Risk factors for the development of second primary tumors among men after laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Prognostic significance of cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression in glottic cancer

PURPOSE

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression has been associated with a poor prognosis in many cancers. However, the role of COX-2 overexpression in head and neck cancers remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether COX-2 is a prognostic factor in glottic cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

This study was part of a phase III placebo-controlled randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in reducing second primary cancers (SPC) in head and neck cancer patients. Immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on pretreatment biopsies of 301 patients with early-stage glottic cancer treated by radiotherapy. The median value of 50% of positive tumor cells was the cutoff point used to define COX-2 overexpression. Outcomes considered in the statistical analysis were recurrence, SPC, and death. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

The HR associated with COX-2 overexpression was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.55-1.62) for recurrence. The HR associated with SPC was 2.63 (95% CI, 1.32-5.23) for the first 3.5 years of follow-up and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.22-1.32) for the following 3.5 years. The HR associated with COX-2 overexpression was 1.57 (95% CI, 1.01-2.45) for overall mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

COX-2 overexpression in glottic cancer was associated with increased overall mortality and an increased risk of SPC during the early follow-up period. Future studies are needed to explain observed effects on SPC. COX-2 expression may prove helpful in defining an individual patient's prognosis.

Second primary malignancies in squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue and larynx: an analysis of incidence, pattern, and outcome

BACKGROUND

Head and neck cancer patients have a higher risk of developing a second primary malignancy (SPM) than the general population. This study was conducted to identify the characteristics of SPM and its impact on survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (TSCC) and larynx (LSCC).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of 538 patients who were treated by surgery primarily for TSCC (n = 146) and LSCC (n = 392) from 1990 to 2000. The incidence, site, and overall survival of SPMs were evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients developed SPM during the follow-up period (median, 73 months), including 18 (12%) with TSCC and 59 (15%) with LSCC. Fifty-six percent of SPMs of the TSCC group appeared in the oral cavity. Among the SPMs of LSCC patients, 54% developed in the lung (31%) and larynx (24%). The 5-year overall survival after the diagnosis of SPM in the head and neck was 39%, compared to 29% for SPM in other areas (p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

SPMs after treatment of TSCC and LSCC are similar in incidence but distinct in pattern. SPMs within the head and neck are associated with a better prognosis than those outside this area.

Hypermethylation, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and survival in 235 patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers

BACKGROUND

It has been established that promoter hypermethylation occurs in several genes during the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer. The authors investigated the role played by the hypermethylation of 4 cancer-related genes in the survival of patients who had laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer and in the occurrence of second primary tumors.

METHODS

Archival paraffin-embedded tissue (PET) samples were available from patients who were enrolled in a multicentric European case-control study that was performed between 1979 and 1982 and was followed up to 2000. Genomic DNA extracted from 235 PET samples were analyzed for promoter methylation status of the p16, O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), death-associated protein kinase (DAP-K), and E-cadherin genes by using a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assay.

RESULTS

Hypermethylation was present in 44% of samples for p16, in 27% of samples for MGMT, in 42% of samples for DAP-K, and in 43% of samples for E-cadherin. Hypermethylation of either individual genes or their combination was not associated with mortality from all causes, mortality from upper aerodigestive tract cancer, or the occurrence of second primary tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of a large series of patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer suggested that hypermethylation is a frequent event in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, but it is not a predictor of mortality or second primary cancer.

Prediagnosis smoking, obesity, insulin resistance, and second primary cancer risk in male cancer survivors: National Health Insurance Corporation Study

PURPOSE

Smoking, obesity, and insulin resistance are well-known risk factors for cancer, yet few epidemiology studies evaluate their role as risk factors for a second primary cancer (SPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified 14,181 men with a first cancer from the National Health Insurance Corporation Study cohort. We obtained data on fasting glucose level, body mass index (BMI), and smoking history from an enrollment interview (1996). We obtained SPC incidence data for 1996 through 2002 from the Korean Central Cancer Registry. We used the standard Poisson regression model to estimate the age- and multivariate-adjusted relative risk (RR) for SPCs in relation to smoking history, BMI, and insulin resistance before diagnosis.

RESULTS

We observed 204 patients with SPC. The overall age-standardized incidence rate of SPC was 603.2 occurrences per 100,000 person-years, which was about 2.3 times higher than that of first cancer in the general male population. Multivariate regression revealed that lung (RR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.35 to 10.09) and smoking-related (RR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.02 to 4.03) SPCs were significantly associated with smoking. Obese patients (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) had significantly elevated RRs for colorectal (RR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.50 to 7.93) and genitourinary (RR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.36 to 9.54) SPCs. Patients with a fasting serum glucose concentration > or = 126 mg/dL had a higher RR for hepatopancreatobiliary (RR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.37) and smoking-related (1.93; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.68) SPCs.

CONCLUSION

Prediagnosis smoking history, obesity, and insulin resistance were risk factors for several SPCs. These findings suggest that more thorough surveillance and screening for SPCs is needed for the cancer survivors with these risk factors.

A comparison between distal and proximal port device insertion in head and neck cancer

AIM

To compare technical feasibility and complications of radiologically arm port device implantation using arm venography exclusively (API-Group B) with chest port placement using cephalic vein cutdown (CVC-Group A), in advanced consecutive head and neck cancer patients (HNP).

METHODS

Port device placement was attempted in 225 consecutive HNP. Decision for inclusion in Group A or B was made first by the availability of the surgeon/radiologist to perform the procedure, second by contraindications of each technique. Patient transfer from one group to the other was recorded as well as technical feasibility, complications and device specific duration in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Technical success was statistically higher in Arm Port Group (99.1%) compared to Chest Port Group (75.2%). Device specific duration rate of the whole population was 53% (95%CI) [0.47-0.60] at 6 months, 44.1% (95%CI) [24.4-37.8] at 12 months and 8% (95%CI) [4.4-14.5] at 24 months. Median follow-up was 5.55 months (range: 0.032-9.6] in Group A versus 5.90 months [range: 0.06-27.6] (p=ns) in Group B. Complication rate was 15.9% in Group A versus 8.9% in Group B corresponding to a complication rate per patient-implantation-days of 0.66/1000 patient-days (A) versus 0.42/1000 patient-days (B). Premature port device explantation rate was 4.4% (A) versus 5.4% (B). Axillary and subclavian venous thrombosis was the main complication and occurred in 12 Group A patients and three Group B patients. Venous thrombosis rate was 0.37/1000 patient-days (A) and 0.13/1000 patient-days (B) (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

A few data exist about device insertion in HNP in whom venous cervical access is contraindicated. This comparative study demonstrates that both implantation techniques are safe and effective. The higher technical success rate with 0% heavy sedation, the lower venous thrombosis rate in the API group, and the 5.3% (A-B) patient transfer rate argue in favour of arm port placement in HNP. Indications for API include patients with an ipsilateral major pectoralis-myocutaneous flap, with radiodermatitis, tumour recurrence in the neck and upper chest, or with respiratory impairment.

Quality of life, drinking to cope, alcohol consumption and smoking in successfully treated HNSCC patients

CONCLUSION

The level of coping by alcohol consumption is broadly associated with level of general quality of life (QoL) in patients with successfully treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between self-reported level of general coping, drinking to cope (DTC), reported alcohol and tobacco use as well as QoL in successfully treated HNSCC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We employed a cross-sectional design. Sample I included all patients <80 years old who had been diagnosed with HNSCC in Western Norway in the period from 1992 to 1997, and who were disease-free in the year 2000. The patients were interviewed at a routine follow-up visit. Sample II included all Norwegian laryngectomized patients. General coping and DTC were assessed by the COPE questionnaire and the QoL was assessed by the EORTC-QLQ (C30/H&N35) questionnaire. Reported level of alcohol consumption was associated with global QoL (r = -0.22) and with DTC (r = 0.31). Reported smoking level was associated with DTC (r = 0.26) and inversely with C30 functional/symptom sum QoL scores (r = -0.31/0.27). Level of DTC was associated with C30 global (r = -0.30) and C30 functional/symptom sum QoL scores (r = -0.31/0.27) and this association was still present after adjustment for gender, age, levels of neuroticism and avoidance coping.

Survival study and treatment strategy for second primary malignancies in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

CONCLUSION

Patients at risk of developing second primary malignancies (SPMs) comprise those with primary hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, and oral cavity index cancers, patients with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, those aged >70 years, patients who are heavy smokers, alcohol drinkers, or betel quid chewers, and those with a family history of SPM.

OBJECTIVE

SPMs are commonly found after successful treatment of index cancers in the head and neck region; however, treatment guidelines for SPMs have not been established. We compared the differences in the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and 10-year survival rate between patients with SPMs who had been treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and those who had been treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in order to establish an effective treatment strategy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a 10-year retrospective study of 125 patients who had developed SPMs after being treated for either HNSCC or NPC during the period from January 1995 to July 2005. The average follow-up time was 34.9 months, and the setting for the study was a tertiary referral center.

RESULTS

The survival rate of patients with SPMs is not significantly poor. The survival is worse if the SPM is associated with a primary advanced stage index cancer or it is synchronous; if the SPM occurs in an area other than the head and neck region; or if SPM patients undergo palliative treatment.

Second primary oral and pharyngeal cancers in subjects diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer

Patients diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal (OP) cancer have a substantial excess risk of second OP cancer, but risk quantification is still uncertain and scanty information is available on the absolute excess risk of second OP cancer. We considered the risk of second OP primary cancer in a population-based series of 3,092 first primary OP cancers registered between 1974 and 2003 in the Swiss Cantons of Vaud and Neuchâtel (total population of about 786,000 inhabitants). A total of 233 second OP cancers were registered, versus 7.4 expected, corresponding to a SIR of 31.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 27.7-36.0). The SIR was 68.5 in the first year after diagnosis of the first primary, and declined thereafter, leveling around 20. The SIR was 30.7 when the site of first neoplasm was the oral cavity, 42.5 for the tongue and 28.1 for the oropharynx or hypo-pharynx. Corresponding values for topographies of second primaries were 28.8, 50.4 and 26.2. The cumulative risk of second OP cancer 15 years after diagnosis of first OP cancer approached 22% in men and 17% in women. The incidence of first primaries increased over 20-fold between age 30-39 and 70-79, whereas there was no rise with age for second neoplasms.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the sinonasal cavity arising as a second primary in individuals with head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Second primary tumors occur frequently in patients with head and neck carcinoma. This may be caused by generalized exposure to carcinogens resulting in "field cancerization" or to the individuals' generalized susceptibility to cancer. The paranasal sinuses are not commonly included in the sites considered at risk for this process. We therefore sought to assess the overall risk of contracting a primary cancer in this region after having a tumor elsewhere in the upper aerodigestive tract.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

METHODS

Two thousand four hundred seventy-five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract were analyzed using a tumor registry at a tertiary care institution.

RESULTS

Five (0.2%) patients were identified as having a second primary in the sinonasal tract. The average interval between the index and second primary tumors was 28.4 (range 8-60) months. All five patients presented with symptoms typical of sinus inflammatory disease and had advanced sinus lesions at the time of diagnosis. These findings are typical of those with sinonasal carcinoma in that they present with nonspecific signs and symptoms and were diagnosed with locally advanced disease despite being in a surveillance program for their index cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Although uncommon, the data reported here support inclusion of the sinonasal tract in these surveillance programs. This could result in earlier detection and greater opportunity for curative intervention.

Advances in the changing patterns of aetiology of head and neck cancers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent cumulated evidence suggests that factors other than those conventionally known may contribute to the development of head and neck cancer. In fact, a review of the most recent literature shows interesting advances in molecular epidemiology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have pointed out the role both of exposure to carcinogens and of an inherited or acquired genetic susceptibility. A very broad mechanism by which gene families can be responsible for the disease has been depicted. This mechanism ranges from behaviour genes, which can regulate lifestyle habits, to metabolizing genes, DNA repair genes and cell cycle control genes.

SUMMARY

This review tries to summarize the most recent advances in the field of cancerogenesis in head and neck cancer.

The Surgical Management of Oral Cancer

Oral cavity cancers represent an area of head and neck oncology with some unique and interesting management themes. In spite of a significant paradigm shift in the treatment of many head and neck cancers toward us-ing primary chemoradiation, this treatment is not frequently applied to the oral cavity. Small cancers of the oral cavity are usually managed by surgery alone. Larger cancers are usually treated with primary surgery followed by chemoradiation. Neck treatment is offered to patients who have a greater than 20% chance of having lymph node metastasis or who have neck disease at the time of presentation. Neck treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, or both. Reconstruction of surgical defects of the oral cavity runs the gamut of techniques from the most simple to the most complex three-dimensional microvascular composite flaps. A multidisciplinary setting with a tumor board and multiple supportive services provides the best care for patients who have advanced-stage cancers.

The risk of second primary tumors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after definitive radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Second primary tumors (SPTs) have a substantial impact on survival in cancer patients. However, risk factors for SPTs have not been documented well, especially in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The objective of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate such risks in patients with NPC after they received definitive radiation treatment.

METHODS

Three hundred twenty-six consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed, nonmetastatic, undifferentiated NPC who received treatment between January 1, 1994 and December 30, 1995 were analyzed. All patients were restaged in accordance with the 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging classification. There were 18 patients (5.5%) with Stage I NPC, 152 patients (46.6%) with Stage II NPC, 101 patients (31.0%) with Stage III NPC, and 55 patients (16.9%) with Stage IVA or IVB NPC at initial diagnosis. All patients received definitive radiotherapy with either Cobalt-60 or megavoltage therapy. High-dose-rate brachytherapy was given to 23 patients either as part of their primary treatment or as adjuvant treatment for residual lesions.

RESULTS

The median follow-up for all patients was 5.6 years (range, 1.0-8.0 years). Seventeen patients (5.2%) developed SPTs, for an average annual rate of 1.0%, and the 5-year cumulative incidence was 5.8%. Six SPTs were located within the radiation field. The cumulative incidence of in-field SPTs was 0.35% at 3 years and 1.2% at 5 years, and the average annual rate was 0.35%. Eleven patients (64.7%) had tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). Among the 14 SPTs that occurred within 5 years after radiotherapy, only 3 tumors (21.4%) occurred within the radiation field. In contrast, all 3 SPTs that occurred >5 years after radiotherapy occurred within the radiation field (P = .029). Multivariate analysis showed that age was the only independent risk factor for developing SPTs after RT for NPC. Advanced age (age >or=50 years) was associated with a 37% increased risk of developing SPTs (relative risk, 1.367; 95% confidence interval, 1.067-1.1753; P = .014). Other factors, including gender, tumor or lymph node classification, chemotherapy, total radiation dose to the nasopharynx, reirradiation, and adjuvant brachytherapy did not influence the risk of SPTs.

CONCLUSIONS

SPTs in patients with NPC occurred preferentially in the UADT and tended to develop within the irradiated field >5 years after patients received radiation. Older patients with NPC (age >or=50 years) may be at increased risk. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up will be needed to confirm these findings.

Clinical implications of continued alcohol consumption after diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract cancer

AIMS

To examine clinical implications of findings on the relationship between continued alcohol consumption in patients after diagnosis and treatment of upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

METHODS

Clinical research literature on the prevalence and effects of alcohol consumption after oral cancer diagnosis was reviewed. Since limited research is currently available on this important clinical topic, all published studies were considered regardless of size and methodology.

RESULTS

Between 34 and 57% of oral cancer patients continue to drink alcohol after cancer diagnosis. Continued drinking increases complications from surgery, increases the likelihood of recurrent cancer, and reduces disease-specific survival. Older patients and those with a longer and heavier drinking pattern prior to diagnosis are more likely to continue drinking after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate that routine alcohol screening of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients as well as brief intervention and/or treatment referral is warranted. Monitoring of alcohol consumption for the first year after diagnosis and treatment is recommended.