Experience of multidisciplinary assessment of elderly patients with cancer in a French general hospital during 1 year: a new model care study.

OBJECTIVES: Our main aim was to describe and explore a multidisciplinary approach to the management of elderly patients with cancer, who constitute a heterogeneous population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was performed between October 2009 and September 2010. Patients with cancer ≥ 70 years of age were included. Some underwent a simplified multidimensional geriatric assessment with a Charlson score administered by an oncologist, and the evaluation was submitted to a geriatrician who decided whether or not a complete a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (n=54) should be done. Another group of patients directly underwent a CGA (n=49), and a few patients included in a specific trial underwent a geriatric assessment (n=8). Each patient was classified as fit, vulnerable, or frail by a multidisciplinary team. RESULTS: 111 patients were included (median age: 81 years [range: 65-96]; 60 males). The most frequent types of cancer were lung (n=29), gastrointestinal (n=20) and head and neck (n=14). Median Charlson score was 2.1 [range: 0-9]. Standard therapy was given to 37/41 (90%) fit, 19/41 (42%) vulnerable, and 6/29 (21%) frail patients. Thirteen frail patients received best supportive care. A social worker was mobilized for 2/41 (5%) fit, 14/41 (34%) vulnerable, and 11/29 (38%) frail patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study outlines the possibilities of cooperation between geriatricians and oncologists in a general hospital. This collaboration could modify therapeutic schedules especially in frail and vulnerable patients.

Management of the neck in the setting of definitive chemoradiation: is there a consensus? A GETTEC study.

BACKGROUND: The management of the neck remains controversial in the definitive chemoradiation setting of advanced N2-3 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Most published data favor omission of neck dissection (ND) after complete response for N2-3 or selective ND for residual disease METHODS: We studied the patterns of care in the French-Belgian Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs de la Tête Et du Cou (GETTEC) through a questionnaire-based survey. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of institutions never performed up-front ND, 20% rarely, 40% sometimes, 14% often, and 8% systematically. Induction chemotherapy was indicated in 30% of the cases, and most ND were performed either between induction and radiation or after chemoradiation for residual disease. Response to chemoradiation was assessed by computed tomographic scan and positron emission tomography in 72% of cases. Selective ND was more common than radical ND. CONCLUSIONS: Omission of ND based on computed tomographic scan and positron emission tomography-based complete response to chemoradiation is the most common strategy for advanced nodal disease among centers. However, neck management strategies vary among institutions, and some institutions continue advocating systematic ND before irradiation. The new treatment options and the changing epidemiology, namely docetaxel-based induction chemotherapy and human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma having better response profiles and prognosis, are adding to the nonconsensual approach. The best therapeutic index in terms of neck management remains to be defined in this evolving context.

[The external fronto-ethmoidal approach]. / L'abord fronto-ethmoïdal externe.

A lateral fronto-ethmoidal approach simultaneously exposing the frontal sinus and the nasal fossae appears to be a necessity for the surgical treatment of fronto-ethmoidal pathology. It is possible to fashion an osteo-plastic flap in the fronto-naso-maxillary region. The technique of the approach is described. The operation leaves no ocular functional sequelae and the scar is minimal. Twenty one operations by fronto-nasal flap approach are described, 10 for benign tumours of the fronto-ethmoidal system and 11 with the aim of re-aerating the frontal sinus for cases of complicated or iatrogenic serious sinusitis. The results are studied. The indications of the fronto-nasal flap are described: In tumour pathology, this technique must be used for osteomas and mucoceles of the fronto-ethmoidal system as soon as the ethmoidal component reaches or goes beyond the middle ethmoid. If the fronto-ethmoidal lesion only involves the anterior ethmoid, it is then accessible via simple frontal flap. Inverted papillomas which require wide exposure should also be treated via this approach. In infectious pathology, the fronto-nasal flap offers the possibility, after eradication of fronto-ethmoidal lesions and calibration of the naso-frontal canal, of re-aeration of the frontal sinus which seems preferable to its exclusion. The possibility of re-aeration of the frontal sinus by an osteo-plastic procedure is progress in comparison with lost bone craniotomy procedures.

[Vestibular neurectomy in Ménière's disease. Results and comments apropos of 77 cases]. / La neurectomie vestibulaire dans la maladie de Ménière. Résultats et commentaires à propos de 77 cas.

The authors report 77 cases of vestibular neurectomy performed between 1972 and 1984 (40 male and 37 female) for incapacitating Meniere's vertigo. Neurectomy was via a sub-petrous (S.P.) approach in 55 cases, by posterior trans-labyrinthine (P.T.L.) approach in 9 and anterior trans-labyrinthine (A.T.L.) in 13 cases. A.T.L. was abandoned because of the frequency of leaks of CSF and of meningitis. The P.T.L. approach did not result in any facial paralysis, even transient. There were 2 CSF leaks, without meningitis and one of which required reoperation. For the 55 S.P. cases, hearing worsened in 22.2% with 8 cases of deafness, including three appearing secondarily. There were two transient auditory improvements. Vertigo was cured in 73 cases (94.8%) with 25.9% instability after several months. The authors stress the frequent bilateralisation of the disease and the need to reserve vestibular neurectomy for cases of longstanding incapacitating vertigo, resistant to all other treatment, as well as the value of surgery on the endolymphatic surgery provided that the criteria of indication are complied with. Medical treatment remains the essential basis, including the analysis and, where applicable, treatment of psychosomatic factors by a trained psychiatrist. Finally, when vestibular neurectomy is indicated, the S.P. approach is otologically most suitable, the P.T.L. being reserved for deaf ears or the elderly.

[Cholesteatoma of the ear. Experience with an eclectic therapeutic attitude]. / Cholestéatome de l'oreille. Expérience d'une attitude thérapeutique éclectique.

In the light of 702 cases of cholesteatoma seen over a 20 year period, the authors report the experience of a hospital team based upon analysis of the last 517 cases. 322 patients were treated by a conservative attitude to the bony meatus, including 120 undergoing routine revision between 14 and 24 months. 195 cases were treated by an open technique, either primarily or following massive recurrences despite the use of closed techniques. In 33% of cases, patients had already undergone at least a tympanoplasty. The authors discuss the indications of the treatment of cholesteatoma. Each patient must be considered as an individual case and whilst our preference would be for conservation of the bony meatus, certain anatomical and functional conditions make a so-called open technique necessary in 1/3 of cases.

[Value of thallium scintigraphy in thyroid pathology]. / Intérêt de la scintigraphie au thallium en pathologie thyroïdienne.

The value of thallium 201 (Tl 201) scintigraphy was investigated in 45 patients with thyroid affections. Scintigrams were performed with both technetium 99 m (Tc 99 m) and Tl 201. Of the 27 patients with 43 thyroid nodules confirmed histologically (16 patients were operated upon and needle puncture cytology conducted in 11 cases), all cold nodules to Tc 99 m and Tl 201 were found to be benign. Of the 28 hot nodules to Tl 201, cancer was demonstrated in 8 cases, equivalent to 72 p. 100 of false positives against the 47 p. 100 of all cases reported in the literature. In benign affections, thyroid topography to Tl 201 can now be obtained in patients with plummer's toxic nodules without the need for Quérido's test and without iodine saturation of the thyroid. Gonadal toxicity of Tl 201 prevents its routine use in patients under 35, who were excluded from this study.

[Glottic reconstruction with a flap of thyroid perichondrium]. / Les reconstructions glottiques par lambeau de périchondre thyroïdien.

Laryngoplasty was performed using the perichondrium of the thyroid cartilage or a sternohyoid muscle flap. Techniques and results are described using this method, applied for glottic reconstruction after vertical partial laryngectomy of the frontolateral type and after cordectomy. Anatomic and functional results in 15 cases are described, ultrasound imaging showing in all cases an improvement in basic laryngeal function, and in the timbre and strength of the voice.