Prognostic value of a mandibular canal staging system for primary lesions in patients with lower gingival squamous cell carcinoma: a multicenter, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The Union for International Cancer Control and American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor staging system is used globally for treatment planning. As it may be insufficient for tumor staging of lower gingival carcinomas, we proposed the mandibular canal tumor staging system. In this study, we aimed to compare the two systems for such tumor staging and to identify prognostic markers. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study included patients with lower gingival squamous cell carcinoma who underwent radical surgery during 2001-2018. We compared survival rates (Kaplan-Meier estimator) and patient stratification according to the two systems. RESULTS: The proposed system yielded more balanced patient stratification than the existing system. Progression in the tumor grade according to the proposed system was associated with a poorer prognosis. The 5-year overall and disease-specific survival rates for the entire cohort were 74.9% and 81.8%, respectively. Independent factors affecting overall survival were tumor stage according to the proposed system, excision margins, and number of positive nodes, whereas those affecting disease-specific survival were excision margins and number of positive nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Subsite-specific tumor classification should be used for patients with oral cancer, and our results suggest that mandibular canal tumor classification may be effective for patients with lower gingival carcinoma.

Differential Photosensitivity of Fibroblasts Obtained from Normal Skin and Hypertrophic Scar Tissues.

It is unclear whether normal human skin tissue or abnormal scarring are photoreceptive. Therefore, this study investigated photosensitivity in normal skin tissue and hypertrophic scars. The expression of opsins, which are photoreceptor proteins, in normal dermal fibroblasts (NDFs) and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs) was examined. After exposure to blue light (BL), changes in the expression levels of αSMA and clock-related genes, specifically PER2 and BMAL1, were examined in both fibroblast types. Opsins were expressed in both fibroblast types, with OPN3 exhibiting the highest expression levels. After peripheral circadian rhythm disruption, BL induced rhythm formation in NDFs. In contrast, although HSFs showed changes in clock-related gene expression levels, no distinct rhythm formation was observed. The expression level of αSMA was significantly higher in HSFs and decreased to the same level as that in NDFs upon BL exposure. When OPN3 knocked-down HSFs were exposed to BL, the reduction in αSMA expression was inhibited. This study showed that BL exposure directly triggers peripheral circadian synchronization in NDFs but not in HSFs. OPN3-mediated BL exposure inhibited HSFs. Although the current results did not elucidate the relationship between peripheral circadian rhythms and hypertrophic scars, they show that BL can be applied for the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids.

The Impact of Pretreatment Low Body Mass Index on Cause-Specific Mortality in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity.

The association between the pretreatment body mass index (BMI) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) outcomes is controversial. We aimed to examine the association between BMI and cause-specific mortality due to cancer of the oral cavity and patterns of failure that correlate with increased mortality. We enrolled 2,023 East Asian patients in this multicenter cohort study. We used the cumulative incidence competing risks method and the Fine-Gray model to analyze factors associated with cause-specific mortality, local recurrence, regional metastasis, and distant metastasis as first events. The median follow-up period was 62 mo. The 5-year cause-specific mortality for patients with underweight was 25.7%, which was significantly higher than that for patients with normal weight (12.7%, P < 0.0001). The multivariate model revealed that underweight was an independent risk factor for cause-specific mortality and regional metastasis (P < 0.05). Moreover, patients with underweight displayed a 51% and 55% increased risk of cause-specific mortality and regional metastasis, respectively, compared with their normal weight counterparts. Local recurrence was not associated with the BMI categories; however, the incidence of distant metastasis inversely decreased with BMI value. In summary, being underweight at diagnosis should be considered a high-risk mortality factor for oral SCC.

Is the LRINEC score useful for predicting necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of MRONJ?

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), which we named "ONJ-NF", has been sometimes reported. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score for predicting ONJ-NF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included patients with acute MRONJ who required hospitalization at a single institution from April 2013 to June 2022. They were divided into two groups: patients with ONJ-NF and those with severe cellulitis as a complication of MRONJ, which we named "ONJ-SC." LRINEC scores were compared between the groups and the cut-off value of the score was set by creating a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Eight patients with ONJ-NF and 22 patients with ONJ-SC were included. The LRINEC score was significantly higher in patients with ONJ-NF (median: 8.0 points, range 6-10 points) than in those with ONJ-SC (median: 2.5 points, range 0-6 points). A LRINEC score of ≥ 6 points had a sensitivity of 100.0%, a specificity of 77.3%, and an area under the curve of 0.97. Among 6 parameters of LRINEC score, only C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) had significant differences between two groups. Most of the patients with ONJ-NF were rescued by antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage including debridement of necrotic tissues, but unfortunately, one patient did not survive. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the LRINEC score may be a useful diagnostic tool to predict ONJ-NF but valuating only CRP and WBC may be sufficient particularly in patients with osteoporosis.

Development of Cu application using dual-energy computed tomography for detecting medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

INTRODUCTION: The present study developed an application using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) focused on Cu for detecting medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, we performed two types of phantom studies using a Cu wire syringe and pig mandible with Cu wire to detect Cu on DECT. Second, DECT examinations of 44 patients with MRONJ were performed to compare lesion and normal bone sites using single-energy CT, DECT-virtual non-calcium (VNCa), and DECT-Cu applications. Quantitative analyses of VNCa CT and CT values were performed, and a cut-off value was calculated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Third, we compared the Cu content in the MRONJ and normal bone groups using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). RESULTS: The material-specific differences in attenuation between the two different energies enabled the accurate separation of Cu from Ca in phantom studies. The sensitivity and specificity for single-energy CT, DECT-VNCa, and DECT-Cu applications were 97.7% and 2.3%, 86.4% and 81.8%, and 88.6% and 97.7%, respectively. Thus, VNCa CT values obtained on DECT-Cu application images showed the highest area under the curve value and maximal diagnostic efficacy in differentiating lesion sites from normal bone sites. On ICP-AES analyses, the Cu content was significantly higher in the MRONJ group than in the normal bone group. CONCLUSION: DECT-Cu application demonstrated better diagnostic performance in detecting MRONJ compared with single-energy CT or DECT-VNCa.

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin accelerates apoptotic bleb formation in human ameloblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Although benign, ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive lesion in some patients and the development of additional treatments is needed. Verteporfin (VP) is a photosensitizer exhibiting considerable photocytotoxicity in various tumor cells. We aimed to investigate the effects of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (VP PDT) on ameloblastoma. METHODS: Eighteen patients who underwent surgery for ameloblastoma were randomly selected. We performed an immunohistochemical assessment to investigate the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and Yes-associated protein (YAP), targets of VP, in human ameloblastoma tissues and cultured human ameloblastoma cell line (HAM1). The effect of VP PDT on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HAM1 was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of LDLR and YAP were detected in human ameloblastoma tissues and HAM1. LDLR expression was significantly higher in patients who had previously undergone surgery than in patients who were receiving it for the first time. The cytotoxic effect of the combination of low-concentration VP administration and laser irradiation was comparable to high-concentration VP administration with and without laser irradiation. The addition of laser irradiation to VP administration significantly accelerated apoptotic bleb formation compared with VP administration alone. CONCLUSION: VP PDT has the potential to become an additional treatment for large-sized ameloblastoma.

A Novel Imaging Technique for Analyzing Condylar Movement During Mastication in Patients With Jaw Deformities: Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reveal characteristic condylar movements in patients with jaw deformities. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty patients with jaw deformities before surgery were enrolled and instructed to chew a cookie during 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT). The distance between the most anterior and posterior positions of the bilateral condyles on 4DCT images was measured and compared among patients with different skeletal classes. Correlations between the condylar protrusion and cephalometric values were also determined. RESULTS: The distances of condylar protrusion during mastication were significantly greater in the skeletal class II group than in the skeletal class III group ( P =0.0002). Significant correlations were found between the distances of condylar protrusion during mastication and the sella-nasion-B point angle ( r =-0.442, P =0.015), A point-nasion-B point angle ( r =0.516, P =0.004), sella-nasion plane to ramus plane angle ( r =0.464, P =0.01), sella-nasion plane to occlusal plane angle ( r =0.367, P =0.047), and condylion-gonion length ( r =-0.366, P =0.048). CONCLUSION: Motion analysis with 4DCT images revealed that condylar movement in patients with retrognathism was larger than in patients with mandibular prognathism. Skeletal structure was therefore correlated with condylar movement during mastication.

Local application of a transcutaneous carbon dioxide paste prevents excessive scarring and promotes muscle regeneration in a bupivacaine-induced rat model of muscle injury.

In postoperative patients with head and neck cancer, scar tissue formation may interfere with the healing process, resulting in incomplete functional recovery and a reduced quality of life. Percutaneous application of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) has been reported to improve hypoxia, stimulate angiogenesis, and promote fracture repair and muscle damage. However, gaseous CO2 cannot be applied to the head and neck regions. Previously, we developed a paste that holds non-gaseous CO2 in a carrier and can be administered transdermally. Here, we investigated whether this paste could prevent excessive scarring and promote muscle regeneration using a bupivacaine-induced rat model of muscle injury. Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a control group or a CO2 group. Both groups underwent surgery to induce muscle injury, but the control group received no treatment, whereas the CO2 group received the CO2 paste daily after surgery. Then, samples of the experimental sites were taken on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-surgery to examine the following: (1) inflammatory (interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-6), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß and myogenic (MyoD and myogenin) gene expression by polymerase chain reaction, (2) muscle regeneration with haematoxylin and eosin staining, and (3) MyoD and myogenin protein expression using immunohistochemical staining. Rats in the CO2 group showed higher MyoD and myogenin expression and lower IL-1ß, IL-6, and TGF-ß expression than the control rats. In addition, treated rats showed evidence of accelerated muscle regeneration. Our study demonstrated that the CO2 paste prevents excessive scarring and accelerates muscle regeneration. This action may be exerted through the induction of an artificial Bohr effect, which leads to the upregulation of MyoD and myogenin, and the downregulation of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TGF-ß. The paste is inexpensive and non-invasive. Thus, it may be the treatment of choice for patients with muscle damage.

Hematologic and inflammatory parameters for determining severity of odontogenic infections at admission: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Severe odontogenic infections in the head and neck region, especially necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) and deep neck abscess, are potentially fatal due to their delayed diagnosis and treatment. Clinically, it is often difficult to distinguish NSTI and deep neck abscess in its early stage from cellulitis, and the decision to perform contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging for detection is often a challenge. This retrospective case-control study aimed to examine the utility of routine blood tests as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for NSTI in the head and neck region and deep neck abscesses. METHODS: Patients with severe odontogenic infections in the head and neck region that required hospitalization were classified into four groups. At admission, hematologic and inflammatory parameters were calculated according to the blood test results. In addition, a decision tree analysis was performed to detect NSTI and deep neck abscesses. RESULTS: There were 271 patients, 45.4% in Group I (cellulitis), 22.5% in Group II (cellulitis with shallow abscess formation), 27.3% in Group III (deep neck abscess), and 4.8% in Group IV (NSTI). All hematologic and inflammatory parameters were higher in Groups III and IV. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score, with a cut-off value of 6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) + the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), with a cut-off of 27, were remarkably useful for the exclusion diagnosis for Group IV. The decision tree analysis showed that the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) of ≥ 282 or < 282 but with a CRP + NLR of ≥ 25 suggests Group III + IV and the classification accuracy was 89.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Hematologic and inflammatory parameters calculated using routine blood tests can be helpful as an adjunctive diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis of potentially fatal odontogenic infections. An SII of ≥ 282 or < 282 but with a CRP + NLR of ≥ 25 can be useful in the decision-making for performing contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging.

Effects of a miconazole oral patch on preventing development of oral candidiasis in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy: results of a preliminary study quantifying the prevalence of Candida albicans in saliva.

PURPOSE: Serious oral mucositis develops during radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer, but there is no effective preventive method. We have used a steroid ointment to prevent oral mucositis during RT, but the use of steroid ointment is discontinued when oral candidiasis develops. Therefore, prevention of oral candidiasis is important. The purpose of this study was to examine whether administration of a miconazole oral patch reduced the amount of Candida albicans in saliva and prevented the development of oral candidiasis during RT. METHODS: Participants were patients with head and neck cancer receiving RT ≥ 60 Gy. Patients in the intervention group received miconazole oral patches for 14 days after the appearance of grade 2 oral mucositis. The control group received oral care only. Total bacteria and C. albicans counts in the saliva were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The incidence of oral candidiasis was compared between the groups. RESULTS: Total bacterial counts did not change throughout RT in either the intervention or the control group. However, C. albicans count significantly increased at 30 Gy and 60 Gy in the control group but was suppressed in the intervention group. The saliva pH did not show a significant change throughout RT in either group. The incidence of oral candidiasis in the intervention group tended to be lower than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that prophylactic use of a miconazole oral patch was effective in suppressing the growth of C. albicans count in saliva during RT for head and neck cancer.

Association between dental extraction after radiotherapy and osteoradionecrosis: A multi-centre retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Radiotherapy (RT) carries a substantial risk for the development of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between dental extractions after RT and the development of ORN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with head and neck cancer who underwent tooth extraction after RT were investigated for correlations between the development of ORN and various factors. RESULTS: Postextraction ORN was diagnosed in 12 (12.1%) teeth of 9 patients. The RT dose against the site of tooth extraction was 62.0 and 37.4 Gy in the ORN and Non-ORN groups, respectively (p < .001). The duration from RT to tooth extraction was 41.2 and 28.2 months in the ORN and Non-ORN groups, respectively (p = .025). Tooth extraction was significantly associated with ORN in patients with a high RT dose against the site (odds ratio = 1.231) and a longer duration of time from RT (odds ratio = 1.084). CONCLUSIONS: Extraction of non-restorable teeth and those with a poor prognosis should not necessarily be postponed even when patients are undergoing RT. However, clinicians should pay special attention to postoperative management after tooth extraction in patients with a high RT dose and longer time from RT.

Success of dental implants in patients with large bone defect and analysis of risk factors for implant failure: a non-randomized retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the success and survival rates of dental implants used for dentomaxillary prostheses at our hospital and the risk factors associated with large bone defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 138 external joint system implants used for dentomaxillary prostheses in 40 patients with large bone defects were included in this study. The alveolar bone at the site of implant insertion was evaluated using panoramic radiography and computed tomography. Various risk factors (demographic characteristics, dental status, and operative factors such as the employment of alveolar bone augmentation, the site, the length, and diameter of implants) for implant failure and complete implant loss were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. The associations between the variables and the success and survival rates of dental implants were analyzed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: The 10-year overall success and survival rates were 81.3% and 88.4% in this study. Multivariable analysis showed that the male sex (HR 6.22), shorter implants (≤ 8.5 mm) (HR 5.21), and bone augmentation (HR 2.58) were independent predictors of success rate. Bone augmentation (HR 5.14) and narrow implants (≤ 3.3 mm) (HR 3.86) were independent predictors of the survival rate. CONCLUSION: Male sex, shorter or narrow implants, and bone augmentation were independent risk factors for dental implants used in dentomaxillary prostheses in patients with large bone defects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should consider these risk factors and pay close attention to the management of these patients.

Strategy for preventing skin paddle necrosis in mandibular reconstruction with free fibula osteocutaneous flap.

BACKGROUND: Non-thrombotic skin paddle necrosis occasionally occurs during mandibular reconstructions with free fibula osteocutaneous flaps. The number of perforators, size of the skin paddle, and ischemia time of the flap are considered as causes of skin paddle necrosis. The importance of donor side selection has also been highlighted. This study aimed to investigate the leading cause of skin paddle necrosis and the optimal reconstructive procedure. METHODS: A total of 66 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using a free fibula osteocutaneous flap were retrospectively analyzed. Skin paddle necrosis, number of cutaneous perforators, size of the skin paddle, and ischemia time of the flap were investigated. An incorrect "laterality" was defined as a skin paddle (septum) covering the reconstruction plate. Donor-site morbidity was recorded. RESULTS: Skin paddle necrosis occurred in 15.2% of patients. An incorrect laterality was associated with a higher incidence of skin paddle necrosis (odds ratio, 22.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-195; p = .005). Donor-site morbidity was noted in 18.8% of the patients, without any significant difference in terms of the donor side with and without skin graft (p = .592). The postoperative activities of daily living were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent skin paddle necrosis, donor side selection is an important safety strategy during mandibular reconstruction with free fibula osteocutaneous flap. The postoperative activities of daily living were found to be little affected by differences in the donor side.

Alteration of Macrophage Infiltrating Compartment: A Novel View on Oral Carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The mortality of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has remained high for decades; therefore, methods for early detection of OSCC are warranted. However, in the oral cavity, various mucosal diseases may be encountered, including reactive lesions and oral potentially malignant disorders, and it is difficult to differentiate OSCC from these lesions based on both clinical and histopathological findings. It is well known that chronic inflammation contributes to oral cancer development. Macrophages are among the most common inflammatory cells in cancer stromal tissue and have various roles in cancer aggressiveness. Although the roles of macrophages in cancer development have attracted attention, only a few studies have linked macrophages to carcinogenesis, particularly, oral precancerous lesions. SUMMARY: This review article consists of 3 parts: first, we summarize current knowledge on macrophages in human various epithelial precancerous lesions, excluding the oral cavity, to show the importance and gaps in knowledge regarding macrophages in carcinogenesis; second, we review published data related to the role of macrophages in oral carcinogenesis; finally, we present a novel view on oral carcinogenesis, focusing on crosstalk between epithelial cells and macrophages. Key Messages: The biological features of macrophages in oral carcinogenesis differ drastically depending on the anatomical compartment that they infiltrate. Focusing on the alteration of macrophage infiltrating compartment may serve as a useful novel approach for studying the role of the macrophages in oral carcinogenesis and for gaining further insight into cancer prevention and early detection.

Effects of preoperative dental examination and oral hygiene instruction on surgical site infection after hepatectomy: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study retrospectively investigated relationships among risk factors and post-hepatectomy surgical site infection (SSI) and other complications in patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We included 334 patients who underwent hepatectomies for liver cancers between January 2011 and December 2015 in this study. We evaluated risk factors for SSI and other post-hepatectomy complication, including demographic factors, preoperative factors, and preoperative intervention including oral management, perioperative factors, and length of hospital stay, with univariate and multivariate analyses. The oral management intervention included self-care instructions, extraction of infected teeth, removal of dental plaques and calculus (scaling), professional mechanical teeth cleaning, removal of tongue coating, and cleaning of dentures. SSI was defined in accordance with the guideline issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; it included purulent discharge from any incision or organ space within 30 days postoperatively, with or without microbiological evidence. Complications of grade II or greater, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, were regarded as postoperative complications. RESULTS: We found bacterial infection of ascites (Odds ratio (OR) = 13.72), lack of preoperative oral management intervention (OR = 10.17), and severe liver fibrosis (OR = 2.76) to be associated with SSI and severe liver fibrosis (OR = 2.28), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.02), blood transfusion (OR = 1.86), and longer operation time (OR = 1.80) to be associated with postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative oral management may reduce the risk of SSI in patients with HCC who undergo hepatectomy.

Effect of educational intervention on the appropriate use of oral antimicrobials in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a retrospective secondary data analysis.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, oral third-generation cephalosporins with broad-spectrum activity are commonly prescribed in the practices of dentistry and oral surgery. However, there are few reports on the appropriate use of antibiotics in the field of oral surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of antibiotic use before and after an educational intervention in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Hospital. METHODS: The use of oral antibiotics was investigated among inpatients and outpatients before and after an educational intervention conducted by the antimicrobial stewardship team. Additionally, the frequency of surgical site infection after the surgical removal of an impacted third mandibular molar under general anesthesia and the prevalence of adverse effects of the prescribed antibiotics were comparatively evaluated between 2013 and 2018. RESULTS: After the educational intervention, a remarkable reduction was noted in the prescription of oral third-generation cephalosporins, but increased use of penicillins was noted among outpatients. There was reduced use of macrolides and quinolones in outpatients. Although a similar trend was seen for inpatients, the use of quinolones increased in this population. Despite the change in the pattern of antibiotic prescription, inpatients who underwent mandibular third molar extraction between 2013 and 2018 did not show a significant increase in the prevalence of surgical site infections (6.2% vs. 1.8%, p = .336) and adverse effects of drugs (2.1% vs. 0%, p = .466). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the judicious use of oral antibiotics is possible through conscious and habitual practice of appropriate antibiotic use. However, further investigation is required to develop measures for appropriate use of oral antibiotics.

Tooth Loss Predicts Long-Term Prognosis of Esophageal Cancer After Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is associated with various diseases, including cancer. Tooth loss is a simple and objective index of oral health. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between preoperative tooth loss and esophageal cancer prognosis after esophagectomy. METHODS: This study included 191 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer after perioperative dental evaluation and oral care at Kobe University Hospital from April 2011 to March 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (tooth loss < 7) and Group B (tooth loss ≥ 7). Three-year overall survival (OS) and multivariate analysis were performed, along with subgroup analysis for elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years). RESULTS: The 3-year OS rate was 68.1% in Group A (104 patients) and 49.2% in Group B (87 patients). Group A had significantly higher OS than Group B (p = 0.002), and there were no significant differences in sex and clinical T or N stage between the two groups. However, the mean age of Group A was younger than that of Group B (64.2 vs. 68.5 years; p = 0.0002). Among elderly patients, the 3-year OS rate was 68.2% in Group A (55 patients) and 45.1% in Group B (65 patients) [p = 0.003]. Multivariate analysis that included age demonstrated that tooth loss is an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 1.87, 95% confidence interval 1.22-2.87), in addition to clinical T stage and preoperative serum albumin. CONCLUSION: Tooth loss is an independent prognostic factor for esophageal cancer after esophagectomy.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio associated with poor prognosis in oral cancer: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic biomarkers provide essential information about a patient's overall outcome. However, existing biomarkers are limited in terms of either sample collection, such as requiring tissue specimens, or the process, such as prolonged time for analysis. In view of the need for convenient and non-invasive prognostic biomarkers for oral cancer, we aimed to investigate the prognostic values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in patient survival. We also aimed to explore the associations of these ratios with the clinicopathologic characteristics of Japanese oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. METHODS: This study was a non-randomized retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center. We included 433 patients (246 men, 187 women) who underwent radical surgery for oral cancers between January 2001 and December 2013. We evaluated various risk factors for poor prognosis including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio with univariate and multivariate analyses. The disease-specific survival and overall survival rates of patients were compared among the factors and biomarkers. RESULTS: In multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (hazard ratio 2.87, 95% confidence interval 1.59-5.19, P <  0.001), moderately or poorly differentiated histology (hazard ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.32-4.25, P <  0.001), and extranodal extension (hazard ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.35, P = 0.016) were independent predictors of disease-specific survival. High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (hazard ratio 2.30, 95% confidence interval 1.42-3.72, P <  0.001), moderately or poorly differentiated (hazard ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.07-2.76, P = 0.025), and extranodal extension (hazard ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.13-2.84, P = 0.013) were independent predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio might be a potential independent prognostic factor in Japanese oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Factors associated with severe oral mucositis and candidiasis in patients undergoing radiotherapy for oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas: a retrospective multicenter study of 326 patients.

PURPOSE: The present retrospective multicenter study intended to investigate the factors associated with severe oral mucositis and candidiasis in patients undergoing radiotherapy for oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas. METHODS: A total of 326 patients who underwent radiotherapy for oral and oropharyngeal cancers were enrolled in the study. The patients' age, sex, body mass index, primary site, diabetes, serum albumin, creatinine, hemoglobin, leukocyte and lymphocyte, concurrent cisplatin or cetuximab, method of radiation, total radiation dose, feeding route, use of spacers, pilocarpine hydrochloride, and corticosteroid ointment were examined, and the associations of each variable with oral mucositis and candidiasis were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Grade 3 oral mucositis occurred in 136 (41.7%) patients. Male sex, oropharyngeal cancer, low hemoglobin levels, low leukocytes or lymphocytes, concurrent cisplatin or cetuximab, and oral feeding were found to be significantly associated with a higher incidence of severe oral mucositis. Oral candidiasis occurred in 101 (31.0%) patients. Oropharyngeal cancer, low leukocyte count, and oral mucositis of grade 2 or higher were found to be significantly associated with a higher incidence of oral candidiasis. The use of a topical steroid ointment was not found to be a risk factor for oral candidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: The present retrospective study demonstrated that certain factors may predispose patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancers receiving radiotherapy to develop severe oral mucositis and oral candidiasis. A preventive strategy for severe oral mucositis needs to be established in the future for high-risk cases.

Extent of neck dissection for patients with clinical N1 oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: No clear consensus has been reached on the indication of supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) for clinically positive lymph-node metastasis. PATIENTS: Consecutive 100 patients with previously untreated oral cancer treated at Kobe University Hospital were included in this study. All patients were clinically staged as anyTN1M0 and underwent radical dissection of the primary site and level I-V neck dissection as the initial treatment. RESULTS: None of the 100 patients had pathological lymph-node metastasis (pLN) to level V. pLN to level IV was observed in two patients with tongue cancer in whom clinical lymph-node metastasis was preoperatively observed at level II. CONCLUSIONS: Level V may be excluded in the neck dissection for patients with N1 oral cancers. Level IV dissection should be considered in the patient with tongue cancer and clinical lymph-node metastasis at level II.