Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for the treatment of oral mucositis-A comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral mucositis. BACKGROUND: Oral Mucositis is a frequent complication of oral cavity and oropharynx cancer. Considering the OM aggravation by microorganisms contamination, disinfection provide by antimicrobial photodynamic therapy could be an effective approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This comparative study included fourteen patients undergoing radiochemotherapy for oral cavity and oropharynx cancer treatment, who developed oral mucositis. CONTROL GROUP: photobiomodulation. Intervention group: photobiomodulation and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. The lesion size, duration, pain, and identification of microorganisms were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean reduction in oral mucositis size in the intervention group was 0.70 cm² (±0.35) and 0.30 cm² (±1.10) for the control group. The mean duration of oral mucositis was 18.37 days (±12.12) for the intervention group and 23 days (±14.78) for the control group. The intervention group had a mean reduction of 3.40 points on the pain scale (±2.44), while the control group had 0.17 (±2.28). In the intervention group, the predominant isolated microbiota was featured as mixed culture (n = 4/ 50%), followed of Gram Positive (n = 3/ 37.50%), and Gram Negative (n = 1/ 12.55%). In the control group, mixed culture was also more frequent (n = 4 / 66%), followed by Gram Positive (n = 2 /34%). Gram Negative was not predominantly isolated in the control group. CONCLUSION: No statistical significance was found between PBM-T alone and PBM-T + PDT. However, the better outcomes reached by PBM-T + PDT group would suggest there could be a role for combined treatment in the management of OM lesions.

Characteristics and prevalence of orofacial pain as an initial symptom of oral and oropharyngeal cancer and its impact on the patient's functionality and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of orofacial pain in oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OOC), at diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a) Study group (SG; n = 74) patients with cancer were divided into 2 subgroups: oral cancer (OC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC); b) control group (CG; n = 74) patients within dental care. STUDY DESIGN: An Orofacial Pain Assessment, verbal descriptive scale, Helkimo dysfunction index, Quality of Life questionnaire, and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was used for evaluation. RESULTS: The mean age was 58.46 years (79.7% male) in SG, 58.61 years (20.3% male) in CG. The pain within the SG was indicated by the following: prevalence = 91.9% (21.6% in stages 0, I, or II; 70.3% in III or IV); reason for seeking care = 50.1%; main complaint = 55.4%; most important issue in the past 7 days = 74.3%; breakthrough-like pain = 64.9%; main features: chewing or swallowing as triggering factors, wake up patient, variable duration, independent of daytime, multiple descriptors, and earache. The following indexes were worse within the SG: clinical dysfunction, quality of life, and KPS. In addition, the OC subgroup reported toothache-like pain and burning; whereas the OPC subgroup reported heavy swallowing as triggering factor, throat as location, and a bilateral earache. CONCLUSION: At diagnosis, orofacial pain, including breakthrough-like pain, was prevalent in patients with OOC, and the pattern was heterogeneous. Predominantly, the pain was moderate to severe, related to stage of cancer, and already compromising the patients' quality of life and functionality.

Cáncer orofaríngeo y virus del papiloma humano en cabeza y cuello: relaciones fisiopatológicas y epidemiológicas / Oropharyngeal carcinoma and papiloma virus in head and neck: phisiopathological and epidemiological relations

Resumen El Virus del Papiloma Humano (VPH) es una enfermedad diagnóstico frecuente, transmitida por contacto entre piel y mucosas. Se han descrito múltiples relaciones etiológicas con neoplasias en órganos del sistema genital y reproductor y a nivel de cabeza y cuello. Éste se ha agrupado y caracterizado mediante análisis filogenéticos y en su secuencia de nucleótidos y aminoácidos. EL VPH progresa por las capas de epitelio de piel o mucosa induciendo malignización celular. El diagnóstico se realiza mediante diversas técnicas de PCR o de hibridación in situ. El carcinoma orofaríngeo es una patología neoplásica con una presentación clínica variada. Su asociación a VPH es inmunohistoquímicamente detectable, y se asocia a una presentación más frecuente en jóvenes, en hombres, con una localización anatómica mejor definida, y con una expresión clínica más florida y temprana. Actualmente se ha documentado un incremento en los casos de carcinoma orofaríngeo a pesar del descenso de su principal factor de riesgo; el tabaquismo. Su incidencia y mortalidad continúan siendo relativamente bajas en comparación con otros tumores en cabeza y cuello. Este incremento se ha asociado etiológicamente a la infección de VPH con subtipos de mayor riesgo de malignidad como el VPH 16 y 18. A nivel nacional existen diferencias estadísticas con respecto a los datos foráneos, sin embargo la cantidad de estudios realizados en nuestra población y los sesgos asociados al subregistro de la enfermedad son un factor importante a tomar en cuenta. Es necesario realizar una mayor cantidad de estudios en la población costarricense para determinar el comportamiento real de esta enfermedad y su relación etiológica con el carcinoma de orofaringe en nuestro país.

Abstract The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted disease, transmitted by contact between skin and mucous membranes. There are multiple etiological relationships between HPV infections and neoplasms in organs of the reproductive and genital system and at head and neck. Those belonging to HPV have been grouped and characterized by phylogenetic analysis and by its sequence of nucleotides and amino acids. HPV progresses through the layers of skin or mucosal epithelium inducing malignant transformation in these cells. The diagnosis of this infection is performed using various techniques of PCR and in situ hybridization. Oropharyngeal carcinoma is a neoplastic disease with a varied clinical presentation. Its association with HPV is detectable by immunohistochemic methods. It's also associated more frequent with young people, men, presentation with a better defined anatomic location and an earlier clinical expression. Currently it has been documented an increase in cases of oropharyngeal carcinoma despite the fall of their main risk factor; smoking. Its incidence and mortality continue to be relatively low in comparison with other head and neck tumors. This increase has etiologically been associated with HPV infection; and with subtypes of increased risk of malignancy such as HPV 16 and 18; as with changes in the behavior of the disease. National statistics differ from the foreign data, however the low amount of studies in our population and the biases associated with underreporting of the disease are an important factor to take into account. It is necessary to perform a greater number of studies in the Costa Rican population to determine the actual behavior of this disease and its etiological relation to carcinoma of the oropharynx.

Association between Chronic Periodontitis and Oral/Oropharyngeal Cancer

Abstract The aim of this case control study was to assess the association between the extent and severity of chronic periodontitis and oral cavity and/or oropharyngeal cancer. The case group comprised 35 patients (mean age 56.1±8.4), diagnosed for oral and/or oropharyngeal cancer. The control group comprised 40 individuals (mean age 55.4±9.4) without diagnostic of cancer. All individuals were subjected to a periodontal examination, including bleeding on probing, plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and decayed, extracted and filled teeth index (DMFT). The case group had significantly more sites with plaque. GI and BOP had similar values in both groups. The median PPD and CAL values were significantly higher for the case group. Chronic generalized periodontitis was predominant in 80% of patients with oral and/or oropharyngeal cancer. Eighty nine percent of the patients in the case group presented severe chronic periodontitis. There was no significant difference between groups for median values of DMFT. The extent and severity of chronic periodontitis remained as risk indicators for oral cavity and/or oropharyngeal cancer even after the adjustments for traditional confound factors, i.e. smoking and alcohol consumption.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo caso controle foi determinar a associação entre extensão e severidade da periodontite crônica e câncer da cavidade oral e/ou orofaringe. O grupo caso consistiu de 35 pacientes (idade média 56,1±8,4), diagnosticados para câncer oral e/ou de orofaringe. O grupo controle foi composto por 40 pacientes (idade média 55,4±9,4) sem diagnóstico de câncer. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame periodontal, incluindo sangramento à sondagem, índice de placa, índice gengival, profundidade de sondagem e nível de inserção clínica, além do índice de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados (CPOD). O grupo caso tinha significativamente mais sítios com placa. Índice gengival e sangramento à sondagem mostraram valores similares em ambos os grupos. A mediana dos valores de profundidade de bolsa à sondagem e nível de inserção clínica foram significativamente maiores para o grupo caso. A prevalência de periodontite crônica generalizada foi de 80% em pacientes com câncer oral e/ou de orofaringe. Oitenta e nove por cento dos pacientes no grupo de caso apresentaram periodontite crônica severa. Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos para os valores medianos de CPOD. A extensão e severidade da periodontite crônica permaneceram como indicadores de risco para câncer oral e/ou de orofaringe mesmo após o ajuste para fatores de confundimento tradicional, isto é, fumo e consumo de álcool.

Association between Chronic Periodontitis and Oral/Oropharyngeal Cancer.

The aim of this case control study was to assess the association between the extent and severity of chronic periodontitis and oral cavity and/or oropharyngeal cancer. The case group comprised 35 patients (mean age 56.1±8.4), diagnosed for oral and/or oropharyngeal cancer. The control group comprised 40 individuals (mean age 55.4±9.4) without diagnostic of cancer. All individuals were subjected to a periodontal examination, including bleeding on probing, plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and decayed, extracted and filled teeth index (DMFT). The case group had significantly more sites with plaque. GI and BOP had similar values in both groups. The median PPD and CAL values were significantly higher for the case group. Chronic generalized periodontitis was predominant in 80% of patients with oral and/or oropharyngeal cancer. Eighty nine percent of the patients in the case group presented severe chronic periodontitis. There was no significant difference between groups for median values of DMFT. The extent and severity of chronic periodontitis remained as risk indicators for oral cavity and/or oropharyngeal cancer even after the adjustments for traditional confound factors, i.e. smoking and alcohol consumption.

Proton therapy and radiation sensitivity in dyskeratosis congenita.

BACKGROUND: Patients with dyskeratosis congenita (DC) have an increased risk of cancer, but also exhibit heightened radiation sensitivity. Proton therapy improves sparing of normal tissue, and thus may reduce radiation toxicity in patients with DC. OBSERVATIONS: We present a pediatric patient with DC who was treated with adjuvant proton therapy for oropharyngeal cancer. He experienced more severe skin toxicity and mucositis than expected. With reduced fractions per week and extensive supportive care, he completed the full radiation course. CONCLUSIONS: Proton therapy can improve normal tissue sparing, allowing successful delivery of radiation therapy in DC patients.

[Metastatic oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes associated to HPV infection type 16 and 45; clinical, morphological and molecular study of two cases]. / Carcinoma epidermoide orofaríngeo metastásico en ganglios linfáticos cervicales asociado a los subtipos 16 y 45 del virus del papiloma humano (VPH). Estudio clínico, morfológico y molecular de dos casos.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has been identified as a distinct entity within squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In contrast to carcinomas associated with alcohol and/or tobacco, this subtype occurs at younger age, with frequent absence of classic risk factors, correlation with oral sexual habits, strong predilection for the palatial tonsils and the base of the tongue (lingual tonsils), basaloid or lymphoepithelial differentiation, higher degree of radiosensitivity, and overall better survival. We report two cases of lymph node, metastatic, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma that were positive by immunohistochemistry for p16 with detection of HPV-16 and HPV-45 by PCR.

Función tiroidea postratamiento de cáncer escamoso de orofaringe, hipofaringe y laringe / Thyroid function after oropharyngeal, hypophariyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma treatment

Introducción: El hipotiroidismo es una de las complicaciones del tratamiento del cáncer de cabeza y cuello, con incidencias que varían desde 7 por ciento a 57 por ciento. Objetivo: Estimar frecuencia de hipotiroidismo en pacientes con cáncer faringo laríngeo y determinar factores de riesgo. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio transversal, midiendo la función tiroidea de todos los pacientes diagnosticados y tratados por carcinoma escamoso de orofaringe, hipofaringe y laringe en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital San Juan de Dios entre enero de 2006 y diciembre de 2007. Resultados: El 55,5 por ciento presentó una función tiroidea alterada en la evaluación posterior al tratamiento. La modalidad de tratamiento es crucial, variando de 35 por ciento de alteración en el grupo tratado con radioterapia v/s 83 por ciento de afección cuando ésta se asoció a cirugía. La quimioterapia no mostró efectos. Conclusiones: El hipotiroidismo es una complicación frecuente, pero poco reconocida, que ocurre en más del 50 por ciento de los pacientes tratados por cáncer de orofaringe, hipofaringe y laringe.

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a complication of head and neck cancer treatment, it incidence goes from 7 percent to 57 percent. Aim: To estímate frequency of hipothyroidism in patients with cáncer ofpharynxand larynx and to dertermine factor of risk. Material and method: Transversal study Thyroid function measurement in patients diagnosed and treated for oropharyngeal, hypophariyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma at San Juan de Dios's Hospital since January 2006 to December 2007. Results: 55,5 percent presented an altered thyroid function after treatment. The treatment modality is crucial, on it's frequency, changing from 35 percent with radiotherapy, v/s 83 percent when this one was associated with surgery. The chemotherapy did not show effects. Conclusions: The hypothyroidism is a frequent, but slightly recognized complication, which happens in more than 50 percent of patients treated for for oropharyngeal, hypophariyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral health changes in with oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

UNLABELLED: Inflammatory disease and oral trauma are relevant factors for patients with oral cancer. AIM: This paper aims to assess the association between oral hygiene, periodontal disease, oropharyngeal and oral cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this cross-sectional prospective study, fifty subjects with untreated oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were compared to fifty cancer-free subjects, paired by age and gender. They answered an oral health questionnaire and underwent oral examination to assess periodontal disease and dental health, as per the CPITN. Periodontal disease classification and CPITN assignment were done according to WHO guidelines. RESULTS: Periodontal examination and the CPITN elicited the differences between the two groups, with evidences of advanced disease among the subjects with oral or oropharyngeal cancer, confirmed by the presence of periodontal pockets with depths of 6mm or greater in 76% of the subjects evaluated, while only 10% of the subjects in the control group showed the same level of disease. No relevant differences were observed in the DMF index and oral hygiene between both groups. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that there is an association between cancer and more severe periodontal disease regardless of oral hygiene and dental health status.

Alterações da saúde bucal em portadores de câncer da boca e orofaringe / Oral health changes in with oral and oropharyngeal cancer

Inflamação e traumatismos bucais são importantes nos portadores de câncer de boca. OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre hábitos de higiene oral, doença periodontal e câncer da boca e orofaringe. CASUÍSITCA E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e prospectivo, com a inclusão de 50 indivíduos com carcinoma espinocelular da boca e orofaringe, sem intervenção terapêutica, comparados com 50 indivíduos, pareados por idade e gênero, sem câncer. Foi aplicado um questionário de saúde bucal e realizado exame oral para avaliação de doença periodontal e condição dentária, utilizando o índice CPOD. A classificação de doença periodontal e CPOD seguiu o protocolo preconizado pela OMS. RESULTADOS: O exame periodontal e a obtenção do índice INTPC demonstram uma diferença entre os dois grupos, com evidências de doença avançada nos portadores de câncer de boca e orofaringe, demonstrada pela presença de bolsas periodontais acima de 6mm, em 76 por cento dos casos avaliados enquanto no grupo controle, 10 por cento dos pacientes apresentavam esse mesmo grau da doença. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas em relação ao índice CPOD e aos hábitos de higiene bucal. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados permitem concluir pela presença de associação de doença periodontal mais severa nos portadores de câncer sem relação com hábitos de higiene ou condição dentária.

Inflammatory disease and oral trauma are relevant factors for patients with oral cancer. AIM: This paper aims to assess the association between oral hygiene, periodontal disease, oropharyngeal and oral cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this cross-sectional prospective study, fifty subjects with untreated oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were compared to fifty cancer-free subjects, paired by age and gender. They answered an oral health questionnaire and underwent oral examination to assess periodontal disease and dental health, as per the CPITN. Periodontal disease classification and CPITN assignment were done according to WHO guidelines. RESULTS: Periodontal examination and the CPITN elicited the differences between the two groups, with evidences of advanced disease among the subjects with oral or oropharyngeal cancer, confirmed by the presence of periodontal pockets with depths of 6mm or greater in 76 percent of the subjects evaluated, while only 10 percent of the subjects in the control group showed the same level of disease. No relevant differences were observed in the DMF index and oral hygiene between both groups. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that there is an association between cancer and more severe periodontal disease regardless of oral hygiene and dental health status.

Mudança do paradigma da saúde bucal em pacientes com câncer de boca e orofaringe / Paradigm change of oral health in patients with cancer of the mouth and oropharynx

Objetivo: verificar a associação dos hábitos de higiene oral, doença periodontal e câncer da boca e orofaringe. Método: estudo transversal e prospectivo com a inclusáo de 50 portadores de carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) de boca e orofaringe, comparados com 50 indivíduos sem câncer, pareados por idade e gênero. Foi aplicado um questionário de saúde bucal e realizado exame oral para avaliação de doença peridontal e condição dentária, utilizando o índice CPOD (cariados, perdidos, obturados, dentes). As classificações de doença periodontal e CPOD seguiram o protocolo preconizado pela OMS. Resultados: o exame periodontal e a obtenção do INTPC (Índice das Necessidades de Tratamento Periodontal da Comunidade) demonstram uma diferença entre os dois grupos, com evidências de doença avançada (estádios III e IV) nos portadores de câncer de boca e orofaringite, demosntrada pela presença de bolsas periodontais, acima de 6mm em 76% dos casos avaliados enquanto, no grupo controle, apenas 10% dos pacientes apresentavam esse mesmo grau da doença. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas em relação ao índice CPOD e aos hábitos de higiene bucal. Conclusão: ocorreu a presença de associação de doença periodontal mais severa nos portadores de câncer sem relação com hábitos de higiene ou condição dentária.

Objective: to assess the connection among oral hygiene habits, periodontal disease and oral and oropharyngela cancer. Methods: cross-sectional and prospective study of 50 subjects wigh known histopathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of mouth and oropharynx, compared to 50 cancer free subjects, paired by age and gender. An oral health questionnaire was applied, and an oral examiantion was performed in order to evaluate periodontal disease. Dental status was assessed using DMF (Decayed, Missed and Filled Teeth Index). Periodontal disease classification was masde and DMF index calculated according to th guidelines issued by WHO. Results: periodontal exqamination as well as CPTIN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment) index showed difference between the two groups, with evidence of advanced disease in the subjects with oral or oropharyngeal cancer, confirmed through the presence of periodontal pockets with a depth of 6mm or greater in 76% of the subjects evaluted, whereas only 10% of the members of the control group showed the same level of disease. No relevant differences were observed in terms of DMF index and oral hygiene habits between the groups. Conclusion: there is connection between more severe periodontal disease in cancer patients, regardless of oral hygiene habits and dental status.

Perioperative complications, comorbidities, and survival in oral or oropharyngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the value of clinical factors in the prediction of perioperative complications and death in patients with oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas and to develop a new extended clinical severity staging system that combines patient and tumor factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 530 patients with oral or oropharyngeal carcinomas submitted to surgical treatment were studied. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for perioperative complications, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to establish independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: Daily alcohol consumption, smoking, sex, neck lump, earache, pain, dysphagia, weight loss, oral bleeding, odynophagia, body mass index, National Cancer Institute comorbidity index score, American Society of Anesthesiologists surgical risk, hematocrit level, and total lymphocyte count had an impact on prognosis in univariate analysis. Survival according to extended clinical severity stage was 76.7% for stage 1, 64.4% for stage 2, 44.8% for stage 3, and 25.5% for stage 4 (chi( 2) = 64.16; P<.001). In multivariate analysis, only APACHE II score, neck dissection, POSSUM index score, and type of reconstruction were independent risk factors for perioperative complications. The final prognostic model included development of local plus systemic complications, extended clinical severity stage, type of reconstruction, and APACHE II score. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical variables have a predictive effect on morbidity and mortality of patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer treated surgically. Local plus systemic perioperative complications can adversely affect the prognosis. The uniformity of results confirms that survival estimates can be enhanced by the addition of clinical characteristics to the TNM classification, creating a more accurate system for the estimation of prognosis.

Rizotomia percutânea por radiofrequencia no tratamento das algias ororrinofaringofaciais resultantes de tumores malignos / Percutaneous rhizotomies for oropharyngofacial cancer pain

São apresentados os resultados do tratamento de 39 doentes com dor orofaríngea e facial, resultante de neoplasias malignas regionais pela rizotomia percutânea por radiofrequencia do nervo trigêmeo associada, em 16 casos, à rizotomia percutânea do nervo glossofaríngeo e/ou raízes cervicais. Ocorreram complicaçöes em três (7,7 por cento) doentes. As complicaçöes que correram de forma associada foram: paresia de motricidade ocular, disestesias focais, ceratiti, úlcera de córnea e paresia mastigatória. Em três doentes, a rizotomia por radiofrequencia do nervo trigêmeo foi ralizada bilateralmente, Um doente que desenvolveu dor facial por desaferentação decorrente da neuropatia actínia e da rizotomia trigeminal prévia foi submetido à nucleotratotomia espinal estereotáxica do nervo trigêmeo. Os resultados do tratamento foram excelentes em 36 casos. Ocorreu recidiva da dor em 7,7 por cento dos doentes. Em dois doentes, reoperação necessária foi uma nova rizotomia do nervo trigêmeo para tratamento da recorrência da dor. Conclui-se que a rizotomia precutânea, por radiofrequencia, é um procedimento útil para o tratamento da dor orofacial decorrente do câncer. A nucleotratotomia trigeminal estereotáxica deve ser indicada como complemento à rizotomia, quando houver recidiva da dor ou ocorrência dela por desaferentação.