Extracapsular extension is a poor predictor of disease recurrence in surgically treated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Predictive value of computed tomography in identifying extranodal extension in human papillomavirus-positive versus human papillomavirus-negative head and neck cancer

Pathologic extranodal extension (pENE) impacts treatment planning and is an important prognostic indicator for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Computed tomography (CT) is a commonly used modality for assessment of radiographic ENE (rENE). To determine the predictive value of CT-identified rENE in predicting pENE, we performed a systematic review through a search of 4 databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and OVID). Meta-analysis of diagnostic performance based on human papillomavirus (HPV) status was conducted. For HPV-negative HNSCC, pooled sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 60.6%, 93.3%, and 82.6%, respectively. Overall positive predictive value (PPV) was 82.7%. For HPV-positive HNSCC, pooled sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 77.7%, 72.2%, and 63.8%, respectively. Overall PPV was 68.6%. Significant differences were observed in diagnostic performance parameters between the two cohorts. The radiographic characteristics of HPV-positive and HPV-negative nodal metastases in HNSCC differ and radiographic evaluation of ENE in HPV-positive nodes is challenging. Development of refined imaging characteristics of HPV-positive nodes is needed to improve diagnostic performance.

Impact of Extracapsular Extension of Lymph Node in Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach

BACKGROUND

Extracapsular extension (ECE) of lymph node may have important prognostic impact for patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach, but it generally is ignored in staging systems and prognostic models. This study aimed to examine the impact that ECE of lymph node has on prognosis for patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

METHODS

The study analyzed 321 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy between January 2008 and December 2015. None of these patients had distant metastases. Lymph node metastases were found in 187 patients. The ECE grade was evaluated according to the previously described system used in head and neck cancers. Deposits of cancer cells in sub-serosal fat without a recognizable lymph node were classified as ECE grade 4. Survival outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. A nomogram was constructed using identified significant prognostic factors. The predictive accuracy and model performance were measured by the concordance index (C-index).

RESULTS

Patients with ECE(+) showed significantly worse 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) than those without ECE. In the sensitivity analysis, ECE had independent prognostic value for both 3-year OS and 3-year DFS, whereas ECE grading showed little impact on mortality trend or disease progression trend. The ECE-based nomogram showed a significantly higher C-index than the pathological tumor and node staging (pTN) staging system.

CONCLUSIONS

The adverse prognostic impact of ECE was validated. Sub-serosal tumor deposits without recognizable lymph node tissue are recommended for inclusion in the ECE definition. A nomogram involving ECE could provide better individual prediction of survival for patients with lymph node-positive gastric cancer.

Clinical vs Microscopic Extranodal Extension and Survival in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma in the Human Papillomavirus Era

OBJECTIVE

Extranodal extension (ENE) is known to be associated with poor outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of extent of ENE on survival in oropharyngeal carcinoma in the human papillomavirus (HPV) era.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective database review.

SETTING

Review of the National Cancer Database.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database was used to examine surgically treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and base of tongue from 2010 to 2015. Nodes available for pathologic examination were classified as ENE negative (-), ENE clinically (+), or ENE (+) on pathology only. The primary outcome was overall survival. Cox regression modeling was used to examine the effect of ENE on survival while controlling for patient demographics, HPV status, stage, adjuvant radiation, and chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Of the 66,106 patients identified, 16,845 were treated with surgery ± adjuvant therapy, 8780 of whom were known HPV+. Overall 5-year survival for this group was 86%. Documented ENE was associated with over a 60% decrease in survival for clinical (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63) and pathologic (HR, 1.62) ENE compared to negative ENE, after adjustment for stage, adjuvant radiation ± chemotherapy, HPV, and other variables. No significant differences were found between clinical and pathologic ENE (HR, 1.001).

CONCLUSION

While both surgically resected clinical and pathologic ENE are associated with decreased survival, no significant differences are observed between the two. The impact of these observations on potential de-escalation therapeutic strategies requires further study.

Update on oral and oropharyngeal cancer staging - International perspectives

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx have been used synonymously and interchangeably in the world literature in the context of head and neck cancers. As the 21st century progresses, divergence between the two have become more evident, particularly due to evidence related to human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. As such, the American Joint Committee on Cancer recently published the 8th edition Cancer Staging Manual, serving as a continued global resource to clinicians and researchers. Through changes in staging related to T and N clinical and pathologic classifications, the new system is expected to influence current management guidelines of these cancers that have distinct anatomic and etiopathogenic characteristics. This article aims to review such impactful changes in a time of critical transition of the staging of head and neck cancer and how these changes may affect clinicians and researchers worldwide.

Soft tissue deposit in neck dissection specimen carries a poor prognosis in oral cancer: A matched pair analysis

BACKGROUND

Soft tissue deposit (STD) is the presence of tumor foci in the neck at sites other than lymphoid tissue. We evaluated the factors associated with STD and their impact on outcomes.

METHODS

The records of 4812 treatment naïve oral cancers operated between December 2010 and September 2015 were screened for the presence of STD. A matched-pair analysis was performed to obtain 450 patients without STD. Chi-square was used to test association with clinicopathological factors and hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated.

RESULTS

STD was present in 0.6% and associated with gingiva-buccal cancers, advanced stage, poor differentiation, presence of extranodal extension (ENE) and higher locoregional/distant metastasis. They had a significantly poorer OS (HR-2.08; P-value .0073) and DFS (HR-2.5; P-value .0002) with and without ENE [HR-1.96 and 3.7, respectively].

CONCLUSION

Despite aggressive adjuvant therapy STD has a significant negative impact on outcomes.

Extracapsular extension of neck nodes and absence of human papillomavirus 16-DNA are predictors of impaired survival in p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs) demonstrate superior outcome compared with HPV-negative OPSCCs. The eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) tumor, lymph node, metastasis (TNM) classification (TNM 2017) modifies OPSCC staging based on p16 positivity as a surrogate for HPV-driven disease. In p16-negative OPSCCs, lymph node (N) categories include extracapsular/extranodal extension (ECE); and, in p16-positive OPSCCs, N categories are based on the number of positive neck lymph nodes omitting ECE status. The objective of the current study was to assess the prognostic impact of positive ECE status and the detection of HPV16 DNA in patients with p16-positive OPSCC.

METHODS

In a cohort of 92 patients with p16-positive, lymph node (N)-positive (stage III-IVB) OPSCC who underwent surgery and neck dissection, allowing for a pathologic examination of positive lymph nodes, 66 of 92 patients (71.4%) were p16-positive/HPV16 DNA-positive, 62 of 92 (67%) were ECE-positive, and 45 of 62 (72.6%) were ECE-positive, p16-positive, and HPV16 DNA-positive. Differences in outcome were assessed using Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazard regression (CoxR) for tumor-specific survival and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The mean numbers of positive lymph nodes in ECE-positive patients (5.0 positive lymph nodes; 95% CI, 3.8-6.4 positive lymph nodes) and ECE-negative patients (2.4 positive lymph nodes; 95% CI, 1.8-2.9 positive lymph nodes) were different (P = .0007). ECE affected OS and tumor-specific survival in p16-positive patients (P = .007 and P = .047, respectively) and in p16-positive/HPV16 DNA-positive patients (P = .013 and P = .026, respectively). Related to the unequal distributions of ECE-positive/HPV16 DNA-negative tumors, the TNM 2017 failed to discriminate OS in patients with UICC stage I, II, and III disease (mean OS, 54.5, 73.4, and 45 months, respectively; median OS, 64.7 months, not reached, and 41.1 months, respectively). According to a univariate CoxR, the presence of ECE predicted impaired OS in patients with p16-positive OPSCC (hazard ratio, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.17-9.89; P = .025) and even greater impaired OS in those with p16-positive/HPV16 DNA-positive OPSCC (HR, 8.64; 95% CI, 1.12-66.40; P = .038). Multivariate CoxR confirmed ECE and HPV16 DNA detection as independent predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

ECE and HPV16 DNA status should be included in the prognostic staging of patients with p16-positive OPSCC because several lines of evidence demonstrate their impact on survival.

Deintensification of Adjuvant Treatment After Transoral Surgery in Patients With Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer: The Conception of the PATHOS Study and Its Development

PATHOS is a phase II/III randomized controlled trial (RCT) of risk-stratified, reduced intensity adjuvant treatment in patients undergoing transoral surgery (TOS) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The study opened in the UK in October 2015 and, after successful recruitment into the phase II, transitioned into phase III in the autumn of 2018. PATHOS aims to establish whether the de-intensification of adjuvant treatment in patients with favorable prognosis HPV-positive OPSCC will confer improved swallowing outcomes, whilst maintaining high rates of cure. In this article, we will outline the rationale for the study and how it aims to answer fundamentally important questions about the safety, effectiveness and functional outcomes of minimally invasive TOS techniques followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in this patient population.

Tumour Cell Anaplasia and Multinucleation as Prognosticators in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) tend to have good outcomes, however a subset does not share this favourable prognosis. The aim of this paper is to investigate the utility of tumour cell anaplasia and multinucleation as prognostic markers in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Retrospective review of 104 patients with OPSCC or squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site (SCCUP) who underwent primary resection and/or lymph node dissection. Slides of both primary and nodal metastatic disease were assessed for the presence of anaplasia and multinucleation. 53 patients were HPV-positive. Anaplasia was more frequent in males (p = 0.005), smokers (p = 0.003), and HPV-negative disease (p = 0.04). HPV status and > 10 pack-year smoking history were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Neither anaplasia, nor multinucleation, at the primary site or in cervical metastases, had any significant impact on RFS or DSS. We did not find either anaplasia or multinucleation to have any significant prognostic impact in OPSCC. However, given the small number of adverse events in the HPV-positive cohort, we may have lacked sufficient power to detect significance in what was the subgroup of primary interest. Our study highlights the challenge of identifying markers of poor prognosis in HPV-positive OPSCC.

Outcomes in surgically resectable oropharynx cancer treated with transoral robotic surgery versus definitive chemoradiation

PURPOSE

Optimal treatment strategies for the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) remain unclear. The objective of this study is to examine the role of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) on functional and treatment outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with OPSCC (tonsil/base of tongue) who underwent TORS with neck dissection± adjuvant therapy between January 2011 to December 2016 were compared to a stage matched cohort of patients treated with primary chemoradiation. Demographic, treatment, and outcome data were collected.

RESULTS

54 patients received primary chemoradiation and 65 patients (surgical group) received TORS ± adjuvant therapy for clinically staged disease meeting study criteria. 25% (N = 17) were treated with surgery alone. The remainder of the surgical group received postoperative radiation (N = 48), half of which received adjuvant chemotherapy (N = 24) in addition to radiation. 63% (N = 41) of the patients did not have risk factors for chemotherapy. No differences in overall or disease free survival were observed with TORS compared to chemoradiation (p = 0.9), although Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was higher in the surgical group (p = 0.01). The strongest predictor of prolonged gastrostomy tube use was not treatment, but rather co-morbidity (p = 0.03), with no significant differences beyond 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Although no significant survival differences were observed across treatment groups, this was maintained despite increased comorbidity index in the surgical patients. Given the ability to de-escalate and/or eliminate adjuvant therapy, particularly in a less healthy population, TORS would appear to be the viable treatment option it has become.

Molecular prognosticators in clinically and pathologically distinct cohorts of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma-A meta-analysis approach

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) includes multiple subsites that exhibit differential treatment outcome, which is in turn reflective of tumor stage/histopathology and molecular profile. This study hypothesized that the molecular profile is an accurate prognostic adjunct in patients triaged based on clinico-pathological characteristics. Towards this effect, publically available micro-array datasets (n = 8), were downloaded, classified based on HPV association (n = 83) and site (tongue n = 88; laryngopharynx n = 53; oropharynx n = 51) and re-analyzed (Genespring; v13.1). The significant genes were validated in respective cohorts in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for correlation with clinico-pathological parameters/survival. The gene entities (n = 3258) identified from HPV based analysis, when validated in TCGA identified the subset specifically altered in HPV+ HNSCC (n = 63), with three genes showing survival impact (RPP25, NUDCD2, NOVA1). Site-specific meta-analysis identified respective differentials (tongue: 3508, laryngopharynx: 4893, oropharynx: 2386); validation in TCGA revealed markers with high incidence (altered in >10% of patients) in tongue (n = 331), laryngopharynx (n = 701) and oropharynx (n = 404). Assessment of these genes in clinical sub-cohorts of TCGA indicated that early stage tongue (MTFR1, C8ORF33, OTUD6B) and laryngeal cancers (TWISTNB, KLHL13 and UBE2Q1) were defined by distinct prognosticators. Similarly, correlation with perineural/angiolymophatic invasion, identified discrete marker panels with survival impact (tongue: NUDCD1, PRKC1; laryngopharynx: SLC4A1AP, PIK3CA, AP2M1). Alterations in ANO1, NUDCD1, PIK3CA defined survival in tongue cancer patients with nodal metastasis (node+ECS-), while EPS8 is a significant differential in node+ECS- laryngopharyngeal cancers. In oropharynx, wherein HPV is a major etiological factor, distinct prognosticators were identified in HPV+ (ECHDC2, HERC5, GGT6) and HPV- (GRB10, EMILIN1, FNDC1). Meta-analysis in combination with TCGA validation carried out in this study emphasized on the molecular heterogeneity inherent within HNSCC; the feasibility of leveraging this information for improving prognostic efficacy is also established. Subject to large scale clinical validation, the marker panel identified in this study can prove to be valuable prognostic adjuncts.

Role of Treatment Deintensification in the Management of p16+ Oropharyngeal Cancer: ASCO Provisional Clinical Opinion

PURPOSE

An ASCO provisional clinical opinion offers timely clinical direction to ASCO’s membership after publication or presentation of potentially practice-changing data from major studies. This provisional clinical opinion addresses the role of treatment deintensification in the management of p16+ oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

CLINICAL CONTEXT

For patients with p16+ OPC, current treatment approaches are well established. In the good-prognosis subset of nonsmoking p16+ patients with early-stage disease, these treatments have been highly successful, albeit with significant associated acute and late toxicity. Deintensification of surgical, radiation, and medical treatment in an effort to reduce toxicity while preserving high survival rates is an appropriate therapeutic objective currently being explored in patients who are experiencing the best treatment results. However, careful delineation of this good-risk subset is essential. While the current eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system is prognostically robust, it should not be interpreted as reason to alter therapeutic decisions or justify treatment deintensification. The development of transoral surgical techniques and the adoption of intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning have been transformative in disease management and suggest potentially beneficial approaches. Recent advances in systemic treatments have been notable. The optimal integration and modification of these modalities to ameliorate toxicity has not been defined and remains an important focus of current investigation.

PROVISIONAL CLINICAL OPINION

The hypothesis that de-escalation of treatment intensity for patients with p16+ OPC can reduce long-term toxicity without compromising survival is compelling and necessitates careful study and the analysis of well-designed clinical trials before changing current treatment standards. Treatment deintensification for these patients should only be undertaken in a clinical trial. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/head-neck-cancer-guidelines .

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte quantification stratifies early-stage human papillomavirus oropharynx cancer prognosis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate if a simple method for assessing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in primary tumor specimens improves the prognostic value of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 8th Edition (AJCC8) cancer staging system in human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPC).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

In this study, TIL density was quantified on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained specimens from patients presenting to Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2009 and 2017 who underwent primary surgical therapy and had primary tumor specimens available for analysis. The prognostic effect of TIL density was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models considering recurrence-free survival (RFS) as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

This study included 132 patients. Ninety-five percent were classified by clinical criteria with AJCC8 early-stage disease (stage I: 82%, stage II: 13%). After 84 months of follow-up, 15 recurrences were observed. Among clinically early-stage disease, TIL_high status was associated with improved RFS compared to TIL_low (P = .002). Adjusted analysis showed TIL_high status was associated with 79% lower risk of recurrence than TIL_low (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.210, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.061-0.723). In clinical stage I disease, TIL_high status was associated with improved RFS compared to TIL_low in both univariate and multivariate analyses (hazard ratio: 0.235, P = .021; aHR: 0.218; 95% CI: 0.058-0.822). TIL density similarly stratified risk in pathologically staged disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with AJCC8 stage I disease, low TIL density was associated with diminished RFS. Our data suggest that assessing TIL density on H&E-stained primary tumor specimens may enhance the prognostic resolution of the AJCC8 staging criteria for HPV-OPC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 130:930-938, 2020.

Regional Radiation Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer in the HPV Era

Oropharyngeal carcinoma associated with the human papillomavirus is increasing in incidence and represents a unique head and neck disease with favorable treatment outcomes. This review evaluates the evolving role of radiotherapy in regional management with an overall goal of treatment de-escalation in the appropriate patient. Determining the optimal approach and selection factors for treatment de-escalation is under active investigation. Response to induction chemotherapy, refining adverse pathologic factors after a primary surgical approach, decreasing radiation dose with or without chemotherapy in the definitive or adjuvant settings as well as more selective nodal level irradiation all are current strategies for treatment de-escalation. This review details the likely changes in regional radiotherapy management for oropharyngeal carcinoma in the modern human papillomavirus era and discusses future approaches to patient selection with the goal of reducing toxicities while maintaining function preservation and quality of life in group of patients who are younger and healthier than traditional head and neck cancer patients.

Management of the Neck in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline

PURPOSE

The aim of the current work is to provide evidence-based recommendations to practicing physicians and others on the management of the neck in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

METHODS

ASCO convened an Expert Panel of medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, and advocacy experts to conduct a literature search, which included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and prospective and retrospective comparative observational studies published from 1990 through 2018. Outcomes of interest included survival, regional disease control, neck recurrence, and quality of life. Expert Panel members used available evidence and informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 124 relevant studies to inform the evidence base for this guideline. Six clinical scenarios were devised; three for oral cavity cancer and three for oropharynx cancer, and recommendations were generated for each one.

RECOMMENDATIONS

For oral cavity cancers, clinical scenarios focused on the indications for and the hallmarks of a high-quality neck dissection, indications for postoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, and whether radiotherapy alone is sufficient elective treatment of an undissected neck compared with high-quality neck dissection. For oropharynx cancers, clinical scenarios focused on hallmarks of a high-quality neck dissection, factors that would favor operative versus nonoperative primary management, and clarifying criteria for an incomplete response to definitive chemoradiation for which salvage neck dissection would be recommended. Consensus was reached and recommendations were made for all six clinical scenarios. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/head-neck-cancer-guidelines .

De-intensified adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy versus standard adjuvant chemoradiotherapy post transoral minimally invasive surgery for resectable HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

More than 400,000 cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) are diagnosed every year worldwide and this is rising. Much of the increase has been attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-positive OPSCC patients are often younger and have significantly improved survival relative to HPV-negative patients. Traditional management of OPSCC has been with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, as this was shown to have similar survival to open surgery but with significantly lower morbidity. Techniques have evolved, however, with the development of computerised planning and intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Acute and late toxicities associated with chemoradiotherapy are a significant burden for OPSCC patients and with an ever-younger cohort, any strategies that could decrease treatment-associated morbidity should be investigated.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of de-intensified adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy in comparison to standard adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy in patients treated with minimally invasive transoral surgery (transoral robotic surgery or transoral laser microsurgery) for resectable HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane ENT Information Specialist searched the Cochrane ENT Trials Register; Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; CINAHL; Web of Science; ClinicalTrials.gov; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 26 April 2018.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with carcinoma of the oropharynx (as defined by the World Health Organization classification C09, C10). Cancers included were primary HPV-positive squamous cell tumours originating from the oropharyngeal mucosa. Tumours were classified as T1-4a with or without nodal spread and with no evidence of distant metastatic spread. The intervention was minimally invasive transoral surgery followed by de-intensified adjuvant therapy (either omission of chemotherapy or reduced-dose radiotherapy). The comparator was minimally invasive transoral surgery followed by standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy or standard-dose radiotherapy. The treatments received were of curative intent and patients had not undergone any prior intervention, other than diagnostic biopsy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Our primary outcomes were overall survival (disease-related survival was to be studied where possible) and disease-free survival, measured at one, two, three and five years. Our secondary outcomes included assessment of swallowing ability and voice, measured at one, six, 12 and 24 months. We planned to use GRADE to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

We did not identify any completed RCTs that met our inclusion criteria. However, three eligible studies are in progress:ADEPT is a phase III trial comparing postoperative radiotherapy with or without cisplatin in HPV-positive T1-4a OPSCC patients. Included patients must have received minimally invasive surgery and demonstrated extra-capsular spread from disease in the neck.ECOG-E3311 is a phase II trial of treatment for HPV-positive locally advanced OPSCC (stages III-IVa + IVb without distant metastasis). Patients are stratified after minimally invasive surgery. Medium-risk patients are randomised to either standard or reduced-dose radiotherapy.PATHOS is a phase III trial of treatment for HPV-positive OPSCC (T1-3, N0-2b). Patients are stratified after minimally invasive surgery. Medium-risk patients are randomised to either standard or reduced-dose radiotherapy. High-risk patients are randomised to radiotherapy with or without concurrent cisplatin.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the current lack of high-quality randomised controlled trials studying treatment de-escalation after minimally invasive surgery in patients with HPV-positive OPSCC. However, trials that will meet the inclusion criteria for this review are in progress with results expected between 2021 and 2023.

Data Set for the Reporting of Nodal Excisions and Neck Dissection Specimens for Head and Neck Tumors: Explanations and Recommendations of the Guidelines From the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting

Standardized, synoptic pathologic reporting for tumors greatly improves communication among clinicians, patients, and researchers, supporting prognostication and comparison about patient outcomes across institutions and countries. The International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop evidence-based, universally available surgical pathology reporting data sets. Within the head and neck region, lymph node excisions and neck dissections are frequently performed as part of the management of head and neck cancers arising from the mucosal sites (sinonasal tract, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, oral cavity, and larynx) along with bone tumors, skin cancers, melanomas, and other tumor categories. The type of specimen, exact location (lymph node level), laterality, and orientation (by suture or diagram) are essential to accurate classification. There are significant staging differences for each anatomic site within the head and neck when lymph node sampling is considered, most importantly related to human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal carcinomas and mucosal melanomas. Number, size, and site of affected lymph nodes, including guidelines on determining the size of tumor deposits and the presence of extranodal extension and soft tissue metastasis, are presented in the context of prognostication. This review elaborates on each of the elements included in the data set for Nodal Excisions and Neck Dissection Specimens for Head & Neck Tumours.

Target delineation for postoperative treatment of head and neck cancer

Patients who undergo primary surgical resection for a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) are stratified post-operatively, based on the presence or absence of pathological risk factors for recurrence, to estimate their risk of treatment failure. Post-operative radiotherapy, with or without concurrent chemotherapy, is offered if there is a significant risk of recurrence, in order to eradicate potential microscopic residual cancer cells and ultimately improve loco-regional control and survival. This review will offer practical guidelines for delineation of the post-operative primary and nodal Clinical Target Volumes (CTVs) based on a geometric expansion of the pre-operative primary and nodal Gross Tumour Volumes (GTVs), as already implemented in the definitive radiotherapy setting. Nodal levels requiring elective treatment are defined for inclusion in the prophylactic CTV. Optimising patient selection for post-operative treatment is discussed as well as areas of controversy, relating to the dose prescription and extent of nodal volumes to be included in the CTV. Finally, clinical trials exploring the prospect of adjuvant treatment de-intensification after transoral surgery for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer are outlined. The aim is to improve consensus amongst clinicians and contribute towards improving outcomes for surgically treated patients with HNSCC.

The Significance of Extent of Extracapsular Extension in Patients with T1-2 and N1 Breast Cancer

Objective

The prognostic importance of extracapsular extension (ECE) in breast cancer is not yet clear, especially in patients with pathological T1-2 and N1 (pT1-2N1) disease. We aimed to investigate whether the extent of ECE was an independent prognostic factor for survival outcomes in patients with pT1-2N1 breast cancer.

Materials and Methods

A total number of 131 patients with pT1-2N1 breast cancer treated between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. A single pathologist re-analyzed the histologic examples of all cases. The extent of ECE was graded from 0 to 4.

Results

There was a significant correlation between the number of lymph nodes involved and ECE grade (p=0.004). According to the univariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and ECE grade were the significant prognostic factors for overall survival (OS); age, number of metastatic lymph nodes, menopausal status, and ECE grade were the prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS). With a median follow-up of 46 months, grade 3-4 ECE seems to be notably associated with a shorter OS and DFS in multivariate analysis. The mean OS was 85 months for the patients with grade 0-2 ECE vs 75 months for the patients with grade 3-4 ECE (p=0.003). The mean DFS was 83 months for the patients with grade 0-3 ECE vs 68 months for the patients with grade 4 ECE (p=<0.0001).

Conclusion

This research has shown that the extent of ECE is an important prognostic factor for survival in pT1-2N1 breast cancer patients and grade 3-4 ECE seems to be notably associated with a shorter OS and DFS.

The interplay of IMRT and transoral surgery in HPV-mediated oropharyngeal cancer: Getting the balance right

Transoral surgery (TOS) and IMRT represent two primary local ablative treatment modalities for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). The choice of one over the other represents an interplay between the chance of cure vs risk of late sequelae. HPV-mediated (HPV+) OPC patients generally have excellent outcomes, especially in TNM-8 stage I disease. Controversies exist over which treatment has a more favorable toxicity profile and equal efficacy in the management of this population. Non-randomized retrospective data show comparable oncological and functional outcomes between TOS-based vs IMRT-based treatment for this disease. Several de-intensification concepts have been explored in this subset in both primary surgery-based vs primary radiotherapy-based trials. However, no robust mature trial data are available to convincingly guide treatment selection. TOS is often presented as one of the de-intensification options although the majority of series also describe the use of adjuvant treatments which inevitably result in non-negligible toxicities. Patient selection and surgeons' training are paramount. Understanding tumor biology and the prognostic value of traditional 'adverse' features will further guide trial design for refinement of risk tailored approach. In conclusion, comparative data suggests TOS and IMRT are both effective treatment for TNM-8 stage I HPV+ OPC with similar oncological and functional outcomes. TOS as a single modality has potential advantages in mitigating radiation included toxicities. TOS should be avoided in the presence of clinically overt extranodal extension or when negative margins are unlikely to be achieved. TOS is also less ideal for cases with radiological features predicting a high risk of distant metastasis.

Distribution of Metastatic Nodes in N0-1 Patients with Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Implications for Selective Neck Dissection

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the pattern of neck metastasis in patients with primary tonsillar carcinoma treated by primary surgery and neck dissection. Impact of the extent of neck dissection and level of metastatic nodes on survival were also evaluated.

Methods

We evaluated 163 consecutive patients with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma submitted for neck dissection and staged as cN0-1. Selective neck dissection was performed using a template encompassing levels I-III, whereas radical neck dissection led to the removal at levels I-V. For each patient, number of metastatic nodes, their distribution, and data regarding postoperative treatment and oncologic outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Occult neck metastasis at levels I, IV, and V were rare with two cases each. In the clinically negative (cN0) patients, there were no cases of metastasis at level V and two cases at level I or IV. The extent of neck dissection and level of metastatic nodes had no impact on disease-specific survival or neck recurrence.

Conclusion

We conclude that in cN0 patients, removal at levels II and III is mandatory but levels I, IV, and V may be spared.

[HPV - A different view on Head and Neck Cancer]

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer with over 500000 annually reported incident cases worldwide. Besides major risk factors tobacco and alcohol, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) show increased association with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-associated and HPV-negative OSCC are 2 different entities regarding biological characteristics, therapeutic response, and patient prognosis. In HPV OSCC, viral oncoprotein activity, as well as genetic (mutations and chromosomal aberrations) and epigenetic alterations plays a key role during carcinogenesis. Based on improved treatment response, the introduction of therapy de-intensification and targeted therapy is discussed for patients with HPV OSCC. A promising targeted therapy concept is immunotherapy. The use of checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. anti-PD1) is currently investigated. By means of liquid biopsies, biomarkers such as viral DNA or tumor mutations in the will soon be available for disease monitoring, as well as detection of treatment failure. By now, primary prophylaxis of HPV OSCC can be achieved by vaccination of girls and boys.

Mouse model of postsurgical primary tumor recurrence and regional lymph node metastasis progression in HPV-related head and neck cancer

HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is increasingly frequent. Management is particularly debated in the case of postsurgical high-risk features, that is, positive surgical margins and extracapsular spread (ECS). In this increasingly complex emerging framework of HNSCC treatment, representative preclinical models are needed to support future clinical trials and advances in personalized medicine. Here, we present an immunocompetent mouse model based on the implantation of mouse tonsil epithelial HPV16-E6/E7-expressing cancer cells into the submental region of the floor-of-the-mouth. Primary tumors were found to replicate the patterns of human HNSCC local invasion and lymphatic dissemination. To study disease progression after surgery, tumors were removed likely leaving behind residual disease. Surgical resection of tumors was followed by a high rate of local recurrences (>90%) within the first 2-3 weeks. While only 50% of mice had lymph node metastases (LNM) at time of primary tumor excision, all mice with recurrent tumors showed evidence of LNM. To study the consecutive steps of LNM progression and distant metastasis development, LNs from tumor-bearing mice were transplanted into naïve recipient mice. Using this approach, transplanted LNs were found to recapitulate all stages and relevant histological features of regional metastasis progression, including ECS and metastatic spread to the lungs. Altogether, we have developed an immunocompetent HPV-positive HNSCC mouse model of postsurgical local recurrence and regional and distant metastasis progression suitable for preclinical studies.

Prognostic Importance of Comorbidity and the Association Between Comorbidity and p16 in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

IMPORTANCE

Comorbidity affects the prognosis of patients with cancer through the direct effects of the comorbid illness and by influencing the patients' ability to tolerate treatment and mount a host response. However, the prognostic importance of comorbidity in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is not well characterized in the era of human papillomavirus infection.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic importance of comorbidity in both p16-positive and p16-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to explore the relationship between comorbidity and p16.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective cohort study of 305 patients at a single tertiary referral center diagnosed as having oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between June 1996 and June 2010, but without a history of head and neck cancer or distant metastasis at time of diagnosis. The data were analyzed from August 1, 2014, through April 30, 2015.

EXPOSURES

Patients were grouped according to p16 status.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Overall survival, defined as the time from diagnosis to death from any cause. Disease-free survival, defined as the time from diagnosis to either death from any cause or the first documented local, regional, or distant recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 305 patients who met eligibility criteria, 230 were p16-positive, 70 were p16-negative, and 5 were not evaluable for p16 status. The final cohort of 300 patients had a mean (SD) age of 56.3 (9.3) years and 262 (87%) were male. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year overall survival rates were 71% (95% CI, 65%-76%) for 232 patients with no comorbidity to mild comorbidity and 49% (95% CI, 36%-61%) for 63 patients with moderate to severe comorbidity. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, moderate to severe comorbidity was associated with an increased risk of death from any cause (adjusted hazards ratio [aHR], 1.52 [95% CI, 0.99-2.32]) and increased risk of death or recurrence (aHR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.13-2.59]). After stratifying by p16 status and controlling for other variables, moderate to severe comorbidity was significantly associated with increased risk of death from any cause among p16-negative patients (aHR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.03-3.50]) but not among p16-positive patients (aHR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.61-2.02]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Comorbidity is important to consider when assessing the prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and is of greater prognostic value in p16-negative than p16-positive cancer.

The Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Surgically Managed, p16-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Importance

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has a favorable prognosis, and p16 immunohistochemistry is a surrogate marker of high-risk HPV infection and strong prognosticator. Given this favorable prognosis, treatment de-escalation for p16-positive OPSCC is now being considered with the goal of decreasing treatment-associated morbidity without compromising tumor control. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in this setting is becoming increasingly unclear.

Objective

To compare survival between surgically managed patients with p16-positive OPSCC who received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy alone.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a cohort study of patients with OPSCC diagnosed from June 1996 to June 2010, with follow-up through December 2014, at a single tertiary referral center. One hundred ninety-five surgically managed, p16-positive patients without a history of head and neck cancer or distant metastasis at time of diagnosis were included.

Exposures

Patients were dichotomized into adjuvant radiotherapy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy groups.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Overall survival was the primary outcome, and disease-free survival was the secondary outcome. Propensity-weighted multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was conducted to quantify the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival.

Results

The study included 195 patients with p16-positive, surgically managed OPSCC. Median duration of follow-up was 87 months (interquartile range, 68-116 months). Ninety patients received adjunct chemoradiotherapy (mean age, 54.3 years), 88 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy (mean age, 56.4 years), and 17 patients received surgery alone. The 5-year overall survival rate for patients who received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was 82% (95% CI, 73%-90%) and 84% (95% CI, 76%-91%) for patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy alone. The 5-year disease-free survival rate for patients who received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was 79% (95% CI, 71%-88%) and 79% (95% CI, 70%-88%) for patients who received radiotherapy alone. After weighting cases by the inverse probability of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and controlling for age, comorbidity, smoking, pathological T stage, and pathological N stage, the receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was not significantly associated with disease-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.59-1.42) but was associated with a statistically insignificant yet clinically meaningful increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 0.91-2.33).

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients with p16-positive OPSCC managed surgically with adjuvant radiotherapy, the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy provided no additional disease-free survival benefit and was associated with worse overall survival. These results should help inform future clinical trials aiming to deescalate treatment for p16-positive patients.

Tumor Metabolism in the Microenvironment of Nodal Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective In many cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), different regions within a tumor have different metabolic phenotypes. Transfer of metabolites between compartments promotes tumor growth and aggressive behavior. Metabolic compartmentalization in HNSCC nodal metastases has not been studied, nor has its impact on extracapsular extension or clinical outcomes been determined. Study Design Retrospective analysis based on immunohistochemistry staining. Setting Tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods Primary tumors and nodal metastases from 34 surgically treated oral cavity HNSCC patients with extracapsular extension (ECE) were stained for monocarboyxlate transporter (MCT) 4, MCT1, translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20, and Ki-67. Strength of staining was assessed using a computer-assisted pathology algorithm. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) scores along with clinical factors were used to predict disease-free survival (DFS). Results Patterns of IHC staining showed metabolic compartmentalization both at the primary tumor sites and in nodal metastases. MCT4 staining in the perinodal stroma was significantly higher in specimens with ECE greater than 1 mm (macro-ECE, P = .01). Patients with high perinodal MCT4 staining were compared with those with low perinodal MCT4 staining. On multivariate analysis, only high perinodal MCT4 staining had a significant impact on DFS ( P = .02); patients with high perinodal MCT4 had worse survival. DFS was not significantly worsened by advancing T stage, N stage, ECE extent, or perineural invasion. Conclusion Oral HNSCC displays compartmentalized tumor metabolism at both primary and metastases. Greater cancer-associated stromal conversion around ECE, denoted by high stromal MCT4, may be a biomarker for aggressive disease and worsened DFS.

Lymph Node Central Necrosis on the Computed Tomography as the Predictor of the Extra Capsular Spread in Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the presence of the cervical lymph node with central necrosis as on the preoperative imaging and postoperative histopathological identification of the lymph node extra capsular spread. This study is a prospective study conducted at J.L.N. Hospital and Research Centre, Bhilai (C.G), from August 2011 to January 2014. Thirty patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled. All candidates were subjected to a detailed history taking and clinical examination. Their preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were assessed with attention to the presence and absence of lymph node, lymph node size, shape, level, presence or absence of the lymph node central necrosis and other signs of the ECS such as thick walled enhancing nodal margin, loss of margin definition, alteration of adjacent fat planes. These patients then underwent surgery which included resection of the primary with the neck dissection. The preoperative records of the lymph node size and location were observed radio-graphically and analyzed with the resected lymph node histopathologically. These data was used for finding out correlation. Of the total 30 patients studied, 24 patients were male and 6 patients female with ratio of 4:1. The most common group of the patients were of malignancy of gingivobuccal sulcus. Out of the 30 patients 19 patients had the radiographic evidence of the central necrosis, out of which 11 had the extra capsular spread on the histological analysis. In no patients did we found histopathology extra capsular spread without central necrosis. Thus the central necrosis on the CT has the high sensitivity for detection of the extra capsular spread. Out of the 19 lymph node without extra capsular spread, 11 lymph nodes had no central necrosis on the preoperative CT, remaining 8 lymph node were having central necrosis on CT whereas post op histopathology of these 8 lymph nodes showed metastatic deposit, indicating the low specificity of the central necrosis in detection of the ECS. Lymph node central necrosis on pre-operative CT is sensitive indicator with a high negative predictive value for lymph node extra capsular spread. Future studies focusing on identifying molecular mediator involved in ECS to determine targets for adjuvant therapies in this subset of patients are recommended.

Computed tomography detection of extracapsular spread of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in metastatic cervical lymph nodes

Background and purpose In patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), extracapsular spread (ECS) of metastases in cervical lymph nodes affects prognosis and therapy. We assessed the accuracy of intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and the utility of imaging criteria for preoperative detection of ECS in metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with HNSCC. Materials and methods Preoperative intravenous contrast-enhanced neck CT images of 93 patients with histopathological HNSCC metastatic nodes were retrospectively assessed by two neuroradiologists for ECS status and ECS imaging criteria. Radiological assessments were compared with histopathological assessments of neck dissection specimens, and interobserver agreement of ECS status and ECS imaging criteria were measured. Results Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy for overall ECS assessment were 57%, 81%, 82% and 67% for observer 1, and 66%, 76%, 80% and 70% for observer 2, respectively. Correlating three or more ECS imaging criteria with histopathological ECS increased specificity and positive predictive value, but decreased sensitivity and accuracy. Interobserver agreement for overall ECS assessment demonstrated a kappa of 0.59. Central necrosis had the highest kappa of 0.74. Conclusion CT has moderate specificity for ECS assessment in HNSCC metastatic cervical nodes. Identifying three or more ECS imaging criteria raises specificity and positive predictive value, therefore preoperative identification of multiple criteria may be clinically useful. Interobserver agreement is moderate for overall ECS assessment, substantial for central necrosis. Other ECS CT criteria had moderate agreement at best and therefore should not be used individually as criteria for detecting ECS by CT.

Update from the 4th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumours: What Is New in the 2017 WHO Blue Book for Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions of the Neck and Lymph Nodes

The World Health Organization (WHO) 2017 Classification of Head and Neck Tumors ("Blue Book") will now include a new chapter on tumors and tumor-like lesions of the neck and lymph nodes, which was not included in the previous edition. Tumors and tumor-like lesions, including a variety of cysts and metastases, can arise in any component in the neck, including soft tissue, lymph nodes, and developmental remnants. The pathology and clinical features of metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary in the head and neck has changed dramatically in the last several years. Many of these tumors which were previously diagnosed as unknown primary are now identified as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal carcinomas related to human papillomavirus (HPV), less commonly to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occasionally even to Merkel cell polyomavirus. Many unusual features can arise in these metastases, such as undifferentiated morphology, extensive cystic change with central degeneration, gland formation, and even ciliated cells. Rarely, carcinoma in the neck can arise in association with a heterotopic tissue, primarily thyroid or salivary gland tissue. Tumor-like lesions include branchial cleft cysts, thyroglossal duct cyst, dermoid and teratoid cyst, and ranula. Pathologists should be familiar with the diagnostic features and clinicopathologic corrections of these neck lesions in order to correctly diagnosis them and to provide for proper clinical management. This article will briefly describe the pathologic and clinical features of these entities as they are covered in the new 2017 Blue Book.

Pathologic Markers in Surgically Treated HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: Retrospective Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Human papillomavirus-associated (HPV) oropharyngeal cancer is a unique clinical entity whose incidence is increasing. It is controversial whether traditional pathologic markers of aggressive head and neck cancer also apply in surgically treated HPV-associated disease.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study, systematic review, and meta-analysis Data Sources: PubMed and Cochrane review.

REVIEW METHODS

PubMed and Cochrane review were searched for published articles on surgically treated HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Eligible studies were included in a meta-analysis of survival using several clinicopathologic markers as predictors. Surgically treated HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients at our institution were studied retrospectively and added to the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Eight published reports, plus our retrospective series, were included in the meta-analysis. This showed significant impact on event-free survival for T stage, nodal number, perineural invasion, and lymphovascular invasion (all P < .05) but not for N stage extracapsular extension ( P = ns).

CONCLUSIONS

While many traditional clinico-pathologic markers of aggressive disease in head and neck cancer also impact survival in surgically treated HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer, extracapsular extension may be less important.