck Oncology Group (Kyoto-HNOG) ) during the 12-year period from January 2006 to December 2017 were included. There were 220 patients with squamous cell carcinoma, 32 with malignant melanoma, 21 with olfactory neuroblastoma, and 67 with other malignancies. Of the squamous cell carcinomas, 164 were of maxillary sinus origin. One hundred and forty cases of MSSCC that were treated radically were included in the detailed statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 5 cases of cStage I, 9 cases of cStage II, 36 cases of cStage III, 74 cases of cStage IVa, and 16 cases of cStage IVb. There were 92 cases without clinical lymph node metastasis (cN(-)) and 48 cases with clinical lymph node metastasis(cN(+)). Primary tumors were treated mainly by surgery in 85 cases (Surg) and by radical radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy) of 6-70 Gy in 55 cases(non-Surg). The 5-year overall/disease-free survival rate (OS/DFS) for MSSCC was 65.1%/51.6%. Old age, renal dysfunction, and clinical T progression were independent risk factors for OS, and renal dysfunction was an independent risk factor for DFS. In cN(-) patients, OS and DFS were significantly better in Surg group than in non-Surg group. In cN(+) patients, there was no significant difference in OS and DFS between Surg and non-Surg groups. CONCLUSION: For patients with MSSCC without lymph node metastasis, aggressive surgery on the primary tumor contributes to improved prognosis.

Local recurrence and metachronous multiple cancers after transoral nonrobotic surgery for pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Late laryngopharyngeal cancers after transoral surgery include not only local recurrences but also metachronous multiple cancers. METHODS: We compared clinical information, surgical outcomes, and late laryngopharyngeal cancers in patients who underwent transoral nonrobotic surgery for laryngopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma without lymph node metastases between 2015 and 2021 in a multicenter retrospective study. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty-seven patients were included. Positive surgical margins were found in 121 patients (26.5%). Twenty-two patients (4.8%) received additional treatment. Positive horizontal margins of invasive carcinoma (p = 0.003) and positive horizontal margins of carcinoma in situ only (p = 0.032) were independent risk factors for local recurrence, and prior radiotherapy (p = 0.001) for metachronous multiple cancers. Local control was significantly worse without additional treatment (p = 0.049), but there was no significant difference in survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with positive margins had an increased frequency of local recurrence, but salvage therapy was effective.

Characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma focusing on cases unaffected by smoking and drinking: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Some oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases are unaffected by smoking or drinking. This study aimed to clarify distinctive groups among OSCC patients and examine the characteristics of multiple primary carcinomas (MPCs). METHODS: We analyzed data from 970 patients. The patients were divided into three groups: all individuals <45 years (<45 y), smokers/drinkers ≥45 years (SD ≥45 y), and non-smokers/non-drinkers ≥45 years (NSND ≥45 y). RESULTS: Tongue cancers were more common in the <45 y group than in the other groups (p < 0.001). The NSND ≥45 y group was significantly older and more likely to be female than the SD ≥45 y group (p < 0.001). MPCs in the upper aerodigestive tract were more common in men and smokers/drinkers, whereas women were at risk for multiple primary OSCCs (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The "young tongue" and "elderly female" subgroups and characteristics of MPCs suggest carcinogenic factors of OSCC other than smoking and drinking.

Palatal mucoperiosteal flap for oro-nasal fistula following maxillectomy for maxillary sinus cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the technique and clinical outcomes of using a palatal mucoperiosteal flap for oro-nasal fistula closure following resection of maxillary sinus cancer. METHODS: The study was conducted with the permission of the internal review board of the Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center. Five consecutive cases from 2016 to 2020 of surgically treated maxillary sinus cancer in which the oro-nasal fistulas were closed using a palatal mucoperiosteal flap were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Following tumor resection, the oro-nasal fistula was closed using a palatal mucoperiosteal flap. Complete separation of the oral and nasal cavities was achieved in four patients. Oral intake was resumed within two weeks in four patients. All the patients were able to eat foods similar to those in the preoperative period. Their postoperative speech function was excellent, with no difficulty in communicating with others. CONCLUSION: In the selected cases of maxillary sinus cancer, preservation of the palatal mucosa and closure of an oro-nasal fistula using a palatal mucoperiosteal flap was possible with reasonable outcomes for swallowing and speech functions. The use of this local flap is recommended as a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed especially in patients with limited physiological reserves which preclude free flap reconstruction.

Real-world 2-year long-term outcomes and prognostic factors in patients receiving nivolumab therapy for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: Real-world outcomes and prognostic factors in Japanese patients receiving nivolumab therapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck carcinoma (RMHNC) with an observation period of 1 year have been previously reported. The 1-year follow-up data have been subsequently accumulated, and the long-term real-world outcomes have been analyzed. This study aimed to investigate the 2-year long-term outcomes and prognostic factors associated with the response to nivolumab. METHODS: This was a multi-institutional retrospective study. In total, 88 RMHNC Japanese patients with squamous cell carcinoma who received nivolumab between May 2017 and May 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and best overall response (BOR) were evaluated. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors. RESULTS: The median follow-up periods for monitoring OS and PFS were 73.1 and 48.1 weeks, respectively. The median OS was 74.1 weeks, and the 2-year survival rate was 33.4%. The median PFS was 18.5 weeks, and the 2-year PFS rate was 22.5%. The BOR rate was 10.2%, 19.3%, 25.0%, and 44.3% in patients who achieved complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease (PD), respectively. Among the 88 patients with RMHNC, a total of 40 immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were reported in 30 patients. Four patients continued nivolumab, while 84 patients discontinued nivolumab at the data cut-off date. The most common reason for discontinuation was PD in 61 patients, irAEs in 14 patients, and patients' wishes in 7 patients. Of the 61 patients who discontinued nivolumab because of PD, 28 patients received subsequent treatment. Statistical analyses revealed radiotherapy history, performance status, platinum-refractory carcinoma, irAEs, age, and post-nivolumab treatment as the important prognostic factors associated with OS in patients with RMHNC, and the magnitude of BOR was significantly associated with OS. Additionally, patients with subsequent treatment, including molecular targeted therapy and/or chemotherapy, had significantly prolonged OS compared to patients without subsequent treatment in cases with nivolumab discontinuation because of PD. CONCLUSION: These findings could be a useful guide for future treatment strategies for head and neck carcinoma. Considering the limitations of our cohort, further larger-scale studies with long-term follow-up are needed to substantiate the results of this study.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Patients with Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Results of a Multi-Institutional Study.

Background and Objectives: To investigate clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with buccal cancer in Japan. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a database of 1055 patients with oral cancers treated between 2010 and 2017 at 12 institutions in Japan. Ninety-two patients (8.7%) with primary buccal cancer were extracted and clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes were compared between patients with buccal cancers and patients with other oral cancers. Results: Ages were significantly higher in the patients with buccal cancer (73 years old vs. 69 years old). Buccal cancer had less advanced cT stage and cN stage than other oral cancers. Overall 5-year survival (OS) was 80.6%, and recurrence-free 5-year survival (RFS) of buccal cancers was 67.8%, and there were no significant differences in survival compared with other oral cancers in terms OS or RFS (5y-OS: 82.5%, 5y-RFS: 74.4%). However, patients with stage IV buccal cancer showed poorer prognosis in terms of OS and RFS compared with the same stage patients with other oral cancer. Advanced T stage was the only factor independently associated with both OS and RFS of patients with buccal cancer in this study. Conclusions: Postoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy should be considered to improve survival outcome of buccal cancer patients, especially for the patients with advanced primary site disease or a higher cancer stage.

Lingual Lymph Node Metastases as a Prognostic Factor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Backgrounds and Objectives: The epidemiology and prognostic role of lingual lymph node (LLN) metastasis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear. Here, we aimed to analyze the clinicopathological features, risk factors, and prognostic role of LLN metastasis in patients with OSCC. Materials and Methods: In total, 945 patients with OSCC were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathological features were compared between patients with and without LLN metastasis. The risk factors of LLN metastasis and its effects on survival outcomes were evaluated using multi-variate analysis. Results: LLN metastasis was noted in 67 patients (7.1%). Habitual alcohol consumption and clinical neck node metastasis were independent risk factors for LLN metastasis. LLN metastasis was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free and overall survival, although LLN dissection did not improve survival outcomes. Conclusion: LLN metastasis is an independent adverse prognostic factor. Further prospective studies are needed to fully assess the extent of LLN dissection required in OSCC patients.

Real-World Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Patients Receiving Nivolumab Therapy for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Carcinoma.

Recently, a global phase III study demonstrated that nivolumab markedly improved patient outcomes in recurrent or metastatic head and neck carcinoma (RMHNC). However, the efficacy of nivolumab in patients who are ineligible for clinical trials is unknown. We investigated nivolumab efficacy in real-world patients and prognostic factors associated with the response to nivolumab. This study was conducted at 11 institutes associated with Kyoto University and its Affiliated Hospitals-Head and Neck Oncology Group. In total, 93 patients with RMHNC who received nivolumab between May 2017 and May 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Objective response rate (ORR), overall survival, and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. The ORRs in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-SCC were 21.8% and 0%, respectively. In patients with SCC and non-SCC, the 1-year PFS rates were 28.7% and 8.9%, respectively. The hazard ratio (HR) for risk of PFS events (SCC versus non-SCC) was 2.28 (95% confidence interval: 1.21-4.1; log-rank p = 0.007). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed radiotherapy history, platinum-refractory carcinoma, and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) as important prognostic factors associated with PFS in patients with SCC. In a real-world setting, non-SCC and platinum-refractory carcinoma were associated with a poorer prognosis, and a history of radiotherapy to the primary tumor, and the occurrence of TRAEs were associated with a better prognosis. These findings could be useful for clinicians and patients when selecting a treatment strategy.

Oncologic safety of cervical nerve preservation in neck dissection for head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although the functional merits of preserving cervical nerves in neck dissection for head and neck cancer have been reported, the oncologic safety has not yet been determined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of cervical nerve preservation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with head and neck cancer who had been treated by neck dissection between 2009 and 2014 at Kyoto Medical Center. Management of cervical nerves and clinical results were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 335 sides of neck dissection had been performed in 222 patients. Cervical nerves were preserved in 175 neck sides and resected in 160 sides. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 71%. The 5-year neck control rate was 95% in cervical nerve preserved sides and 89% in cervical nerve resected sides. CONCLUSION: Preserving cervical nerves in neck dissection is oncologically safe in selected cases.

[Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma Presenting Hemothorax Caused by Pleural Invasion;Report of a Case].

A 71-year-old man presented with hemothorax with cough, sputa and worsening dyspnea. On chest X-ray and computed tomography(CT), a huge tumor in the right upper lobe with hematoma and small amount of gas suggesting hemopneumothorax was revealed. No apparent lymphadenopathy nor intrapulmonary metastases were observed. The tumor showed a little enhancement on the contrastenhanced CT. Then the resction of the tumor was performed, and the pathological evaluation revealed a carcionosarcoma (adenocarcinoma+osteosarcoma) pT3N0 (stage II B) G4 pl2. Sarcomatoid carcinoma such as carcinosarcoma should be considered as a possible cause of hemothorax in making a diagnosis of hemorrhagic hypovascular huge lung tumor.

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis after transoral surgery for oropharyngeal cancer.

We report the case of a patient with pyogenic spondylodiscitis after transoral surgery for oropharyngeal cancer. The patient was a 66-year-old man with a history of hepatic cell carcinoma, alcoholic cirrhosis, and chronic pancreatitis. The tumor was resected via a transoral approach with concurrent bilateral elective neck dissections. Although the initial postoperative course was uneventful, the patient experienced severe cervical pain because of which he revisited the hospital. The patient was diagnosed with pyogenic spondylodiscitis, according to the results of magnetic resonance imaging. Continuous treatment with parenteral antibiotics and a cervical brace was required for 2 months before all his symptoms and signs diminished. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pyogenic spondylodiscitis as a complication of transoral resection for head and neck cancer.