Analysis of reconstructed oropharynx shape after total glossolaryngectomy reconstruction using a free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap.

Introduction: Restoring oral intake through oropharyngeal reconstruction is vital for patients undergoing total glossolaryngectomy. Despite its importance, research in this area is limited, leaving clinicians with few guidelines. The debate regarding the optimal shape of the reconstructed oropharynx highlights the need for further research. Methods: This retrospective study analysed data from 16 consecutive patients who underwent primary reconstruction with a free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap after total glossolaryngectomy at the University of the Ryukyus Hospital between April 2015 and March 2022. Parameters assessed included reconstructed oropharynx shape (flat or funnel-shaped), demographics, flap characteristics, post-operative course and oral intake outcomes. Results: Among the 16 patients, 10 had flat oropharynx, whereas 6 had a funnel-shaped oropharynx. At 6 months post-surgery, 13 patients resumed oral feeding, whereas 3 did not. Significant differences were observed between the groups in preoperative body mass index (21.1 kg/m² vs 17.8 kg/m², Welch's t-test, p=0.035) and days until the first oral intake (34.2 days vs 19.2 days, Welch's t-test, p=0.01). However, no significant differences were found in the form of oral intake at 6 months after surgery (Fisher's exact test, p=0.518). Conclusion: This study suggests that the shape of the reconstructed oropharynx (flat or funnel-shaped) does not significantly impact long-term post-operative oral intake. These findings provide valuable insights into oropharyngeal reconstruction outcomes after total glossolaryngectomy and offer guidance for future research in this area. Nevertheless, further studies are warranted to elucidate the clinical implications of these findings and address any limitations of this study, particularly those regarding sample size constraints.

Utility of Ultrahigh-Resolution Computed Tomography for Laryngeal Reconstructive Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) presents as incomplete glottal closure and leads to breathy hoarseness. Various treatments, including laryngeal framework surgery (type 1 thyroplasty [TP1] and arytenoid adduction [AA]), have been devised to correct this condition. Ultrahigh-resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT) allows detailed three-dimensional imaging of the larynx, which aids our understanding of vocal fold motion disorders. This study assessed whether U-HRCT is beneficial for correct diagnosis and surgical planning. METHODS: The participants were 26 UVFP patients who underwent laryngeal framework surgery (TP1 and/or AA). U-HRCT was used to measure the vocal fold volume (VFV) and level difference (LD). The need to combine AA with TP1 to obtain satisfactory surgical outcomes was evaluated by U-HRCT and various voice function tests. RESULTS: VFV was smaller in paralyzed folds than in unaffected folds. LD correlated strongly with voice parameters and showed high intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. The surgical outcome of the laryngeal framework surgery performed was judged to be excellent for improving voice function. Comparison of LD between the TP1 group and TP1 + AA group indicated that LD is an excellent parameter to determine the need to combine AA with TP1. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the value of preoperative U-HRCT, especially LD, in surgical decision-making and afford insights for optimal phonosurgery and individualized intervention. Patients with LD >1.0 mm may benefit from thyroplasty with AA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 (case-control study) Laryngoscope, 2024.

A Case of SMARCB1-Deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma With Clear Cell Morphology.

SMARCB1 is a gene known to cause carcinogenesis in many soft tissue tumors, including malignant rhabdoid tumors and epithelioid sarcoma. Since the first report of a subtype of sinonasal carcinoma characterized by a deficiency of the SMARCB1 gene in 2014 to date, fewer than 200 cases have been reported. We report a case of SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma with clear cell morphology. In our case, there are no evident basaloid or plasmacytoid/rhabdoid tumor cells, which are typical histopathological features of SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma. SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is prone to recurrence and has a very poor prognosis. As the development of molecularly targeted agents progresses, therapeutic efficacy is expected to improve. Simultaneously, the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma will increase. With the limited information provided by biopsy specimens, it is necessary to confirm the loss of SMARCB1 expression by immunohistochemistry and investigate the presence of SMARCB1 gene deletion by molecular genetics, considering the possibility of SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma even in atypical cases without basaloid or plasmacytoid/rhabdoid cell morphology, as in our case.

Prospective Analysis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen-1 and -2 for Diagnosing Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma.

Background: The goal of this research was to confirm whether preoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)-1 and -2 levels are useful diagnostic markers for sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) in a prospective study. Methods: Participants were 102 patients who underwent consecutive endoscopic sinus surgery: 18 with IP, two with other types of papilloma, 77 with chronic rhinosinusitis, four with sinonasal cancer, and one with hemangioma. SCCA-1 and SCCA-2 were measured preoperatively by an automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: SCCA-1 and SCCA-2 values were significantly correlated (r = 0.603, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis for differentiating papilloma (IP and other types of papilloma) from other diseases yielded an area under the curve of 0.860, with a Youden index of 1.75. Combined with SCCA-2 analysis, the detection system had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.65 and 0.98, respectively. While our study did not find a strong link between SCCA levels and skin or lung diseases, smoking status may influence SCCA levels in IP patients (p = 0.035). We recommend a cutoff value of 1.8 ng/mL for SCCA-1 in IP diagnosis. Conclusions: SCCA-1 and SCCA-2 when combined with imaging and pathology hold promise for enhancing the preoperative detection of IP, which would be a valuable contribution to clinical practice.

Butyrate inhibits type 2 inflammation in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Butyrate and other Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are microbial metabolites from Bacteroides and Clostridium species that may suppress type 2 inflammation. However, the mechanisms of SCFAs in the nasal sinuses are not fully understood. We aimed to clarify the in vitro and in vivo roles of SCFAs in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) pathophysiology. We investigated whether SCFAs induced changes in type 2 cytokines, IgE, and apoptosis and the roles of GPR41, GPR43, and histone deacetylase. Analysis of the control subjects demonstrated that butyrate of SCFAs effectively inhibited type 2 cytokine production in PBMCs, ILC2s, and CD4+ T cells and IgE production in CD19+ B cells. In annexin V analysis, butyrate also induced late apoptosis of PBMCs. The butyrate-induced inhibition of type 2 cytokines appeared involved in histone deacetylase inhibition but not in GPR41 or GPR43. In an analysis of ECRS in humans, butyrate inhibited type 2 cytokine production in PBMCs and nasal polyp-derived cells. The butyrate concentration in nasal lavage fluid was significantly decreased in ECRS patients compared to controls and non-ECRS patients. Our findings confirm that butyrate can inhibit type 2 inflammation and may be a potential therapeutic target for ECRS.

Successful Treatment of Transverse Testicular Ectopia by Laparoscopically Assisted Orchiopexy.

Transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) is a rare congenital malformation where both testes descend through the same inguinal canal and are located in the same hemiscrotum. It is usually treated with transseptal orchiopexy. In this article, we report the case of a 1-year-old boy diagnosed with TTE who was successfully treated with laparoscopically assisted orchiopexy by going through the anatomical conventional route. A four-month-old boy was referred to our department with bilateral empty scrotum. On the physical examination, the left testis was palpable in the left groin region and the right testis was impalpable. A follow up ultrasonography was performed after 4 months, and an oval-shaped testis-like structure was detected in left internal inguinal ring near the left testis. Right side TTE was suspected in the initial diagnosis. Laparoscopic surgery was performed at age one. The left testis was observed in the inguinal canal, and the right testis was ectopically located in the left opening inguinal canal above the left testis. Two spermatic cord and testes were separated respectively, and the right testis was pulled into abdominal space laparoscopically and brought down to the right hemiscrotum via the right inguinoscrotal canal. Bilateral orchiopexy was performed via the normal anatomical route. The postoperative course was uneventful, and testes were in the scrotum bilaterally one year after orchiopexy.

p16 Overexpression in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Association with Human Papillomavirus and Prediction of Survival Outcomes.

p16 overexpression is often used as a surrogate marker for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma but remains an uncertain diagnostic tool for HPV-related sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). Our study involved 79 consecutive SNSCC patients who were treated at a tertiary referral university hospital during 2006-2021. We retrospectively examined their clinical characteristics and conducted p16 immunohistochemistry and HPV detection. We found that 12.7% of the patients exhibited p16 overexpression, which was significantly more common in the nasal cavity and increased from 2015 onward. The HPV was a high-risk type and viral loads ranged from 4.2 to 1.6 × 106 copies/ng DNA with genome integration. Five-year overall survival (OS) and five-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were 74.6% and 69.9%, respectively. Our multivariate analysis showed that T category (T1-4a) and hemoglobin levels (≥13.7) were significant favorable prognostic factors for OS, while T category, performance status, and p16 overexpression were significantly associated with RFS. In patients with p16 overexpression, OS was 100% and RFS was 90%. Our findings suggest that p16 overexpression is a reliable surrogate marker for transcriptionally active HPV infection and predicts a favorable prognosis.

Biomarkers for Predicting Anti-Programmed Cell Death-1 Antibody Treatment Effects in Head and Neck Cancer.

In recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC), survival outcomes are significantly better in patients who receive anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody therapy than in those who receive standard therapy. However, there is no established biomarker that can predict the anti-PD-1 antibody treatment effect and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in these patients. This study investigated the inflammatory and nutritional status in 42 patients with R/M-HNSCC and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) polymorphisms (rs4143815 and rs2282055) in 35 of the 42 patients. The 1- and 2-year overall survival was 59.5% and 28.6%, respectively; the 1- and 2-year first progression-free survival was 19.0% and 9.5%, respectively, and the respective second progression-free survival was 50% and 27.8%. Performance status and inflammatory and nutritional status (assessed by the geriatric nutritional risk index, modified Glasgow prognostic score, and prognostic nutritional index) were identified as significant indicators of survival outcomes in multivariate analysis. Patients with ancestral alleles in PD-L1 polymorphisms had less frequent irAEs. Performance status and inflammatory and nutritional status before treatment were closely related to survival outcomes after PD-1 therapy. These indicators can be calculated using routine laboratory data. PD-L1 polymorphisms may be biomarkers for predicting irAEs in patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy.

Human Papillomavirus Infection and EGFR Exon 20 Insertions in Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

This study aimed to clarify the roles of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 mutations in sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) and sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). Samples were collected from 20 cases with IP, 7 with IP and squamous cell carcinoma (IP-SCC), and 20 with SNSCC and examined for HPV infection and EGFR exon 20 mutations. Low- or high-risk HPV DNA was observed in 25% of IP, 57.1% of IP-SCC, and 35% of SNSCC cases. Transcriptionally active HR-HPV infections in IP-SCC and SNSCC, accompanied by p16 overexpression, were observed in 28.5% and 25% of cases, respectively. Heterozygous EGFR exon 20 amino acid insertions (ex20ins), located between amino acids 768-774, were observed in 45% of IP, 28.5% of IP-SCC, and 0% of SNSCC and chronic sinusitis cases. EGFR phosphorylation sites were located at tyrosine (Y) 845, Y1068, Y1086, and Y1197 and induced PI3K/AKT/mTOR activation. The phosphorylation pattern of EGFR with ex20ins resembled that of HPV-related SNSCC and oropharyngeal cancer. The transcriptionally active HR-HPV infection and ex20ins might be responsible for the pathogenesis of IP-SCC cases with different fashions. Since IP-SCC might be a multifactorial disease, further investigation is needed to understand IP-SCC etiology.

Predictive factors for dissection-free sentinel node micrometastases in early oral squamous cell carcinoma.

This sentinel node (SN) biopsy trial aimed to assess its effectiveness in identifying predictive factors of micrometastases and to determine whether elective neck dissection is necessary in oral squamous cell carcinoma. This retrospective study included 55 patients from three previous trials, with positive SNs. The relationship between the sizes of the metastatic focus and metastasis in non-sentinel node (NSN) was investigated. Four of the 55 largest metastatic focus were isolated tumor cells, and the remaining 51 were ranged from 0.2 to 15 mm, with a median of 2.6 mm. The difference of prevalence between 46 negative- and 9 positive-NSN was statistically significant with regard to age, long diameter of primary site and number of cases with regional recurrence. In comparing the size of largest metastatic focus dividing the number of positive SN, with metastaic focus range of < 3.0 mm in one-positive SN group, there were 18 (33%) negative-NSN and no positive-NSN. Regarding prognosis, 3-year overall survival rate of this group (n = 18) and other (n = 37) were 94% and 73% (p = 0.04), and 3-year recurrence free survival rate of this group and other were 94% and 51% (p = 0.03), respectively. Absolutely a further prospective clinical trial would be needed, micrometastases may be defined as solitary SN metastasis with < 3.0 mm of metastatic focus, and approximately 33% of neck dissections could be avoided using these criteria.

Macroscopic and multiple metastases in sentinel lymph node biopsy are respectively associated with poor prognosis in early oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: A multicenter, randomized controlled phase III trial was conducted on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and elective neck dissection for T1 (depth of invasion ≥ 4 mm)-T2N0M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. This study identified factors associated with poor prognosis in patients who underwent SLNB based on a subgroup analysis of this trial. METHODS: We analyzed 418 sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) from 132 patients who underwent SLNB. The metastatic SLNs were classified into three categories based on size-isolated tumor cells: < 0.2 mm, micrometastasis: ≥ 0.2 mm and < 2 mm, and macrometastasis: ≥ 2 mm. Three groups were formed based on the number of metastatic SLNs: no metastasis, 1 metastatic node, and ≥ 2 metastatic nodes. The size and number of metastatic SLNs on survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Patients with macrometastasis and ≥ 2 metastatic SLNs had worse overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after adjustment for potential confounders (HR for OS: macrometastasis, 4.85; 95% CI 1.34-17.60; ≥ 2 metastatic SLN, 3.63; 95% CI 1.02-12.89; HR for DFS: macrometastasis, 2.94; 95% CI 1.16-7.44; ≥ 2 metastatic SLN, 2.97; 95% CI 1.18-7.51). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who underwent SLNB, a poorer prognosis was associated with macrometastasis or having ≥ 2 metastatic SLNs.

Laparoscopic Approach to Presacral Recurrence of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma.

A 6-month-old girl was presented to our hospital due to a presacral mass found 5 months after surgery of sacrococcygeal teratoma. The original tumor was a 63 x 50 mm sized round cyst connecting to the coccyx, observed with computed tomography. The initial operation was performed with en bloc removal of the tumor along with the coccyx in the prone position. During a routine follow up, ultrasonography indicated a possible local recurrence, 5 months after the initial operation. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed a polycystic formation with a diameter of 20 x 11 x 17 mm in the presacral space. The laparoscopic operation was conducted with the patient in the lithotomy and Trendelenburg position. The broad ligament of uterus was fixed to the abdominal skin and the rectum was mobilized to identify the tumor, which was resected laparoscopically. A histopathological examination showed the tumor to be a mature cystic teratoma. We observed her without any additional treatment and no recurrence is seen after 6 months.

Therapeutic efficacy of selective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin for fixed bulky nodal disease in head and neck cancer of unknown primary.

PURPOSE: Fixed bulky nodal disease in patients with head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) remains difficult to treat. This retrospective study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of selective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin for fixed bulky nodal disease in HNCUP. METHODS: Data from seven consecutive patients with fixed bulky nodal disease in HNCUP who had undergone selective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy were analyzed. Whole pharyngeal mucosa and all bilateral nodal areas were irradiated (total dose 50 Gy), and bulky nodal lesions were provided an additional 20 Gy. Intra-arterial chemotherapy used a combination of nedaplatin (80 mg/m2) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2). Outcome measures were local control, disease-free survival, overall survival, and adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median follow-up period was 24 months (range 9-64). All patients had extracapsular extension (N3b) on imaging and clinical findings. Symptoms due to bulky disease were neck discomfort (100%), tumor bleeding (43%), tracheal obstruction (14%), and carotid sinus syndrome (28%). Median value for maximum diameter of cervical disease was 84 mm (range 70-107), and 3-year local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were 100, 54, and 64%, respectively. Symptoms due to bulky disease disappeared in all patients after intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy. Grade 4 leukopenia occurred in two patients (28%) as an acute adverse event. No other serious acute adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Selective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin can potentially achieve both favorable local control and survival in in HNCUP with fixed bulky nodal disease.

Brain Activity in Patients With Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Detected by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding brain activity in response to unilateral vocal fold paralysis is essential to determine the neural compensatory mechanism underlying adaptation to voice disorders and to develop novel and improved rehabilitation programs for these disorders. We aimed to clarify brain activity during phonation (prolonged vowel, |i:|) in patients with chronic left vocal fold paralysis (LVFP) and compare with that in normal controls. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of an event-related task comprised 12 individuals with LVFP of more than 6 months duration and 12 healthy controls. The experimental task alternated phonation (prolonged vowel, |i:|) and no phonation (rest) conditions. The functional images obtained were single-shot gradient-echo echo-planar imaging. The volumes were acquired parallel to the anterior-posterior commissure plane and were sensitive to BOLD contrast. Data sets were processed and statistically analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping 8 software. Within-group analyses were conducted by applying the one-sample t test (P < 0.001, uncorrected). A random-effects analysis was used for group comparison. RESULTS: The LVFP group showed significantly higher brain activity in the right premotor areas, left parietal lobule, right primary somatosensory areas, and bilateral supplementary motor area and lower brain activity in the auditory-related areas of the superior temporal gyrus. There were no significant correlations of the percent signal change on fMRI with disease duration, maximum phonation time, or age. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic unilateral vocal fold paralysis have stronger activity during voluntary phonation in various central networks. More detailed information on the central nervous system regions related to voluntary phonation from early to chronic phase is needed to understand the compensatory mechanisms in vocal fold paralysis and to establish an effective rehabilitation program. This is the first report to investigate brain activity in chronic unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Therapeutic efficacy of selective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin for human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer has not achieved satisfactory outcomes compared with those of human papilloma virus-positive oropharyngeal cancer. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of selective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy with the docetaxel and nedaplatin regimen for human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer who had undergone selective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The primary tumor and whole neck were irradiated (50 Gy). Subsequently, the primary site and metastatic lymph nodes were boosted by 20 Gy. The intraarterial chemotherapy regimen comprised a combination of nedaplatin (80 mg/m2) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2), which was initially administered at the start of radiotherapy and was given every 4 weeks for three sessions. Each intraarterial dose of an anticancer agent was determined according to the percentage of the tumor volume supplied by the target artery to the total tumor volume, which was intraoperatively measured via cone-beam computed tomography. The outcome measures were locoregional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates and adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 59 (range, 15-103) months. The T stage was T1/T2 in 5 patients (23%), T3 in 5 patients (23%), and T4 in 12 patients (54%). Cervical lymph node metastasis was staged as ≥N2c in 7 (32%) patients. Complete response was achieved in all patients at the first imaging examination after intraarterial chemoradiotherapy. The 5-year locoregional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were 96% (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.99), 91% (95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.98), and 100% (95% confidence interval, not available), respectively. Regarding serious acute adverse events, grade 4 laryngeal edema and leukopenia were observed in 1 (5%) and 11 patients (50%), respectively. No other serious acute adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Selective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin has the potential to achieve favorable locoregional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates in human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer.

Outcomes of long-term nivolumab and subsequent chemotherapy in Japanese patients with head and neck cancer: 2-year follow-up from a multicenter real-world study.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported the effectiveness and safety of nivolumab in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in real-world clinical practice in Japan. Here, we report long-term outcomes from this study in the overall population and subgroups stratified by subsequent chemotherapy. METHODS: In this multicenter, retrospective observational study, Japanese patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) HNC receiving nivolumab were followed up for 2 years. Effectiveness endpoints included overall survival (OS), OS rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and PFS rate. Safety endpoints included the incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). RESULTS: Overall, 256 patients received a median of 6.0 doses (range: 1-52) of nivolumab over a median duration of 72.5 days (range: 1-736). Median OS was 9.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.2-12.0] and median PFS was 2.1 months (95% CI 1.8-2.7). A significant difference between 2-year survivors (n = 62) and non-2-year survivors was observed by median age (P = 0.0227) and ECOG PS (P = 0.0001). Of 95 patients who received subsequent chemotherapy, 54.7% received paclitaxel ± cetuximab. The median OS and PFS from the start of paclitaxel ± cetuximab were 6.9 months (95% CI 5.9-11.9) and 3.5 months (95% CI 2.3-5.5), respectively. IrAEs were reported in 17.2% of patients. Endocrine (7.0%) and lung (4.3%) disorders were the most common irAEs; kidney disorder (n = 1) was newly identified in this follow-up analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of nivolumab and potential effectiveness of subsequent chemotherapy in patients with R/M HNC in the real-world setting. Safety was consistent with that over the 1-year follow-up.

Distribution pattern and pathologic analysis of metastatic sentinel and non-sentinel lymph nodes in lymphatic basin dissection for clinical T2/T3 oral cancer with clinical N0 status.

OBJECTIVE: The localization pattern of metastatic sentinel lymph node (SN) and non-SNs and pathologic analysis of metastatic lymph nodes in SN lymphatic basin dissection (SLBD) were investigated in patients with cT2/T3cN0 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: This prospective multicenter trial involved 10 institutions nationwide in Japan. A total of 57 patients were enrolled. The lateral neck was divided into 5 lymphatic basins. The lymphatic basin containing SNs was defined as the SN lymphatic basin. All patients underwent SLBD with backup selective neck dissection (I-III) combined with primary tumor removal. When SNs were found outside of levels I-III, including in the contralateral neck, SLBD was performed by removing the compartments containing SNs separately. SN metastasis was classified as isolated tumor cells (ITCs), micrometastasis, or macrometastasis. ITCs are defined as a lesion no larger than 0.2 mm in largest dimension and are classified as pN0. RESULTS: SN metastasis was observed in 22 cases. All metastatic lymph nodes, including false-negative cases, were detected in the SN lymphatic basin. Isolated tumor cells in the SNs did not affect prognosis, whereas micrometastasis tended to have poor prognosis. After adjusting for other risk factors, a positive SN remained a significant predictor of poor 5-year overall survival in pT2-4 OSCC. CONCLUSION: SLBD for intraoperative SN biopsy is a sufficient therapeutic procedure and is valuable for determining pathologic nodal stage in OSCC. SN positivity was demonstrated to be an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with pT2-4 disease undergoing SLBD with backup selective neck dissection (I-III).

Patterns of recurrence after low-dose postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative chemoradiotherapy is recommended for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with positive margins or extracapsular extension at high risk of recurrence. However, high-dose radiotherapy in the head and neck region often causes severe acute and late radiation-related adversities. In our institution, the radiation dose has been relatively lower than that used in Western countries to reduce radiation-related toxicities. Therefore, in this study, we examined the treatment outcomes of low-dose postoperative chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: The outcomes of 90 consecutive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients who received postoperative radiotherapy between June 2009 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received postoperative three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with or without concurrent systemic chemotherapy. The median patient age was 65 years. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy was administered at a total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions (daily fraction, 1.8 Gy). High-risk patients received 10.8 Gy of boost irradiation in six fractions. For radiotherapy alone, the irradiation dose was up to 54 Gy in 30 fractions and 64.8 Gy in 36 fractions for high-risk patients to increase the treatment intensity. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 40.5 months. The 3-year locoregional control and overall survival rates were 67.5% and 82.7%, respectively. A significantly higher proportion of patients with oral cavity carcinoma experienced locoregional failure (p = 0.004). The acute adverse events were mild, and the only late adverse event was grade 3 dysphagia (n = 3). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that de-escalation of the postoperative radiation dose can potentially reduce the severe adverse events of irradiation in patients while ensuring its effectiveness. In patients with oral cavity carcinoma, it might be necessary to increase the radiation dose.

Development of Antibodies against HPV-6 and HPV-11 for the Study of Laryngeal Papilloma.

Laryngeal papilloma (LP), which is associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV)-6 or -11, displays aggressive growth. The precise molecular mechanism underlying the tumorigenesis of LP has yet to be uncovered. Building on our earlier research into HPV-6, in this study, the viral gene expression of HPV-11 was investigated by quantitative PCR and DNA/RNA in situ hybridization. Additionally, newly developed antibodies against the E4 protein of HPV-6 and HPV-11 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The average viral load of HPV-11 in LP was 1.95 ± 0.66 × 105 copies/ng DNA, and 88% of HPV mRNA expression was found to be E4, E5a, and E5b mRNAs. According to RNA in situ hybridization, E4 and E5b mRNAs were expressed from the middle to upper part of the epithelium. E4 immunohistochemistry revealed a wide positive reaction in the upper cell layer in line with E4 mRNA expression. Other head and neck lesions with HPV-11 infection also showed a positive reaction in E4 immunohistochemistry. The distribution pattern of HPV DNA, viral mRNA, and E4 protein in LP with HPV-11 infection was quite similar to that of HPV-6. Therefore, it might be possible to apply these E4-specific antibodies in other functional studies as well as clinical applications, including targeted molecular therapies in patients with HPV-6 and HPV-11 infection.

Coordinated Expression of HPV-6 Genes with Predominant E4 and E5 Expression in Laryngeal Papilloma.

Laryngeal papilloma (LP) associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)-6 or -11 infection shows aggressive growth. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of virus-driven tumorigenesis has not been uncovered fully. HPV-6 viral gene expression and dynamic alterations were investigated with in situ localization of viral DNA and RNA in 13 patients with HPV-6-infected laryngeal papilloma. The average viral load was 4.80 × 105 ± 1.86 × 105 copies/ng DNA. E4, E5a, and E5b mRNAs accounted for 96% of the expression of 9 mRNAs. The alteration of viral DNA load during recurrence paralleled the mRNA expression levels, and the expression of all mRNAs showed a similar curve. E4, E5a, and E5b were expressed in the middle to upper part of the epithelium and were co-expressed in the same cells. E4 immunohistochemistry demonstrated an extensively positive reaction in the upper cell layer in accordance with E4 mRNA expression. These results suggest that individual viral genes are coordinately expressed for viral replication, virus release, and immunosurveillance avoidance. The newly developed E4-specific monoclonal antibody can be applied to further functional studies and clinical applications such as targeted molecular therapies.