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Iqbal MS, Jackson M, Paterson C. Radiotherapy to the neck after neck dissection for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary: A narrative review. Clin Otolaryngol 2024; 49:376-383. [PMID: 38545823 DOI: 10.1111/coa.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To conduct a comprehensive narrative review of the evidence for radiotherapy target volumes to the neck, after neck dissection, for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary (HNSCCUP). Inclusion or exclusion of mucosal irradiation is not the focus of interest for this review article. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literature (PubMed-Medline, EMBASE database and Cochrane library) was searched using the relevant keywords. The search results were limited to the studies published in year 2000 or after. RESULTS Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies were retrospective in nature. The incidence of contralateral recurrence rates in the untreated neck when the involved neck only is treated remains very low (0%-10%). Survival has improved over the past two decades, most likely due to improved diagnostic techniques and the increase in incidence of HPV-related disease. CONCLUSION Given the rarity of disease, level one evidence from randomised controlled trials is lacking. Available data are retrospective but support unilateral post-operative radiotherapy as a treatment option in selected cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Iqbal
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Malcolm Jackson
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Claire Paterson
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
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Oebel L, Mayer A, Kaufmann J, Wollschläger D, Hagemann J, Krüger M, Schmidberger H. Is bilateral radiotherapy necessary for patients with unilateral squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary of the head and neck region? Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2024; 45:100713. [PMID: 38192301 PMCID: PMC10772399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2023.100713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (SCC-CUP) of the head and neck region remains a clinical challenge, with uncertainty surrounding the necessity of contralateral irradiation of cervical lymphatic drainage in cases of unilateral involvement. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mainz, on a cohort of 50 patients with unilateral SCC-CUP of the head and neck region treated between 2005 and 2019. 30 patients received bilateral and 20 received unilateral cervical radiotherapy. The majority (n = 38, 76 %) were treated with modern IMRT/ VMAT (Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy/ Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) techniques. Results After a median follow-up of 64.5 months, locoregional recurrences occurred in 26 % of cases (n = 13/50), all of which were ipsilateral and predominantly within the volume of the previous irradiated CTV (clinical target volume) (85 %, n = 11/13). No patient treated unilaterally developed a contralateral recurrence in the neck. After 3 years, we observed 7 locoregional recurrences in the bilateral irradiated group (n = 7/30, 23 %), and 5 locoregional recurrences in the unilateral irradiated group (n = 5/20, 25 %). After 3 years, 12 patients had died in the bilateral irradiated group (n = 12/30, 40 %), and 7 in the unilateral irradiated group (n = 7/20, 35 %). 7 Patients showed distant metastases after 3 years in the bilateral irradiated group (n = 7/30, 23 %), and 2 in the unilateral irradiated group (n = 2/20, 10 %). Locoregional control (LRC) at 5 years was 66.2 % in the bilaterally irradiated group, and 70.0 % in the unilaterally irradiated group. Overall survival (OS) was 52.6 % (bilateral) and 64.0 % (unilateral). Distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was 74.7 % (bilateral) and 84.4 % (unilateral). No significant differences were observed in OS (p = 0.37), LRC (p = 0.91), and DMFS (p = 0.91) between the groups.Acute toxicity ≥ °2 accordingly CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria of Adverse Events) was high with 97% while late toxicity ≥ °2 was moderate with 31%. There was no statistically significant difference between the group of unilateral and bilateral irradiated patients. Conclusion These data suggest that contralateral cervical irradiation may be of limited benefit in patients with SCC-CUP, as recurrences occured ipsilaterally, and predominantly within the area of prior irradiation. Unilateral irradiation seems to be adequate for carefully selected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Oebel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Arnulf Mayer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Justus Kaufmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel Wollschläger
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan Hagemann
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maximilian Krüger
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Heinz Schmidberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Chen AM. Management of unknown primary head and neck cancer with radiation therapy in the era of human papillomavirus (HPV): No longer cutting down the tree to get an apple. Radiother Oncol 2023; 189:109952. [PMID: 37844736 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Given the central role that radiation has in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin, it is imperative to review how treatment paradigms have been refined and continue to evolve in the modern era. METHODS AND MATERIALS This study was designed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. A literature search of peer-reviewed publications was undertaken to identify works pertaining to the use of radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin presenting as cervical lymph node metastases. Articles published from January 2002 to January 2023 with full text available on PubMed and restricted to the English language and human subjects were included. The full bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed and irrelevant studies were removed. RESULTS While such breakthroughs as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, positron emission tomography, biomarker testing with immune-histochemistry, and minimally invasive surgical techniques such as transoral robotic surgery have fundamentally changed the approach to this disease in recent decades, controversies still exist with respect to the manner in which radiation is delivered. Although the incidence of head and neck unknown primary cancer is relatively low, questions regarding the necessity of comprehensive radiation using the age-old standard method of targeting the bilateral necks and entire pharyngeal axis to encompass all putative sites of mucosal disease persist. CONCLUSIONS Prospective evidence is lacking, and the available studies have been complicated by such factors as the relatively limited sample sizes, as well as the variability in work-up, treatment, inclusion criteria, and follow-up. Regardless, advances in science and technology have ushered in more precise approaches with a high degree of customization, particularly given the increased proportion of patients presenting with human papillomavirus-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen M Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
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Civantos FJ, Vermorken JB, Shah JP, Rinaldo A, Suárez C, Kowalski LP, Rodrigo JP, Olsen K, Strojan P, Mäkitie AA, Takes RP, de Bree R, Corry J, Paleri V, Shaha AR, Hartl DM, Mendenhall W, Piazza C, Hinni M, Robbins KT, Tong NW, Sanabria A, Coca-Pelaz A, Langendijk JA, Hernandez-Prera J, Ferlito A. Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma to the Cervical Lymph Nodes From an Unknown Primary Cancer: Management in the HPV Era. Front Oncol 2020; 10:593164. [PMID: 33244460 PMCID: PMC7685177 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.593164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with metastases in the lymph nodes of the neck and no obvious primary tumor, neck cancer with unknown primary (NCUP), represent a management challenge. A majority of patients have metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), although other histologies do occur. Methods We comprehensively reviewed the literature, compared available guidelines, and conferred with an international team of experts. Results Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) under ultrasound guidance increase accuracy of diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), determination of human papilloma virus (HPV) status, by p16 staining or by in situ hybridization (ISH), and next-generation gene sequencing can guide us regarding probable primary sites and tumor biology. Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) has been introduced for the early detection of subtle mucosal lesions. Direct laryngoscopy (DL) and tonsillectomy have long been procedures used in the search for a primary site. More recently, TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) or Transoral LASER Microsurgery (TLM) have been introduced for lingual tonsillectomy. Conclusions New technologies have been developed which can better detect, diagnose, and treat occult primary tumors. Decisions regarding therapy are based on the primary tumor site (if discovered) and N stage. Options include neck dissection with or without postoperative adjuvant therapy, primary irradiation, or combined chemotherapy with irradiation. The preferred treatment of patients whose primary remains unidentified is controversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Civantos
- Department of Otolaryngology, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jan B Vermorken
- Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jatin P Shah
- Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Carlos Suárez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luiz P Kowalski
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, Sao Paolo, Brazil.,Head and Neck Surgery Department, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Kerry Olsen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Primoz Strojan
- Department of Radiation Oncology Institute of Oncology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Robert P Takes
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Remco de Bree
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - June Corry
- Department of Medicine Division Radiation Oncology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vinidh Paleri
- Head and Neck Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ashok R Shaha
- Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dana M Hartl
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center and Paris-Sud University, Paris, France
| | - William Mendenhall
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Cesare Piazza
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maxillofacial and Thyroid Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michael Hinni
- Department of Otolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - K Thomas Robbins
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Ng Wai Tong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Alvaro Sanabria
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundacion. CEXCA Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades de Cabeza y Cuello, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Andres Coca-Pelaz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Johannes A Langendijk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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5
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de Almeida JR. Role of Transoral Robotic Surgery in the Work-up of the Unknown Primary. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2020; 53:965-980. [PMID: 32951898 DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes is a relatively rare tumor presentation, although the incidence may be increasing along with the rising incidence of human papilloma virus-mediated oropharyngeal cancers. Traditional diagnostic methods with palatine tonsillectomy and panendoscopy may identify the minority of primary tumors. The addition of a transoral lingual tonsillectomy may improve the diagnostic yield of identifying a primary tumor. Incorporation of transoral robotic surgery may be used for diagnostic purposes to identify a primary site and also for therapeutic purposes, whereby a primary tumor may be completely resected and combined with a neck dissection.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R de Almeida
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, 8NU-883, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, 8NU-883, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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6
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Poon WY, Thomson M, McLoone P, Wilson C, Crosbie R, Schipani S, Grose D, James A, Lamb C, Rizwanullah M, Campbell F, Easton F, Paterson C. Comparative cohort study of volumetric modulated arc therapy for squamous cell cancer of unknown primary in the head and neck-Involved neck only versus mucosal irradiation. Clin Otolaryngol 2020; 45:847-852. [PMID: 32501648 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Target volumes for irradiation remain ill-defined for squamous cell cancer of unknown primary in the head and neck (SCCUP). The aim of this study was to compare involved neck only (INO) radiotherapy (RT) with irradiating involved neck plus potential mucosal primary sites and contralateral neck (MUC) in patients diagnosed and treated with modern diagnostics and techniques. DESIGN This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients with a diagnosis of SCCUP with unilateral neck disease were included. RESULTS Thirty patients were identified. All underwent FDG PET-CT. 47% of patients had HPV-positive SCC. 20 patients received RT to INO, 10 patients to MUC, all with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). A significantly lower dose for each organ at risk was delivered in INO-treated patients, with mean dose to contralateral parotid gland 57% less. The proportion of patients with late grade 2 or worse xerostomia was higher in MUC patients. The incidence of grade 2-3 mucositis (89% vs 45%) and grade 3 or worse dysphagia (50% vs 10%) was higher in MUC patients. Median follow-up was 31 months. No mucosal primaries emerged. Progression-free survival at 2 years was 74.7% for INO patients, 70% in the MUC group. Overall survival at 2 years was 79.7% in the INO group and 70% in the MUC patients. CONCLUSION INO radiotherapy for patients with SCCUP of the head and neck is a safe treatment strategy resulting in clinically significant lower RT doses to OARS. Acute and late toxicities are reduced without detriment to patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Yan Poon
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Derek Grose
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - Allan James
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | - Fiona Easton
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
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7
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Grewal AS, Rajasekaran K, Cannady SB, Chalian AA, Ghiam AF, Lin A, LiVolsi V, Lukens JN, Mitra N, Montone KT, Newman JG, O'Malley BW, Rassekh CH, Weinstein GS, Swisher-McClure S. Pharyngeal-sparing radiation for head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary following TORS assisted work-up. Laryngoscope 2019; 130:691-697. [PMID: 31411747 DOI: 10.1002/lary.28200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In patients with head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary (HNCUP;pT0) following TORS-assisted workup, we have adopted a pharyngeal-sparing radiation therapy (PSRT) approach targeting only the at-risk neck and omitting treatment of the pharynx. We report outcomes following PSRT, and compare to institutional historical control subjects who received pharyngeal-targeted RT (PRT). METHODS Between 2009 and 2018, 172 patients underwent TORS-assisted endoscopy as part of their workup for HNCUP. Following TORS, 54 patients had pT0 disease, of which 45 received RT. Forty-nine percent received PSRT and 51% received PRT. RESULTS No statistically significant differences existed between the PSRT and PRT groups with respect to overall nodal distribution, p16 positivity (55% vs. 43%, P = .12), neck dissection rates (77% vs. 65%, P = .51), and administration of chemotherapy (55% vs. 65%, P = .55). Median follow-up for PSRT and PRT groups were 24 and 28 months, respectively (P = .04). Two-year RFS was 86% and 74% for PSRT and PRT patients, respectively (log-rank P = .30). Three and six patients recurred after PSRT and PRT, respectively. Two-year OS for PSRT and PRT patients was 91% and 74%, respectively (log-rank P = .31). Compared to PRT, PSRT was associated with statistically significantly less: grade 2+ mucositis (18% vs. 91%, P < .01), new opioid requirement (27% vs. 91%, P < .01), mean weight loss during RT (6.2 lbs vs. 17.4 lbs, P < .01), feeding tube placement during RT (5% vs. 43%, P < .01), and treatment-related unplanned hospitalizations (9% vs. 39%, P = .04). CONCLUSION Following TORS-assisted management of patients with pT0 HNCUP, we observed reduced toxicity following PSRT compared to PRT without apparent compromise of disease cure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3 evidence, retrospective review comparing cases and controls Laryngoscope, 130:691-697, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steven B Cannady
- the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Ara A Chalian
- the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Alireza F Ghiam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Alexander Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Virginia LiVolsi
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - John N Lukens
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Nandita Mitra
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Kathleen T Montone
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Jason G Newman
- the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
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Rassy E, Nicolai P, Pavlidis N. Comprehensive management of HPV‐related squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck of unknown primary. Head Neck 2019; 41:3700-3711. [DOI: 10.1002/hed.25858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elie Rassy
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut Gustave Roussy Villejuif France
- Department of Medical OncologyHotel Dieu de France University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University Beirut Lebanon
| | - Piero Nicolai
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, University of Brescia Brescia Italy
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9
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Ren J, Yang W, Su J, Ren X, Fazelzad R, Albert T, Habbous S, Goldstein DP, de Almeida JR, Hansen A, Jang R, Bratman SV, Hope A, Chen R, Wang J, Xu Y, Cheng D, Zhao Y, Xu W, Liu G. Human papillomavirus and p16 immunostaining, prevalence and prognosis of squamous carcinoma of unknown primary in the head and neck region. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:1465-1474. [PMID: 30698281 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary in the head and neck (SCCUPHN), and prognosis by HPV status of SCCUPHN patients has been difficult to estimate because of the rarity of this subtype. In MEDLINE, Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE, Cochrane library and Web of Science searches, observational studies and clinical trials that reported survival rates of patients with SCCUPHN by HPV status were identified. Meta-analysis estimated the prevalence and prognosis (overall survival, OS; progression-free survival, PFS) of SCCUPHN by HPV status, and compared them to studies of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) from the same institutions and across continents. In 17 SCCUPHN studies (n = 1,149) and 17 institution-matched OPSCC studies (n = 6,522), the pooled HPV prevalence of SCCUPHN was 49%, which was only 10% (95%CI: 1-19%) lower than OPSCC prevalence in the underlying population. Estimated 5-year OS for HPV-negative SCCUPHN was 44% (95%CI: 36-51%) vs. HPV-positive SCCUPHN of 91% (95%CI: 86-96%); hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 3.25 (95%CI: 2.45-4.31) and PFS was 4.49 (95%CI: 2.88-7.02). HRs by HPV status for OPSCC were similar to that in SCCUPHN. While North American SCCUPHNs had higher HPV prevalence than European SCCUPHNs (OR = 2.68 (95%CI: 1.3-5.6)), HR of OS for HPV-negative vs. HPV-positive patients were similar in both continents (HRs of 3.78-4.09). Prevalence of HPV among SCCUPHN patients were lower than in OPSCC. The survival benefit conferred by being HPV-positive was similar in SCCUPHN as in OPSCCs, independent of continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Ren
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Su
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xue Ren
- Department of Economic Statistics, School of Statistics and Management, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, China
| | - Rouhi Fazelzad
- Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tiong Albert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven Habbous
- Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David P Goldstein
- Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John R de Almeida
- Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aaron Hansen
- Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Raymond Jang
- Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Scott V Bratman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Hope
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ruiqi Chen
- Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Danni Cheng
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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