Twenty-seven years of primary salivary gland carcinoma in Wales: an analysis of histological subtype and associated risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: Risk factors for salivary gland carcinoma are poorly understood. Although links between background radiation, smoking and obesity have been previously suggested, no studies have so far established any significant results. This study aimed to establish correlations between common environmental and lifestyle risk factors and different subtypes of salivary gland carcinoma. METHOD: A study of population data in Wales spanning 27 years was conducted; 2 national databases were used to identify 356 cases of primary salivary gland carcinoma over this period. Histological subtype of cancer and geographical location of each case was recorded. Public health data was used to establish radon levels, smoking, obesity and activity levels of populations in each geographical location. A population matched multivariate analysis of variance analysis was performed using histological subtype and risk factor data for each geographical location. RESULTS: A significantly higher incidence of mucoepidermoid cancer in populations with higher background radon levels (p = 0.006), epithelial-myoepithelial cancer in populations with higher smoking levels (p = 0.029) and adenoid cystic cancer in populations with higher obesity levels (p = 0.028) was found. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to establish significant links between background radiation, smoking and obesity with different subtypes of salivary gland carcinoma.

Appendicitis in the COVID-19 era: a modern challenge for experienced hands.

INTRODUCTION: The first wave of COVID-19 was accompanied by global uncertainty. Delayed presentation of patients to hospitals ensued, with surgical pathologies no exception. This study aimed to assess whether delayed presentations resulted in more complex appendicectomies during the first wave of COVID-19. METHODS: Operation notes for all presentations of appendicitis (n=216) within a single health board (three hospitals) during two three-month periods (control period (pre-COVID) vs COVID pandemic) were analysed, and the severity of appendicitis was recorded as per the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grading system. RESULTS: Presentations of appendicitis were delayed during the COVID period with a median duration of symptoms prior to hospital attendance of two days versus one day (p=0.003) with individuals presenting with higher median white cell count than during the control period (14.9 vs 13.3, p=0.031). Use of preoperative CT scanning (OR 3.013, 95% CI 1.694-5.358, p<0.001) increased significantly. More complex appendicectomies (AAST grade >1) were performed (OR 2.102, 95% CI 1.155-3.826, p=0.015) with a greater consultant presence during operations (OR 4.740, 95% CI 2.523-8.903, p<0.001). Despite the greater AAST scores recorded during the COVID period, no increase in postoperative complications was observed (OR 1.145, 95% CI 0.404-3.244, p=0.798). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with more complex cases of appendicitis. Important lessons can be learnt from the changes in practice employed as a result of this global pandemic.