Does Human Papillomavirus Infection Influence the Frequency and Severity of Nutritional Disorders in Head and Neck Cancer?

BACKGROUND: About 87% of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients (mostly oropharyngeal cancer-OPC) are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). Recent studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between HPV infection and nutritional disorders in HNC patients. Therefore, we formed a hypothesis that nutritional disorders or their severity in HNC patients may be associated with the occurrence of HPV infection due to known molecular differences in involved tissue. This literature review aimed to evaluate the influence of HPV infection on the occurrence and severity of nutritional disorders in HNC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed database was used to search papers with the keywords "HPV", "HNC", and "nutritional disorders" in different variants and combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The data available in the discussed papers indicate, among other things, that HPV-positive patients may be at higher risk of malnutrition, critical weight loss, and necessity for gastrostomy after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (C-RT). It should be highlighted that despite some studies demonstrating positive results, currently available data regarding the influence of HPV infection on the occurrence and severity of nutritional disorders in HNC remain limited and inconclusive, and thus further research on this issue is warranted.

Radiation-Induced Recurrent Vesicovaginal Fistula-Treatment with Adjuvant Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection and Martius Flap Placement-Case Report and Review of Literature.

Vesicovaginal fistula is the non-physiological connection between the urinary bladder and vagina. This results in continuous urine leakage. In developed countries, the prevalence of this condition is low and affects (mainly) women with a history of gynaecological procedures or radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to present the therapeutic process of a patient with radiation-induced, recurrent vesicovaginal fistula. The thirty-eight-year-old patient underwent radical hysterectomy with follow-up radiotherapy due to cervical cancer. Five years after the therapy, she was diagnosed with vesicovaginal fistula. After two unsuccessful Latzko procedures and two adjuvant platelet-rich plasma injections, a third Latzko reconstructive surgery was performed with additional transposition of the Martius flap-with successful closure of the fistula.