Submental Island Flaps for Lateral Reconstruction: Technical Refinements for Optimal Outcomes and Resource Efficiency.

Objective: To describe our modifications to the submental island flap (SMIF) in a case series that demonstrates improved reproducibility, shortened length of stay (LOS), and reduced utilization of hospital resources. Study Design: This retrospective case series with chart review included adult patients who underwent resection of malignant or benign tumors resulting in lateral facial, parotid, or temporal bone defects, which were reconstructed with SMIF. Setting: A tertiary-care academic referral center. Methods: Retrospective case series included all adult patients who underwent SMIF reconstruction between March 2020 and August 2021. Patient demographic and clinical data were collected. Primary outcomes were measures of hospital utilization including duration of surgery, LOS, and postoperative outcomes. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included with a mean age of 71.7 years. Eighty percent were male. All patients underwent parotidectomy, and the mean operative time was 347 minutes. The median LOS was 2.5 days (range 0-16 days). Seventy-five percent of the flaps drained into the internal jugular vein, and 25% drained into the external jugular vein. No patients required reoperation or readmission. All flaps survived. Conclusion: SMIFs are a safe and effective option for reconstruction of lateral facial, parotid, and temporal bone defects. Compared to free flap reconstruction, SMIFs offer reduced length of surgery, decreased use of health care resources, and lower rate of reoperation. As health care resource allocation is increasingly important, the SMIF offers an excellent alternative to free flap reconstruction of lateral defects.

Specimen-Based Resection Margins and Local Control during Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal HPV-Mediated Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the association of surgical margin conditions, including positive specimen margins revised to negative relative to local recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival (OS) within a cohort of HPV-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) who underwent en bloc resection via transoral robotic surgery (TORS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients with untreated HPV-mediated OPSCC cT1 or T2 undergoing TORS resection between October 2014 and March 2020. The methodologic description of our interdisciplinary institutional approach, number of cut-through margins (CTMs) during intraoperative consultation, percentage of final positive margin cases, and disease-free survival and OS stratified by margin status and margin tumor-free distance is identified. RESULTS: 135 patients with primary cT1/T2 HPV-mediated OPSCC met inclusion criteria. Twenty-eight of 135 (20.7%) specimens revealed CTM and were revised during the same operative setting. Three of 135 (2.2%) surgical cases had positive final margin status. Local control rate was 97%. On univariate analysis, margin distance did not impact OS. CTM and final positive margins had lower OS than initially negative margins (p = 0.044). Pathologic N-stage significantly impacted OS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High local control rate and low final positive margin status confound the study of specimen margin-based techniques in HPV-mediated OPSCC resected en bloc with TORS. Pathologic N-stage may impact OS more than margin status. Larger numbers are needed to confirm differences.

Survival and functional outcomes after total glossectomy with total laryngectomy: Case series from a high-volume tertiary institution.

OBJECTIVES: Total glossectomy with total laryngectomy (TGTL) is indicated for some cases of advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, this procedure is rarely performed, as quality of life outcomes are often considered poor. Consequently, few studies to date have reported survival and functional outcomes in patients undergoing TGTL. Here, we present the largest cases series to date of TGTL patients and provide relevant data on survival and functional outcomes. METHODS: Patients met inclusion criteria if they underwent TGTL (concurrent or staged) indicated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Patient demographics and disease characteristics, survival outcomes, functional oral intake scores, time to oral intake, gastrostomy tube dependence, and communication methods post-surgery were retrospectively extracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Survival in patients undergoing TGTL was poor. Most patients in this study were eventually approved for some oral intake of restricted consistencies but remained gastrostomy tube dependent for most of their nutritional needs. Baseline oral intake was suboptimal in most patients but often re-achieved approximately 12 months following surgery. Communication methods following surgery included writing, text-to-speech, and augmentative and alternative communication devices. CONCLUSION: Our data provide new insights comparing survival and functional outcomes of patients undergoing TGTL. Additional investigation particularly on patient-perceived quality of life following TGTL is needed to better understand the risks and benefits for patients who are candidates for TGTL.

Oncologic Outcomes After Clinically Node-Negative Salvage Laryngectomy.

Importance: Controversy exists regarding management of the clinically node-negative neck in patients with recurrent larynx or hypopharynx cancers who received total laryngectomy after definitive radiation with or without chemotherapy. Objective: To explore clinical and oncologic outcomes after elective neck dissection vs observation in patients who received clinically node-negative salvage total laryngectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study was performed from January 2009 to June 2021 at a single, high-volume tertiary care center. Follow-up was conducted through June 2021 for all patients. Survival outcomes were based on at least 2 years of follow-up. Patients aged 18 years or older with recurrent, clinically node-negative larynx or hypopharynx tumors after definitive nonsurgical treatment who were treated with a salvage total laryngectomy were included. Data were analyzed from October 2021 through September 2022. Exposures: Elective neck dissection. Main Outcomes and Measures: Presence and location of occult nodal metastasis in electively dissected necks, along with differences in fistula rates and overall and disease-free survival between patients receiving elective neck dissection vs observation. Results: Among 107 patients receiving clinically node-negative salvage total laryngectomy (median [IQR] age, 65.0 [57.8-71.3] years; 91 [85.0%] men), 81 patients underwent elective neck dissection (75.7%) and 26 patients underwent observation (24.3%). Among patients with elective neck dissection, 13 patients had occult nodal positivity (16.0%). Recurrent supraglottic (4 of 20 patients [20.0%]) or advanced T classification (ie, T3-T4; 12 of 61 patients [19.7%]) had an occult nodal positivity rate of 20% or more, and positive nodes were most likely to occur in levels II and III (II: 6 of 67 patients [9.0%]; III: 6 of 65 patients [9.2%]; VI: 3 of 44 patients [6.8%]; IV: 3 of 62 patients [4.8%]; V: 0 of 4 patients; I: 0 of 18 patients). There was a large difference in fistula rate between elective neck dissection (12 patients [14.8%]) and observed (8 patients [30.8%]) groups (difference, 16.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -3.4 to 35.3 percentage points), while the difference in fistula rate was negligible between 50 patients undergoing regional or free flap reconstruction (10 patients [20.0%]) vs 57 patients undergoing primary closure (10 patients [17.5%]) (difference, 2.5 percentage points; 95% CI, -12.4 to 17.3 percentage points). Undergoing elective neck dissection was not associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in overall or disease-free survival compared with observation. Recurrent hypopharynx subsite was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 4.28; 95% CI, 1.81 to 10.09) and distant recurrence (hazard ratio, 7.94; 95% CI, 2.07 to 30.48) compared with glottic subsite. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, patients with recurrent supraglottic or advanced T classification tumors had an increased occult nodal positivity rate, elective neck dissection was not associated with survival, and patients with recurrent hypopharynx subsite were more likely to have a distant recurrence and die of their disease. These findings suggest that underlying disease pathology rather than surgical management may be associated with survival outcomes in this population.

Survival, functional, and quality of life outcomes between total glossectomy with and without total laryngectomy: A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: A total glossectomy (TG) may be required for advanced tongue tumors. TG with total laryngectomy (TGL) may be indicated in some cases with tumor extension into the larynx or high risk of aspiration. Total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation (TGLP) may preserve phonation ability relative to TGL, yet TGLP may increase the risk of aspiration. METHODS: For this narrative review, we performed a comprehensive literature search of studies relevant to TG and TGL. Clinical studies investigating survival, functional outcomes, and quality of life in following TGLP or TGL were of particular interest. RESULTS: Few studies in the literature directly compare survival, functional, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes between TGLP and TGL. TGLP is associated with intelligible speech. However, studies investigating gastrostomy tube dependence following TGLP versus TGL have generated conflicting results. CONCLUSION: Further research on functional and QOL outcomes in patients undergoing TGL or TGLP is needed.

The omission of intentional primary site radiation following transoral robotic surgery in 59 patients: No local-regional failures.

BACKGROUND: We assessed locoregional control with omission of intentional primary site radiation after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and quantified nontargeted primary site dose. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, patients treated with primary TORS resection for squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx were reviewed. Patients with cT1-2 tumors, >2 mm margins, in whom the surgeon resected the primary without revising specimen-driven margins, qualified for omission of primary site radiation. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2019, 112 patients met criteria. Fifty-nine (52%) patients did not receive radiation targeting the primary site; of whom, 22 received no radiation. In this group, there were no local failures; mean age was 58 years and median follow-up was 25 months. Thirty-seven patients received adjuvant radiation targeting the neck, mean bystander dose to the primary site was 28.8 Gy (range, 13.3-50.6 Gy). CONCLUSION: In a 59 patient population, omission of radiation to the primary site after TORS resulted in no locoregional failures.

Characterizing postoperative physiologic swallow function following transoral robotic surgery for early stage tonsil, base of tongue, and unknown primary human papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Data objectively evaluating acute post-transoral robotic surgery (TORS) swallow function are limited. Our goal was to characterize and identify clinical variables that may impact swallow function components 3 weeks post-TORS. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Pre/postoperative use of the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was completed on 125 of 139 TORS patients (2016-2019) with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) scores were retrospectively calculated. Uni/multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Dysfunctional pre-TORS DIGEST scores were predictive of post-TORS dysphagia (p = 0.015). Pre-TORS MBSImP deficits in pharyngeal stripping wave, swallow initiation, and clearing pharyngeal residue correlated with airway invasion post-TORS based on PAS scores (p = 0.012, 0.027, 0.048, respectively). Multivariate analysis of DIGEST safety scores declined with older age (p = 0.044). Odds ratios (ORs) for objective swallow function components after TORS were better for unknown primary and tonsil primaries compared to base of tongue (BOT) (OR 0.35-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative impairments in specific MBSImP components, older patients, and BOT primaries may predict more extensive recovery in swallow function after TORS.

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.

Intravagal parathyroid adenomas: Case report and literature review.

Intravagal parathyroid adenomas remain an exceedingly rare diagnosis; however, their true incidence may be higher than currently known. It is important to keep intravagal sites within the list of potential ectopic locations of parathyroid adenomas.

Narrowband Imaging for p16+ Unknown Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma Prior to Transoral Robotic Surgery.

Our purpose was to assess the potential utility of narrowband imaging (NBI) as a tool in diagnosing and treating unknown primary oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in patients prior to diagnostic resection with transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Between 2016 and March 2019, 29 patients with carcinoma of unknown primary meeting inclusion criteria were identified and treated with TORS. NBI was used preoperatively in 9 of 29 patients. A suspected tumor site was delineated by NBI in 8 of 9 patients (89%). Of the patients imaged with NBI, 8 of 9 (89%) patients had a pathologically confirmed tumor following TORS, corresponding to the same 8 suspected tumor sites identified with NBI. In contrast, a primary tumor was localized following TORS in 15 of 20 (75%) patients not evaluated with NBI. Thus, we see NBI as a potentially useful tool for the diagnosis and management of p16+ carcinoma of unknown primary.Level of Evidence: IIb.

Prophylactic antibiotics in head and neck free flap surgery: A novel protocol put to the test.

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence supports the use of ampicillin-sulbactam as a favored choice for antibiotic prophylaxis following head and neck free flap reconstructive surgery. However, there is a paucity of evidence guiding the optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis. The aim of this study is to compare the infection rates of short courses of ampicillin-sulbactam versus extended courses of various antibiotics in head and neck free flap reconstructive surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted from 2012 to 2017 at a tertiary academic center on 266 consecutive patients undergoing head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction. The primary outcome measure was the rate of any infection within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: There were 149 patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis for an extended duration of at least seven days. 117 patients received a short course of antibiotics defined as 24 h for non-radiated patients and 72 h for radiated patients. Postoperative infections occurred in 45.9% of patients, of which 92.6% occurred at surgical sites. There was no significant difference in terms of postoperative infection rate between patients receiving an extended duration of antibiotics versus a short duration (p = 0.80). This held true for subgroups of surgical site infections (p = 0.38) and distant infections (p = 0.59 for pneumonia and p = 0.76 for UTI). Risk factors for infections were identified as hypothyroidism (p = 0.047) and clean contaminated wound classification (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Shorter duration of ampicillin-sulbactam prophylaxis in free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects does not negatively affect postoperative infection rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2b.

Novel diagnostic imaging features of facial lupus panniculitis: ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging with histopathology correlate.

Lupus panniculitis (LP), also referred to as lupus erythematosus profundus (LEP), is a chronic recurrent inflammation condition of the subcutaneous fat. It occurs in 1 to 3% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in 10% of patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), but can also occur as an entity of its own. Patients with lupus panniculitis usually present with persistent, often tender and painful skin lesions, or subcutaneous nodules, that range from 1 to 5 cm in diameter. The overlying skin may appear erythematous; lesions may become ulcerated, and heal with atrophy, skin depression, dimpling and scaring. Lesions tend to resolve spontaneously and may follow a chronic course of remission and exacerbation that persists for months to years. The imaging features of facial LP are extremely scarce in the literature. We present a case of facial lupus panniculitis and describe the associated characteristic ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging findings along with histopathologic correlation.

Detection of Microbiota in Post Radiation Sinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: A shift in the microbiota of chronic rhinosinusitis has been described after radiotherapy to the sinonasal cavity and skull base. There is a paucity of literature characterizing the bacteriology of post radiation sinusitis using next-generation gene sequencing techniques. This study aims to describe and compare the microbial flora of rhinosinusitis after radiotherapy using both culture and molecular techniques for microbial DNA detection. METHODS: The medical records of patients treated with external beam radiation for sinonasal, nasopharyngeal, or skull base malignancy were reviewed at a tertiary care facility. Patients' sinonasal cavities were swabbed for routine culture or brushed for molecular gene sequencing. Swab specimens were processed for standard microbial culture, and brush specimens were sent for gene sequencing at Micro GenX Laboratory (Lubbock, Texas, USA). RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were diagnosed with chronic sinusitis after undergoing radiotherapy. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism identified by both culture and gene sequencing, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Several additional organisms were detected by gene sequencing that were not isolated by routine culture techniques. Gene sequencing identified pathogens differing from culture results in 50% of patients examined. CONCLUSION: The bacteriology of post radiation sinusitis appears to resemble the microorganisms responsible for chronic sinusitis in healthy adults. Next generation gene sequencing techniques may reveal additional organisms responsible for sinusitis and provide complementary results that may impact the medical treatment of post radiation sinusitis.

Tongue reconstruction: Rebuilding mobile three-dimensional structures from immobile two-dimensional substrates, a fresh cadaver study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the two-dimensional (2D) characteristics of flaps necessary to create three-dimensional (3D) tongue anatomy. METHODS: Dissection of 11 fresh, nonpreserved human cadavers was performed. Six defects in each were created: total tongue, total oral tongue, hemiglossectomy, oral hemiglossectomy, total base of tongue, and hemi-base of tongue. The resections were debulked to create flat, 2D mucosal flaps. The dimensions and shapes of these flaps were determined. RESULTS: Each specimen showed consistent dimensions and geometry between cadavers. The total tongue was pear-shaped, the total oral tongue was egg-shaped, the oral hemi-tongue was bullet-shaped, the hemi-tongue resembled a dagger, the total base of tongue was rectangular, and the hemi-base of tongue was hour-glass shaped. CONCLUSION: Typical dimensions and shapes of common tongue defects were determined. It is conceivable that customizing reconstructive flaps based on these data will increase the accuracy of neo-tongue reconstruction, and thus, improve functional outcomes.

Fellowship training in microvascular surgery and post-fellowship practice patterns: a cross sectional survey of microvascular surgeons from facial plastic and reconstructive surgery programs.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of published literature on the training in microvascular reconstructive techniques in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (FPRS) fellowships or of the extent these techniques are continued in practice. This cross-sectional web-based survey study was conducted to describe the volume, variety, and intended extent of practice of free tissue transfers during fellowship and the post-fellowship pattern of microsurgical practice among FPRS surgeons in various private and academic practice settings across the United States. METHODS: This survey was sent to recent graduates (n = 94) of a subset of U.S. Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship programs that provide significant training in microvascular surgery. RESULTS: Among survey respondents (n = 21, 22% response rate), two-thirds completed 20-100 microvascular cases during fellowship using mainly radial forearm, fibula, anterior lateral thigh, latissimus and rectus free tissue transfers. In post-fellowship practice, those who continue practicing microvascular reconstruction (86%) complete an average of 33 cases annually. The choice of donor tissues for reconstruction mirrored their training. They are assisted primarily by residents (73%) and/or fellows (43%), while some worked with a micro-trained partner, surgical assistant, or performed solo procedures. Interestingly, among those who began in private practice (29%), only half remained with that practice, while those who joined academic practices (71%) largely remained at their initial post-fellowship location (87%). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the first formal description of the training and practice patterns of FPRS-trained microvascular surgeons. They describe a diverse fellowship training experience that often results in robust microvascular practice. The maintenance of substantial microsurgical caseloads after fellowship runs counter to the perception of high levels of burnout from free tissue transfers among microvascular surgeons. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved as exempt by the University of Florida Institutional Review Board (#201601526).

Curative-dose Chemoradiotherapy Versus Total Laryngectomy For Stage T3-T4 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx: An "Apples-to-Apples" Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

OBJECTIVE: Chemoradiotherapy (cRT) and total laryngectomy (TL) are acceptable treatments for locally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSSC). We aimed to compare the outcomes in patients receiving full-dose treatment. METHODS: We identified 11,237 patients in the National Cancer Database treated 2004 to 2015 for T3-4N0-3 LSCC with either TL (with 60 to 80 Gy of adjuvant RT) or cRT (70 to 80 Gy). We evaluated differences in overall survival (OS) using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: For patients with T3 disease, there was no difference in OS regardless of N stage (N0: hazard ratio [HR]=0.94, P=0.38; N+: HR=0.92, P=0.19). TL was associated with improved OS in patients with T4 disease (N0: HR=1.39, P<0.001; N+: HR=1.22, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients who receive optimal therapy, both TL and cRT offer similar outcomes in T3 but not T4a disease.

Discharge Delay in Head and Neck Free Flap Surgery: Risk Factors and Strategies to Minimize Hospital Days.

OBJECTIVE: Length of stay (LOS) includes time medically necessary in the hospital and time waiting for discharge (DC) afterward. This DC delay is determined in head and neck free flap patients. Reasons for and factors leading to DC delay, as well as associated adverse outcomes, are elucidated. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed for all head and neck free flap surgeries from 2012 to 2017. Data including demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative factors were collected. Regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with DC delay. RESULTS: In total, 264 patients were included. Mean total LOS was 13.1 days. DC delay occurred in 65% of patients with a mean of 4.8 days. Factors associated with DC delay on univariate analysis included Medicaid/self-pay insurance, DC to a facility, and not having children ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed prolonged medically necessary LOS and surgery on a Monday/Friday ( P < .05) were associated with DC delay. Top reasons for DC delay included case management shortages, rejection by facility, and awaiting supplies. Eleven percent experienced complications during the DC delay. DISCUSSION: DC delay can add days and complications to the LOS. Prevention begins preoperatively with DC planning involving the patient's closest family. Understanding limitations of the patient's insurance may help plan DC destination. Optimizing hospital resources when available should be a focus. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Head and neck free flap patients require a team of teams unified in optimizing quality of care. DC delay is a novel quality metric reflecting the team's overall performance. Through strategic DC planning and capitalizing on available resources, DC delay can be minimized.

NUT (Nuclear Protein in Testis) Carcinoma: A Report of Two Cases With Different Histopathologic Features.

NUT (nuclear protein in testis) carcinoma (NC) is an aggressive carcinoma characterized by rearrangements of the NUT gene on chromosome 15q14. Histologically, it is a poorly differentiated carcinoma composed of monotonous, medium-sized, round cells with scant amphophilic or eosinophilic cytoplasm. Foci of abrupt keratinization are often seen. In this report, we compare the morphology of 2 cases of NC. The first case shows characteristic features of uniform, round epithelioid cells admixed with foci of abrupt keratinization. The second case demonstrates nests of epithelioid-polygonal cells that appear to be loosely cribriform within a mucoid stroma. Although considered rare, the actual incidence of NC may be underestimated, as it is likely that many go undiagnosed because the morphology deviates from what is typical. Our report demonstrates that NC should always be considered in any case of an undifferentiated carcinoma and should not be excluded if typical histologic and immunohistochemical features of squamous differentiation are lacking.

Unusual Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tip of Tongue Presenting in a Patient Status Post Heart Transplant.

Oral papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is an unusual variant of squamous cell carcinoma with a better prognosis. The most common location of PSCC in the oral cavity is the gingiva and buccal mucosa, and it is exceedingly rare in the tongue. Herein, we present a case of PSCC in an 85-year-old male with a history of heart transplant and long-term use of immunosuppression medication. A verrucous pedunculated mass measuring 3.5 cm in the greatest dimension was present on the tip of tongue and a partial glossectomy was performed. Histological diagnosis was well differentiated PSCC with focal and minimal stalk invasion. No vascular nor perineural invasion was identified. Based on the current WHO and AJCC oral cancer staging system, the tumor stage was T2N0M0. The tumor cells were focally positive for p16, but in situ hybridization was negative for low-risk HPV (types 6 and 11) and high-risk HPV (types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 51). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of PSCC present on the tip of tongue in patients with long-term immune suppression. The pathogenesis, stage and prognosis of this entity are discussed. More case studies with long-term follow up are needed to achieve an accurate tumor stage and definite prognosis.

Lingual Tonsillectomy Likely Does Not Improve Outcomes for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck From an Unknown Primary Site.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck almost always have a primary site in the base of tongue or tonsillar fossa. Lingual tonsillectomy has recently been advocated as part of the diagnostic evaluation as opposed to directed biopsies of the base of tongue and thought to possibly result in an increased likelihood or cure. The purpose of this project is to determine whether this is probable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients treated with primary radiotherapy (RT) between January 1983 and March 2013. The outcomes were compared following RT in consecutively treated patients with either T1-2 base of tongue or unknown primary (cancer of unknown primary) SCC with predominantly level 2 adenopathy. RESULTS: At 10 years, there were no clinically significant differences in the 2 groups, in local control, regional control, freedom from distant metastases, disease-specific, or cause-specific survival. Overall survival at 10 years was improved with T1-2 base of tongue cancers but not for those with T0 N3 disease. The reasons for this are unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Tongue base biopsy (or lingual tonsillectomy) likely increases the probability of identifying an unknown primary in the base of tongue, but it does not improve outcome following RT for patients with cancer of unknown primary SCC with predominantly level 2 adenopathy.