Anxiety symptoms predict head and neck cancer survival: Exploring mediation by systemic inflammation and tumor response to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancers (HNC) are associated with high rates of anxiety. Anxiety has been linked to biological pathways implicated in cancer progression, though little is known about its effects on overall survival. We hypothesized that higher pretreatment anxiety levels in patients with HNC would predict poorer 2-year overall survival and expected this relationship to be mediated by both systemic inflammation and tumor response to treatment. METHODS: Patients (N = 394) reported anxiety symptomatology via the GAD-7 at treatment planning. Pre-treatment hematology workup provided an index of systemic inflammation (SII; N = 292). Clinical data review yielded tumor response and overall survival. Logistic and multiple regressions and Cox proportional hazard models tested hypothesized relationships. RESULTS: Higher pretreatment anxiety levels were significantly associated with poorer 2-year survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.039; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.014-1.066, p = 0.002). The association between anxiety and SII was not significant, though anxiety was associated with poorer tumor response (odds ratio [OR], 1.033; 95% CI, 1.001-1.066, p = 0.043). Tumor response fully mediated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and 2-year survival (HR, 9.290, 95% CI, 6.152-14.031, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety was associated with overall survival. Tumor response, but not systemic inflammation, emerged as a potential biological pathway mediating this effect. Screening for anxiety may be beneficial to help prospectively address these concerns and ameliorate potentially detrimental impact on clinically meaningful cancer outcomes.

Depressive Symptoms, Systemic Inflammation, and Survival Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Patients with head and neck cancer experience high rates of depression. Depression and systemic inflammation have been found to be associated in numerous cancer types, often independently from disease status. Depression-related inflammation may elevate the risks for poor tumor response to treatment and early mortality, and comprises a mechanism by which depression is associated with survival in head and neck cancer. Objective: To assess mediation pathways incorporating pretreatment depressive symptoms, pretreatment inflammation, and tumor response posttreatment on overall survival among patients with head and neck cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a prospective observational cohort study of patients with head and neck cancer treated in a single multidisciplinary head and neck cancer clinic from May 10, 2013, to December 30, 2019, and followed up for 2 years. Data analysis was performed from June 29, 2022, to June 23, 2023. Exposures: Patient-reported depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item (PHQ-9) at treatment planning; pretreatment hematology workup for systemic inflammation index (SII) score; and clinical data review for tumor response (complete vs incomplete) and overall survival. Main Outcomes: Two-year overall survival. Results: The total study cohort included 394 patients (mean [SD] age, 62.5 [11.5] years; 277 [70.3%] males) with head and neck cancer. Among 285 patients (72.3%) who scored below the clinical cutoff for depression on the PHQ-9, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with inflammation (partial r, 0.168; 95% CI, 0.007-0.038). In addition, both depression and inflammation were associated with early mortality (PHQ-9: hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07; SII: HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.71). The depression-survival association was fully mediated by inflammation (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.00-1.64). Depressive symptoms were also associated with poorer tumor response (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08), and the depression-survival association was partially mediated by tumor response (HR, 9.44; 95% CI, 6.23-14.32). Systemic inflammation was not associated with tumor response. Conclusions: In this cohort study, systemic inflammation emerged as a novel candidate mechanism of the association of depression with mortality. Tumor response partially mediated effects of depression on mortality, replicating prior work. Thus, depression stands out as a highly feasible target for renewed clinical attention. Even mild symptoms of depression during the treatment-planning phase may be associated with higher systemic inflammation in addition to poorer tumor response to treatment and survival outcomes; therefore, depression should be clinically addressed.

Radiotherapy Plus Cisplatin With or Without Lapatinib for Non-Human Papillomavirus Head and Neck Carcinoma: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Patients with locally advanced non-human papillomavirus (HPV) head and neck cancer (HNC) carry an unfavorable prognosis. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with cisplatin or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody improves overall survival (OS) of patients with stage III to IV HNC, and preclinical data suggest that a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor dual EGFR and ERBB2 (formerly HER2 or HER2/neu) inhibitor may be more effective than anti-EGFR antibody therapy in HNC. Objective: To examine whether adding lapatinib, a dual EGFR and HER2 inhibitor, to radiation plus cisplatin for frontline therapy of stage III to IV non-HPV HNC improves progression-free survival (PFS). Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial enrolled 142 patients with stage III to IV carcinoma of the oropharynx (p16 negative), larynx, and hypopharynx with a Zubrod performance status of 0 to 1 who met predefined blood chemistry criteria from October 18, 2012, to April 18, 2017 (median follow-up, 4.1 years). Data analysis was performed from December 1, 2020, to December 4, 2020. Intervention: Patients were randomized (1:1) to 70 Gy (6 weeks) plus 2 cycles of cisplatin (every 3 weeks) plus either 1500 mg per day of lapatinib (CRT plus lapatinib) or placebo (CRT plus placebo). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was PFS, with 69 events required. Progression-free survival rates between arms for all randomized patients were compared by 1-sided log-rank test. Secondary end points included OS. Results: Of the 142 patients enrolled, 127 (median [IQR] age, 58 [53-63] years; 98 [77.2%] male) were randomized; 63 to CRT plus lapatinib and 64 to CRT plus placebo. Final analysis did not suggest improvement in PFS (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.56-1.46; P = .34) or OS (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.61-1.86; P = .58) with the addition of lapatinib. There were no significant differences in grade 3 to 4 acute adverse event rates (83.3% [95% CI, 73.9%-92.8%] with CRT plus lapatinib vs 79.7% [95% CI, 69.4%-89.9%] with CRT plus placebo; P = .64) or late adverse event rates (44.4% [95% CI, 30.2%-57.8%] with CRT plus lapatinib vs 40.8% [95% CI, 27.1%-54.6%] with CRT plus placebo; P = .84). Conclusion and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, dual EGFR-ERBB2 inhibition with lapatinib did not appear to enhance the benefit of CRT. Although the results of this trial indicate that accrual to a non-HPV HNC-specific trial is feasible, new strategies must be investigated to improve the outcome for this population with a poor prognosis. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01711658.

Surface mould brachytherapy in oral and oropharyngeal cancers.

INTRODUCTION: There are insufficient data on surface mold brachytherapy (SMB) in treating oral cancers. We reviewed our institutional experience to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of this treatment modality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all the patients treated between 1989 and 2018 with high-dose-rate iridium-192 SMB for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas at our institution. Surface mold brachytherapy was delivered via an acrylic surface mold with 1-5 inserted catheters spaced 1 cm apart fabricated by our dental oncologist. The Kaplan-Meier product estimator was used to assess local control (LC), locoregional control (LRC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of various variables and patient outcomes. RESULTS: Eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Indications for treatment were primary tumor (n = 13), local recurrence (2), locoregional recurrence (1), and oligometastatic disease (1). Ten patients received SMB alone and 8 received external beam radiotherapy with an SMB boost. The acute toxicity outcomes were as follows: no toxicity (n = 1), grade 1 (7), grade 2 (9), and grade 3 (1). Late effects were rare, only occurring in 3 patients. The one- and two-year LC were 81% and 68%, LRC 77% and 64%, DMFS 81% and 81%, and OS 77% and 46%. CONCLUSIONS: Surface mold brachytherapy is a viable modality as either primary or boost treatment for superficial oral cancers. In our patients, this treatment method has a low toxicity profile and resulted in reasonable LC.

Prognostic factors and selection criteria in the retreatment of head and neck cancers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine predictors of treatment selection, outcome, and survival, we examined a cohort of previously irradiated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 100 patients at our institution who were treated for recurrent or second primary (RSP) HNSCC, focusing on subgroups receiving reirradiation (ReRT) alone and those undergoing surgical salvage (SS) with or without post-operative reirradiation therapy (POReRT). Logistic regression modeling was performed to identify factors predictive of retreatment modality. Cox regression modeling was used to determine prognostic factors for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: ReRT alone was less likely in current smokers and neck recurrences, with reirradiation more likely in primary site recurrences. POReRT was significantly more likely in patients with positive surgical margins (PSM), neck dissection, or organ dysfunction. POReRT omission negatively impacted PFS when PSM (HR: 8.894, 95% CI: 1.742-45.403) and perineural invasion (PNI) (HR: 3.391, 95% CI: 1.140-10.089) were present. Tracheostomy was associated with worse OS, but ReRT alone and POReRT improved OS. PSM correlated with worse OS, regardless of whether POReRT was given (HR: 14.260, 95% CI: 2.064-98.547). CONCLUSION: This analysis confirms known factors for predicting outcome and shows nonsmoking status and primary site recurrence as predictors for ReRT alone. POReRT for PSM and PNI improves PFS. Tracheostomy patients are more likely to have ReRT due to acute toxicity not limiting treatment and POReRT improves OS compared to surgery alone. The presence of PSM negatively impacts survival which cannot be overcome by POReRT.

Depressive symptoms and actigraphy-measured circadian disruption predict head and neck cancer survival.

OBJECTIVE: Depressive symptoms have demonstrated prognostic significance among head and neck cancer patients. Depression is associated with circadian disruption, which is prognostic in multiple other cancer types. We hypothesized that depressive symptoms would be associated with circadian disruption in head and neck cancer, that each would be related to poorer 2-year overall survival, and that relationships would be mediated by tumor response to treatment. METHODS: Patients (N = 55) reported on cognitive/affective and somatic depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) and wore an actigraph for 6 days to continuously record rest and activity cycles prior to chemoradiation. Records review documented treatment response and 2-year survival. Spearman correlations tested depressive symptoms and circadian disruption relationships. Cox proportional hazard models tested the predictive capability of depressive symptoms and circadian disruption, separately, on survival. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with circadian disruption, and both were significantly associated with shorter survival (somatic: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.325, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.089-1.611, P = .005; rest/activity rhythm: HR = 0.073, 95% CI = 0.009-0.563, P = .012; nighttime restfulness: HR = 0.910, 95% CI = 0.848-0.977, P = .009). Tumor response to treatment appeared to partly mediate the nighttime restfulness-survival relationship. CONCLUSIONS: This study replicates and extends prior work with new evidence linking a subjective measure of depression and an objective measure of circadian disruption-2 known prognostic indicators-to shortened overall survival among head and neck cancer patients. Continued examination should elucidate mechanisms by which depressive symptomatology and circadian disruption translate to head and neck cancer progression and mortality.

Depressive symptoms predict head and neck cancer survival: Examining plausible behavioral and biological pathways.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancers are associated with high rates of depression, which may increase the risk for poorer immediate and long-term outcomes. Here it was hypothesized that greater depressive symptoms would predict earlier mortality, and behavioral (treatment interruption) and biological (treatment response) mediators were examined. METHODS: Patients (n = 134) reported depressive symptomatology at treatment planning. Clinical data were reviewed at the 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Greater depressive symptoms were associated with significantly shorter survival (hazard ratio, 0.868; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.819-0.921; P < .001), higher rates of chemoradiation interruption (odds ratio, 0.865; 95% CI, 0.774-0.966; P = .010), and poorer treatment response (odds ratio, 0.879; 95% CI, 0.803-0.963; P = .005). The poorer treatment response partially explained the depression-survival relation. Other known prognostic indicators did not challenge these results. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms at the time of treatment planning predict overall 2-year mortality. Effects are partly influenced by the treatment response. Depression screening and intervention may be beneficial. Future studies should examine parallel biological pathways linking depression to cancer survival, including endocrine disruption and inflammation. Cancer 2018;124:1053-60. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

High-dose versus weekly cisplatin definitive chemoradiotherapy for HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcomes and toxicity of high-dose cisplatin (HDC) versus weekly cisplatin (WC) definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCOPx). METHODS: All patients with p16 positive SCCOPx treated with definitive CRT with cisplatin between 2010 and 2014 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. CTCAE v 4.03 toxicity criteria were used. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate event-free survival (EFS) and the overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of the 55 patients included, 22 were patients treated with HDC at dose of 100mg/m2 on days 1 and 22; and the remaining 33 patients were treated with WC at 40mg/m2. Both cohorts received a median total dose of cisplatin of 200mg/m2. At median follow-up of 31months, there was one local failure and no distant failures in the HDC cohort. In the WC group, there were 6 total failures (2 local, 4 distant). Estimated 2-year EFS was better in HDC cohort as compared to WC (96% vs. 75%; p=0.04). There was no significant difference in 2-year OS (95% vs. 94%; p=0.40). Weight loss, gastric tube dependence at six months, acute renal injury and grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity were all similar between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: HPV-related SCCOPx treated with definitive CRT with either HDC or WC had similar toxicity profile. HDC had better EFS when compared with WC and this seems to be driven by increased distant failure rates, although the OS was similar.

Fungal contribution in chondroradionecrosis of the larynx.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of invasive fungal elements in the specimens of patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy for chondroradionecrosis (CRN) in the absence of recurrent or persistent malignancy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary academic medical center. METHODS: One hundred fifty-nine patients were identified who underwent salvage total laryngectomy. Pathology reports were reviewed, and all laryngectomy specimens that did not contain residual malignancy were reevaluated for evidence of invasive fungal elements. RESULTS: Twelve of 159 (7.5%) patients who underwent total laryngectomy after primary radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy had no evidence of residual malignancy. Each of these specimens contained histopathologic evidence of CRN; invasive fungal elements were identified in 25%. There was no statistical difference in demographic or treatment-related variables between patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy with evidence of persistent or recurrent malignancy in the laryngectomy specimen versus patients without evidence of tumor on final histopathologic analysis. Patients with evidence of ulceration or necrosis in the laryngectomy specimen had reduced overall survival, irrespective of the presence of persistent malignancy (hazard ratio = 2.923, 95% confidence interval = 1.023-8.352, P = .045). CONCLUSION: Among salvage total laryngectomy patients, no difference was identified between patients who underwent total laryngectomy for recurrent or persistent malignancy after primary radiotherapy and those who received total laryngectomy without evidence of malignancy in their specimens. Invasive fungal elements were detected in several laryngectomy specimens that did not contain residual malignancy. Empiric antifungal therapy may therefore benefit patients diagnosed with CRN who are at risk for progression to nonfunctional larynx. Patients with evidence of ulceration or necrosis in the salvage laryngectomy specimen had worse overall survival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:E159-E165, 2017.

Prognostic significance of HPV status in postoperative squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the prognostic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) status in relation to traditional risk factors for head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the postoperative setting. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the impact of HPV status on the risk for HNSCC in the postoperative setting. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated an institutional cohort of 128 patients with HNSCC patients who had been treated with definitive surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Patient, disease, and treatment factors were analyzed as potential prognostic indicators. RESULTS: Lymph node extracapsular extension (ECE), perineural invasion (PNI), and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) positivity predicted poorer locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Positive margins related to poorer DFS and OS. HPV status alone did not predict LRC, DFS, or OS. Compared with patients who were HPV-positive and ECE-negative, both HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients with ECE experienced significantly poorer OS (78.6%, 60%, and 43.7%, respectively; 𝑃 = .010 and 𝑃 = .018, respectively). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, single-institution study; small patient cohort; short follow-up time. CONCLUSION: The influence of HPV in postoperative HNSCC seems limited compared with traditional risk factors such as ECE, LVSI, and PNI. De-escalation of postoperative treatment based on HPV status alone should be approached with caution.

Laryngeal examination in thyroid and parathyroid surgery: An American Head and Neck Society consensus statement: AHNS Consensus Statement.

This American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) consensus statement discusses the techniques of laryngeal examination for patients undergoing thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. It is intended to help guide all clinicians who diagnose or manage adult patients with thyroid disease for whom surgery is indicated, contemplated, or has been performed. This consensus statement concludes that flexible transnasal laryngoscopy is the optimal laryngeal examination technique, with other techniques including laryngeal ultrasound and stroboscopy being useful in selected scenarios. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 811-819, 2016.

Operative failure rate and documentation of family history in young patients undergoing focused parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in multiple endocrine neoplasia type I usually affects all parathyroid glands, making focused parathyroidectomy (FP) inappropriate. The risk of previously undiagnosed multiple endocrine neoplasia type I in a younger patient with primary hyperparathyroidism is higher than in an older patient. We hypothesized that FP may lead to a higher failure rate in younger versus older patients. A retrospective review was performed of a single-institution database of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. Routine statistical analysis was performed, including Fisher's exact test. A total of 635 patients were included. Operative failure occurred in 7/55 (13%) younger patients and 21/580 (4%) older patients (P = 0.007). In conclusion, operative failure occurred in a statistically significantly higher percentage of younger versus older patients undergoing FP. This is partly explained by undiagnosed multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type I in the younger patient group. Endocrine surgeons must make every effort to preoperatively identify multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type I in the younger patient population.

Impact of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation on dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (TNMES) therapy in maintaining swallowing function during chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 43 consecutive patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with TNMES (treatment group) to 55 control patients. Validated swallowing scale scores were assigned. RESULTS: All patients' swallowing scores declined post-chemoradiotherapy. A difference in mean decline in scores for the control group versus the treatment group using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) was seen, favoring TNMES intervention (23% vs 7%; p = .015). Age, race, >10 pack-years smoking, diabetes, stage, nodal disease, accelerated fractionation, weight loss, dietary modification, no TNMES, and radiotherapy dose were all significant for poorer scores on the swallowing scales. CONCLUSION: TNMES should be considered an adjunct to dysphagia reduction and possible prevention in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Further studies should be conducted to define the benefit of TNMES intervention.

Persistent tracheostomy after primary chemoradiation for advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite the demonstrated survival equivalence between chemoradiation and ablative surgery as primary treatment for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, a subset of patients who undergo organ-preservation therapy have persistent tracheostomy requirement after completion of treatment. METHODS: Patients who received primary chemoradiation for advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer in a 3-year interval were identified. Rate of persistent posttreatment tracheostomy requirement was evaluated. The 12-month overall mortality rate was compared between patients who did and did not receive a tracheostomy before treatment. RESULTS: In 60 patients identified for this study, T3/T4 status and hemilarynx fixation at the time of presentation were associated with persistent tracheostomy requirement 6 and 12 months posttreatment (p = .022; p < .001; and p = .032; p = .0495, respectively). Twelve-month mortality was higher in T3/T4 patients who received pretreatment tracheostomy (p = .034). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer who require tracheostomy before treatment have low rates of decannulation and higher short-term mortality than those who do not require tracheostomy before organ-preservation therapy.

Sentinel lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor in patients with melanoma of the scalp.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare clinicopathologic and prognostic factors associated with scalp melanomas and nonscalp melanomas of the head and neck (H&N). STUDY DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of the database from a multi-institutional, prospective, randomized study. METHODS: Clinicopathologic factors were assessed and correlated with survival and recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors affecting disease-free survival and overall survival were performed. RESULTS: Of 405 patients with H&N melanomas ≥1.0 mm Breslow thickness, 109 patients had melanoma of the scalp. All were Caucasian (100%), with most being male (79.5%) with a mean age of 49.8 years. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.4 mm; 25% had signs of ulceration. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity was seen in 20.9% of scalp melanoma patients, and was more likely in younger patients (44.7 vs. 50.8 years, P = .04) and in those with a Breslow thickness of 2 to 4 mm (P = .005). The incidence of locoregional and distant recurrence were similar. Overall survival for scalp melanoma patients was significantly impacted by SLN positivity (P = .03), whereas Breslow thickness and ulceration status predicted poorer survival in nonscalp melanoma patients (P = .005, P < .0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the Sunbelt Melanoma Trial, SLN status was the strongest predictor of overall survival in scalp melanoma. Tumor thickness and ulceration correlated with poorer overall survival in nonscalp H&N melanoma. The prognostic significance of SLN status in the H&N may vary with the melanoma site.

The importance of ulceration of cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck: a comparison of ear (pinna) and nonear sites.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare clinicopathologic and prognostic factors associated with ear melanomas and nonear melanomas of the head and neck (H&N). STUDY DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of the database from a multi-institutional, prospective, randomized study. METHODS: Clinicopathologic factors were assessed and correlated with survival and recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors affecting disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed. RESULTS: Of 405 patients with H&N melanomas ≥ 1.0 mm Breslow thickness, 59 patients had melanomas of the ear. Most were Caucasian (96.6%) males (79.7%) with a mean age of 52 years. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.5 mm; 34.5% had signs of ulceration. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity was seen in 7.1%. The incidence of locoregional and distant recurrence were similar. OS for ear melanoma was significantly impacted by ulceration status (P = .013), whereas both ulceration and SLN positivity predicted survival in nonear melanoma (P < .001 and P = .015, respectively). Thicker melanomas in the nonear group demonstrated significantly decreased DFS, whereas other factors in both groups lost their predictive value (P = .035). CONCLUSIONS: In the Sunbelt Melanoma Trial, ulceration was the strongest predictor of overall survival in melanoma of the ear. Ulceration and SLN status correlated with poorer OS in nonear melanoma of the H&N, whereas increasing depth correlated with poorer DFS in those same patients. Recurrence and survival were not impacted by anatomic site, but the prognostic significance of ulceration, thickness, and SLN status in the H&N may vary with the site of the melanoma.

Treatment outcome in the residually positive neck after definitive chemotherapy and irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: Determine prevalence of viable malignancy in patients undergoing neck dissection (ND) for residual neck disease following concomitant chemotherapy and irradiation (chemo/xrt) for upper aerodigestive squamous carcinoma. To determine survival in groups with a neck complete response to those who had residual disease requiring neck dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 230 patients who underwent definitive chemo/xrt for primary squamous cell carcinoma cancer (SCCa) of the head and neck from 2005 to 2009 in one institution. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (17%) patients underwent ND for residual neck mass within 4 months posttreatment. Forty-nine percent (19/39) were pathologically positive for malignancy and 51% (20/39) were negative. The probability of a +ND based on original N-stage was not statistically significant (P = .368). Primary site did not yield significant probability of having +ND, except in the oral cavity (P = .02). Patients had similar overall 5-year survival, among those with a delayed complete response in the neck (66%), ND for residual disease (71%), or those with initial complete response (71%). Lower initial N-stage demonstrated improved survival in all outcome groups. Tonsil SCCa patients who underwent ND had improved survival compared to those with delayed complete response (87.5 vs. 75.8%), both of which had increased survival compared to initial complete responders (65%). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the use of ND in the postchemo/xrt positive neck regardless of primary site or initial N-stage. ND in this setting conveys survival equal to patients with complete response in the neck after chemo/xrt. These survivorship implications of postchemo/xrt neck dissection extend to all sites, including tonsils.

The expanding utility of office-based ultrasound for the head and neck surgeon.

This article presents basics of ultrasound technology for the office, evaluation technique, thyroid and parathyroid imaging, ultrasound for neck lymphatics, office-based head and neck ultrasound biopsy, and therapeutic applications of head and neck ultrasound.

Parathyroidectomy in the elderly population: does age really matter?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Compare parathyroidectomy patients based on age, including demographics, outcomes, and complications. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Prospective parathyroidectomy database covering 1998 to 2007 was reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 687 patients underwent parathyroidectomy, including 247 (36%) >65 years old. Discharge was more often on day of surgery in younger patients (42.5% vs. 29.2%, P = .007) and >23 hours for older patients (24.7% vs. 12.3%, P < .0001). Older patients stayed longer in the recovery room (134 vs. 107 minutes, P = .005). Despite postoperative normocalcemia, older patients tended to have persistently elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) (10.5% vs. 6.4%, P = .07), whereas younger patients had normal PTH (81.6% vs. 70%, P = .0007). PTH levels were low-abnormal (56-110) in younger patients (47% vs. 29%, P = .046), but high-abnormal (>220) in older patients (16.6% vs. 9.55%, P = .009). Overall complication rates were low (6%-8%), with >93% in either group having no major complications. There was no difference in timing or types of complications, except elderly patients were more likely to have cardiac complications (2.83% vs. 0.45%, P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 700 parathyroidectomies were performed at our institution over 10 years. Elderly patients comprised one third of this population. They were likely to have longer hospital and recovery room stays, and postoperative normocalcemia with elevated PTH, which may actually be a normal finding for these patients, but it warrants further study. The rate, timing, and types of complications were similar between age groups, although elderly patients had more cardiac complications. When properly indicated, parathyroidectomy remains a safe and effective option for management of hyperparathyroidism in elderly patients.