Prognostic Factors and Survival in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Retrospective Clinical and Histopathological Analysis of Patients Seen at a Cancer Center.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a rare malignancy that accounts for approximately 1% of all head and neck cancers. This neoplasm is characterized by slow but often relentless growth and dissemination. Our aim was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical-pathological features of patients diagnosed with head and neck AdCC and to identify possible prognostic factors. This retrospective observational study analyzed 87 cases of AdCC of the head and neck. Clinical parameters (tumor size, lymph node and distant metastasis, clinical stage, and survival) were obtained from the records. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. There was a slight predominance of cases diagnosed in female patients (54%). The mean age at diagnosis was 51.5 years. Analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model considering 10-year disease-specific survival identified histologic pattern and presence of perineural invasion as independent prognostic variables. Primary tumor size and distant metastasis were prognostic predictors of 5- and 10-year disease-free survival. Detailed analysis of the association between clinical-pathological parameters and prognosis can assist professionals with cancer treatment planning and adequate patient management. Considering the long-term aggressive behavior of AdCC, rigorous patient follow-up is important to identify possible locoregional or distant recurrences.

Immunohistochemical expression of DNA repair proteins in oral tongue and lower lip squamous cell carcinoma.

The DNA repair system involves genes and proteins that are essential for the maintenance of genome integrity and the consequent control of various cellular processes. Alterations in these genes and proteins play a role in tumor development and progression and might be associated with prognosis. The aims of this study were to analyze the immunoexpression of two DNA repair proteins, XPF and XRCC1, in lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC) and oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), and to investigate possible associations with clinical and histopathological parameters. The immunohistochemical expression of XPF and XRCC1 was analyzed semi-quantitatively in 40 cases each of LLSCC and OTSCC. The chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate, was used to investigate the association between expression of the proteins and clinicopathological characteristics. The cytoplasmic immunoexpression of XPF was high in OTSCC (95% of the cases analyzed) but low in LLSCC (52.5%). Among the clinicopathological parameters evaluated, a statistically significant association was observed between high nuclear expression of XRCC1 and the absence of regional lymph node metastasis in patients diagnosed with OTSCC (p=0.006). The high protein expression of XPF and XRCC1 in OTSCC and LLSCC suggests an important role in the development and progression of these tumors. Our study found an association between high nuclear expression of XRCC1 and the absence of loco-regional metastasis in cases diagnosed as OTSCC, suggesting a role of this protein in tumor progression.

The occurrence and pattern of head and neck sarcomas: a comprehensive cancer center experience.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the demographics, clinicopathological, treatment, and survival characteristics of head and neck sarcomas diagnosed in a reference center in the Brazilian Northeast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed the clinical records of patients with head and neck sarcomas. Epidemiologic data consisted in clinical location, age, gender, histopathological diagnosis, clinical TNM staging and treatment. Outcome variables were local recurrence and survival. The statistical analyses were performed by a binary logistic regression analysis. The survival analysis was assessed through the Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients with head and neck sarcomas (male 39; female 30) were analyzed. The most common histologic subtypes were rhabdomyosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma, and pleomorphic sarcoma. The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 38.1 years old. A total of 31 patient died (sarcoma-related death) up to the end of the follow-up, with a mean follow-up rate of 1.63 years. A multivariate analysis revealed that anatomical site, treatment modality, histopathological diagnosis, and clinical stage of the disease were associated with specific survival, reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the impact of important clinical-pathological parameters on the overall prognosis of head and neck sarcomas.

Immunohistochemical expression of DNA repair proteins in oral tongue and lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract The DNA repair system involves genes and proteins that are essential for the maintenance of genome integrity and the consequent control of various cellular processes. Alterations in these genes and proteins play a role in tumor development and progression and might be associated with prognosis. The aims of this study were to analyze the immunoexpression of two DNA repair proteins, XPF and XRCC1, in lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC) and oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), and to investigate possible associations with clinical and histopathological parameters. The immunohistochemical expression of XPF and XRCC1 was analyzed semi-quantitatively in 40 cases each of LLSCC and OTSCC. The chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate, was used to investigate the association between expression of the proteins and clinicopathological characteristics. The cytoplasmic immunoexpression of XPF was high in OTSCC (95% of the cases analyzed) but low in LLSCC (52.5%). Among the clinicopathological parameters evaluated, a statistically significant association was observed between high nuclear expression of XRCC1 and the absence of regional lymph node metastasis in patients diagnosed with OTSCC (p=0.006). The high protein expression of XPF and XRCC1 in OTSCC and LLSCC suggests an important role in the development and progression of these tumors. Our study found an association between high nuclear expression of XRCC1 and the absence of loco-regional metastasis in cases diagnosed as OTSCC, suggesting a role of this protein in tumor progression.

Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst with Extensive Areas of Dentinoid: Uncommon Case Report and Update of Main Findings.

The calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) is a benign odontogenic cyst that occurs in the gnathic bones. This cyst is part of a spectrum of lesions characterized by odontogenic epithelium containing "ghost cells," which may undergo calcification. Areas of an eosinophilic matrix material compatible dentinoid also may present adjacent to the epithelial component. However, these areas of dentinoid commonly do not appear so abundant in COCs. In this study, we report a case of intraosseous COC with extensive areas of dentinoid and perform an update regarding the clinical, radiographical, histopathological, and differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this cystic lesion.

Subgemmal neurogenous plaque of the tongue: a report of three cases.

Subgemmal neurogenous plaque (SNP) is a biphasic neural structure associated with the taste buds. Clinically, SNP usually presents as an asymptomatic, normally colored, papule located in the posterior lateral border of the tongue. Accurate diagnosis is based only on histopathological examination, which shows a superficial neurofibroma-like pattern and a neuroma-like in the deep zone. Appropriate recognition of clinical and morphological aspects of SNPs can avoid their misdiagnosis as neural neoplasms. We report three cases of SNP with detailed clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features.

An Unusual Clinical Presentation of Solitary Fibrous Tumor in the Oral Cavity.

Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare neoplasm of mesenchymal origin that usually affects the pleura. This rarity becomes more relevant in the oral cavity since the clinical features are nonspecific. A 66-year-old female patient presented with a 3-month history of a swelling in the floor of the mouth, measuring 2 cm in greatest diameter, and pain symptomatology. Occlusal and panoramic radiographs showed no bone involvement. Ultrasonography of the submandibular and parotid salivary glands revealed normal morphology, dimensions, and echogenicity. During this exam, a nodular image of low echogenicity measuring about 2.7 × 1.8 cm was detected. An excisional biopsy was performed and histopathological analysis revealed a well-defined tumor-like lesion with alternation between hypercellular areas without a defined pattern and hypocellular areas. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor was positive for CD34 and CD99 and negative for α-SMA, S-100, and bcl-2. Combining the histopathological and immunohistochemical features, the diagnosis was solitary fibrous tumor. The patient is under periodical clinical follow-up and shows no signs of recurrence 7 months after surgical excision of the tumor. The combination of clinical-pathological and immunohistochemical features is necessary for the diagnosis.