Comparative analysis of the incidence of head and neck cancer in south-eastern Poland and in Poland in the years 1990-2012.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To present the changes in the incidence of cancers of the head and neck organs in south-eastern Poland and in the whole country in the years 1990-2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis the incidence of cancers of the head and neck organs in south-eastern Poland in the years 1990-2012. Statistical methods used for cancers of ICD-10 C00-C14 and C30-C32. RESULTS: For Poland, the absolute number of cases was 123,120 in the years 1990-2012. For males, the number of cases per year increased from 4468 in 1990 to 4953 in 2012, and for females from 816 to 1442. The percentage share of tumours of the head and neck in all malignant tumours decreased from 10.0% to 6.5% for males and from 2.1% to 1.9% for females. In the years 1990-2012 in south-eastern Poland, for males, the absolute number of cases per year decreased from 335 in 1990 to 286 in 2012. For females, a minimal increase in cases was from 63 to 64 cases. The percentage share of tumours of the head and neck in all malignant tumours decreased from 12.2% to 6.7% for males and from 2.7% to 1.8% for females. CONCLUSIONS: Incidences of cancers of the head and neck organs in Poland have seen a slight upward trend in the absolute number of cases over the last two decades. In Poland a decrease in the incidence of cancer of the larynx was reported, with an increase in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer.

Evaluation of efficacy of Caphosol in prevention and alleviation of acute side effects in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancers.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Oral mucositis is a common side effect of the oral mucosa due to anticancer therapy, especially for head and neck cancer. Caphosol is indicated for dryness of the mouth and oropharynx and treatment of mucositis due to irradiation or high-dose chemotherapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Caphosol in preventing and alleviating mucositis due to radiotherapy in the head and neck region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Caphosol was used from the beginning of the irradiation and for two weeks more after the treatment was completed. Mucositis, xerostomia, and dysphagia were scored by radiotherapists. Subjective evaluation was made by patients. Caphosol was assessed in a non-blinded, matched clinical study. Each treatment arm consisted of 50 patients. The groups were similar. The only difference in the management protocol between the treatment arms was the use of Caphosol in the experimental arm. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in mean severity of early irradiation-induced side effects between the studied groups was observed with respect to: mucositis in the clinical target volume (CTV) area, mucositis in the increased dose (boost) area, dysphagia and xerostomia (p < 0.001 for all reactions). In the group of patients who used Caphosol, the mucositis was less intense, both in the CTV and in the boost area. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Caphosol reduces the severity of acute mucositis, dysphagia and xerostomia, exerting a positive effect on comfort in the oral cavity in patients irradiated for head and neck tumors.

Hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy in T1-3 N0 cancer of the larynx: A prospective cohort study with historical controls.

AIM: The goal of this prospective study was to assess the effectiveness of a hypofractionated accelerated regime in treatment of the larynx cancer. BACKGROUND: Multiple radiotherapy delivery regimes are used for treatment of the larynx cancer. Hypofractionated regimes could provide similar results with reduced use of radiotherapy facilities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 223 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper or middle larynx have been treated with 63 Gy delivered in 28 fractions of 2.25 Gy during 38 days, 5 fractions per week. The study endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, early and late treatment toxicity. Standard and accelerated radiotherapy groups from the study published by Hliniak et al.20 served as controls. RESULTS: Five-year actuarial overall survival was 87.5% in the study group, 84.5% in the control group receiving accelerated radiotherapy (33 fractions of 2.0 Gy, 6 fractions per week) and 86.2% in the control group (33 fractions of 2.0 Gy, 5 fractions per week). Five-year progression-free survival was 73.6%, 77.2% and 66.2%, respectively. Overall, treatment toxicity and complication rates did not differ between the study group and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy protocol using 5 fractions per week reduced the use of radiotherapy facilities. There was no significant difference in overall survival and progression-free survival between the study and control groups treated with accelerated or standard radiotherapy.

Usefulness of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy (Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-Octreotide) and 123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine Scintigraphy in Patients with SDHx Gene-Related Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas Detected by Computed Tomography.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using (99m)Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-octreotide (TOC) and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) in patients with SDHx-related syndromes in which paragangliomas were detected by computed tomography and to establish an optimal imaging diagnostic algorithm in SDHx mutation carriers. METHODS: All carriers with clinical and radiological findings suggesting paragangliomas were screened by SRS and 123I-mIBG. Lesions were classified by body regions, i.e. head and neck, chest, abdomen with pelvis and adrenal gland as well as metastasis. RESULTS: We evaluated 46 SDHx gene mutation carriers (32 index cases and 14 relatives; 28 SDHD, 16 SDHB and 2 SDHC). In this group, 102 benign tumors were found in 39 studied patients, and malignant disease was diagnosed in 7 patients. In benign tumors, the sensitivity of SRS was estimated at 77% and of 123I-mIBG at 22.0%. The SRS and mIBG sensitivity was found to be clearly region dependent (p < 0.001). The highest SRS sensitivity was found in head and neck paragangliomas (HNP; 91.4%) and the lowest was found in abdominal paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (40 and 42.9%, respectively). The highest 123I-mIBG sensitivity was found in pheochromocytomas (sensitivity of 100%) and the lowest in HNP (sensitivity of 3.7%). In metastatic disease, SRS was superior to mIBG (sensitivity of 95.2 vs. 23.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: SRS and 123I-mIBG single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) sensitivity in SDHx patients is highly body region dependent. In malignant tumors, SRS is superior to 123I-mIBG SPECT.

Narrow-band imaging vs Lugol chromoendoscopy in screening for esophageal squamous cell neoplasia: a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: To date, there is no established optimal method for endoscopic detection of esophageal squamous cell neoplasia in high­risk individuals. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the performance of narrow­band imaging (NBI) and Lugol chromoendoscopy in screening for esophageal neoplasia among patients with a history of treatment for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 300 patients who had completed curative treatment for HNSCC at least 1 year prior to the inclusion to undergo either NBI or Lugol endoscopy (2:1 ratio). Following white­light examination of the esophagus, the assigned imaging study was performed, and biopsies were taken from any suspicious lesions identified using NBI or Lugol chromoendoscopy. The primary end point was positive predictive value (PPV) of the biopsied lesion for a diagnosis of esophageal neoplasia (high­grade intraepithelial neoplasia [HG­IEN] or invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC]). The secondary end points included the number of biopsied lesions, duration of esophagus examination, and endoscopy tolerance. RESULTS: In 294 patients included in the final analysis (NBI, n = 204; Lugol chromoendoscopy, n = 90), we diagnosed 3 ESCCs (1.02%) and 2 HG­IENs (0.68%). The PPV of NBI and Lugol chromoendoscopy in per­lesion analysis was 7.69% (95% CI, 0.94%-25.1%) and 8.11% (95% CI, 1.7%-21.9%), respectively (P >0.99). NBI outperformed Lugol chromoendoscopy in terms of the rate of patients requiring biopsy (12.75% vs 41.11%; P = 0.003), duration of esophagus examination (3.5 min vs 5.15 min; P <0.001), and endoscopy tolerance assessed on the visual analog scale (25 mm vs 36.5 mm; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: With a PPV comparable to that of Lugol chromoendoscopy, but a lower number of biopsies required, shorter examination time, and better patient tolerance, NBI could be considered the primary screening method for ESCC in patients with HNSCC.

Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Versus EXTREME Regimen as First-Line Treatment for Recurrent/Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: The Final Results of CheckMate 651.

PURPOSE: CheckMate 651 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02741570) evaluated first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus EXTREME (cetuximab plus cisplatin/carboplatin plus fluorouracil ≤ six cycles, then cetuximab maintenance) in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). METHODS: Patients without prior systemic therapy for R/M SCCHN were randomly assigned 1:1 to nivolumab plus ipilimumab or EXTREME. Primary end points were overall survival (OS) in the all randomly assigned and programmed death-ligand 1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 20 populations. Secondary end points included OS in the programmed death-ligand 1 CPS ≥ 1 population, and progression-free survival, objective response rate, and duration of response in the all randomly assigned and CPS ≥ 20 populations. RESULTS: Among 947 patients randomly assigned, 38.3% had CPS ≥ 20. There were no statistically significant differences in OS with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus EXTREME in the all randomly assigned (median: 13.9 v 13.5 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.95; 97.9% CI, 0.80 to 1.13; P = .4951) and CPS ≥ 20 (median: 17.6 v 14.6 months; HR, 0.78; 97.51% CI, 0.59 to 1.03; P = .0469) populations. In patients with CPS ≥ 1, the median OS was 15.7 versus 13.2 months (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.97). Among patients with CPS ≥ 20, the median progression-free survival was 5.4 months (nivolumab plus ipilimumab) versus 7.0 months (EXTREME), objective response rate was 34.1% versus 36.0%, and median duration of response was 32.6 versus 7.0 months. Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 28.2% of patients treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus 70.7% treated with EXTREME. CONCLUSION: CheckMate 651 did not meet its primary end points of OS in the all randomly assigned or CPS ≥ 20 populations. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab showed a favorable safety profile compared with EXTREME. There continues to be a need for new therapies in patients with R/M SCCHN.

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in adult patients - Recommendations of Polish Scientific Societies and the National Oncological Strategy. 2022 Update [Diagnostyka i leczenie raka tarczycy u chorych doroslych - Rekomendacje Polskich Towarzystw Naukowych oraz Narodowej Strategii Onkologicznej. Aktualizacja na rok 2022].

The guidelines Thyroid Cancer 2022 are prepared based on previous Polish recommendations updated in 2018. They consider international guidelines - American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2015 and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN); however, they are adapted according to the ADAPTE process. The strength of the recommendations and the quality of the scientific evidence are assessed according to the GRADE system and the ATA 2015 and NCCN recommendations. The core of the changes made in the Polish recommendations is the inclusion of international guidelines and the results of those scientific studies that have already proven themselves prospectively. These extensions allow de-escalation of the therapeutic management in low-risk thyroid carcinoma, i.e., enabling active surveillance in papillary microcarcinoma to be chosen alternatively to minimally invasive techniques after agreeing on such management with the patient. Further extensions allow the use of thyroid lobectomy with the isthmus (hemithyroidectomy) in low-risk cancer up to 2 cm in diameter, modification of the indications for postoperative radioiodine treatment toward personalized approach, and clarification of the criteria used during postoperative L-thyroxine treatment. At the same time, the criteria for the preoperative differential diagnosis of nodular goiter in terms of ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy have been clarified, and the rules for the histopathological examination of postoperative thyroid material have been updated. New, updated rules for monitoring patients after treatment are also presented. The updated recommendations focus on ensuring the best possible quality of life after thyroid cancer treatment while maintaining the good efficacy of this treatment.

Platinum-based chemotherapy plus cetuximab in head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cetuximab is effective in platinum-resistant recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. We investigated the efficacy of cetuximab plus platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. METHODS: We randomly assigned 220 of 442 eligible patients with untreated recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck to receive cisplatin (at a dose of 100 mg per square meter of body-surface area on day 1) or carboplatin (at an area under the curve of 5 mg per milliliter per minute, as a 1-hour intravenous infusion on day 1) plus fluorouracil (at a dose of 1000 mg per square meter per day for 4 days) every 3 weeks for a maximum of 6 cycles and 222 patients to receive the same chemotherapy plus cetuximab (at a dose of 400 mg per square meter initially, as a 2-hour intravenous infusion, then 250 mg per square meter, as a 1-hour intravenous infusion per week) for a maximum of 6 cycles. Patients with stable disease who received chemotherapy plus cetuximab continued to receive cetuximab until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects, whichever occurred first. RESULTS: Adding cetuximab to platinum-based chemotherapy with fluorouracil (platinum-fluorouracil) significantly prolonged the median overall survival from 7.4 months in the chemotherapy-alone group to 10.1 months in the group that received chemotherapy plus cetuximab (hazard ratio for death, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.64 to 0.99; P=0.04). The addition of cetuximab prolonged the median progression-free survival time from 3.3 to 5.6 months (hazard ratio for progression, 0.54; P<0.001) and increased the response rate from 20% to 36% (P<0.001). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the chemotherapy-alone and cetuximab groups were anemia (19% and 13%, respectively), neutropenia (23% and 22%), and thrombocytopenia (11% in both groups). Sepsis occurred in 9 patients in the cetuximab group and in 1 patient in the chemotherapy-alone group (P=0.02). Of 219 patients receiving cetuximab, 9% had grade 3 skin reactions and 3% had grade 3 or 4 infusion-related reactions. There were no cetuximab-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with platinum-based chemotherapy plus fluorouracil alone, cetuximab plus platinum-fluorouracil chemotherapy improved overall survival when given as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00122460.)

[The results and toxicity of organ preservation treatment for locoregionally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer]. / Ocena wyników i tolerancji zachowawczego leczenia oszczedzajacego narzad u chorych na lokoregionalnie zaawansowanego raka krtani i krtaniowej czesci gardla.

UNLABELLED: The most frequent malignant tumor of the head and neck region is a squamous cell cancer of the larynx. Squamous cell cancer of the hypopharynx is diagnosed rarely, but it has poorer prognosis than laryngeal cancer. The surgical treatment, especially in advanced disease, is a laryngectomy with the definitive tracheostomy, what negatively influenced the quality of life. Therefore, oncologists have been interested in new alternative methods of conservative treatment from many years. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The evaluation of efficacy and toxicity of the organ preservation treatment in patients with locally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients with diagnosed squamous cell laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer in III and IVa clinical status were treated with concomitant radiochemotherapy with intention of the organ preservation. Conformal 3D radiotherapy and SIB-IMRT technique was applied in all cases. Concomitant chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin in daily dose100mg/m(2) given two times during irradiation (1 and 22 day of treatment) or once weekly in dose 40mg/m(2). Between January 2004 and November 2008 146 patients were treated with this method. There were 83 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and 62 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer in this group. RESULTS: The median follow up is 42 months. Five years overall survival is 75% and disease free survivak is 63%. Three years laryngectomy free survival (LFS) is 82% and 5-years LFS is 76%. This group of patients is alive with larynx preservations. In 17.3% patients local recurrence was observed (4.5% regional recurrence and 1.8% locoregional). Those patients underwent salvage surgery or were treated with palliative chemotherapy. No severe life risking early and late complications were observed. Only 7% of patients have required temporary tracheostomy because of difficulties in breathing due to larynx edema. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that organ preservation treatment is a valuable alternative to surgical procedure in patients diagnosed with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer in III and IVa clinical status.

Nutritional Care in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer during Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and Bioradiotherapy (BRT) Provides Better Compliance with the Treatment Plan.

The treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) is based on extensive resections followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with platinum derivatives or concurrent radiotherapy with cetuximab (bioradiotherapy; BRT). Malnutrition, which occurs in up to 60% of patients before treatment commencement, severely increases the risk of CRT/BRT drug dose reductions and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events. A prospective observational study was performed regarding the influence of nutritional care on nutritional status, compliance with the treatment's planned regimen, and the incidence of treatment-related complications in patients with advanced HNC during CRT and BRT. The study population encompassed 153 patients compared with a retrospective control group of 72 patients treated before nutritional care was included in the standard of oncological care. Patients enrolled in the nutritional care programme received significantly higher doses of platinum derivatives or cetuximab than patients in the control group. A significant difference between the compared populations was observed in patients below 70 years of age (92.8% of the study population), after prior surgery, and with initial weight loss lower than 10%. Nutritional care reduced final weight loss and prevented a decline within the laboratory markers of nutritional status. Weight loss was comparable in both modes of treatment-CRT and BRT. The incidence of treatment-related complications was significantly higher in patients without nutritional support in the subgroups of patients under 70 years of age and after primary surgery. Nutritional care before and during CRT and BRT in patients with HNC is a determinant of therapeutic benefit, defined as preventing down-dosing, weight loss, and the incidence of complications. Platinum derivatives and cetuximab had comparable influence on weight loss.

Impact of screening kindreds for SDHD p.Cys11X as a common mutation associated with paraganglioma syndrome type 1.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Germline mutations of the genes SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD predispose to paraganglioma syndromes. Mutation-specific counseling, risk assessment, and management recommendations ideally should be performed. Here, we provide data for a single common mutation of the SDHD gene. METHODS: The European-American Pheochromocytoma-Paraganglioma Registry served as the source for unrelated index cases affected by pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. Patients with the SDHD c.33 C-->A (p.Cys11X) germline mutations were reinvestigated by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and 24-h urinary catecholamine assay. First-degree relatives underwent genetic testing and those testing positive had same clinical investigations. Microsatellite analyses were used to test the hypothesis that all index cases were related and the mutation is a founding one. RESULTS: Sixteen index cases with the mutation SDHD p.Cys11X are registered. After testing their relatives, there were a total of 25 mutation carriers. We excluded seven subjects who inherited the mutation from the mother because of maternal imprinting. Thus, 18 mutation carriers were clinically affected. Among these 16 (89%) had head and neck paragangliomas, six (33%) thoracic tumors, six (33%) extraadrenal retroperitoneal, and five (28%) intraadrenal. Of note, 16 (89%) had multiple tumors at first diagnosis, and one (5%) had signs of malignancy during follow-up. Overall penetrance was 100% at age 54. Haplotype analyses revealed evidence for a founder effect. CONCLUSIONS: The SDHD p.Cys11X mutation is a founding mutation associated with a high penetrance for paraganglial tumors of the skull base, neck, thorax, and retroperitoneum in the first four decades of life and, rarely, with malignancy.

[Results of treatment in patients with paranasal sinus carcinoma. Analysis of prognostic factors]. / Wyniki leczenia chorych na raka zatok obocznych nosa. Analiza czynników prognostycznych.

Analysis was based on the results of successful and unsuccessful treatment of 137 patients with paranasal sinus cancer at the Oncology Centre in Warsaw between 1987-2002. Patients with clinical stages T3 and T4 constituted 87% of cases (110 patients). Radical treatment was performed on 84 patients. Five-year overall survival in 137 cases amounted to 27%; and survival without recurrence was 24%. Five-year overall and recurrence-free survial among patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy were 36% and 32% retrospectively. Multivariate analysis of 61 patients with complete data, who were treated with radical surgery and radiotherapy, emphasized the influence of prognostic factors on survival. A worse prognosis correlated with advanced locoregional T and N stage. It is evident that total dose greater than 6000 cGy had a clear impact on the results of treatment. It was also shown that planning with the manually and hand-measured isodoses impacted negatively on the survival in comparison with 2D and 3D planning. Analysis of recurrence-free survival showed that metastatis to the lymph nodes, and a manually-planned treatment method, had a negative impact on the results of treatment. It is asserted that local recurrences are the main cause of failure in cases treated with surgery and radiotherapy.

Recurrence of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea treated with radical radiotherapy: A case report.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea is a relatively rare tumor among thoracic diseases. The present study reports the case of a 23-year-old woman with ACC of the trachea who underwent surgical resection of the tumor in The National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (Warsaw, Poland). Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was not completely resected (R2 resection) and strict observation of the patient was therefore prescribed. After ~9 years of follow-up, clinical and histopathological tumor progression was confirmed and the patient was referred to the Centre of Oncology in Warsaw. The localization and advanced nature of the disease precluded surgical intervention, and radical radiotherapy was therefore performed using intensity-modulated radiation therapy. A total dose of 7,590 Gy, the planning target volume, was administered. A hyperfractionation scheme of radiotherapy was used: 2 fractions of 1.15 Gy daily, with at least a 6 h break in between. Tumor regression was observed following treatment and has been maintained for >3 years, assessed by clinical and computed tomography and positron emission tomography imaging examinations.

Predictors and prevalence of paraganglioma syndrome associated with mutations of the SDHC gene.

CONTEXT: Paraganglioma syndrome includes inherited head and neck paragangliomas (HNPs) and adrenal or extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas and are classified according to the susceptibility genes SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD. In contrast with those with germline mutations of the SDHB and SDHD genes, clinical and genetic data on patients with mutations of SDHC are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of SDHC mutation carriers compared with patients with SDHB and SDHD mutations and with sporadic cases. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Genetic screening for SDHC mutations in an international HNP registry of 121 unrelated index cases and in 371 sporadic cases from a pheochromocytoma registry, conducted January 1, 2001, until December 31, 2004. Identified index cases and affected relatives were clinically evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of and clinical findings for SDHC mutation-associated HNPs vs those with SDHB and SDHD mutations. RESULTS: The prevalence of SDHC carriers was 4% in HNP but 0% in pheochromocytoma index cases. None of the SDHC mutation carriers had signs of pheochromocytoma. We compared HNPs in 22 SDHC mutation carriers with the HNPs of SDHB (n = 15) and SDHD (n = 42) mutation carriers and with 90 patients with sporadic HNPs. Location, number of tumors, malignancy, and age were different: more carotid body tumors were found in SDHC (13/22 [59%]) than in sporadic HNPs (29/90 [32%], P = .03), as well as fewer instances of multiple tumors in SDHC (2/22) than in SDHD (24/42; P<.001), 0 malignant tumors in SDHC vs 6/15 in SDHB (P = .002), and younger age at diagnosis in SDHC than in sporadic HNPs (45 vs 52 years; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HNP, but not those with pheochromocytoma, harbor SDHC mutations in addition to those in SDHB and SDHD. In total, more than one quarter of HNP patients carry a mutation in 1 of these 3 genes. Head and neck paragangliomas associated with SDHC mutations are virtually exclusively benign and seldom multifocal. Analysis for germline mutations of SDHC is recommended in apparently sporadic HNP to identify risk of inheritance.

[Concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer; tolerance and early results of treatment]. / Ocena tolerancji i wczesnych wyników jednoczesnej radiochemioterapii i uzupelniajqcej chemioterapii u chorych na nisko zróznicowane raki nosowej czesci gardla.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, concomitant radiochemotherapy became a method of choice in patients with poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study is to estimate tolerance and early results of the concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (modified US Head and Neck Intergroup protocol). METHODS AND MATERIAL: Analysing protocol consist of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (TD = 70 Gy) given concomitantly with cisplatin (30 mg/m2 daily during 3 days every 3 weeks). This part of treatment was followed by 3 courses of PF (cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy. Between August 1998 and September 2003 thirty six patients (27 male and 9 female) were qualified to treatment. Median age was 33 years. RESULTS: Tolerance of concomitant radiochemotherapy was acceptable. Intensive mucosal acute reactions (>G2) were observed in 67% patients. Life threatening complications (sepsis + DIC) was observed in single case. All patients received radiotherapy in planned total dose. Eighty six percent of patients received cisplatin in planned cumulated doses. Tolerance of the adjuvant chemotherapy was worse. Only 44% patients received all three courses of PF chemotherapy. The reasons of incomplete chemotherapy were neutropenia, infections, prolongated acute reactions or performance status decreasing. Complete regression was obtained in 86% patients. Two years overall and disease free survival rates were 83% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm high activity of the concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by chemotherapy in patients with poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer. Those results confirm also high toxicity of this regimen, what suggest very careful patients qualification to treatment.

[Retrospective appreciation of results of treatment and early and late radiologic mucositis and other postradiological complications in patients with parotid gland cancer irradiated postoperatively]. / Retrospektywna ocena wyników leczenia oraz wczesnych i póznych odczynów popromiennych sluzówek jamy ustnej i innych powiklan popromiennych u chorych napromienianych pooperacyjnie z powodu raka przyusznicy.

We describe results and complications of combined (surgery and radiotherapy) treatment of parotid gland cancer. 86 patients, 31 women and 55 men, have been treated between the years 1984-1997 in Cancer Center--Institute in Warsaw. Mean age of patients was 56.6 years and ranged from 15 to 84 years. Surgical treatment was microscopically radical in 16 patients, macroscopically radical in 59 patients and debulking was performed on 11 patients. 5-year overall survival has been estimated as 58.2%. Distant metastases were observed in 23.3% of patients, local recurrences were observed in 12.8% of patients. Late serious postirradiation skin reaction (grade IV EORTC) was observed 6 months after completion of radiotherapy in 1 patient, and symptoms subsided completely during next 18 months. Late mucosal postirradiation complications (grade I and II EORTC) after 6 to 8 months after radiotherapy were described in 22.9% of patients and after 24-26 months in 15.9% of patients. There were no serious--grade III and IV EORTC--mucosal complications. Observed xerostomia was minimal due to compensation of saliva production by contralateral major salivary glands and did not worsen patients quality of life. Early middle ear postradiological inflammation occurred in 18.6% of patients, late reaction in the middle ear (6 to 8 months after completion of radiotherapy) was observed in 19% of all patients. In the group of 57 patients who survived 2 years after radiotherapy 1 developed temporo-mandibular joint fibrosis. Late postradiological changes in petrosal bone were detected in 2 patients (1 in Rtg imaging and 1 in CT imaging)-they were painful and primarily suspected as recurrence. None of the patients had clinically overt temporal lobe complications. Our patients survival results were a little worse than reported in the literature. Observed tolerance of combined treatment was very good.

[The role of hemoglobin concentration in the outcome of definitive radiotherapy of the oropharyngeal cancer]. / Ocena wplywu steqenia hemoglobiny na wyniki radykalnego leczenia napromienianiem chorych na raka ustnej czesci gardla.

INTRODUCTION: Squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is potentially curative by radiotherapy. The impact on the treatment results have factors related to neoplasm, to the patient and factors related to the method of radiotherapy. The aim of this paper is evaluation of the impact of hemoglobin concentration (Hb) on treatment results in these patients. METHODS: 241 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated between 1984-1995 in Radiotherapy Department II of Centre of Oncology in Warsaw. Most of them had locally and regionally advanced disease (T3-T4 in 63% and N2-3 in 41% of the patients). The pretreatment level of Hg was determined. All patients underwent definitive radiotherapy with the mean total dose 66-70 Gy. RESULTS: The estimated 5-year overall survival in this group was 23%. Analysis of clinical factors and factors related to the treatment has shown independent impact of the Hb concentration on radiotherapy results. In the group of patients with Hb level above 13 g/dL the risk of death and risk of locoregional recurrance were two times lower in comparison with group where Hb level was equal to or below 13 g/dL (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.013 respectively). CONCLUSION: In the group of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, Hb concentration is important prognostic factor of the local control probablility and overall survival.

[Lymphatic metastasis in the neck from unknown primary. Analysis of treatment results and prognostic factors]. / Przerzuty do wezlów chlonnych szyi z nieznanego ogniska pierwotnego. Analiza wyników leczenia i czynników rokowniczych.

The aim of this study is to analyze the results of treatment results and prognostic factors related to clinical and treatment characteristics in patients with neck lymph nodes metastases from the unknown primary site. 90 patients with pathology proven cancer metastases in the neck lymph nodes from the unknown primary site were treated between 1984-1998. Most of them (58 patients--63%) had advanced disease in lymph nodes N3. The rest had stage N2abc before initial treatment. 40 patients underwent combined treatment--surgery and definitive radiotherapy. 3 patients had induction chemotherapy followed by resection and radiotherapy. 30 patients received radiotherapy alone or radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In 7 cases chemotherapy after surgical resection were used. Curves of overall survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Analysis of the prognostic factors was performed using Cox's multivariate proportional risk model. 5 years overall survival probability was 24%. In the group of patients who underwent surgery and radiotherapy probability of 5 years overall survival was 43%. In patients who received radiotherapy alone or radiotherapy and chemotherapy probability of 5 year overall survival was 2%. Multivariate analysis showed significant influence of the performance status (PS--WHO scale), sex and stage N3 on overall survival. The patients with PS 0-1 had better prognosis comparing with PS 2-3 (p < 0.001). Male had worse prognosis then female (p = 0.05). N3 stage reduced overall survival in comparison to N2abc (p = 0.06). In the analysis of disease free survival N3-stage was the only independent factor concerning with poor outcome (p = 0.03). Patients who had surgery followed by radiotherapy had better prognosis. Poor performance status, sex-male and N3 stage were identified as the important factors influencing overall survival. N3-stage was an independent factor influencing disease free survival.

Follow-up in patients treated for head and neck cancer.

Principles of follow-up management in patients treated for head and neck tumors are not very strictly defined, and practice varies between countries, centers, and specialists. Details of follow-up procedures, including timing of outpatient visits and diagnostic imaging, are specific for tumor types and localizations but also depend on treatment modalities used, availability of diagnostic procedures, and socioeconomic factors. The authors describe general principles of follow-up in head and neck cancer patients. Clinical observation and laboratory and imaging studies in patients who had received radical treatment should focus on early identification of recurrent or second primary tumors to allow for a salvage radical therapy. In patients who initially had received a palliative care, the follow-up should focus on proper management of symptoms.

[Long-term results and cause of failure analysis in larynx cancer patients irradiated conventionally and with accelerated fractionation schedules in 1995-1998]. / Odlegle wyniki i analiza przyczyn niepowodzen u chorych na raka krtani napromienianych konwencjonalnie i schematem przyspieszonego frakcjonowania w latach 1995-1998.

The clinical material consists of 217 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in supraglottic and glottic larynx in clinical stage T1-3N0M0 irradiated radically in Warsaw Oncology Centre in 1995-1998. All patients were treated with Co-60, according to two schedules of fractionation, with maintenance of the consistent therapeutic protocol. The same team of doctors worked on the treatment of patients and on the follow-up as well. The clinical material is a part of a three-phased clinical trial KBN 0295. In the course of observation, the progression of cancer was not observed in 157 patients, among whom, 66% were treated conventionally and 79% with accelerated fractionation method. 60 cases of loco-regional recurrences were noted, among which 55 were regional. The majority of failure cases was observed until the 30(th) of the month after the radiotherapy ended. In conventional fractionation treatment, recurrences in T1 were 8/31 (26%), in T2 22/59 (37%) and in T3 8/20 (40%). In patients treated with AF, recurrences were T1 5/39 (13%), T2 15/55 (27%) and T3 2/13 (15%) respectively. The percentage of primary site tumour recurrences for each localization and kind of treatment was analysed. In CF 28/78 (37%) of glottic tumour recurrences and 10/34 (29%) of supraglottic tumour, recurrences were observed. In AF, 12/71 (17%) and 10/36 (28%) were observed respectively. In 48 cases salvage surgery was used, and 12 patients were not qualified because of tumour massive progression or because they refused to have a surgery. Among 34 cases (16%) of the second primary tumour or distant methastases, 25 were observed with glottic cancer, among which 23 were observed in early stages, and 9 cases with supraglottic cancer, among which, 6 showed early stage of tumour. In only 3 cases out of all the patients, distant methastases were confirmed in histopatology examination. The main cause of failure in larynx cancer patients in stage T1 is that 3N0M0 are local recurrences. Second primary or distant methastases constitute 16% of the patients in this paper.