Association of the Specimen and Tumor Bed Margin Status with Local Recurrence and Survival in Open Partial Laryngectomy.

Background/Objectives: Positive margins are associated with locoregional recurrence in early laryngeal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of specimen-driven (ex vivo) positive margins on patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer whose tumor bed (defect-driven) margins had been negative. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 60 consecutive T1b/T2 glottic cancer patients who underwent open frontolateral laryngectomy. The intraoperative margins were obtained from the tumor bed. Their recurrence and disease-free survival were evaluated. In all cases, negative margins were obtained from the surgical bed. The impact of positive margins from the specimen was evaluated in a paraffin study. Results: Among 10 patients with positive margins in the specimen, six experienced local relapse, and among 50 patients with negative margins in the specimen, three developed recurrence. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 37.5% and 93.9%, respectively (p < 0.001; log-rank). Even with negative margins in the surgical bed, patients with positive margins in the specimen at the final histopathological examination had a 3.5-fold higher chance of developing local recurrence than those with negative margins (HR = 13.993; 95% CI: 3.479-56.281; p < 0.001; univariate Cox regression). Conclusions: Specimen-driven positive margins represent a significant risk factor for local recurrence, even under negative margins at the tumor bed.

Medical students' and residents' views on euthanasia.

BACKGROUND: Doctors are increasingly faced with end-of-life decisions. Little is known about how medical students approach euthanasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate, among medical students and residents, the view on euthanasia and its variants; correlate such a view with empathy and religiosity/spiritualism; and with the stages of medical training in Brazil. METHODS: This is an exploratory cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire to be filled out on a voluntary basis among medical students and residents, consisting of: socio-demographic data, an empathy questionnaire and questions with elaborate clinical cases that typify situations of the variants of euthanasia. RESULTS: From 1550 invitations, 273 volunteer participants responded (17.6%). The percentages of strong agreement/agreement on the concepts were: passive euthanasia (72.9%); active euthanasia (22.3%), orthothanasia (90.1%), dysthanasia (18.7%), assisted suicide (33%) and sedation (82.8%). Passive euthanasia, active euthanasia, dysthanasia and assisted suicide showed greater refusal with increasing length of medical training. Religious belief and degree of empathy did not significantly influence the opinion about the concepts. Strong agreement/agreement were: passive euthanasia (72.9%); active euthanasia (22.3%), orthothanasia (90.1%), dysthanasia (18.7%), assisted suicide (33%) and sedation (82.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Passive euthanasia, active euthanasia, dysthanasia and assisted suicide showed greater refusal with increasing length of medical training. The external validation of our findings relies on the distinct legal, cultural, and religious frameworks found across various countries.

Correction to: Cervicofacial and Pharyngolaryngeal Lymphedema and Deglutition After Head and Neck Cancer Treatment.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Figure 2 was repeated in Figure 3.

Cervicofacial and Pharyngolaryngeal Lymphedema and Deglutition After Head and Neck Cancer Treatment.

One of the sequelae of head and neck cancer treatment is secondary lymphedema, with important impact on breathing, swallowing and vocal functions. The aim of the study was to assess the presence, staging characteristics and relationship of external and internal lymphedema and dysphagia after head and neck cancer treatment. The MDACC Lymphedema Rating Scale in Head and Neck Cancer was employed for the assessment and staging of face and neck lymphedema; the Radiotherapy Edema Scale for internal lymphedema; and a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) for swallowing. The sample consisted of 46 patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Lymphedema was detected in 97.8% (45) of the evaluations with predominance of the composite type (73.9%-34). A high percentage of external lymphedema of the neck (71.7%-33) and submandibular (63%-29) were detected, with predominance of the more advanced levels. Internal edema was found in almost all structures and spaces at moderate/severe level. At FEES, residue (higher percentage in valleculae and pyriform sinus), penetration and aspirations were observed. The residue was detected in higher occurrence in patients with composite lymphedema (p = 0.012). The combined treatment with radiotherapy was related to submandibular external lymphedema (p = 0.009), altered pharyngolaryngeal sensitivity (0.040), presence of residue (p = 0.001) and penetration to pasty (p = 0.007) and internal edema in almost all structures. There was also a higher percentage of residue in cases with internal altered pharyngolaryngeal sensitivity, residue, penetration and aspiration. Combined treatment with radiotherapy is an associated factor of edema. Cervicofacial and pharyngolaryngeal lymphedema is a frequent event after treatment for HNC, with important impact on swallowing performance characterised by altered pharyngolaryngeal sensitivity, residue, penetration and aspiration. Combined treatment with radiotherapy is an associated factor.

Submandibular gland excision.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the value of fine needle aspiration and the rates of postoperative complications in patients undergoing resection of the submandibular gland. METHODS: we analyzed the records of patients treated with resection of the gland from January 1995 to December 2008. The data collected included age, gender, findings on clinical history, surgical procedure, results of fine needle aspiration (FNA), pathological diagnosis and complications. RESULTS: 117 patients were studied, aged 12-89 years (mean 48), 70 women and 47 men. Thirty-nine patients (33.3%) were affected by inflammatory diseases (28 patients with lithiasis), 70 had benign tumors, and malignant tumors, eight. Regarding FNA, the sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% and 100%, respectively. Nine patients (7.7%) had temporary paralysis of the marginal mandibular nerve and one had permanent paralysis. CONCLUSION: resection of the submandibular gland is a safe procedure, with low complication rates.

[Prognostic factors and comorbidity impact upon the frontolateral laryngectomy]. / Fatores prognósticos e impacto da comorbidade na laringectomia fronto-lateral.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the survival rates, comorbidity impact, complications, and treatment failure facts. METHODS: 38 patients clinically staged as T1b / T2N0M0 glottic tumors were analyzed. They underwent frontolateral laryngectomy with reconstruction, from January, 1995 to December, 2006. The oncological outcome, comorbidity (through the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation -27 ACE-27 scale) and complications were studied and correlated to the demographic data and tumor characteristics. RESULTS: Eight patients presented local recurrence being surgically salvaged. Complications were not observed in 33 patients. There was no significant difference on the global and free of disease 5-year survival regarding the diverse comorbidity categories. Only the pathological margins spread of the tumor presented significant difference on the global (p=0.0033) and free of disease survival (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The 5-year global survival was 67.6% whereas the free of disease survival was 73.7%; the comorbidity did not represent independent prognostic factor; the postoperative complications rate was 13.2%; and only the pathological margin spread showed significant difference on the global and free of disease survival rates.