TGF-ß1 and TGF-ßR1 variants are associated with clinical outcomes in smoking-related head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiation through modulating microRNA-mediated regulation.

TGF-ß1 and TGF-ßR1 play important roles in immune and inflammatory responses. Genetic variants of TGF-ß1 rs1800470 and TGF-ßR1 rs334348 have emerged as potentially prognostic biomarkers for HPV-related head and neck cancer, while their prognostic effect on survival of smoking-related head and neck cancer remains unknown. This study included 1403 patients with smoking-related head and neck cancer, and all these patients were genotyped for TGF-ß1 rs1800470 and TGF-ßR1 rs334348. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate associations between the two functional genetic variants in microRNA binding sites of TGF-ß1 and TGF-ßR1 and survivals. Patients with TGF-ß1 rs1800470 CT or CC genotype had 30-35% risk reductions for OS, DSS, and DFS compared to patients with TT genotype among overall patients, ever smokers, and patients administered chemoradiation. Furthermore, patients with TGF-ßR1 rs334348 GA or GG genotype had significant 50-60% risk reductions for OS, DSS, and DFS compared to patients with AA genotype among overall patients and patients administered chemoradiation; among ever smokers, the risk reductions even reached 60-70%. The TCGA dataset was used for validation. These findings suggest that TGF-ß1 rs1800470 and TGF-ßR1 rs334348 significantly affect survival outcomes in patients with smoking-related head and neck cancer, especially in the subgroups of ever smokers and patients treated with chemoradiation. These genetic variants may serve as prognostic indicators for patients with smoking-related head and neck cancer and could play a role in advancing the field of personalized chemoradiation, thereby improving patient survival and quality of life.

Genetic variations associated with telomere length predict the risk of recurrence of non-oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Genetic factors underlying lymphocyte telomere length (LTL) may provide insights into genomic stability and integrity, with direct links to susceptibility to cancer recurrence. Polymorphisms in telomere-associated genes are strongly associated with LTL and cancer risk, while few large studies have explored the associations between LTL-related polymorphisms and recurrence risk of non-oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (non-OPHNSCC). Totally 1403 non-OPHNSCC patients were recruited and genotyped for 16 LTL-related polymorphisms identified by genome-wide association studies. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed to evaluate associations between the polymorphisms and non-OPHNSCC recurrence risk. Patients carrying rs755017 GA/GG, rs2487999 TC/TT, rs2736108 TC/TT, or rs6772228 AT/AA genotypes exhibited shorter DFS than those with the rs755017 AA, rs2487999 CC, rs2736108 CC, or s6772228 TT genotypes, respectively (all log-rank p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis confirmed an increased risk of recurrence for patients carrying rs755017 GA/GG, rs2487999 TC/TT, rs2736108 TC/TT, or rs6772228 AT/AA genotypes (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32-2.07; aHR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.41-2.23; aHR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.22-1.99; aHR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20-1.93, respectively). Further stratified analysis revealed stronger associations between these genotypes and recurrence risk in ever-smokers and patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. The similar but particularly pronounced results were observed for the combined risk genotypes of the four significant polymorphisms. This is the first large study on non-OPHNSCC patients showing that LTL-related polymorphisms may modify risk of non-OPHNSCC recurrence individually and jointly, particularly when analyzed in the context of smoking status and personized treatment. Larger studies are needed to validate these results.

Thyroid Cancer: A Review.

Importance: Approximately 43 720 new cases of thyroid carcinoma are expected to be diagnosed in 2023 in the US. Five-year relative survival is approximately 98.5%. This review summarizes current evidence regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of early-stage and advanced thyroid cancer. Observations: Papillary thyroid cancer accounts for approximately 84% of all thyroid cancers. Papillary, follicular (≈4%), and oncocytic (≈2%) forms arise from thyroid follicular cells and are termed well-differentiated thyroid cancer. Aggressive forms of follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer are poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (≈5%) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (≈1%). Medullary thyroid cancer (≈4%) arises from parafollicular C cells. Most cases of well-differentiated thyroid cancer are asymptomatic and detected during physical examination or incidentally found on diagnostic imaging studies. For microcarcinomas (≤1 cm), observation without surgical resection can be considered. For tumors larger than 1 cm with or without lymph node metastases, surgery with or without radioactive iodine is curative in most cases. Surgical resection is the preferred approach for patients with recurrent locoregional disease. For metastatic disease, surgical resection or stereotactic body irradiation is favored over systemic therapy (eg, lenvatinib, dabrafenib). Antiangiogenic multikinase inhibitors (eg, sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib) are approved for thyroid cancer that does not respond to radioactive iodine, with response rates 12% to 65%. Targeted therapies such as dabrafenib and selpercatinib are directed to genetic mutations (BRAF, RET, NTRK, MEK) that give rise to thyroid cancer and are used in patients with advanced thyroid carcinoma. Conclusions: Approximately 44 000 new cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed each year in the US, with a 5-year relative survival of 98.5%. Surgery is curative in most cases of well-differentiated thyroid cancer. Radioactive iodine treatment after surgery improves overall survival in patients at high risk of recurrence. Antiangiogenic multikinase inhibitors and targeted therapies to genetic mutations that give rise to thyroid cancer are increasingly used in the treatment of metastatic disease.

Impact of Cancer Care Regionalization on Patient Volume.

BACKGROUND: Cancer centers are regionalizing care to expand patient access, but the effects on patient volume are unknown. This study aimed to compare patient volumes before and after the establishment of head and neck regional care centers (HNRCCs). METHODS: This study analyzed 35,394 unique new patient visits at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) before and after the creation of HNRCCs. Univariate regression estimated the rate of increase in new patient appointments. Geospatial analysis evaluated patient origin and distribution. RESULTS: The mean new patients per year in 2006-2011 versus 2012-2017 was 2735 ± 156 patients versus 3155 ± 207 patients, including 464 ± 78 patients at HNRCCs, reflecting a 38.4 % increase in overall patient volumes. The rate of increase in new patient appointments did not differ significantly before and after HNRCCs (121.9 vs 95.8 patients/year; P = 0.519). The patients from counties near HNRCCs, showed a 210.8 % increase in appointments overall, 33.8 % of which were at an HNRCC. At the main campus exclusively, the shift in regional patients to HNRCCs coincided with a lower rate of increase in patients from the MDACC service area (33.7 vs. 11.0 patients/year; P = 0.035), but the trend was toward a greater increase in out-of-state patients (25.7 vs. 40.3 patients/year; P = 0.299). CONCLUSIONS: The creation of HNRCCs coincided with stable increases in new patient volume, and a sizeable minority of patients sought care at regional centers. Regional patients shifted to the HNRCCs, and out-of-state patient volume increased at the main campus, optimizing access for both local and out-of-state patients.

Revisiting the role of surgery in the treatment of Graves' disease.

Graves' disease (GD) can be managed by antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioactive iodine (RAI) and surgery. Thyroidectomy offers the highest success rates for both primary and persistent disease, yet it is the least recommended or utilized option reaching <1% for primary disease and <25% for persistent disease. Several surveys have found surgery to be the least recommended by endocrinologists worldwide. With the development of remote access thyroidectomies and intraoperative nerve monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, combined with current knowledge of possible risks associated with RAI or failure of ATDs, revaluation of the benefit to harm ratio of surgery in the treatment of GD is warranted. The aim of this review is to discuss possible reasons for the low proportion of surgery in the treatment of GD, emphasizing an evidence-based approach to the clinicians' preferences for surgical referrals, surgical indications and confronting traditional reasons and concerns relating to the low referral rate with up-to-date data.

Transoral endoscopic vestibular approach for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy - From promise to practice.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the evolution and recent series on transoral endoscopic vestibular approach thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy (TOET/PVA). DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Google Scholar. REVIEW METHODS: Review of the available English literature. RESULTS: TOET/PVA may offer several advantages over other remote access thyroidectomy approaches and has been adopted by many centers worldwide with excellent success rates. Indications include benign disease and early thyroid cancer patients. Complication rate is comparable to the trans-cervical approach. The suggested framework has been validated in recent studies and its feasibility confirmed. CONCLUSION: TOET/PVA has now been used to treat thousands of patients worldwide due to low cost, short learning curve and excellent cosmetic outcomes. Further studies will be necessary to demonstrate oncologic non-inferiority and also the true value that is added by the approach.

Non-functional water clear cell parathyroid carcinoma masquerading as medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor. Non-functional parathyroid carcinomas are exceedingly rare neoplasms which generally present at an advanced disease stage, and occasionally can masquerade as medullary thyroid carcinoma.

The synergy of germline C634Y and V292M RET mutations in a northern Chinese family with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A.

Genetic analysis for germline mutations of RET proto-oncogene has provided a basis for individual management of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma. Most of compound mutations have more aggressive phenotypes than single point mutations, but the compound C634Y/V292M variant in MTC has never been reported. Thus, we retrospectively investigated synergistic effect of C634Y and V292M RET germline mutations in family members with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. Nine of 14 family members in a northern Chinese family underwent RET mutation screening using next-generation sequencing and PCR followed by direct bidirectional DNA sequencing. Clinical features of nine individuals were retrospectively carefully reviewed. In vitro, the scratch-wound assay was used to investigate the difference between the cells carrying different mutations. We find no patients died of MTC. All 3 carriers of the V292M variant were asymptomatic and did not have biochemical or structural evidence of disease (age: 82, 62 and 58). Among 4 C634Y mutation carriers, 2 patients had elevated calcitonin with the highest (156 pg/mL) in an 87-year-old male. Two carriers of compound C634Y/V292M trans variant had bilateral MTC with pheochromocytoma or lymph node metastasis (age: 54 and 41 years, respectively). Further, the compound C634Y/V292M variant had a faster migration rate than either single point mutation in vitro (P < .05). In conclusion, the V292M RET variant could be classified as 'likely benign' according to ACMG (2015). The compound variant V292M/C634Y was associated with both more aggressive clinical phenotype and faster cell growth in vitro than was either single mutation.

Association between postoperative complications and long-term oncologic outcomes following total laryngectomy: 10-year experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications are an independent predictor of poor survival across several tumors. However, there is limited literature on the association between postoperative morbidity and long-term survival following total laryngectomy (TL) for cancer. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all TL patients at a single institution from 2008 to 2013. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed, including postsurgical outcomes, which were classified using the Clavien-Dindo system. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: A total of 362 patients were identified. The mean age was 64 years, and the majority of patients were male (81%). The median follow-up interval was 21 months. Fifty-seven percent of patients had received preoperative radiation, and 40% had received preoperative chemotherapy. Fifty-seven percent of patients underwent salvage TL, and 60% underwent advanced reconstruction (45% free flap and 15% pedicled flap). A total of 136 patients (37.6%) developed postoperative complications, 92 (25.4%) of which were major. Multivariable modeling demonstrated that postoperative complications independently predicted shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16-1.96; P = .002) and DFS (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05-1.76; P = .021). Other independent negative predictors of OS and DFS included positive lymph node status, preoperative chemotherapy, comorbidity grade, and delayed adjuvant therapy. Severity of complication and reason for TL (salvage vs primary) were not shown to be predictive of OS or DFS. CONCLUSION: Postoperative complications are associated with worse long-term OS and DFS relative to uncomplicated cases. Patient optimization and timely management of postoperative complications may play a critical role in long-term survival.

Management of the Neck in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this narrative review, we discuss the indications for elective and therapeutic neck dissections and the postoperative surveillance and treatment options for recurrent nodal disease in patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Increased availability of advanced imaging modalities has led to an increased detection rate of previously occult nodal disease in thyroid cancer. Nodal metastases are more common in young patients, large primary tumors, specific genotypes, and certain histological types. While clinically evident nodal disease in the lateral neck compartments has a significant oncological impact, particularly in the older age group, microscopic metastases to the central or the lateral neck in well-differentiated thyroid cancer do not significantly affect outcome. As patients with clinically evident nodal disease are associated with worse outcomes, they should be treated surgically in order to reduce rates of regional recurrence and improve survival. The benefit of elective neck dissection remains unverified as the impact of microscopic disease on outcomes is not significant.

Risks of Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children: A 21-Year Experience in a High-Volume Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: Hypoparathyroidism occurs relatively frequently after thyroid surgery in children. However, few studies have reported risk factors. We aimed to identify risk factors for hypoparathyroidism that occurred after total thyroidectomy for proven or suspected malignancy in children. METHODS: Children (aged ≤ 18 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy for neoplasm or RET germline mutation at our institution between 1997 and 2018 were included. We retrospectively reviewed demographics, surgical indications, perioperative and follow-up laboratory results, pathologic results, and duration of calcium/calcitriol supplementation. Risk factors for hypoparathyroidism were identified by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 184 consecutive patients, 111 had undergone surgery for neoplasm; these diseases were primarily malignancies (106, 95.5%), predominantly papillary carcinoma (103, 92.8%). The remaining 73 patients had undergone early thyroidectomy for RET germline mutation. Among all patients, 67 (36.4%) had hypoparathyroidism: 61 transient and 6 permanent. In a multivariate analysis, central neck dissection (odds ratio 4.3, 95% confidence interval 2.0-9.1) and gross extrathyroidal extension (odds ratio 4.9, 95% confidence interval 2.0-12.1) predicted overall hypoparathyroidism; however, no significant factors were associated with permanent hypoparathyroidism. Most patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism (5 of 6) had undergone therapeutic central neck dissection. When central neck dissection was performed, younger children had a higher risk of overall hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric total thyroidectomies, central neck dissection and gross extrathyroidal extension were major predictors for overall hypoparathyroidism. Surgeons performing thyroidectomy in such patients should be aware of the relatively high risk, preserve parathyroid tissue to the extent possible, and be conscientious regarding postoperative calcium monitoring and replacement.

Facial nerve electrodiagnostics for patients with facial palsy: a clinical practice guideline.

PURPOSE: Facial nerve electrodiagnostics is a well-established and important tool for decision making in patients with facial nerve diseases. Nevertheless, many otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons do not routinely use facial nerve electrodiagnostics. This may be due to a current lack of agreement on methodology, interpretation, validity, and clinical application. Electrophysiological analyses of the facial nerve and the mimic muscles can assist in diagnosis, assess the lesion severity, and aid in decision making. With acute facial palsy, it is a valuable tool for predicting recovery. METHODS: This paper presents a guideline prepared by members of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group and of the Multidisciplinary Salivary Gland Society for use in cases of peripheral facial nerve disorders based on a systematic literature search. RESULTS: Required equipment, practical implementation, and interpretation of the results of facial nerve electrodiagnostics are presented. CONCLUSION: The aim of this guideline is to inform all involved parties (i.e. otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and other medical specialists, therapeutic professionals and the affected persons) and to provide practical recommendations for the diagnostic use of facial nerve electrodiagnostics.

Thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the submandibular gland: Sonographic findings.

Metastases to the submandibular gland are extremely rare; a literature search retuned only three previously reported cases from a thyroid gland primary site. Herein, we report two cases of metastatic thyroid carcinoma to the submandibular gland in a 64-year-old woman with PTC and a 70-year-old-woman with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The metastases were identified on CT and PET/CT in one case and on CT in the other case, but both were diagnosed with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Our cases highlight that while rare, both PTC and MTC can metastasize to the submandibular gland.

Extrathyroidal Extension: Does Strap Muscle Invasion Alone Influence Recurrence and Survival in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer?

BACKGROUND: According to the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system, extrathyroidal extension (ETE) and primary tumor size remain the principle determinants of T stage. However, impact of gross ETE into strap muscles on survival remains controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 2084 patients with ≤ 4 cm nonmetastatic differentiated thyroid cancer who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2015 was conducted. Patients were divided into three groups according to degree of ETE: no ETE (group 1), ETE into perithyroidal soft tissue (group 2), and gross ETE into strap muscle (group 3). Survivals were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank test. Factors predictive of survival were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Ten-year disease-free survival (DFS) of patients in groups 1-3 was 90, 82, and 83%, respectively (p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 55 years, male sex, and pathologic N1b category predicted significantly worse DFS, while ETE into perithyroidal soft tissue or gross strap muscle invasion did not predict worse DFS. Overall survival (p = 0.957) and disease-specific survival (p =0.910) were not significantly different between the three groups. There was a statistically significant difference in locoregional recurrence-free survival between groups 1 and 2 [HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.06-3.94]. CONCLUSION: Gross strap muscle invasion may not be an important survival prognostic factor for staging purposes. Although both gross strap muscle invasion and perithyroidal soft tissue extension may be predictive for locoregional recurrence, the distinction between them may not be as important for postoperative risk stratification.

Complications, hospital length of stay, and readmission after total laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the 30-day incidence of complications after total laryngectomy (TL) in a high-volume institution and their impact on the hospital length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent TL at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013 was conducted. The patient demographics, treatment history, LOS, and 30-day post-TL complications and readmissions were extracted from the medical record. Univariate associations were analyzed, and stepwise backward selection methods were used to fit multivariate models. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-five patients were included. Complications occurred in 83 patients (33.9%) and included 3 deaths (1.2%). Wound complications occurred in 53 patients (21.6%), and 34 were pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs; 13.9% overall). Thirty-four patients (13.9%) were readmitted within 30 days. A multivariate analysis revealed the following: wound complications were associated with former (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; P = .03) and current smokers (OR, 5.8; P = .02), PCFs were associated with prior wide-field radiation (OR, 3.1; P = .01) but not prior narrow-field (larynx-only) radiation (OR, 1.4; P = .61), LOS was associated with the type of flap (P = .002) and postoperative hematomas (P = .05), and readmissions were associated with preoperative hypoalbuminemia (P = .003) and postoperative wound complications (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Complications occurred in approximately one-third of TL patients and particularly in patients with poor wound-healing risk factors such as prior smoking and radiation. As expected, LOS was longer among reconstructed patients. Readmission was associated with hypoalbuminemia and postoperative wound complications. These data can inform quality improvement efforts and the counseling of high-risk patients undergoing TL. Cancer 2017;123:1760-1767. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

TNF-α promoter polymorphisms and risk of recurrence in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the nonoropharynx.

Functional polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) may play a critical role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses and could affect transcriptional levels of the TNF-α gene and thus contribute to carcinogenesis and outcomes of cancer patients. In a cohort study, we explored the associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and risk of recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the nonoropharynx (SCCNOP). We used log-rank test and multivariable Cox models to evaluate the associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and risk of recurrence. In overall comparisons, patients with the TNF-α -857 CC, TNF-α -863 CC and TNF-α -1031 TT genotypes had significantly worse disease-free survival (log-rank, p = 0.014, log-rank, p = .020, and log-rank, p = .002, respectively) and higher risk of disease recurrence than patients with the corresponding variant genotypes, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.4, 95% CI, 1.1-1.9, HR, 1.4, 95% CI, 1.0-1.8 and HR, 1.6, 95% CI, 1.2-2.2, respectively). However, no significant association was detected for the TNF-α -308 polymorphism. Moreover, in further stratified analyses based on smoking status and treatment, we found that the associations of the TNF-α -857, TNF-α -863 and TNF-α -1031 polymorphisms with risk of recurrence were more pronounced in smokers and patients treated with chemoradiation. Our findings support a significant role of the TNF-α -857, TNF-α -863 and TNF-α -1031 polymorphisms in recurrence of SCCNOP, especially in smokers and patients treated with chemoradiation. Future prospective studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings.