Anatomical Basis of the Zygomatic-Transmandibular Approach: Operative Video.

Tumor growth in infratemporal fossa (ITF) and parapharyngeal space (PPS) is generally slow and generates very few clinical manifestations, so it is not uncommon for tumors to reach large dimensions at the time of diagnosis, making necessary to perform ample approaches. In zygomatic-transmandibular approach (ZTMA), the access of the ITF and PPS is obtained by a combination of a pterional craniotomy plus a zygomatic-mandibular osteotomy. Tumor excision is achieved by its initial dissection from all of the neurovascular structures of the middle fossa by the neurosurgical team and the final resection by the head and neck team from below. In the first part of this video, we present a brief anatomical-surgical description of the ITF and PPS and in the second part, we show case of a trigeminal schwannoma that could be successfully removed through a ZTMA. Using this approach, an ample and safe exposure of the ITF and PPS is achieved, without affecting the chewing or facial nerve function and with excellent cosmetic results, so it can be considered as a reliable surgical option, particularly in cases of giant tumors that affect these regions ( Figs. 1 and 2 ). The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/oxVFhzT8HsQ .

DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients during combined chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Combined chemotherapy is used for the treatment of a number of malignancies such as breast cancer. The target of these antineoplastic agents is nuclear DNA, although it is not restricted to malignant cells. The aim of the present study was to assess DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of breast cancer patients subjected to combined adjuvant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, FEC), using a modified comet assay to detect DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) and double-strand breaks (DSB). Forty-one female patients with advanced breast cancer before and after chemotherapy and 60 healthy females participated in the study. Alkaline and neutral comet assays were performed in PBLs according to a standard protocol, and DNA tail moment was measured by a computer-based image analysis system. Breast cancer patients before treatment had higher increased background levels of SSB and DSB as compared to healthy women. During treatment, a significant increase in DNA damage was observed after the 2nd cycle, which persisted until the end of treatment. Eighty days after the end of treatment the percentage of PBLs with SSB and DSB remained elevated, but the magnitude of DNA damage (tail moment) returned to baseline levels. There was no correlation between PBL DNA damage and response to chemotherapy. DNA-SSB and DSB in PBLs are present in cancer patients before treatment and increase significantly after combined chemotherapy. No correlation with response to adjuvant chemotherapy was found. Biomonitoring DNA damage in PBLs of cancer patients could help prevent secondary effects and the potential risks of developing secondary cancers.

[Primary melanoma of the oral mucosa. Experience of the Oncology Hospital of Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI]. / Melanoma primario de la mucosa oral. Experiencia del Hospital de Oncología.

BACKGROUND: Primary intraoral melanoma is extremely rare and carries a poor prognosis. Treatment of choice remains controversial. Our aim was to define the clinical features of this disease and to evaluate treatment methods. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 14 patients with primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity seen at the Oncology Hospital of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), 21st Century National Medical Center (CMN-SXXI) between 1991 and 2005. The main variables studied were clinical findings, response to therapy, and outcome. RESULTS: In five males (35.7%) and nine females (64.3%) with a mean age of 65 years, tumor locations included hard palate (nine cases), maxillary gingiva (three cases), hard/soft palate (one case) and lip (one case). Pre-existing melanotic pigmentation was present in two patients. Nine patients were in stage I, four in stage II, and one was in stage III. Surgical excision was the primary treatment in 11 cases; four patients underwent simultaneous neck dissections. All patients in stage II received adjuvant radiation therapy. After a 3-year follow-up, three patients of those presenting stage I are still alive (33.3%, 3/9 cases), and all patients in stages II and III eventually died of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of pigmented lesions in the mouth along with adequate tumor resection may improve the prognosis of this disease; however, in advanced disease stage it may be reasonable to infer that major improvements in outcome after treatment of malignant melanoma of the oral cavity may not be carried out until more effective systemic therapy becomes available.

[Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with high risk squamous cell carcinoma of the skin]. / Mapeo linfático y biopsia del ganglio centinela en pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo de alto riesgo.

BACKGROUND: Some sub-groups of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) display a higher risk for regional metastasis. Sentinel lymph node staging has been used successfully to evaluate nodal metastasis in selective tumors. OBJECTIVE: Assess the feasibility of sentinel node to detect occult regional lymph node metastasis in high-risk CSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and March 2004, a total of 20 patients received pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymphadenectomy for high-risk CSCC with clinically non-palpable regional lymph nodes. RESULTS: In one of each 5 patients (20%), sentinel lymph node showed histological evidence of microinvolvement. No patients with negative sentinel node showed tumor dissemination during follow-up, with a mean of 23.5 months (range 7-44). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is technically feasible with low morbidity. Sentinel lymphadenectomy may play an important role in the management of high-risk CSCC with clinically non-palpable regional lymph nodes. This technique can help identify patients with regional lymph node metastases who may benefit from complete lymphadenectomy. This improved staging may allow clinicians to better stratify patients who might benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Mapeo linfático y biopsia del ganglio centinela en pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo de alto riesgo / Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with high risk squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Introducción: Un subgrupo de pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo (CEC) tiene alto riesgo de presentar metástasis ganglionares regionales. El mapeo linfático y biopsia del ganglio centinela (MLBGC) ha sido exitosamente utilizado para evaluar la presencia de metástasis ganglionares subclínicas en diversos tumores. bjetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la técnica del MLBGC en los pacientes con CEC de alto riesgo para detectar la presencia de metástasis ganglionares regionales subclínicas. Material y métodos: De enero 2002 a marzo 2004, un total de 20 pacientes con CEC de alto riesgo con ganglios linfáticos regionales clínicamente no palpables fue evaluado con linfografía preoperatoria y MLBGC. Resultados: En 1 de cada 5 pacientes (20 %), el ganglio centinela reveló la presencia de micrometástasis. Ningún paciente con GC negativo manifestó progresión tumoral ganglionar regional durante un seguimiento medio de 23.5 meses (rango de 7 a 44 meses). Conclusiones: El MLBGC fue técnicamente posible con baja morbilidad. El MLBGC puede tener un importante papel en el tratamiento de los pacientes con CEC de alto riesgo con ganglios linfáticos regionales no palpables. Esta técnica puede ayudar a identificar los pacientes con metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos regionales que pueden beneficiarse de una disección ganglionar radical. Además provee importante información para utilizar terapias adyuvantes a la cirugía.

BACKGROUND: Some sub-groups of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) display a higher risk for regional metastasis. Sentinel lymph node staging has been used successfully to evaluate nodal metastasis in selective tumors. OBJECTIVE: Assess the feasibility of sentinel node to detect occult regional lymph node metastasis in high-risk CSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and March 2004, a total of 20 patients received pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymphadenectomy for high-risk CSCC with clinically non-palpable regional lymph nodes. RESULTS: In one of each 5 patients (20%), sentinel lymph node showed histological evidence of microinvolvement. No patients with negative sentinel node showed tumor dissemination during follow-up, with a mean of 23.5 months (range 7-44). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is technically feasible with low morbidity. Sentinel lymphadenectomy may play an important role in the management of high-risk CSCC with clinically non-palpable regional lymph nodes. This technique can help identify patients with regional lymph node metastases who may benefit from complete lymphadenectomy. This improved staging may allow clinicians to better stratify patients who might benefit from adjuvant therapy.