Acinic cell carcinoma of the oral and maxillofacial region: an international multicenter study

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, clinicopathological, and prognostic features of acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of the oral and maxillofacial region. AciCC cases were retrospectively retrieved from 11 pathology centers of three different countries. Medical records were examined to extract demographic, clinical, pathologic, and follow-up information. A total of 75 cases were included. Females (65.33%) with a mean age of 45.51 years were mostly affected. The lesions usually presented as an asymptomatic (64.28%) nodule (95.66%) in the parotid gland (70.68%). The association of two histopathological patterns was the most common finding (48.93%) and the tumors presented mainly conventional histopathological grades (86.11%). Surgical treatment was performed in the majority of the cases (59.19%). Local recurrence was observed in 20% of the informed cases, regional metastasis in 30.43%, and distant metastasis in 12.50%. The statistical analysis showed that the cases with a solid histopathological pattern (p=0.01), high-grade transformation (p=0.008), recurrence (p=0.007), and regional metastasis (p=0.03) were associated with poor survival. In conclusion, high histopathological transformation, presence of nodal metastasis, and recurrence were prognostic factors for AciCC of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Virtual learning object about oral ulcerative lesions: controlled educational intervention study

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a virtual learning object (VLO) to teach undergraduate dental students about the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to oral ulcerative lesions. The VLO was developed with information on the diagnostic process, lesion classification, and clinical-surgical management of oral ulcerative lesions. The VLO content was initially validated by a group of specialists. Learning was evaluated in a sample of 58 undergraduate dental students, divided into control group (conventional theoretical class, n = 29) and intervention group (interaction with VLO, n = 29). All students answered a pre-test and post-test questionnaire. The VLO group also answered a specific questionnaire on the evaluation of the VLO. Both quantitative and qualitative descriptive analyses were performed. The validation showed that professors and students considered the VLO adequate. The use of the VLO was recommended by 100% of professors and 86.6% of students. In the intervention group, the results showed a significantly higher number of correct answers in the post-test (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the VLO proved to be a useful tool for teaching oral medicine, contributing significantly to the knowledge of ulcerated lesions in the mouth.

Risk factors for jaw osteoradionecrosis: a case control study

Abstract There are divergences among studies regarding features associated to increased risk of osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Our objective was to identify factors that predispose to the development of ORN of the jaw. This was a retrospective, hospital-based, case-control study involving patients with head and neck cancer who had been treated with ≥ 60 Gy external radiotherapy (RT) to the jaw. A total of 19 cases of ORN and 43 controls were included. The patients' demographic data, tumor type, staging, treatment and outcome information, and pre-treatment oral status were collected. Univariate analysis showed that the oral cavity/oropharynx sites were associated with 9.77-fold increased risk of ORN development compared to other sites (p = 0.005). Being an active smoker was associated with 3.95-fold increased risk of ORN development (p = 0.01). A tendency towards increased risk of ORN was observed particularly when tooth extraction occurred after RT (odds ratio (OR): 3.04; p = 0.08). Multivariable analysis showed that tumor site was the only significant risk factor (OR: 21.03, p = 0.01). The oral and oropharyngeal primary site is an important risk factor for ORN. Dental extraction, which did not occur in 28% of the sample, was not an essential event for ORN development.

Distance learning course improves primary care dentists' diagnosis and self-efficacy in the management of oral lesions

Abstract Oral cancer represents a public health issue because of its high mortality rate, resulting mainly from diagnostic delays. Insufficient training in oral diagnosis is usually perceived by dentists. Distance learning could be used as an auxiliary tool to bridge that gap. This study evaluated the impact of a distance learning course on oral mucosal lesion diagnosis offered to public healthcare dentists. Participants of an online course answered a pretest/posttest comprising clinical images of 30 clinical cases. Participants were questioned about the diagnosis and informed their decision on the cases (referring the cases to a specialist or managing them themselves), as a parameter of perceived self-efficacy. A total of 442 dentists enrolled in the course. Their pass rate was 97%. Classification of the nature of the lesions, diagnostic hypotheses, sensitivity, and specificity improved by 13.4%, 10.0%, 13.4%, and 6.6%, respectively (p<0.01, Wilcoxon test). Regarding management, there was a 16.6% reduction in the intention to refer cases, while confidence in the diagnosis of benign lesions increased by 40%. A distance learning course may be useful in continuing education actions for primary care dentists, improving their diagnostic abilities and encouraging them in the management of oral lesions. Moreover, this strategy could contribute to disseminating knowledge to remote regions, particularly among primary health care professionals.

Factors associated with incomplete surgical margins in basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck / Fatores associados a margens cirúrgicas incompletas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço

Abstract Introduction: Cutaneous basal cell carcinoma recurrence is associated with inadequate surgical margins. The frequency of and the factors associated with compromised or inadequate surgical margins in head and neck basal cell carcinoma varies. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathological factors associated with inadequate surgical margins in head and neck basal cell carcinoma. Methods: We developed a cross-sectional study comprising all patients who had undergone resection of head and neck basal cell carcinoma from January 2017 to December 2019. Data on age, sex, head and neck topography, histopathological findings, and staging were retrieved and compared. Each tumor was considered an individual case. Compromised and close margins were termed ''inadequate'' or ''incomplete''. Variables that were significantly associated with the presence of incomplete margins were further assessed by logistic regression. Results: In total, 605 tumors from 389 patients were included. Overall, sixteen cases (2.6%) were classified as compromised, 52 (8.5%) as close, and 537 (88.7%) as free margins. Presence of scleroderma (p = 0.005), higher Clark level (p < 0.001), aggressive variants (p < 0.001), invasion beyond the adipose tissue (p < 0.001), higher T stage (p < 0.001), perineural invasion (p = 0.002), primary site (p = 0.04), multifocality (p = 0.01), and tumor diameter (p = 0.02) showed association with inadequate margins. After Logist regression, multifocality, Clark level and depth of invasion were found to be independent risk factors for inadequate margins. Conclusion: Gross clinical examination may be sufficient for determining low prevalence of inadequate surgical margins when treating head and neck basal cell carcinoma in highly experienced oncologic centers. Multifocality, Clark level and depth of invasion were found to be independent risk factors for incomplete margins.

Resumo Introdução: A recorrência do carcinoma basocelular (CBC) cutâneo está associada a margens cirúrgicas inadequadas. A frequência e os fatores associados a margens cirúrgicas comprometidas ou inadequadas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço variam. Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores clínicos e patológicos associados a margens cirúrgicas inadequadas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço. Método: Conduzimos um estudo transversal que abrangeu todos os pacientes submetidos à resseçcão de carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço de janeiro de 2017 a dezembro de 2019. Dados sobre idade, sexo, topografia na cabeça e pescoço, achados histopatológicos e estadiamento foram recuperados e comparados. Cada tumor foi considerado como um caso individual. As margens comprometidas e próximas foram denominadas ''inadequadas'' ou ''incompletas''. As variáveis que foram significantemente associadas à presença de margens incompletas foram avaliadas adicionalmente por regressão logística. Resultados: Foram incluídos 605 tumores de 389 pacientes. No geral, 16 casos (2,6%) foram classificados como comprometidos, 52 (8,5%) como próximos e 537 (88,7%) como margens livres. Presença de esclerodermia (p = 0,005), nível de Clark mais elevado (p < 0,001), variantes agressivas (p < 0,001), invasão além do tecido adiposo (p < 0,001), estágio T mais avançado (p < 0,001), invasão perineural (p = 0,002), sítio primário (p = 0,04), multifocalidade (p = 0,01) e diâmetro do tumor (p = 0,02) mostraram associação com margens inadequadas. Após a regressão logística, a multifocalidade, o nível de Clark e a profundidade de invasão foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para margens inadequadas. Conclusão: O exame clínico macroscópico pode ser suficiente para determinar baixa prevalência de margens cirúrgicas inadequadas no tratamento do carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço em centros oncológicos altamente experientes. Multifocalidade, nível de Clark e profundidade de invasão foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para margens incompletas.

Effects of a mucoadhesive formulation containing Curcuma longa L. on oral wound healing

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a topical mucoadhesive formulation with Curcuma longa L. extract (MFC) on oral wound healing. Methods: Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Control, Vehicle, and MFC. Traumatic ulcers were made on the dorsum of the tongue with a 3-mm diameter punch. Vehicle and MFC groups received application of the products twice a day, while animals in the control group were cared for in identical conditions but received no product application. Six rats in each group were euthanized at days 3, 5, 10, and 14. Percentage of repair was calculated based on wound area. HE-stained histological sections were obtained for semi-quantitative analysis of re-epithelization and inflammation. Results: Clinical findings revealed that at days 3 and 5, animals from the MFC group exhibited a significantly higher percentage of wound repair. At day 5, animals from this group also demonstrated a significant increase in the degree of re-epithelization and inflammation. Conclusions: MFC is capable of accelerating oral wound repair in an in vivo model by modulating the inflammatory process and stimulating epithelial proliferation. (AU)

TGF-ß1 and its association with clinicopathological features, proliferative activity and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study

Introduction: The prognostic value of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1) in oral cancer remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate TGF-ß1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) samples and its association with clinicopathological data, tumor proliferative activity, and patients' prognosis. Methods: A total of 68 patients with histopathological diagnosis of OSCC were included, as well as 9 cases of normal oral mucosa for comparison purposes. The OSCC sample was categorized according to patients' outcomes in favorable prognosis (n=30) or unfavorable prognosis (n=38). Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-ß1 and Ki-67 were performed. The slides were semi-quantitatively and quantitatively evaluated for TGF-ß1 and Ki-67, respectively. Results: TGF-ß1 was significantly increased in OSCC compared to normal oral mucosa (<0.01). An inverse correlation was found between TGF-ß1 and Ki67 staining in OSCC (p=0.01). No association was found between TGF-ß1 expression and OSCC clinicopathological features, prognosis or survival. Conclusions: TGF-ß1 had no prognostic value and appears to maintain its suppressive role concerning cell proliferation. (AU)

Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy in the development and remission of oral plasmablastic lymphoma.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) represents a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in this tumor is poorly known due to its small incidence. This study reports a case of a 33-year-old HIV-positive woman who was referred to the Stomatology Department complaining about a painful gingival growth and cervical nodule both with 20 days of evolution. The lesions appeared 7 months after the patient stopped HAART. The final diagnosis was PBL. After resuming HAART for 45 days, the gingival lesion presented complete remission. The patient continued with HAART alongside chemotherapy. At 24 months follow-up, the patient was stable. The dental surgeon plays an essential role in orientation and retention in care of HIV patients once the adherence of HAART seems to play an important role in PBL development and response to treatment.

A 10-year analysis of the oral squamous cell carcinoma profile in patients from public health centers in Uruguay

The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics and predictive factors of poor prognosis in patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Uruguay. Medical records of patients with the diagnosis of primary OSCC treated between 2000 and 2010 in Uruguayan public hospitals were selected. Data on demographic characteristics, risk factors, clinical features, treatment, and outcome were collected. Associations of independent variables with outcomes were assessed using Pearson chi-squared and Fisher's tests. Of 200 patients with OSCC, 79.4% were men (3.8:1 male:female ratio), with a mean age of 60.75 ± 11.26 years. Tobacco and alcohol consumption were reported by 85.3% and 63.5% of patients, respectively. The most commonly affected location was the tongue (42.5%), with lesions exhibiting ulcerous aspects in 87.9% of cases and pain at the time of diagnosis in 70.4% of cases. One hundred sixty-one (82.1%) patients had advanced-stage (III/IV) OSCC. Surgery was the most common treatment option, and the overall 5-year survival rate was 58.5%. Univariate analysis showed that the predictors of poor prognosis were clinical aspect, size, regional metastasis, clinical stage, and treatment. In Uruguay, OSCC is diagnosed late, which is associated with a low survival rate. Educational and preventive measures and investment to improve early diagnosis should be undertaken.