p16 Immunohistochemistry Is a Useful Diagnostic Adjunct in Cases of Metastatic Cervical Carcinoma of Unknown Origin.

PURPOSE: Metastatic cervical carcinoma of unknown primary (MCCUP) is increasing in frequency owing in part to rising human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal carcinoma. Identifying the primary site is valuable, because it is associated with increased survival and decreased morbidity. HPV-positive cervical nodal disease focuses attention on the oropharynx for directed biopsy examinations, including tonsillectomy. When the primary is small, carcinoma might not be apparent by traditional hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This report describes 2 cases of p16-positive MCCUP in which a small primary carcinoma was not readily identified in surgical specimens using H&E staining. RESULTS: Additional evaluation of the specimens with p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed carcinoma in these 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: When H&E staining does not show carcinoma in cases of MCCUP, p16 IHC should be considered given the high prevalence of HPV-positive MCCUP and the potential for identification of a small primary tumor that might otherwise be missed with H&E staining.

Aspergillus Mycetoma Causing Epiphora and Ipsilateral Facial Pain.

Tearing is a frequently encountered chief complaint in an ophthalmologist's office. Certain associated atypical symptoms may warrant further workup. The authors present a case of a patient presenting with painful tearing which elicited further evaluation with CT imaging. This revealed a maxillary sinus fungus ball as the cause for the patient's tearing.

Risk factors for unplanned readmission following head and neck microvascular reconstruction: Results from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, 2011-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Unplanned readmissions are associated with decreased healthcare quality and increased costs. This nationwide study examines causes for unplanned readmission among head and neck cancer patients undergoing immediate microsurgical reconstruction. METHODS: Patients undergoing head and neck tumor resection with microsurgical reconstruction were identified in the 2011-2014 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Clinical characteristics and complications were compared among patients who did and did not undergo unplanned readmission. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Database search revealed 1,063 patients, 94 (8.8%) of whom had unplanned readmissions. Readmitted patients had significantly higher ASA scores (14.9% vs.7.3% ASA class 4 patients; P = 0.03) and significantly higher rates of disseminated cancer (14.9% vs.7.1%; P = 0.01), laryngopharyngectomy (17.0% vs.6.9%; P = 0.0005), deep wound infection (22.3% vs.2.4%; P < 0.0001), wound dehiscence (19.1% vs.3.3%; P < 0.0001), and blood transfusion within 72 h of surgery (44.7% vs.32.6%; P = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression revealed deep wound infection (OR = 8.65, P < 0.0001) and wound dehiscence (OR = 3.69, P = 0.0004) to be independent predictors of unplanned readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Deep wound infection and wound dehiscence were independent predictors of unplanned readmission among head and neck cancer patients undergoing immediate microsurgical reconstruction. Institutions should focus efforts on improving wound surveillance, outpatient strategies for wound care, and optimization of discharge planning for this complex patient population.

The radial forearm snake flap: A novel approach to oral cavity and oropharyngeal reconstruction that reduces forearm donor site morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Radial forearm free flaps are a versatile option for head and neck reconstruction, but often complicated by donor-site problems including skin-graft loss and wound breakdown. We introduce the radial forearm "snake" flap as a technique enabling primary donor site closure and compare wound healing outcomes to flap donor sites requiring split thickness skin graft (STSG) closure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of all radial forearm free flaps harvested over a 5-year period was performed. We identified 18 radial forearm snake flaps whose donor sites were closed primarily. These flaps were designed as a long, narrow ellipse parallel to the forearm. An additional 57 forearm flaps were identified whose donor sites were closed with STSGs. Patient demographics, free flap survival rates, and wound healing complications were compared. RESULTS: The survival rate for radial forearm snake flaps was 100% compared to 98.2% for wider radial forearm flaps (P = 1.00). There were 8 tendon exposures at the donor site, all of which occurred in patients whose donor sites were closed with STSGs. Delayed wound healing occurred in 1 radial forearm snake flap donor site (5.6%) compared to 18 (31.6%) donor sites closed with STSGs (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Radial forearm snake flaps are useful for reconstruction of small to medium size defects of the oral cavity and oropharynx and enable primary donor site closure. Flap success rates are not compromised by raising a radial forearm snake flap and rates of delayed healing of the flap donor site are significantly reduced compared to forearm flap donor sites closed with STSGs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:6-11, 2017.

Recipient vessel selection in the difficult neck: Outcomes of external carotid artery transposition and end-to-end microvascular anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Selection of recipient vessels for head and neck microvascular surgery may be limited in the previously dissected or irradiated neck. When distal branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) are unavailable, additional options for arterial inflow are needed. Here we propose high ligation of the ECA and transposition toward the lower neck as an alternative. METHODS: After obtaining institutional approval, patients who underwent head and neck tumor resection and simultaneous free flap reconstruction were identified over a 5-year period. Patients whose recipient artery was listed in the operative report were included. Chart review was performed to identify patient demographics, operative details, and patient and flap complications. In cases where the ECA was used, the artery was traced distally with care taken to protect the hypoglossal nerve. The ECA was then divided and transposed toward the lower neck where an end-to-end microvascular anastomosis was performed. RESULTS: The recipient artery used for head and neck microsurgery was available for 176 flaps, and the facial (n = 127, 72.2%) and external carotid (n = 19, 10.8%) arteries were most commonly used. There were 0 flap thromboses in the ECA group compared to 3 flap thromboses that occurred with other recipient arteries (P = 1.00). No cases of first bite syndrome or hypoglossal nerve injury were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The ECA may be transposed toward the lower neck and used for end-to-end microvascular anastomosis without complication of hypoglossal nerve injury or first bite syndrome. This method may be considered an alternative in patients with limited recipient vessel options for head and neck microsurgery. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:96-100, 2017.

Patient and tumor characteristics predictive of primary parotid gland malignancy: A 20-year experience at the University of Wisconsin.

PURPOSE: To identify patient and tumor characteristics predictive of primary parotid malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records were reviewed for patients who underwent parotidectomy at the University of Wisconsin from 1994 to 2013. Patients with primary parotid neoplasms were separated into benign or malignant subgroups. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to compare categorical (gender, lesion side, nature of presentation, recurrence) and numerical variables (age, tumor size) between the benign and malignant groups. Mean BMI was compared between the groups by univariate analysis. RESULTS: 771 patients underwent parotidectomy from 1994 to 2013, and 474 had a primary parotid neoplasm. No relationship existed between malignancy and gender (p=0.610), lesion side (p=0.110), or BMI (p=0.196). Mean age (p=0.015) and tumor size (p=0.011) were significantly different between the benign and malignant groups. Patient presentation was classified into three categories: symptomatic (n=109), palpable and asymptomatic (n=303), and incidentally noted on imaging (n=57). From all patients with symptomatic, asymptomatic or incidentally noted masses, 41.3%, 10.6% and 5.3%, respectively, were diagnosed with malignant disease. There was a significant relationship between the patient's initial presentation and malignancy (p<0.001), and patients with facial nerve dysfunction or skin involvement had the greatest likelihood of malignancy. Finally, there was a significant association between malignancy and recurrence (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, age, tumor size, and nature of presentation were all associated with primary parotid malignancy. Understanding the impact of these features on the probability of malignancy is valuable in decision making and counseling of patients presenting with a newly diagnosed parotid neoplasm.

Elective free flap revision in the head and neck cancer patient: Indications and outcomes.

Elective free flap revision among head and neck cancer patients remains poorly characterized. This study evaluates patients who underwent flap revision and their surgical outcomes. Patients who underwent tumor extirpation with free flap reconstruction were identified over a 5-year period. Elective flap revision was defined as debulking or redraping of the original free flap for functional or cosmetic reasons. Patient demographics, surgical indications, and outcomes were reviewed. One hundred and eighty-six patients were identified, and 19 (10.2%) underwent flap revision. Revision of oral cavity flaps (n = 9, 47.4%) was performed to address excessive flap bulk compromising lip competence, speech, swallowing, mastication, or placement of a dental prosthesis. Revision of flaps resurfacing the face or neck (n = 10, 52.6%) was performed to address facial ptosis after facial nerve sacrifice, facial asymmetry, or soft tissue redundancy. Revisions were performed at an average of 7.3 months postoperatively and there was no age or gender bias toward undergoing flap revision. Patients whose flap skin paddles were used to resurface the facial or neck skin were significantly more likely to undergo elective revision than patients with an external paddle designed for flap monitoring (p < 0.01). We identified a 10% elective revision rate for head and neck free flaps in cancer patients, approximately half of which were performed to improve oral cavity function and half of which were performed to address facial ptosis or asymmetry. While there was no age or gender preference for flap revision, extensive facial or neck resurfacing was significantly associated with eventual flap revision.

Functional Outcomes After Transoral Plus Lateral Pharyngotomy Approach for Advanced Oral and Oropharyngeal Tumors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate our institutional experience with the combined transoral plus lateral pharyngotomy (TO+LP) approach in a subset of patients with advanced or recurrent oral and oropharyngeal malignancy. Study Design: A retrospective study of procedures utilizing TO+LP for cancer resection between January 2007 and July 2019. Setting: Tertiary academic medical center. Methods: Thirty-one patients underwent a TO+LP approach for the resection of oral and oropharyngeal tumors. Functional and oncologic outcomes were analyzed. Results: Eighteen (58.1%) patients were treated with TO+LP for recurrent disease. Twenty-nine required free tissue transfer and 2 (6.5%) had positive margins. The median time to decannulation was 22 days (range 6-100 days). Thirteen (41.9%) patients still required enteral feeding at their most recent follow-up. Patients without a history of prior radiation were decannulated sooner (p = .009) and were less likely to require enteral feeding at the first postoperative follow-up (p = .034) than those who had prior head and neck radiotherapy. Conclusion: A TO+LP approach can be used to achieve good functional and oncologic results for selected patients with advanced or recurrent oral and oropharyngeal cancer when minimally invasive options such as transoral robotic surgery, transoral laser microsurgery, or radiotherapy are not possible.

Interstitial Brachytherapy for Lip Cancer: Technical Aspects to Individualize Treatment Approach and Optimize Outcomes.

Primary radiation therapy using interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) provides excellent local tumor control for early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. Technical aspects of treatment are important to optimize outcomes. In this report, we discuss patient selection criteria, procedural details, and dosimetric considerations for performing IBT for cancers of the lip. Catheters are inserted across the length of tumor entering and exiting approximately 5 mm beyond the palpable tumor extent. A custom mouthpiece is fabricated to facilitate normal tissue sparing. Patients undergo computed tomography imaging, the gross tumor volume is contoured based on physical examination and computed tomography findings, and an individualized brachytherapy plan is generated with the goals of achieving gross tumor volume D90% ≥ 90% and minimizing V150%. Ten patients with primary (n = 8) or recurrent (n = 2) cancers of the lip who received high-dose-rate lip IBT using 2.0- to 2.5-week treatment regimens are described (median prescription: 47.6 Gy in 14 fractions of 3.4 Gy). Local tumor control was 100%. There were no cases of acute grade ≥4 or late grade ≥2 toxicity, and cosmesis scores were graded as good to excellent in all patients. IBT represents an excellent treatment option for patients with lip squamous cell carcinoma. With careful attention to technical considerations furthered described in the present report, high rates of tumor control, low rates of toxicity, and favorable esthetic and functional outcomes can be achieved with IBT for lip cancer.

Prospective Study of PET/MRI Tumor Response During Chemoradiotherapy for Patients With Low-risk and Intermediate-risk p16-positive Oropharynx Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine tumor response with positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during chemoradiotherapy as a predictor of outcome in patients with p16-positive oropharynx cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with p16-positive oropharynx cancer were treated with chemoradiotherapy. Low-risk (LR) disease was defined as T1-T3 and N0-2b and ≤10 pack-years and intermediate-risk (IR) disease as T4 or N2c-3 or >10 pack-years. Patients underwent a PET/MRI scan pretreatment and at fraction 10. Change in value of imaging means were analyzed by analysis of variance. K-means clustering with Euclidean distance functions were used for patient clustering. Silhouette width was used to determine the optimal number of clusters. Linear regression was performed on all radiographic metrics using patient and disease characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were enrolled with 7 LR and 11 IR patients available for analysis. Pretreatment imaging characteristics between LR and IR patients were similar. Patients with LR disease exhibited a larger reduction in maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) compared with IR patients (P<0.05). Cluster analysis defined 2 cohorts that exhibited a similar intratreatment response. Cluster 1 contained 7 of 7 LR patients and 8 of 11 IR patients. Cluster 2 contained 3 of 11 IR patients. Cluster 2 exhibited significant differences compared with cluster 1 in the change in primary tumor peak SUV and largest lymph node median SUV. CONCLUSIONS: We identified that IR p16-positive oropharynx cancers exhibit heterogeneity in their PET/MRI response to chemoradiotherapy. These data support further study of intratreatment imaging response as a potential mechanism to identify patients with IR oropharynx cancer suitable for treatment deintensification.

The radial forearm snake flap: An underutilized technique for fasciocutaneous and osteocutaneous forearm flaps with primary closure.

BACKGROUND: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is associated with troublesome donor site morbidity related to split thickness skin grafting (STSG). The radial forearm snake flap with primary closure of the donor site may reduce donor site complications. METHODS: Single institution, retrospective cohort study comparing rates of delayed donor site wound healing and tendon exposure in 52 patients undergoing radial forearm snake flap and 95 patients undergoing conventional RFFF with STSG closure of the donor site. RESULTS: Tendon exposure occurred in zero (0%) patients undergoing snake flap and four (4.2%) patients undergoing conventional RFFF (0/52 vs. 4/95; p = 0.297). Delayed wound healing occurred in zero (0%) patients undergoing snake flap and 19 (20.0%) patients undergoing conventional RFFF (0/52 vs. 19/95; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The radial forearm snake flap provides an alternative to conventional RFFF harvest, which enables primary donor site closure with reduced rates of delayed donor site healing.

A Comparison of E6H4 and G175-405 p16-specific Monoclonal Antibodies in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The purpose of this investigation is to directly compare G175-405 and E6H4 p16-specific antibodies as immunomarkers of HPV-driven oropharyngeal carcinoma. The investigators designed a retrospective analysis using specimens from an archived tissue bank with known in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction status for HPV DNA. Fifty randomly selected oropharyngeal specimens were evaluated with both the G175-405 and E6H4 p16-specific monoclonal antibodies. Two pathologists, blinded to the HPV-specific testing status, evaluated p16 positivity for both antibody clones. Interrater agreement was determined using a Cohen κ coefficient. Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated using a standard 2×2 contingency table, then compared using McNemar test. Interrater agreement for interpretation of p16 expression was 92% (κ=0.84) for the G175-405 clone and 100% for the E6H4 clone (κ=1.0). The G175-405 stain had a sensitivity of 0.917 and specificity of 0.846. The E6H4 stain had a sensitivity of 1.000 and specificity of 0.769. Using McNemar test, there were no significant differences found for sensitivity (P=0.480) or specificity (P=0.480) values. The results of this study suggest that though both G175-405 and E6H4 antibody stains are statistically comparable immunomarkers for HPV-driven oropharyngeal carcinoma, the E6H4 clone offers improved interobserver reliability.

Clinical outcomes for larynx patients with cancer treated with refinement of high-dose radiation treatment volumes.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate disease control, toxicities, and dose to dysphagia/aspiration risk structures (DARS) using a direct gross tumor volume (GTV70Gy ) to planning target volume expansion (dPTV70Gy ) for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (LSCC). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on patients with LSCC treated between 2003 and 2018. Clinical outcomes, toxicities, and dosimetric data were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were identified. Overall survival at 5-years was 57.8%. Five-year local and regional control was 79.8% and 88.2%, respectively. Distant metastatic-only failure was 2.7%. Eighty percent of failures were 95% contained within the dPTV70Gy . Mean dose and the volume of DARS receiving 70 Gy was significantly lower for dPTV70Gy compared to a consensus-defined PTV70Gy . DISCUSSION: Judicious reduction in high-dose target volumes can preserve high tumor control rates while reducing dose to normal surrounding structures underscoring the potential benefit of this approach in enabling local therapy intensification to improve locoregional control.

Opioid use in patients undergoing treatment for oral cavity cancer.

OBJECTIVE: In the context of the opioid epidemic, there is value in examining the use of opioids in specific cancer patient cohorts. We analyzed opioid use in patients undergoing adjuvant therapy for oral cavity cancer to define the incidence of new persistent use beyond 3 months. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Comprehensive academic cancer center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective IRB-approved analysis of opioid use in patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy with or with concurrent systemic therapy for surgically resected oral cavity cancer between 2003 and 2016. Factors associated with opioid use were evaluated by Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival. RESULTS: Of 77 identified patients, 10 (13%) patients received opioid prescriptions at 3 months or greater following completion of radiotherapy. Patients who were opioid naive prior to surgery required significantly fewer opioid prescriptions than intermittent or chronic opioid users. No specific factors were associated with new persistent opioid use. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy for oral cavity cancer who required opioids for cancer treatment related pain are at minimal risk for new dependency. Judicious pain management should be applied for patients with a history of prior opioid use. Larger patient cohorts will be needed to identify patient, disease, and treatment characteristics associated with new persistent use given its limited incidence.

Auriculotemporal Nerve Involvement in Parotid Bed Malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate patients with parotid bed malignancy demonstrating radiographic findings of auriculotemporal (AT) nerve involvement. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with parotid bed malignancy was performed to identify patients with imaging findings of AT nerve involvement and record associated clinical findings, symptoms, and pathology information. Independent, blinded review of radiographic images by a senior neuroradiologist was performed to identify imaging characteristics and categorize patients into highly likely or possible involvement groups. RESULTS: Of 547 patients identified with parotid bed malignancy, 23 patients exhibited radiographic findings suggestive of AT nerve involvement. Thirteen patients met criteria for highly likely involvement, and 10 patients met criteria for possible involvement. Cutaneous malignancy with metastasis to the parotid bed accounted for 11 of 23 patients, and the most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (9 patients). Primary parotid malignancy accounted for 12 of 23 patients, and the most common histology was salivary ductal carcinoma (3 patients). All 13 highly likely patients reported periauricular pain, and 11 of 13 demonstrated facial weakness. Features suggesting advanced disease included radiographic findings of intracranial involvement (10/23 patients), nonsurgical primary treatment (13/23 patients), and positive margins on pathology report (7/10 patients). CONCLUSION: AT nerve involvement is an uncommon but important phenomenon that often occurs in the setting of advanced disease and is commonly associated with periauricular pain and coexisting facial weakness. Awareness of the associated clinical features and imaging patterns can allow for appropriate identification of this pattern of spread and help to optimize treatment planning.

Is HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Becoming More Common in Older Patients?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changing age demographics over a 15-year period for patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients identified with p16-positive OPSCC at our institution over a 15-year timeframe. Materials/Methods: p16-positive immunohistochemistry was used as a surrogate for HPV-associated OPSCC. Patients were categorized according to year of diagnosis (2002-2010 versus 2011-2016). Mean age and proportion of patients over age 65 were statistically evaluated and compared. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2010, 100 patients were identified with p16-positive OPSCC, mean age at diagnosis was 55.2, and the proportion of patients over 65 was 10.0%. From 2011 to 2016, 188 patients were identified with p16-positive OPSCC, mean age was 58.5, and the proportion of patients over 65 was 19.6%. Both the mean age difference and the difference in proportion of patients over 65 were statistically significant (P = .001 and P = .034, respectively). CONCLUSION: The mean age at diagnosis and proportion of patients over 65 has increased over the past 15 years at our institution. This data suggests that HPV-associated OPSCC is being diagnosed more frequently in older persons and that the age demographic may be shifting. Confirmation of this trend with larger patient numbers on a national level will be valuable. This study highlights the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion for HPV-associated OPSCC regardless of patient age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Incidental Findings on FDG PET/CT in Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) imaging is common in head and neck cancer and often identifies incidental findings that necessitate additional patient evaluations. Our goal was to assess the frequency and nature of these incidental imaging findings on FDG-PET/CT. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary medical center. Subjects and Methods All patients with head and neck cancer who had undergone FDG-PET/CT imaging between January 2014 and June 2015 at our institution were evaluated for incidental findings. Results A total of 293 patients met criteria; more than one-third (n = 103) had at least 1 finding unrelated to their head and neck cancer, for a total of 134 incidental findings. Incidental findings within the head and neck (33.5% of all) excluding the thyroid were most common: 35% incidental findings were concerning for malignancy; of these, 25.5% were malignant with further workup. Recommendations were given by the head and neck radiologist on 72 (53.7%) findings: 74.5% of potentially malignant findings and 42.5% of benign findings had recommendations for follow-up. Significantly more patients with findings described as malignant were given recommendations for follow-up ( P = .0004). Conclusion Incidental findings on FDG-PET/CT are present in more than one-third of patients with head and neck cancer. More than one-third of incidental findings were concerning for malignancy. This study illustrates how the incidental findings discovered on FDG PET/CT frequently necessitate additional evaluations unrelated to the index head and neck cancer. The impact of these additional assessments on the cost and quality of health care warrants future evaluation.

Bridging gaps in multidisciplinary head and neck cancer care: nursing coordination and case management.

Patients with advanced head and neck cancer face not only a life-threatening malignancy, but also a remarkably complex treatment regimen that can affect their cosmetic appearance and ability to speak, breathe, and swallow. These patients benefit from the coordinated interaction of a multidisciplinary team of specialists and a comprehensive plan of care to address their physical and psychosocial concerns, manage treatment-related toxicities, and prevent or limit long-term morbidities affecting health-related quality of life. Although little has been published on patient-provider communication with a multidisciplinary team, evidence has suggested that gaps often occur in communication between patients and providers, as well as between specialists. These communication gaps can hinder the multidisciplinary group from working toward common patient-centered goals in a coordinated "interdisciplinary" manner. We discuss the role of a head-and-neck oncology nurse coordinator at a single institution in bridging gaps across the continuum of care, promoting an interdisciplinary team approach, and enhancing the overall quality of patient-centered head-and-neck cancer care.

Are we influencing outcome in oropharynx cancer with intensity-modulated radiotherapy? An inter-era comparison.

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome in all oropharynx cancer patients treated at the University of Wisconsin during 1995-2005 and highlight the methodologic challenge in comparing outcome after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with that of historical controls. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Outcomes were compared in 195 oropharynx cancer patients after definitive radiotherapy with curative intent in the pre-IMRT era (pre-IMRT, n = 105), after IMRT (IMRT+, n = 52) or after non-IMRT techniques during the IMRT era (IMRT-, n = 38). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 30.4 months, the 3-year overall survival rate in IMRT+, IMRT-, and pre-IMRT patients was 88.2%, 81.1%, and 67.7%, respectively; and for locoregional control was 96.1%, 78.1%, and 81.1%. Patients from the IMRT era more frequently received concurrent chemotherapy (67% vs. 6%, p < 0.001) and underwent adjuvant neck dissection (52% vs. 29%, p = 0.002). Patients with T3-4 disease and bilateral neck disease were significantly less likely to receive IMRT. Cox regression analysis identified IMRT as a significant prognostic factor (p = 0.04); however, after including T stage in the model, IMRT lost independent significance (p = 0.2). Analysis of a potential effect of IMRT on Grade 3+ mucositis or skin reaction was also hampered by the change in other treatment characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes in oropharynx cancer have improved at our institution since the introduction of IMRT. However, multiple factors have contributed to this improvement, and presentation of IMRT outcomes without the full context of historical and contemporary controls may yield data that overstate outcome after IMRT.

Planned postradiotherapy neck dissection: Rationale and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we examine pathology results and clinical outcome for patients with locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) who present with advanced neck disease and undergo planned postradiotherapy neck dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Review of all patients with SCCHN treated with primary radiation (or chemoradiation) and postradiotherapy neck dissection at the University of Wisconsin between 1992 to 2005 was performed. One hundred seven neck dissections were identified in 93 patients, 79 unilateral and 14 bilateral. All major treatment and outcome parameters were examined with particular emphasis on the postradiotherapy neck dissection. RESULTS: Thirty of 107 neck dissection specimens (28%) showed evidence of residual carcinoma on pathologic review. The mean number of lymph nodes identified at neck dissection for the entire cohort was 21 per specimen (range, 1-60) with 1.3 nodes per positive neck dissection demonstrating residual carcinoma. No correlation was found between the type of neck dissection performed and the presence of residual nodal disease. Eighty-two evaluated patients (93%) remain free of regional disease recurrence, whereas six patients have subsequently manifested neck recurrence. Four of the six patients who developed regional recurrence showed residual carcinoma in their neck dissection specimen. Five of these patients underwent comprehensive neck dissection (levels I-V); one underwent selective neck dissection (