Split-course hypofractionated radiotherapy for aged and frail patients with head and neck cancers. A retrospective study of 75 cases.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and the tolerance of a split course hypofractionated (SCH) radiotherapy (RT) protocol in head and neck cancer (HNC) for eldery and/or unfit patients (pts). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pts with HNC treated by SCH-RT in two institutions were included retrospectively. The main SCH RT regimen was two courses of 30 grays (Gy)/10 fractions separated by 2-4 weeks, without any systemic therapy. RESULTS: Between February 2012 and January 2019, 75 consecutive patients were analyzed. The median age was 80 years (range: 45.7-98.2) and 53 (70.7%) were men. Sixty-one (81.3%) pts had stage III/IV disease and 54 (72%) had at least two comorbidities. All of them were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 10.6 months (range: 3.1-58.3). Local control at 12 and 24 months was 72.8% IC95%[62-85.5] and 51.7% IC95%[38.1-70.1] respectively. Progression free survival (PFS) at 12 and 24 months were 47.7% IC95%[37.4-60.8] and 41% IC95%[15-36.4] respectively, with a median of 11.5 months IC95%[8.9-17]. OS at 12 and 24 months were 60.4% IC95%[50-73.1] and 41% IC95%[30.6-54.9] respectively, with a median of 19.3 months IC95%[11.9-25.8]. Acute and late grade 3 or higher toxicities occurred for 6 (8%) and 3 (4%) pts. CONCLUSION: The present SCH-RT regimen seems effective, well-tolerated and could represent an alternative to palliative strategies for pts deemed unfit for standard exclusive RT.

Neuropathic pain at diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of neuropathic pain (NP) at diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and its impact on nutritional status and treatment tolerance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients treated for HNSCC between January 1, 2018 and January 30, 2019 were included. Pain was assessed prospectively on the DN2 and NSPI scales. Epidemiological characteristics, nutritional status and treatment tolerance were collected. Two groups were distinguished according to absence or presence of neuropathic pain (NP-, NP+). RESULTS: Sixty patients were included. NP prevalence at diagnosis was 54%, mainly involving locally advanced oral cavity and oropharyngeal tumors. There was a significant intergroup difference in nutritional status, with 62% malnutrition in NP+ versus 32% in NP- (p=0.0321). There was no such difference in tolerance. CONCLUSION: NP is frequent at diagnosis of HNSCC. Early diagnosis on a simple validated score can help improve quality of life and nutritional status.

[Use of coupler for venous anastomoses in cervico-facial reconstruction. Retrospective study on 51 free flaps]. / Utilisation du coupleur pour les anastomoses veineuses en reconstruction cervico-faciale. Étude rétrospective sur 51 lambeaux libres.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the interest of the mechanical anastomosic coupling device for venous anastomoses in a series of cervico-facial reconstructions after carcinologic excision. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2017, 46 patients underwent free flap cervico-facial reconstruction. We performed 54 venous anastomoses for 51 free flaps. Mechanical venous anastomoses were performed with a coupler (Coupler®). Thrombotic complications and choice of recipient vessels were assessed for the entire series. RESULTS: Venous anastomoses were performed using a coupler in 33.3% of the flaps (n=18). Mean operative time was lower for reconstructions with mechanical coupler anastomoses, and significantly for fibula flaps. Of eight thromboses, six were venous, two of which after the coupler anastomosis. The thrombosed veins were the branches of the internal jugular vein and the anterior jugular veins. The diameter of the couplers used was respectively 2.5mm and 2mm. CONCLUSION: The use of the microvascular coupling system for venous anastomoeis would help reduce the occurrence of venous thrombosis, but larger and prospective studies should be conducted. This coupling system, relatively easy to use, would overcome the lack of congruence of anastomosing veins and reduce the risk of intimal injury. Regarding the recipient vessels, the anterior jugular vein should not be used as first line because the risk of vascular complications seems more important.

Polymyalgia rheumatica and vagal paraganglioma.

INTRODUCTION: Vagal paraganglioma are rare tumors that are mostly asymptomatic. We report a case of vagal paraganglioma associated with paraneoplastic polymyalgia rheumatica and review the literature on benign paragangliomas of the head and neck associated with paraneoplastic syndrome. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old man presented with atypical polymyalgia rheumatica. MRI revealed a tumor that was then surgically excised. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of benign vagal paraganglioma. Rapid, complete and permanent resolution of all rheumatological symptoms were observed postoperatively, confirming the diagnosis of paraneoplastic polymyalgia rheumatica. CONCLUSION: Paraganglioma of the neck associated with paraneoplastic syndrome remains exceptional. A predisposing gene mutation must be systematically investigated. Long-term surveillance must be ensured due to the risk of local recurrence, second tumors or metastasis.

Implementation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancers in routine practice.

PURPOSE: To report on patterns of relapse following implementation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and subsequent changes in practice in a tertiary care centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, 188 consecutive patients (mean age 59 years old) received intensity-modulated radiotherapies with curative intent for squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity (17.5%), oropharynx (43%), hypopharynx (21%), larynx (14%), sinonasal cavities (6%), nasopharynx (1.5%) at the university hospital of Besançon. There were stage I and II 9%, III 24.5%, IV 66.5%. One hundred and thirty-eight underwent exclusive intensity-modulated radiotherapy, 50 underwent postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy, 174 had concurrent chemotherapy, 57 had induction chemotherapy. Dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy with static fields was performed for all patients using sequential irradiation in 174 patients and simultaneous integrated boost irradiation in 14 patients. RESULTS: With a median follow-up was 27.5 months, there was 79% of locoregional failures occurred in the 95% isodose. Two-year overall survival, disease-free, local failure-free and locoregional failure-free survival rates were73%, 60%, 79% and 72%, respectively. Prognostic factors for disease-free survival were stage (IV vs. I-III) with a relative risk of 1.7 [1.1-2.8] (P=0.02) and T stage with 1.6 [1.04-2.5] (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The current series showed similar patterns of failure as in other tertiary care centres. We did not identify intensity-modulated radiotherapy specific relapse risks.

[An original "double-arched" radial forearm flap for soft palate reconstruction. Case report]. / Conformation du lambeau antébrachial en arche sur mesure pour la reconstruction du voile du palais. Cas clinique.

INTRODUCTION: Reconstruction of the soft palate after oncologic resection remains a surgical challenge. Speech and swallowing problems are the consequences of velopharyngeal incompetence following soft palate resection. Free tissue transfer like radial forearm flaps can be used in larger defects for complex reconstruction. The conformation of the flap in order to be closer to the shape of the soft palate improves the functional outcome. In the same way, we describe an original "double-arched" flap design. METHODS: A double arch of the exact length of the soft palate tumor resection is designed. After suturing, the flap spontaneously formed a double arch of the exact dimensions of the resected piece. RESULTS: The patient achieved good functional recovery without any surgical complications. CONCLUSION: The original "double-arched" forearm flap design allows a tailored reconstruction with exactly the same shape and dimensions, preserving the functional requirements of speech and deglutition.