Additional parameters to improve the prognostic value of the 8th edition of the UICC classification for human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal tumors.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic reliability of the UICC's TNM classification (8th edition) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) compared to the 7th edition was explored, and its improvement by using additional anatomical and nonanatomical parameters. METHODS: One hundred and ten HPV-positive and 225 HPV-negative TSCCs were retrospectively analyzed. Survival was correlated with patient and tumor characteristics (7th and 8th edition UICC TNM classification). RESULTS: In HPV-positive TSCCs, the 8th edition UICC's TNM classification correlated better with prognosis than the 7th edition. Also, smoking status was a stronger prognosticator of survival than UICC staging. Non- or former smokers had a 5-year overall survival of 95.1% regardless of tumor stage. Furthermore, age (>65 years), cN3, and M1 classification were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The prognostic value of the 8th edition UICC's TNM classification improved significantly when compared to the 7th edition. Nonetheless, further improvement is possible by adding nonanatomical factors (smoking, age >65 year) and separating N0-N2 from N3.

Upfront Surgery vs. Primary Chemoradiation in an Unselected, Bicentric Patient Cohort with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Matched-Pair Analysis.

The two pillars of therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are upfront surgery and primary chemoradiotherapy. Substantial regional preferences exist with regard to the selection of treatment. Despite new therapeutic approaches, patient survival remains poor, with an approximate overall survival (OS) rate of 50% at five years. This study was conducted to investigate a potential survival benefit depending on the treatment modality in OPSCC patients. We retrospectively collected data of 853 patients with histologically confirmed OPSCC from the Giessen and Maastricht cancer databases. To identify risk factors affecting survival, a Cox-proportional hazard model was applied to 442 patients with complete data sets. Based on this cohort a matched-pair analysis with 158 patients was performed to compare OS rates of patients treated either with upfront surgery or primary chemoradiation. For the collective cohort, patients treated with upfront surgery had significantly improved OS rates compared to patients treated with primary chemoradiation. In the matched-pair analysis adjusted for patients' T-, N- and HPV-status as well as risk profile, we observed that both treatment approaches offered equivalent OS rates. Our study emphasizes that treatment recommendations should be made whenever possible on the basis of side-effect profiles caused by the therapeutic approach used. To draw further conclusions, results of the ongoing "best of" (NCT2984410) study are eagerly awaited, investigating the functional outcome after treatment of OPSCC patients.

Tumor control of cervical lymph node metastases of unknown primary origin: the impact of the radiotherapy target volume.

PURPOSE: Debate on the extent of treatment of neck metastasis of cancer of unknown primary tumors (CUPs) is still ongoing. In two Dutch tertiary referral centers, the post-surgical radiation target volume changed from the bilateral neck including the pharyngeal axis to the unilateral neck only, in the course of the last decade. This study aims to investigate the outcome of patients with CUP before and after de-escalation of post-surgical radiotherapy. METHODS: Data of two Dutch tertiary referral centers were merged. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and regional control rate (RCR) of 80 patients diagnosed with CUP (squamous cell and undifferentiated carcinomas) between 1990 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty patients received bilateral neck and pharyngeal axis radiotherapy and 42 patients ipsilateral radiotherapy only. In another eight patients, the postsurgical radiation target volume was expanded to the contralateral neck or to the pharyngeal axis, due to suspicious lesions on imaging. The 5-year DFS, OS and RCR were 60%, 51.2%, and 80%, respectively, in the total patient population. RCR did not differ in patients treated with ipsilateral as compared to bilateral radiotherapy nor did 5-year OS and DFS. No tumors occurred in the pharyngeal axis. CONCLUSION: In this study, omitting elective treatment of the contralateral neck and pharyngeal axis did not lead to a decrease in locoregional control or survival rates when treating patients with CUP.

The inflatable thymus herniation of the normal mediastinal thymus: A case report and review of the literature.

Anterior neck masses in young children can be a diagnostic challenge for otolaryngologists and radiologists. We present a rare case of herniation of normal mediastinal thymus in a four-year-old girl. Additional medical features as an inguinal hernia and trochlear nerve paresis raised the question whether there is a causal relationship or an association. A connective tissue disorder could not be diagnosed as possible causal factor to the abnormal movement of the mediastinal thymus. Awareness and recognition of this benign phenomenon is important in order to avoid unnecessary biopsy or surgery. Diagnosis can be confirmed by ultrasonography. Magnetic Resonance Imaging might be valuable in order to obtain more information about the extension of the mass.

Change of Voice Handicap Index after treatment of benign laryngeal disorders.

Voice disorders can have major impact on quality of life. Problems caused by these disorders can be experienced in different domains. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is a well-known voice-related quality of life instrument to measure physical, emotional and functional complaints. VHI change after treatment in seven separate benign laryngeal disorders was studied. In addition, correlation between the three domains was examined. VHI forms were completed before and 3 months after treatment. In a 5-year-period, 143 patients with seven specific diagnoses were retrospectively included. VHI improved for six diagnoses polyp (p < 0.000), cyst (p = 0.001), unilateral paralysis (p = 0.001), Reinke edema (p = 0.016), papillomatosis (p = 0.001), nodules (p = 0.002). Sulcus glottidis did not change (p = 0.897). Mean VHI after treatment was higher for females (p = 0.021). The values of the three domains correlate statistically significant. For each diagnosis, the mean VHI after treatment remained higher than in subjects with a healthy voice. Because the domains are interdependent, their absolute values could not be compared. After treatment, VHI improved in six of the seven diagnoses. The scores on the physical, emotional, and functional domain are interdependent. Scores of the different domains cannot be compared.