Sarcopenia Index Predicts Short-Term Prognosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The sarcopenia index (SI), calculated as [(serum creatinine/serum cystatin C) × 100], maybe a simpler alternative for measuring muscle mass than computed tomography (CT) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We enrolled 112 patients with head and neck cancers (HNC). The correlation of the SI with muscle surface area measured by CT (CTMSA, n = 82) and muscle mass by BIA (BIA-MM, n = 41) was tested. Cutoff values were set for SI, CTMSA, and BIA-MM. Overall survival (OS) was compared between the high- and low-SI/CTMSA/BIA-MM groups. The SI was correlated with CTMSA (r = 0.43) and BIA-MM (r = 0.52). The optimal cutoff values of SI, CTMSA, and BIA-MM were 76.1 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.67), 129.2 (AUC = 0.59), and 46.1 (AUC = 0.62), respectively. OS was significantly lower in the low-SI group (78% at 1 year and 69% at 2 years) than in the high-SI group (94% at 1 year and 86% at 2 years; p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in OS between the low-and high-CTMSA and -BIA-MM groups. The SI, which only requires a blood sample, is a useful marker of muscle mass that correlates with short-term prognosis in patients with HNC.

Safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: As a substantial waiting time is usually required for radical surgery, safe and effective preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is desired for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the significance of NAC in advanced HNSCC is still unclear. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of NAC using the paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab (PCE) regimen. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the background characteristics, incidence of adverse events, overall response rate (ORR), pathological response, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) in 26 patients. Patients receiving the PCE regimen were further divided into two groups based on the number of chemotherapy cycles (one cycle or more) and eligibility for cisplatin. Patients aged ≥ 75 years and those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min were classified as ineligible for cisplatin. RESULTS: The median age was 70 (27-81) years. The median eGFR at treatment initiation was 63.2 (41.1-89.7) mL/min. Fourteen (53.8%) patients were ineligible for cisplatin. Grade 3 or higher neutropenia was observed in 11 of 25 (42.3%) patients. No delay in or withdrawal from surgery was observed. The ORR was 65.4%. The 2-year RFS and OS were 61.5% and 76.7%, respectively. No significant differences in safety and efficacy between the number of chemotherapy cycles and cisplatin eligibility were observed. CONCLUSION: NAC using the PCE regimen for patients with locally advanced HNSCC, including cisplatin-ineligible patients, has acceptable toxicity and favorable efficacy.

Multicenter prospective phase II trial of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly low-dose carboplatin for cisplatin-ineligible patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The optimal chemotherapy regimen in concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for cisplatin-ineligible head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been established. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of CCRT with weekly low-dose carboplatin for the treatment of advanced HNSCC in patients who are cisplatin-ineligible. METHODS: This prospective phase II study enrolled adult patients (age ≥ 20 years) with HNSCC receiving whole-neck irradiation including bilateral levels II-IV and who were aged (≥ 75-year-old patients with 40 mL/min estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] or better) or had renal dysfunction (< 75-year-old patients with 30-60 mL/min eGFR). Carboplatin was administered weekly (area under the plasma concentration-time curve = 2.0) for up to seven cycles during concurrent radiotherapy (70 Gy/35 Fr). The primary endpoint was the completion rate of CCRT. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: Among the 30 patients enrolled, 28 were men. The median age was 73.5 years. Seventeen patients were < 75 years whereas 13 were ≥ 75 years old. The completion rate of CCRT was 90%. The overall response rate was 90%. Grade 3 adverse events that occurred in 10% or more patients were oral/pharyngeal mucositis (47%), leukocytopenia (20%), and neutropenia (10%). Grade 4 adverse events occurred in one patient (elevation of alanine aminotransferase level). No treatment-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: CCRT with weekly low-dose carboplatin is a promising treatment option, with favorable feasibility, efficacy, and acceptable toxicity, for patients who are cisplatin-ineligible with advanced HNSCC. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCTs031190028.

Aortic rupture following acute aortitis in a patient with head and neck carcinoma treated with nivolumab: a rare but severe immune-related adverse event.

INTRODUCTION: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors may lead to discontinuation and treatment-related death. Acute aortitis is a rare but severe irAE. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man with recurrent lower gingival carcinoma received nivolumab therapy. Twenty-three months later, he experienced chest compression, which resulted in syncope. Following a whole-body computed tomography (CT) scanning, which revealed diffuse thickening of the aorta, and systemic assessments of the causes of aortitis, he was diagnosed with acute aortitis due to irAE. Nivolumab discontinuation and oral steroids improved CT findings. However, 11 months after nivolumab discontinuation, he developed an aortic aneurysmal rupture. Endovascular aortic repair rescued him. A durable anti-cancer response was still observed 4 months after the aortic rupture. CONCLUSION: Although severe irAE, such as acute aortitis, occurred, the patient may still achieve a durable response. A broad examination and prompt treatment of irAE can help improve the patient's survival.

Sarcopenia predicts a poor treatment outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Sarcopenia, defined as a decrease in the skeletal muscle mass and its function, is associated with a poor clinical outcome in several malignancies. We aimed to examine whether sarcopenia can be a predictor of incompletion of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and survival for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. METHODS: Forty-one male HNC patients who received CCRT were enrolled in the study. Cross-sectional muscle areas at the third lumbar vertebral level were normalized by the squared height of the patients and were termed the lumbar skeletal muscle index (LSMI, cm2/m2), a marker of sarcopenia. Patients were divided into high (30/41, 73%) and low (11/41, 27%) LSMI groups. The LSMI cut-off value was set at 39.7 cm2/m2 based on a receiver operating characteristic curve for incompletion of CCRT. The groups were compared for survival rate by the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors predicting incompletion of CCRT were investigated among several variables. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that a pre-treatment low LSMI (P = 0.033) and age over 70 years (P = 0.023) were the only significant predictors for incompletion of CCRT. The 2-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was significantly lower in the low LSMI group (61%) than in the high LSMI group (97%, P = 0.012), whereas there were no differences in the DSS rate between the low and high body mass index groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sarcopenia in HNC patients receiving CCRT was 27%. Its presence before treatment was a significant predictor of incomplete CCRT and poor DSS rate in HNC patients.

Predicting the treatment outcome of nivolumab in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic value of combined performance status and modified Glasgow prognostic score.

PURPOSE: The importance of nivolumab for recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is rapidly increasing. However, prognostic factors have not been determined for predicting treatment outcome. We aimed to investigate the prognostic factors in R/M HNSCC patients treated with nivolumab. METHODS: This retrospective study included 42 patients with R/M HNSCC who received nivolumab therapy. Correlations of overall survival (OS) with various patient characteristics including age, recurrent/metastatic site, performance status (PS), programmed death-ligand 1 positivity, body mass index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), previous cetuximab administration, and immune-related adverse events were investigated. RESULTS: The overall response rate and disease control rate were 16.7% and 45.2%, respectively. Estimated 1-year OS and progression-free survival (PFS) were 56.4% and 24.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that PS = 2 (hazard ratio 0.147; 95% CI 0.041-0.527; p = 0.003) and mGPS = 2 (hazard ratio 0.188; 95% CI, 0.057-0.620; p = 0.006) were independent predictors of poor OS. Given that the PS and mGPS were independent prognostic factors, we classified patients into three groups according to PS and mGPS: Group 1, both PS and mGPS were 0 or 1 (n = 30); Group 2, either PS or mGPS was 2 (n = 9); Group 3, both PS and mGPS were 2 (n = 3). The OS curves were significantly stratified among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of PS and mGPS accurately predicted OS after nivolumab therapy. Preventive intervention to maintain general condition without simultaneously exceeding level 2 of PS and mGPS might be important for improving treatment outcomes of nivolumab.

The high expression of FOXA1 is correlated with a favourable prognosis in salivary duct carcinomas: a study of 142 cases.

AIMS: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an uncommon, aggressive tumour that, histologically, resembles high-grade mammary ductal carcinoma, and is characterised by the expression of androgen receptor (AR). The androgen signalling pathway, a potential therapeutic target, can be regulated by FOXA1. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological implications of FOXA1 in SDC. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the relationship between the immunoexpression of FOXA1 and FOXA1 mutations and clinicopathological factors, including the biomarker status and clinical outcome, in 142 SDCs. FOXA1 was expressed in 128 SDCs (90.1%); the immunoexpression was heterogeneous. SDCs with a higher FOXA1 labelling index (LI) (≥20%) more frequently showed less advanced tumors on T classification (P = 0.002). FOXA1 LI was correlated positively with the AR expression value (r = 0.430, P < 0.001). PI3K and p-mTOR positivity, and intact-PTEN, were associated with a higher FOXA1 LI. Twenty-two of 121 SDCs (18.2%) harboured FOXA1 gene mutations at the flanking regions in and around the forkhead DNA binding domain; however, the given gene mutation and the expression of FOXA1 were not significantly correlated. A multivariate analysis revealed that SDCs with a higher FOXA1 LI were associated with longer overall survival and progression-free survival (P = 0.029 and 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In SDC, FOXA1, which may biologically interact with the AR and PI3K signalling pathways, is a putative biomarker that may be associated with a favourable prognosis. Further studies are needed to apply the findings to the development of targeted personalised therapy for patients with SDC.

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Salivary Duct Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of 141 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Among salivary gland malignancies, the prognosis of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is assumed to be the poorest. However, because of its low incidence, reliable survival estimates and prognostic factors based on a large number of patients remain to be elucidated, thereby making it impossible to standardize the optimal treatment for SDC. METHODS: We performed this multi-institutional, retrospective analysis by collecting the clinical information of 141 patients with SDC without distant metastasis who underwent curative surgery as the initial treatment to elucidate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) along with their prognostic factors. RESULTS: The 3-year OS and DFS rates were 70.5 and 38.2 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥65 years (p < 0.001) and N1 and N2 (p = 0.047 and <0.001, respectively) were independent prognostic factors for OS, whereas the primary site of the minor salivary and sublingual gland (p < 0.001) and N2 (p < 0.001) were those for DFS. The most common treatment failure was distant metastasis (55 patients, 39.0 %). For early parotid SDC, neither total parotidectomy in the patients with early T stage nor nerve resection in the patients without facial nerve palsy showed survival benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced N stage independently affects both OS and DFS. Partial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation could be a less invasive standard surgical procedure for parotid gland SDC in the early T stage without facial nerve palsy. Effective systemic therapy is imperative to improve DFS of SDC.

[Clinical Study of Skull Base Osteomyelitis].

Typical osteomyelitis is reportedly caused by Pseudomonous aeruginosa in elderly diabetic patients after malignant external otitis. Recently, complications have arisen due to the emergence of atypical osteomyelitis. We have experiensed 5 cases of skull base osteomyelitis at our hospital. All patients were male with a mean age of 75.2 years. Four patients had diabetes. Regarding the clinical and radiographic findings, patients 1, 2, and 3 had typical osteomyelitis after malignant external otitis, whereas patients 4 and 5 had atypical osteomyelitis without temporal bone findings. Sample culturing revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 4 cases and Aspergillus in one. Intravenous antibiotics were administered to all patients. Two patients responded positively and survived, while 3 died. Typical osteomyelitis is reportedly caused by P. aeruginosa in elderly diabetic patients after malignant external otitis. Recently, complications have arisen due to the emergence of atypical osteomyelitis. The prognosis of skull base osteomyelitis is still poor in Japan. Early diagnosis and long-term antibiotic administration is required to improve outcome.

[A Case of the Relapsing Polychondritis Limited to the Trachea].

A 62-year-old woman, who had dysesthesia in the throat, and polyposia the previous year, was admitted in a coma because of respiratory failure. Computed tomography scans demonstrated dilatation of the esophagus and stenosis of the trachea. After emergency intubation, extubation was not possible due to a collapsed trachea, so we performed a tracheostomy. The tracheoscopy from the stoma showed an esophagus-like trachea due to disappearance of the tracheal cartilage and the straight pattern on the membranous portion, and the lumen deformed with coughing. With the continuous dyspnea episode, the patient was diagnosed as having tracheomalacia. Anti-type II collagen antibody and pathological findings of the trachea led us to the diagnosis of Relapsing Polychondritis.

Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Identification of Ectopic Parathyroid Lesions.

Ectopic parathyroid lesions can be difficult to detect. In the present study, we used near-infrared autofluorescence imaging (NIFI) in three cases of ectopic parathyroid lesions. Our results suggest that NIFI may be a confirmation tool for parathyroid pathology and an intraoperative navigation tool in vivo and ex vivo. Laryngoscope, 134:496-500, 2024.

Treatment Outcome in Head and Neck Cancer With Distant Metastasis at Initial Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment has changed dramatically with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, there are few reports of treatment outcomes on HNSCC with distant metastasis (M1) at initial diagnosis, and its treatment strategy has not been standardized. We aimed to analyze the treatment outcome and prognostic factors of patients with HNSCC with initial M1 disease. METHODS: In this multi-institutional retrospective study, 98 patients with HNSCC were initially diagnosed with M1 disease between 2007 and 2021. The patients were divided into the non-palliative (received any systemic chemotherapy, n = 60) and palliative (did not receive systemic chemotherapy, n = 38) groups. Overall survival (OS) was compared between the groups. In the non-palliative group, predictors of OS were explored based on patient characteristics and treatment details. RESULTS: The median OS in the non-palliative group was 15 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10-20), which was significantly longer than that in the palliative group (3 months, 95% CI, 2-5) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that administration of locoregional radiation therapy (RT) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.407 [95% CI 0.197-0.844]; p = 0.016), ICIs (HR 0.216 [95% CI 0.088-0.532]; p < 0.001) and RT/surgery for distant metastasis (HR 0.373 [95% CI 0.150-0.932]; p = 0.034) were the independent prognostic factors of OS. CONCLUSION: An intensive treatment strategy combining systemic therapy using ICIs with RT/surgery for locoregional or distant metastasis may yield a survival benefit for patients with HNSCC with M1 disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:1679-1686, 2024.

The clinicopathological and prognostic significance of autonomic nerves in salivary duct carcinoma.

Many researchers have focused on the role of the autonomic nervous system in the tumor microenvironment. Autonomic nerves include the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, which are known to induce cancer growth and metastasis. However, in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), a rare and highly malignant tumor, the issue should be investigated from both biological and therapeutic perspectives. We explored the clinicopathological and prognostic implications of the autonomic nerves in 129 SDCs. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the nature of each nerve using antibodies against S100, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as a sympathetic marker, and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) as a parasympathetic marker. The area of each marker-positive nerve was digitized and evaluated quantitatively. Double immunofluorescence for TH and VAChT was performed in selected cases. The expression of the secreted neurotrophins was also examined. S100-positive nerves were present in the cancer tissue in 94 of 129 cases (72.9%). Among them, TH-positive sympathetic nerves and/or VAChT-positive parasympathetic nerves were identified in 92 cases (97.9%), and 59 cases (62.8%) had TH/VAChT-co-expressing nerves. Double immunofluorescence revealed a mosaic pattern of sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers in co-expressing nerve bundles. The presence of autonomic nerves, regardless of their area, was significantly associated with aggressive histological features, advanced T/N classification, and a poor prognosis, with shorter disease-free and overall survival. There was an association between some tumor immune microenvironment-related markers and the autonomic nerve status, but not the latter and the secreted neurotrophin expression. This study suggests that autonomic nerves might play a role in the progression of SDC.

Distribution patterns of infraorbital nerve branches and risk for injury.

BACKGROUND: During oral and head and neck surgery, oral vestibular incisions may require a transverse incision on the upper lip mucosa, resulting in possible sensory disturbances in the area innervated by infraorbital nerve (ION) branches. Although sensory disturbances are attributed to nerve injuries, anatomy textbooks have not showed the precise distribution patterns of the ION branches in the upper lip. Furthermore, no detailed study has been available on this issue. This study aimed to reveal the precise distribution patterns of ION branches in the upper lip by dissecting the detached upper lip and cheek area using a stereomicroscope. METHODS: During a gross anatomy course at Niigata University (2021-2022), nine human cadavers were examined with special focus on the relationship between ION branches in the upper lip and the layered structure of facial muscles. RESULTS: The ION branched to the inferior palpebral (IP), external and internal nasal, and superior labial (lateral and medial) nerves. The ION branches in the upper lip did not run in a horizontal pattern from outside to inside but showed a predominantly vertical pattern. Considering their course, incising the upper lip mucosa transversely may cause paresthesia of the ION branches. The internal nasal (IN) and medial superior labial (SLm) branches tended to penetrate the orbicularis oris and descend between this muscle and labial glands, whereas the lateral superior labial (SLl) branches tended to innervate the skin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a lateral mucosal incision is recommended for oral vestibular incisions of the upper lip and that deeper incisions to the labial glands should be avoided when incising the medial side to preserve the ION during surgery from an anatomical point of view.

Role of eosinophilia in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab: Prediction of immune-related adverse events and favorable outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are prognostic factors for patients on nivolumab. However, predictors of irAEs have not yet been identified. We aimed to investigate the predictors of irAEs occurrence and nivolumab discontinuation due to irAEs. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma received nivolumab therapy between June 2017 and December 2020. Treatment outcome was compared between the groups with or without irAEs. The irAE (+) group was further divided by nivolumab discontinuation. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the groups. Predictors of irAE occurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (33.9%) developed irAEs, and six (28.6%) discontinued nivolumab due to severe irAEs. The irAE (+) group had significantly longer PFS and OS than the irAE (-) group (median PFS, 12.7 vs. 1.9 months; median OS, 33.1 vs. 12.8 months). The treatment outcomes in the discontinuation group were comparable to those in the non-discontinuation group. The maximum absolute eosinophil count (AEC) during nivolumab therapy was significantly higher in the irAE (+) group than in the irAE (-) group (548.8 vs. 182) and higher in the discontinuation group than in the non-discontinuation group (729.3 vs. 368.6). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the maximum AEC had a moderate-to-high accuracy for predicting irAE occurrence (area under the curve [AUC], 0.757) and nivolumab discontinuation (AUC, 0.893). DISCUSSION: Monitoring AEC during nivolumab therapy may be useful in predicting irAE occurrence, nivolumab discontinuation, and disease prognosis.

Actual prevalence of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy: a health insurance claims-database study.

PURPOSE: Persistent hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) is a major complication of total thyroidectomy. Nonetheless, previous reports may have underestimated the prevalence of hypoPT due to patient selection bias. We aimed to estimate the actual prevalence of persistent hypoPT after total thyroidectomy and to find predictive factors for postoperative hypoPT. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed data from a health insurance claims-based database provided by the Japan Medical Data Center Co., Ltd. From 2009 to 2019, 2388 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were identified using the medical procedure codes. Persistent hypoPT was defined as the prescription of active vitamin D supplements for >1 year postoperatively and the assignment of hypoPT codes. The prevalence of persistent hypoPT was estimated at two different levels: minimum and maximum estimations with or without postoperative osteoporosis and/or renal failure codes. Correlates for persistent hypoPT were investigated among several demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Of the 2388 patients, 1752 (73.4%) were women with a mean age of 45 years. The types of diseases were: benign thyroid disease (n = 235), malignant thyroid tumors (n = 1570), Graves ' disease (n = 558), and malignancy combined with Graves' disease (n = 25). The minimum and the maximum estimation of the prevalence of persistent hypoPT were 15.0 and 20.3%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the malignant tumor (odds ratio, 1.8) independently correlated with persistent hypoPT. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of persistent hypoPT after total thyroidectomy estimated by the claims-based database was higher than previously recognized. Comprehensive attempts to preserve parathyroid function, especially in malignant diseases, are essential.

Carotid blowout-a rare but fatal complication of endoscopic submucosal dissection of superficial hypopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has gained wide acceptance as a minimally invasive and curative surgery for superficial head and neck carcinoma. However, the safety of ESD for superficial pharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy has not been elucidated. Superficial hypopharyngeal carcinoma of the left pyriform sinus developed in a 76-year-old man who had undergone concurrent chemoradiotherapy for T2N2bM0 pyriform sinus carcinoma on the opposite side 12 months before. He underwent ESD without complications. Because tumor invasion into the muscular layer was a concern, the muscular layer was partially resected with the tumor. Twelve days after discharge, he presented with a sore throat and difficulty in swallowing. Endoscopy and computed tomography revealed necrosis due to wound infection with abscess formation around the left carotid artery. The common carotid artery subsequently ruptured. Although the surgical intervention was performed, he passed away 46 days after ESD due to carotid blowout. ESD is a minimally invasive treatment for superficial head and neck carcinoma, but carotid blowout can occur in cases after radiation. Prior radiotherapy and deeper dissection into the muscular layer may hamper wound epithelization, resulting in infection-induced necrosis and carotid blowout. Diligent monitoring of wound healing is essential in patients who have previously undergone irradiation.

Head and neck cancer fungating wounds: a novel odour transferrer.

OBJECTIVE: The management for malodour of malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) in head and neck cancer (HNC) is unestablished. We evaluated the effects of a novel odour transferrer on malodour generated by MFWs in patients with HNC. METHODS: A spray-type odour transferrer approved by the Japanese government for safe use in humans produces a good scent by binding to bad odour. The odour of MFWs in 13 patients with HNC was scored by 37 medical staff and the patients' families using an odour scale ranging from 0 to 4 before and 1 week after application of the odour transferrer. RESULTS: The odour score marked by all investigators (n=37), nurses (n=21) and doctors (n=11) decreased significantly (p<0.01). The odour score decreased by more than 2 points for 73% of all investigators after odour transferrer application. CONCLUSION: This novel odour transferrer functions as an effective deodorant for MFWs in patients with HNC. It can be used by non-medical staff and may benefit patients with bad odours arising from MFWs as well as their families and medical staff.

Treatment outcomes of mucosal melanoma of head and neck: Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced disease.

Background: Head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM) is a rare and aggressive subtype of melanoma. HNMM often develops as a recurrent or metastatic disease, and its prognosis is worse than that of cutaneous melanoma. Recent large-scale clinical studies have reported favorable outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for melanoma. However, these clinical trials included only a small number of HNMM cases. This study aimed to estimate treatment outcomes and prognostic predictors of ICIs for advanced HNMM. Methods: Cases of advanced HNMM, defined as unresectable or metastatic HNMM at the initial diagnosis (five patients) or development of recurrent/metastatic HNMM after initial treatment (27 patients), were included in this study. Survival analysis and a search for prognostic factors were performed for these 32 patients. Furthermore, the detailed clinical course of patients who received ICI treatment was investigated. Results: The median overall survival (OS) of 32 patients with advanced HNMM was 25.3 months. The estimated 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 68.4%, 42.8%, and 34.3%, respectively. Fourteen patients (43.7%) received ICIs, whereas 18 (56.3%) did not. Univariate analysis showed that ICI treatment was the only factor associated with a better 1-year OS. Patients who received ICI treatment had significantly longer OS (median OS: not reached, 1-year OS: 85.7%) than those who did not (median OS: 11.3 months, 1-year OS: 54.5%). The overall response and disease control rates of patients who received ICI treatment were 50% and 64.3%, respectively. Patients who achieved complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) to ICI treatment survived significantly longer (1-year OS: 100%) than those who did not (1-year OS: 71.4%). Among the five patients who discontinued ICI treatment due to severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs), four did not receive salvage treatments but showed durable treatment effects and survived for 9.8-54.2 months at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusions: ICI treatment achieved a favorable OS for advanced HNMM. CR/PR to ICI treatment and discontinuation owing to severe irAEs were favorable predictors of OS.

Chemoradiotherapy with 3-weekly CDDP 80†mg/m2 for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: 5-year survival data from a phase 2 study.

Objective: The global standard for chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is cisplatin 100 mg/m2 administered once every three weeks, although cisplatin 80 mg/m2 is also widely used as an alternative treatment to reduce adverse events in Japan. We aimed to assess the long-term survival outcomes and late adverse events associated with CCRT with a 3-weekly cisplatin dose of 80 mg/m2. Methods: A phase 2 study on CCRT with a 3-weekly cisplatin dose of 80 mg/m2 was performed in 47 patients between April 2015 and December 2016 at four centers in Japan. Survival outcomes and late adverse events at 5 years after this phase 2 trial were investigated. Results: The median follow-up period was 61 months. The 5-year progression-free survival/overall survival of all 47 patients was 66.0%/76.6%, while that of patients with stage III, IV disease (UICC) was 65.6%/71.9%. Seventeen patients (36%) experienced dysphagia as a late adverse event. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significant association between acute mucositis/low body mass index (BMI) during CCRT and late dysphagia. Conclusion: The survival outcomes of CCRT with a 3-weekly cisplatin dose of 80 mg/m2 may be comparable to the previously reported dose of 100 mg/m2. Acute mucositis and low BMI at CCRT were risk factors for late dysphagia, indicating the importance of managing these conditions during CCRT to prevent late adverse events. Caution and care for acute mucositis and swallowing training in patients with low BMI may be important for preventing late-stage dysphagia.