HPV/p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer treated with transoral robotic surgery: The roles of margins, extra-nodal extension and adjuvant treatment.

PURPOSE: Human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treatment outcomes are re-defining management. Traditional margins, the role of extranodal extension (ENE) and adjuvant treatment intensity continue to be debated. This study aimed to determine the impact of margins, ENE and adjuvant therapy on survival following transoral robotic surgery (TORS). METHODS: Patients treated with TORS at an academic center were retrospectively identified (2013-2019). Survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: 48 patients were included. 40 (83%) were male. Mean age was 61.2 years. 43 (90%) were stage I. 22 (45.8%) had ENE. 31 (65%) had margins >1 mm. 38 (79%) had indications for radiation therapy; 9 (24%) refused. Chemotherapy was recommended in 36 (75%) patients; 24 (67%) refused. Locoregional control was 98%, metastasis-free survival was 96%, and disease-specific survival was 100% at 5-years. Overall survival was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high survival rate seen after TORS, it is likely that margins, ENE and adjuvant treatment may not significantly contribute to outcomes.

Mature results of a prospective study of deintensified chemoradiotherapy for low-risk human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to determine quality of life and tumor control from a prospective phase 2 clinical trial evaluating deintensified chemoradiotherapy for favorable risk, human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Patients with T0-T3, N0-N2c, M0, p16-positive disease and a minimal smoking history were treated with 60 grays of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent weekly intravenous cisplatin (30 mg/m2 ). The primary study endpoint was the pathologic complete response rate based on biopsy of the primary site and dissection of pretreatment positive lymph node regions. The pathologic complete response rate as previously reported was 86%. Herein, the authors report secondary endpoint measures of local control, regional control, cause-specific survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival, and patient-reported outcomes (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30] and the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [PRO-CTCAE]). RESULTS: A total of 44 patients enrolled with a median follow-up of 36 months (88% with ≥2 years). The 3-year local control, regional control, cause-specific survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival rates were 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 95%, respectively. The mean before and 3-year after EORTC QOL scores were: global: 80 of 78; swallowing: 11 of 11; dry mouth: 16 of 41; and sticky saliva: 6 of 29. The mean before and 3-year after PRO-CTCAE scores were: swallowing: 0.4 of 0.7; and dry mouth: 0.4 of 1.4. Approximately 39% of patients required a feeding tube (median duration, 15 weeks; none were permanent). There were no ≥grade 3 late adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with favorable-risk human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, a substantially decreased intensity of therapy with 60 grays of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and weekly low-dose cisplatin produced better preservation of quality of life compared with standard therapies while maintaining excellent 3-year tumor control and survival. Cancer 2018;124:2347-54. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Retromolar trigone squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy alone or combined with surgery: a 10-year update.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Treatment outcomes were analyzed for patients who received radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the retromolar trigone at a single institution. MATERIALS/METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 110 patients treated with radiotherapy alone (n=36) or radiotherapy combined with surgical resection of the primary tumor (n=74) between June 1966 and October 2013. The median follow-up was 4.5years for all patients and 11.8years for living patients (range, 1.3-23.5years). RESULTS: The 5-year local-regional control rates after definitive radiotherapy versus surgery and radiotherapy for stages I-III were 52% and 89% and for stage IV they were 46% and 58%, respectively. The 5-year cause-specific survival rates after definitive radiotherapy compared with surgery and radiotherapy for stages I-III were 57% and 82% and for stage IV they were 45% and 43%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that the likelihood of cure was better with surgery and radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone (p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy had a better chance of cure than those treated with radiotherapy alone. Complications of treatment were common in both groups but more common in patients who underwent surgery.

Radiotherapy for pleomorphic adenoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to update our experience in treating pleomorphic adenoma with radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 25 patients treated with RT alone (2 patients) or combined with surgery (23 patients), with follow-up ranging from 1.8 to 34.9 years (median, 10.5 years). RESULTS: Local control was achieved in 13 (75%) of 16 patients with subclinical disease and 5 (56%) of 9 patients with gross disease. Overall local control was achieved in 18 (72%) of 25 patients. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year overall local control rates were 76 %, 76%, and 68%, respectively. Ten patients died of the following causes: recurrent disease, 2; malignant transformation, 2; and intercurrent disease, 6. At last follow-up, 14 patients were alive without evidence of disease, and 1 patient was alive with disease. Dental carries and transient facial nerve deficits were the most common complications. No patients developed severe complications subsequent to RT. CONCLUSIONS: In patients at high risk for developing recurrent pleomorphic adenoma after surgery, RT is effective in controlling subclinical disease.

Does lymphovascular invasion predict survival in oral cancer? A population-based analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lymphovascular invasion as an independent predictor for overall survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Multi-center, population-based facilities reporting to the National Cancer Database registry. METHODS: The database was accessed to collect data on patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. A multivariate cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the association between presence of lymphovascular invasion and overall survival. RESULTS: 16,992 patients met inclusion criteria. 3,457 patients had lymphovascular invasion. The mean follow-up was 32 ± 19 months. Lymphovascular invasion predicted reduced 2-year overall survival (relative hazard 1.29, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.38, p < 0.001) and 5-year overall survival (relative hazard 1.30, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.39, p < 0.001). LVI reduced overall survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.39, p < 0.001), floor of mouth (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.52, p < 0.001) and buccal mucosa (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.81, p = 0.001). Patients with lymphovascular invasion treated with surgery plus post-operative radiotherapy had significantly improved survival compared to those who underwent surgery alone (relative hazard 1.79, 95% CI: 1.58, 2.03, p < 0.001), and patients treated with surgery + post-operative chemoradiotherapy had improved survival compared to those treated with surgery alone (relative hazard 2.0, 95% CI: 2.26, 1.79, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lymphovascular invasion is an important independent risk factor for decreased overall survival in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma involving the oral tongue, floor of mouth and buccal mucosa subsites.

Managing stage 4 ameloblastoma with dual BRAF/MEK inhibition: A case report with 8-year clinical follow-up.

We present 8-year follow-up on the first patient with stage 4 ameloblastoma carrying a BRAF V600E mutation treated with dual BRAF/MEK inhibition (BRAF/MEKi). He experienced a durable clinical response while on dabrafenib (BRAFi) and trametinib (MEKi) without toxicity nor evidence for drug-resistant tumor progression. He was asymptomatic when he self-discontinued therapy after 4 years of sustained clinical response. He did not return for follow-up until 2.5 years later with onset of painful mandibular tumor recurrence associated with recurrent bilateral lung metastases. He was rechallenged with dabrafenib/trametinib and experienced another prompt tumor response and remains in a second durable clinical remission (currently > 16 months) on continuous dual targeted therapy. We discuss the implications of this case study for future treatment strategies.

Head and neck osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to discuss the optimal management and treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck osteosarcomas. STUDY DESIGN: Review article. METHODS: Review of the pertinent literature. RESULTS: Osteosarcomas account for approximately 1% or less of all head and neck cancers. The vast majority occur in the mandible and maxilla. The median age is in the fourth decade, with a wide range. They are more likely to recur locally after treatment and distant metastases are observed less often than with the more common osteosarcomas arising in the long bones. The optimal treatment is complete resection. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is ill-defined. The vast majority of recurrences are observed within 5 years. The 5-year disease-specific and overall survival rates are approximately 60% to 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Osteosarcoma of the head and neck is a rare entity that occurs primarily in the mandible and maxilla. The optimal treatment is surgery. Adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered for those with close or positive margins. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is ill-defined. The likelihood of cure is approximately 60% to 70%.

COVID-19 pandemic: Effects and evidence-based recommendations for otolaryngology and head and neck surgery practice.

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious zoonosis produced by SARS-CoV-2 that is spread human-to-human by respiratory secretions. It was declared by the WHO as a public health emergency. The most susceptible populations, needing mechanical ventilation, are the elderly and people with associated comorbidities. There is an important risk of contagion for anesthetists, dentists, head and neck surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists, and otolaryngologists. Health workers represent between 3.8% and 20% of the infected population; some 15% will develop severe complaints and among them, many will lose their lives. A large number of patients do not have overt signs and symptoms (fever/respiratory), yet pose a real risk to surgeons (who should know this fact and must therefore apply respiratory protective strategies for all patients they encounter). All interventions that have the potential to aerosolize aerodigestive secretions should be avoided or used only when mandatory. Health workers who are: pregnant, over 55 to 65 years of age, with a history of chronic diseases (uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and all clinical scenarios where immunosuppression is feasible, including that induced to treat chronic inflammatory conditions and organ transplants) should avoid the clinical attention of a potentially infected patient. Health care facilities should prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures until the present condition stabilizes; truly elective care should cease and discussed on a case-by-case basis for patients with cancer. For those who are working with COVID-19 infected patients' isolation is compulsory in the following settings: (a) unprotected close contact with COVID-19 pneumonia patients; (b) onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other symptoms (gastrointestinal complaints, anosmia, and dysgeusia have been reported in a minority of cases). For any care or intervention in the upper aerodigestive tract region, irrespective of the setting and a confirmed diagnosis (eg, rhinoscopy or flexible laryngoscopy in the outpatient setting and tracheostomy or rigid endoscopy under anesthesia), it is strongly recommended that all health care personnel wear personal protective equipment such as N95, gown, cap, eye protection, and gloves. The procedures described are essential in trying to maintain safety of health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, otolaryngologists, head and neck, and maxillofacial surgeons are per se exposed to the greatest risk of infection while caring for COVID-19 positive subjects, and their protection should be considered a priority in the present circumstances.

Challenging the Requirement to Treat the Contralateral Neck in Cases With >4 mm Tumor Thickness in Patients Receiving Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue or Floor of Mouth.

HYPOTHESIS: While treating patients with postoperative radiotherapy (RT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue or floor of mouth, we hypothesized a low risk of tumor recurrence in the contralateral neck in the absence of contralateral neck RT when the primary tumor is >1 cm from the midline regardless of tumor thickness (TT) or depth of invasion (DOI)>4 mm. OBJECTIVE: The policy at our institution for many years has been to limit postoperative RT to the ipsilateral side when the primary tumor does not cross the midline, regardless of TT or DOI. We report the rate of isolated contralateral neck failure in this group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients treated with postoperative RT at our institution between 1998 and 2014 for pathologic stage T1-T4 N1-N2b squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue or floor of mouth that did not cross the midline and thus were treated with RT limited to the primary site +/- ipsilateral neck. RESULTS: Our study population included 32 patients: 75% with close (<5 mm) or positive margins and 38% with perineural invasion. No patients had a tumor that crossed the midline. TT was ≥4 mm in 75% of patients. DOI was >5 mm in 68% of patients. There were no isolated contralateral neck recurrences with a median follow-up of 5 years. CONCLUSION: While delivering postoperative RT for oral tongue or floor of mouth cancer with pathologic neck stage N0-2b, the risk of not irradiating the contralateral neck is very low when the primary tumor does not cross the midline, regardless of other factors at the primary site, such as TT and DOI.

Quality of Life for Patients With Favorable-Risk HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer After De-intensified Chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Oropharynx cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) have a favorable prognosis, but current treatment approaches carry significant long-term morbidity. Strategies to de-intensify treatment in this population are under investigation, but the impact of these approaches on quality of life (QOL) is not well understood. We present patient-reported outcomes from 2 prospective studies examining de-intensified chemoradiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study included patients enrolled in 2 prospective phase 2 trials of de-intensified chemoradiotherapy in patients with HPV-associated oropharynx cancer who had at least 1 year of follow-up. Treatment included concurrent radiation therapy (60 Gy) and chemotherapy (weekly cisplatin, 30 mg/m2). Patients reported QOL and symptoms using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Module-35, and the Eating Assessment Tool-10 instruments before treatment and at regular intervals thereafter. Changes in QOL and individual symptoms were examined over time, and multivariate analysis was used to identify clinical factors associated with recovery to baseline symptom levels. RESULTS: Of the 154 patients enrolled, 126 patients had at least 1 year of follow-up and were included in this study (median follow-up, 25 months). Global QOL, functional indices, and most individual symptoms returned to baseline 3 to 6 months after treatment. Swallowing (Eating Assessment Tool-10 score) returned to baseline function by 2 years, but dry mouth, sticky saliva, and taste/senses did not return to baseline levels. However, from 1 to 2 years, continued improvement occurred in dry mouth score (55 vs 48), sticky saliva score (35 vs 27), and senses score (24 vs 20). On multivariate analysis, unilateral radiation therapy was associated with returning to baseline level of swallowing and sticky saliva. CONCLUSIONS: The use of de-intensified chemoradiotherapy in HPV-associated oropharynx cancer led to favorable patient-reported outcomes, with early recovery of QOL and continued improvement of xerostomia and dysphagia beyond 1-year posttreatment.

Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma of the maxilla: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC) is a rare tumor of odontogenic origin. It was first described as a clinicopathological entity in 1985, and since then, several case reports have been published. METHODS: We present a patient with CCOC treated at the University of Florida and review the pertinent literature. RESULTS: We treated a 52-year-old woman with CCOC of the maxilla. She received a maxillectomy and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). She developed pulmonary metastases 2 years after treatment. She remains alive and asymptomatic 7 years after completing treatment and has not required additional therapy. The literature search yielded 48 other case reports. The median age at presentation was 53 years (mean, 55 years), the female-to-male ratio was 2:1, and the most common site of presentation was the mandible. Three patients presented with submandibular lymphadenopathy. Most patients had a surgical resection (35 patients, 71%); the remainder underwent curettage. Six (12%) patients received postoperative RT. Eighty percent of patients who were initially treated with curettage developed a local recurrence. Local and/or regional recurrences occurred in 34% of patients who underwent surgical resection. Six patients developed distant metastatic disease; the most common site of the metastases was the lung. Seven patients died from or with the disease, and 3 are alive with the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma is a rare tumor of the mandible and maxilla that has the propensity for local destruction and the potential for lymphatic and hematogenous metastases. We recommend radical excision as the primary treatment and that adjuvant RT be added for those who have close or positive margins as well as those with lymph node metastases.

Parameters Associated With Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis.

The objective of this review is to discuss factors related to the risk of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and how to minimize the likelihood of this complication. A PubMed search for publications pertaining to ORN within the last 3 years was conducted revealing 44 publications. The bibliographies of these publications were reviewed to identify additional references spanning a longer time period. The incidence of ORN is 5% to 10% with a median latency period of 1 to 2 years or less. The likelihood of ORN depends on a number of factors including primary site and extent of disease, dental status, treatment modality, radiotherapy (RT) dose, volume of mandible included in the planning target volume, RT fractionation schedule and technique, and teeth extractions. The risk of ORN may be reduced by limiting the RT dose and volume of mandible irradiated without increasing the risk of a local-regional recurrence due to a marginal miss.

Treatment of late sequelae after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Radiotherapy (RT) is used to treat approximately 80% of patients with cancer of the head and neck. Despite enormous advances in RT planning and delivery, a significant number of patients will experience radiation-associated toxicities, especially those treated with concurrent systemic agents. Many effective management options are available for acute RT-associated toxicities, but treatment options are much more limited and of variable benefit among patients who develop late sequelae after RT. The adverse impact of developing late tissue damage in irradiated patients may range from bothersome symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life to severe life-threatening complications. In the region of the head and neck, among the most problematic late effects are impaired function of the salivary glands and swallowing apparatus. Other tissues and structures in the region may be at risk, depending mainly on the location of the irradiated tumor relative to the mandible and hearing apparatus. Here, we review the available evidence on the use of different therapeutic strategies to alleviate common late sequelae of RT in head and neck cancer patients, with a focus on the critical assessment of the treatment options for xerostomia, dysphagia, mandibular osteoradionecrosis, trismus, and hearing loss.

Long-term Outcomes Following Radiotherapy for Adolescent Patients With Nonmetastatic WHO Type III Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To report long-term results of primary radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) presenting in the adolescent group. METHODS: Ten adolescent patients with World Health Organization (WHO) type III NPC were treated with primary radiotherapy at our institution between 1969 and 2007. Median age was 16.5 years (range, 11 to 21). Median radiotherapy dose to the primary target volume was 67.5 Gy (range, 60 to 74.8). The bilateral neck received 51.1 Gy (range, 50 to 60 Gy). Five patients were treated with once-daily radiotherapy and 5 received twice-daily radiotherapy. Three patients received neoadjuvant cisplatin and 5FU, and 1 patient received adjuvant maintenance cisplatin and 5FU. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 9.5 years (range, 1.94 to 34.74). Fifteen-year overall survival, cause-specific survival, and progression-free survival rates were all 70%. Fifteen-year local and regional control rates were 100% and 90%. One patient recurred regionally and distantly simultaneously, and 2 patients developed distant metastases alone. All 3 died of their disease within 3 years. One patient died from multiple radiation-induced secondary meningiomas 34 years after radiotherapy. Five patients developed hypothyroidism, 3 developed sensorineural hearing loss, and 4 developed dental complications. The overall rates of CTCAE grade 3, 4, and 5 toxicity were 40%, 10%, and 10%, respectively. Despite high-radiation doses to the skull base, none of the patients in this study developed grade 3+ cognitive or vision toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy achieves excellent local control in adolescent patients with unresectable WHO type III NPC. Our data support current protocols to systematically tailor treatment volumes and deescalate radiation doses to reduce treatment toxicity.

Protecting the oral mucosa in patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma treated postoperatively with intensity-modulated radiotherapy: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Is the severity of acute oral mucositis in patients who receive postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (PO-IMRT) for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) reduced by sparing the oral mucosa outside of the planning target volume (PTV)? STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with oral tongue SCC who received PO-IMRT at our institution were randomized to two groups: the oral-sparing (OR-SP) group and oral-unsparing (OR-USP) group. For the OR-SP group (n = 24), the oral mucosa outside of the PTV was spared. Furthermore, the mucosa including the bilateral cheeks, upper lip, and lower lip was defined as the united site and given <32 Gy. For the OR-USP group (n = 24), none of the oral mucosa was protected. The severity of clinical acute mucositis in each patient was assessed weekly during PO-IMRT until completely healed. Oral mucositis was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Dosimetry and therapeutic measures related to acute mucositis between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: During PO-IMRT, no patient experienced grade 4+ acute mucositis in any oral site. Compared to the OR-USP group, there was less grade 2 and 3 mucositis in the united site of the OR-SP group (0% and 25% vs. 45.8% and 54.2%, respectively; P = .000). Also, the mean dose to the united site was significantly lower with OR-SP compared to OR-USP (41.8 ± 7.4 Gy vs. 58.8 ± 2.2 Gy; P = .000). The OR-SP group was associated with significant reductions in the use of analgesics (P = .043) and intravenous antibiotics (P = .039). No recurrences were detected in the vicinity of the spared oral mucosa (the united site) during a median follow-up time of 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: OR-SP PO-IMRT for patients with oral tongue SCC resulted in a significant decrease in the severity of acute mucositis and improved quality of life. The sparing of the oral mucosa outside of the PTV is safe and does not compromise oncologic outcomes.

Impact of salivary gland dosimetry on post-IMRT recovery of saliva output and xerostomia grade for head-and-neck cancer patients treated with or without contralateral submandibular gland sparing: a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To observe the recovery of saliva output and effect on xerostomia grade after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without contralateral submandibular gland (cSMG) sparing and to assess the impact of salivary gland dosimetry on this recovery among patients with head-and-neck cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between May 2007 and May 2008, 52 patients with head-and-neck cancer received definitive (n=5 patients) and postoperative (n=47 patients) IMRT at our institution, with at least one parotid gland spared. Of these patients, 26 patients with a low risk of recurrence in the cSMG region underwent IMRT and had their cSMGs spared (cSMG-sparing group). The remaining 26 high-risk patients had no cSMGs spared (cSMG-unspared group). Xerostomia grades and salivary flow rates were monitored at five time points (before IMRT and at 2, 6, 12, and 18 months after IMRT). RESULTS: Average mean doses and mean volumes receiving 30 Gy (V30) of the cSMGs were lower in the cSMG-sparing group than in the cSMG-unspared group (mean dose, 20.4 Gy vs. 57.4 Gy; mean V30, 14.7% vs. 99.8%, respectively). Xerostomia grades at 2 and 6 months post-IMRT were also significantly lower among patients in the cSMG-sparing group than in the cSMG-unspared group, but differences were not significant at 12 and 18 months after IMRT. Patients in the cSMG-sparing group had significantly better mean unstimulated salivary flow rates at each time point post- IMRT as well as better mean stimulated salivary flow rates at 2 months post-IMRT. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of saliva output and grade of xerostomia post-IMRT in patients whose cSMGs were spared were much better than in patients whose cSMGs were not spared. The influence of the mean doses to the cSMG and parotid gland on the recovery of saliva output was equivalent to that of the mean V30 to the glands.

Ewing tumors of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: Retrospective review describing the 40-year University of Florida experience treating Ewing tumors of the head-and-neck region with a summary of the pertinent literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine patients were diagnosed and treated for Ewing sarcoma of the head and neck at our institution between 1965 and 2007. Primary sites included: mandible (3 patients), calvarium (2 patients), paranasal sinus (2 patients), oral cavity (1 patient), and the extraosseous soft tissue of the neck (1 patient). The median age at diagnosis was 13.0 years (range, 6.3-20.1 years). The median observed follow-up was 10.2 years (range, 1.5-37 years). RESULTS: All patients received multiagent chemotherapy and radiation therapy to a median dose of 55.8 Gy (range, 36-67.2 Gy). Three patients also underwent wide local excision. The actuarial 10-year overall survival, cause-specific survival, event-free survival, and local control probabilities were 66%, 66%, 56%, and 89%, respectively. Late complications included poor dentition, mild xerophthalmia, cataract, and mandibular hypoplasia. A literature search revealed 8 previous series with Ewing tumors of the head and neck analyzed as subsets of larger studies. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of limited data on head and neck Ewing tumors, combined modality therapy provides excellent local control with reasonable acute and late toxicity. Large tumors were associated with poor disease control.

Ameloblastoma.

The purpose of this article is to review the pertinent literature and discuss the optimal treatment and outcomes for patients with ameloblastoma. Ameloblastoma is an uncommon benign, locally aggressive odontogenic neoplasm that usually occurs in the vicinity of the mandibular molars or ramus. Uncontrolled, ameloblastoma may cause significant morbidity and occasionally death. The median age is approximately 35 years and males and females are equally affected. The majority of ameloblastomas are multicystic, which are more difficult to eradicate than the unicystic and peripheral varieties. Although surgery is the mainstay of treatment, the extent of resection is controversial. Radical resections, including marginal and segmental mandibulectomy, result in local control rates exceeding 90%. In contrast, conservative procedures such as enucleation and/or curettage result in local control rates of approximately 80% and 50% for unicystic and multicystic ameloblastomas, respectively. Limited experience with radiotherapy indicates that it may reduce the risk of progression and result in long-term local control in the occasional patient with incompletely resectable disease. The optimal treatment for ameloblastoma is wide en bloc resection. Radiotherapy may improve the likelihood of local control in the occasional patient with incompletely resectable tumor.