ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Treatment selection for squamous cell carcinoma patients aged over 84 years is controversial. This retrospective chart review examined and compared characteristics of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in very elderly (over 84 years) and younger patients (approximately 65 years). The secondary objective was to further evaluate the outcome of radiotherapy as a treatment modality in this patient population. METHODS: Of all 23 very elderly patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy, with or without surgery, in the Davidoff Cancer Center, from 1992 to 2012, 19 had sufficient data for analysis, and comprised the study group. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 86 years. Disease stage at diagnosis was I, II, III and IVA in 53 per cent, 21 per cent, 21 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. Median radiotherapy dose was 60 Gy given in 25 fractions. Three patients had recurrence. No patient discontinued treatment because of toxicity. Median overall survival was 3.6 years (range, 0-10 years). CONCLUSION: Very elderly laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients may derive a similar survival advantage as younger counterparts. Modern radiotherapy is effective and safe for treating laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in this study population. Further, large-scale studies are needed.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Head and Neck Neoplasms , Laryngeal Neoplasms , Humans , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/pathology , Laryngeal Neoplasms/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Glottis/pathology , Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Treatment Outcome , Neoplasm Staging , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathologyABSTRACT
Laryngeal fractures are generally induced by direct blunt or penetrating trauma to the neck. Coughing vigorously or sneezing forcefully is extremely rare causes of laryngeal fractures, with only 4 cases found after thorough literature search. Herein we present a case of a 34-year-old male presenting to the ENT emergency room with throat pain, odynophagia, dysphagia, and hoarseness. Following primary evaluation, through physical examination and imaging he was diagnosed with thyroid cartilage fracture and treated conservatively. The triad of odynophagia, dysphagia, and dysphonia after a severe episode of coughing or sneezing in a young adult male patient should prompt suspicion of a laryngeal fracture.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Inflammatory myopathies (IM) are associated with autoimmune diseases. AIM: To evaluate the titers of auto-antibodies specific to various autoimmune diseases in patients with IM compared with controls. METHODS: Sera from 99 IM patients and 100 healthy controls were tested for autoantibodies for vasculitis (myeloperoxidase, PR3, and glomerular basement membrane) and autoimmune gastrointestinal diseases (IgA and IgG antigliadin, antitissue transglutaminase, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) utilizing the BioPlex 2200 Multiplexed Immunoassay method (Biorad). RESULTS: Antigliadin IgA levels were significantly elevated in IM patients compared with controls (0.37 units +/- 0.44 vs. 0.24 units +/- 0.15, P = 0.017). Antitissue transglutaminase IgA was marginally increased in IM patients versus controls (0.36 units +/- 1.12 vs. 0.2 units +/- 0.0, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies to gliadin and tissue transglutaminase characteristic for celiac disease were elevated in patients with IM compared with controls. This may indicate a higher prevalence of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease in IM.