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Lechien JR, Vaira LA, Chiesa-Estomba CM. Laryngeal verrucous cell carcinoma. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 32:118-124. [PMID: 37820109 DOI: 10.1097/moo.0000000000000910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize the recent literature on epidemiology, clinical findings, treatment, and survival of laryngeal verrucous cell carcinoma (LVC). RECENT FINDINGS Epidemiological studies report that LVC accounts for 1-3% of all laryngeal cancers. The incidence is decreasing, while most patients are male individuals and smokers. LVC are commonly detected in early stages because they are more frequently located in the glottic region. Tobacco, alcohol overuse, and, possibly, human papilloma virus are the main contributing factors. Recent studies confirm that surgery is the primary therapeutic approach with better prognosis when compared with other treatment modalities. Surgery alone is associated with 86.8% disease-free and 80.3% overall survival rates, while metastases are anecdotal. SUMMARY LVC presents different clinical, pathological, and survival outcomes when compared with the classic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Biopsies need often to be repeated before getting the most appropriate diagnosis; this supports the need of large-sample biopsy during the tumor diagnosis and staging. The glottic location of most LVC leads to detection of this lesion in its early stages, with ensuing better survival and outcomes after surgery compared with the classic form of squamous cell carcinoma. Future studies are needed to understand the biology of LVC and its related better prognostic outcomes when compared to other laryngeal malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome R Lechien
- Laryngology Study Group of Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), Paris, France
- Department of Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Mons School of Medicine, UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMons), Mons
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, CHU Saint-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Luigi A Vaira
- Maxillofacial Surgery Operative Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Department, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Carlos M Chiesa-Estomba
- Laryngology Study Group of Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), Paris, France
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, San Sebastian University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
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Lechien JR, Hans S. Epidemiological, clinical and oncological outcomes of laryngeal verrucous carcinomas: a systematic review. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 52:81. [PMID: 38093339 PMCID: PMC10716941 DOI: 10.1186/s40463-023-00666-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate epidemiological, clinical and oncological outcomes of patients with laryngeal verrucous carcinomas (LVC). METHODS Two independent authors investigated PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library for studies dedicated to epidemiological, clinical and oncological outcomes of patients with LVC. The following outcomes were investigated with PRISMA criteria: age; gender; tobacco/alcohol consumption; HPV infection; anatomical, pathological, therapeutic and survival outcomes. Studies were analyzed for bias through a validated clinical tool. RESULTS Of the 212 identified articles, 15 retrospective studies and one prospective uncontrolled study met our inclusion criteria. Three studies reported findings from national databases. The males/females ratio is 9/1. Mean age was 60.3 years, which was younger compared to other laryngeal malignancies. The alcohol, cigarette overuse and the HPV status of patients were lacking in most studies. Glottis and supraglottis were the most common anatomical locations, corresponding to 78.7% and 12.4% of cases, respectively. The main therapeutic approaches consisted of surgery, radiotherapy, surgery followed by radiotherapy. Treatments reported 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival of 86.3 and 90.8, respectively. The 5- and 10-year local control rate were 83.6 and 72.6, respectively. The 10-year disease-specific survival was 80.2. Heterogeneity between studies was found for inclusion criteria, comorbidity data, and treatments. CONCLUSION LVC is a rare laryngeal cancer associated with better survival and recurrence outcomes than laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment regimen needs to be investigated in future prospective controlled studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme R Lechien
- Laryngeal and Head and Neck Surgery Study Groups of Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), Paris, France.
- Department of Otolaryngology, Elsan Hospital, Paris, France.
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, School of Medicine, UFR Simone Veil, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (Paris Saclay University), Paris, France.
- Division of Laryngology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMons), Mons, Belgium.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, School of Medicine, UFR Simone Veil, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (Paris Saclay University), Paris, France.
| | - Stéphane Hans
- Laryngeal and Head and Neck Surgery Study Groups of Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), Paris, France
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, School of Medicine, UFR Simone Veil, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (Paris Saclay University), Paris, France
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Amanian A, Anderson DW, Durham JS, Prisman E, Ng T, Hu A. Treatment of Laryngeal Verrucous Carcinoma: 28-Year Retrospective Cohort Study and Literature Review. OTO Open 2023; 7:e50. [PMID: 37275458 PMCID: PMC10234623 DOI: 10.1002/oto2.50] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Laryngeal verrucous carcinoma (LVC) comprises 1% to 4% of all laryngeal tumors. Although controversial, surgery has been the mainstay of treatment, due to concern about anaplastic transformation with radiotherapy. We aimed to study LVC patients to identify treatment patterns for primary and recurrent diseases. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary referral center. Methods Patients with a pathological diagnosis of LVC treated over a 28-year period were included. Baseline demographics, and treatment outcome measures including 5-year laryngeal preservation rates (LPR), overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were included. A literature review of published studies within the same study period was also completed. Results Thirty-two patients were included in the analysis (median age 61.5 years, 93.8% [30/32] male). Twenty-three patients had T1 disease, and 9 had T2 disease with no evidence of regional or metastatic disease. The most common presenting symptom was hoarseness (93.8%) and the majority within the glottis 81.3% (26/32). Twenty-nine patients underwent primary surgery only (28 local excisions, 1 vertical partial laryngectomy) meanwhile 3 underwent local excision with postoperative radiotherapy. LPR, OS, and RFS at 5 years were 95.8%, 90.1%, and 80.6%, respectively. Our literature review identified 23 previous studies, mostly single-institution retrospective case series. Our study was the largest Canadian study in the literature to date. Conclusion All LVC patients were treated with primary surgery, consistent with the current literature with excellent 5-year OS and LPR. There was no consensus on the treatment of recurrent disease. Future prospective multicenter studies are warranted to further study this rare disease population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameen Amanian
- Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of SurgeryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Donald W. Anderson
- Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of SurgeryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - James Scott Durham
- Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of SurgeryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Eitan Prisman
- Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of SurgeryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Tony Ng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Amanda Hu
- Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of SurgeryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
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Gurău P, Tîrbu V, Sencu E, Vetricean S. Flexible endoscopic approach to verrucous carcinoma of the larynx. Clin Otolaryngol 2021; 46:1379-1382. [PMID: 34473404 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Petru Gurău
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Timofei Moșneaga" Republican Clinical Hospital, Chișinău, Moldova
| | | | - Eusebiu Sencu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Nicolae Testemițanu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, Moldova
| | - Sergiu Vetricean
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Nicolae Testemițanu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, Moldova
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Jayakrishnan TT, Abel S, Interval E, Colonias A, Wegner RE. Patterns of Care and Outcomes in Verrucous Carcinoma of the Larynx Treated in the Modern Era. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1241. [PMID: 32850375 PMCID: PMC7426485 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Verrucous carcinoma of the larynx (VCL) is a rare form of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. We analyzed the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to examine national treatment pattern, identify factors associated with primary radiation therapy (RT), and compare outcomes in patients with Tis-T2 N0 VCL treated primary surgery and primary RT. Methods: We accessed the NCDB from 2004 to 2015 for patients with Tis-T2 N0 VCL and recorded the treatment modality employed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors for radiation therapy. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for survival. A propensity score matched Kaplan-Meier analysis compared primary surgical treatment to definitive radiation. Results: We identified 732 patients with laryngeal verrucous carcinoma from the NCDB. The majority were cTis-T2 (87%) N0 (96%). We identified 286 vs. 110 Tis-T2N0 patients treated primary surgery and with definitive radiation, respectively, for the purpose of this study. Predictors of radiation were treatment at a community center, no insurance, and higher T stage. Cox regression identified increased age, higher comorbidity score, and government insurance as predictive of worse survival. Propensity matching revealed a trend toward worse survival with definitive radiation, with a median survival of 98 months compared to 143 months (p = 0.02). When including only T1-2 lesions, that is, invasive disease, the trend toward increased survival with surgery [98 months vs. 135 months (p = 0.08)] persisted. Conclusion: The results of the present study support the use of surgery in the management of Tis-T2 N0 VCL when organ preservation is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thejus T Jayakrishnan
- Allegheny Health Network, Department of Internal Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Stephen Abel
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Erik Interval
- Division of Otolaryngology, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Athanasios Colonias
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rodney E Wegner
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Tamaki A, Miles BA, Lango M, Kowalski L, Zender CA. AHNS Series: Do you know your guidelines? Review of current knowledge on laryngeal cancer. Head Neck 2017; 40:170-181. [PMID: 29076227 DOI: 10.1002/hed.24862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The following article is part of a series in an initiative by the American Head and Neck Society's Education Committee and will review clinical practice guidelines for head and neck oncology. The primary goal is to increase awareness of current best practices pertaining to head and neck surgery and oncology. This manuscript is a review of current knowledge in laryngeal cancer with a focus on anatomy, epidemiology, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akina Tamaki
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Brett A Miles
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Miriam Lango
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Luiz Kowalski
- Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology Department, A C Camargo Cancer Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chad A Zender
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
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Echanique KA, Desai SV, Marchiano E, Spinazzi EF, Strojan P, Baredes S, Eloy JA. Laryngeal Verrucous Carcinoma: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016; 156:38-45. [PMID: 27484231 DOI: 10.1177/0194599816662631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective Laryngeal verrucous carcinoma (LVC) is a rare, locally invasive neoplasm comprising 1% to 3.4% of laryngeal carcinomas. Management strategies are a topic of ongoing conversation, and no definitive treatment protocol based on T stage and presentation exists. This review examines characteristics, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes of LVC. Data Sources PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Methods Databases were searched through October 29, 2015, for literature detailing individual patient cases of LVC. Variables analyzed included patient demographics, tumor characteristics, tumor size, treatment, and outcomes. Results Thirty-seven articles with 369 cases were included. LVC was found more commonly in males (13.8:1), at an average age of 58.7 years, and located in the glottis (74.0%). Most patients had local disease at presentation (94.9%). The most common presenting symptom was hoarseness (92.3%). The most common primary treatment was surgery alone (72.3%), with local excision as the most common technique (56.8%). In patients with data available on both surgical modality and T stage, most patients who presented as T1 and were managed surgically underwent local excision (79.2%). Surgical treatment alone led to high rates of disease-free survival at follow-up (86.8%). A large number of patients presenting with T1 disease were disease free at follow-up (88.6%). Overall survival was 80.3%. Conclusion LVC is most often managed surgically. The extent of surgical resection may be guided by T stage, with smaller tumors resected via local excision and larger tumors via partial or total laryngectomy. Regardless of T stage or therapy, LVC has a good posttreatment prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A. Echanique
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Stuti V. Desai
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Emily Marchiano
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Eleonora F. Spinazzi
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Primož Strojan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Soly Baredes
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Neurological Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jean Anderson Eloy
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Neurological Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
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Miller ME, Martin N, Juillard GF, Bhuta S, Ishiyama A. Temporal bone verrucous carcinoma: outcomes and treatment controversy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 267:1927-31. [PMID: 20502907 PMCID: PMC2966949 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-010-1281-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2010] [Accepted: 05/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Verrucous carcinoma is a rare tumor that presents in the head and neck with the most common sites being the oral cavity and larynx. Fourteen cases of verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone have been described in literature; this study aims to examine treatment outcomes and discuss the controversy surrounding postoperative radiation. The study design included a literature review along with individual case report in the setting of a tertiary care medical center. Outcome analysis of all cases of verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone, which are documented in the English literature, and presentation of a single patient report including gross, histologic and radiologic analyses were performed. The longest recorded survival for verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone occurs in patients treated with surgery alone. Poorer outcomes for patients treated with adjuvant (chemo)radiation may be due to more advanced stage of disease at the time of treatment. Early reports of radiation leading to tumor dedifferentiation or early recurrence are not supported by more recent studies. Whether adjuvant radiation therapy is indicated in verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone remains controversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia E Miller
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, CHS 62-237, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Chute DJ, Stelow EB. Cytology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma variants. Diagn Cytopathol 2010; 38:65-80. [PMID: 19582815 DOI: 10.1002/dc.21134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The most common diagnosis rendered with head and neck fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While most cases of metastatic SCC pose little diagnostic difficulty, the diagnosis of metastatic histologic variants of SCC, often coupled with less common etiologies, can be more problematic. This manuscript reviews the clinicopathologic features of the histologic variants of upper aerodigestive tract SCC (verrucous, papillary, spindle cell, undifferentiated, acantholytic, and basaloid) and uncommon etiologies of head and neck SCC (human papillomavirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and NUT midline carcinomas). Particular attention is paid to the cytologic features of these lesions. Differential diagnoses and the use of ancillary testing are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Chute
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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10
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Karahatay S, Yilmaz YF, Gunhan O, Birkent H, Yetiser S. Spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx with a verrucous carcinoma component: Combined carcinoma of larynx. Auris Nasus Larynx 2007; 34:557-9. [PMID: 17485187 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2007.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2006] [Revised: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 02/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common neoplasm of the larynx. There are three variants of SCC. Each variant presents distinctive biologic behaviors and clinical courses. Therefore reaching the exact diagnosis and distinguishing the variants is fateful. We describe a case of spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx with a verrucous carcinoma component. To our knowledge, this entity has never been documented before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serdar Karahatay
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
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Ferlito A, Rinaldo A, Mannarà GM. Is primary radiotherapy an appropriate option for the treatment of verrucous carcinoma of the head and neck? J Laryngol Otol 1998; 112:132-9. [PMID: 9578870 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215100140137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The literature on verrucous carcinoma of the head and neck was reviewed to analyse the use of primary radiation therapy in the treatment of this lesion. The results emphasize an overall local control rate of 43.2 per cent, and 6.7 per cent of true anaplastic transformation following irradiation. Diagnosis remains the fundamental problem: without a correct diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma, no correct treatment can be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ferlito
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Padua, Italy.
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Abstract
There are a variety of diagnostically challenging lesions in the head and neck region. Contact ulcer usually occurs within specific clinical parameters (vocal abuse, post-intubation and gastro-esophageal reflux), which should be documented in correlation with the granulation tissue-like response affecting the posterior vocal cords. Spindle squamous cell carcinoma (carcinosarcoma) presents a variably cellular spindle cell proliferation, often with surface epithelial ulceration. The clinical presentation of a firm, polypoid mass in the larynx, combined with the histomorphologic features of a spindle cell tumor, can be confirmed to be of epithelial origin when a portion of the overlying epithelium is seen to blend with the spindle cell component, or when ancillary studies authenticate the epithelial origin of the tumor. The diagnosis of a verrucous squamous cell carcinoma can only be made accurately with an accurate clinical history. The very well differentiated histologic appearance, a broad pushing border of infiltration, a bland epithelial proliferation with scant mitotic activity and "church-spire"-type keratosis coupled with the clinical presentation of a large, locally destructive lesion, can confirm the diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma. A wide variety of disorders can result in midline destructive disease clinically, but a specific etiology must be sought to provide appropriate clinical management. Angiocentric T/NK-cell lymphoma of the sinonasal tract is one such disease. The atypical lymphoid cells are usually angiocentric and angiodestructive in their growth pattern. Identification of the atypical cells in the early stages of disease may be difficult, often requiring multiple biopsies over time with the application of immunohistochemical stains or molecular studies to accurately identify the nature of the infiltrate. Cystic squamous cell carcinoma in the neck is almost always a manifestation of metastatic tumor and not a brachiogenic carcinoma. When specific histomorphologic features are noted (a large, unfilled cyst lined by a ribbon-like or endophytic growth of a "transitional"-appearing squamous epithelium with a limited degree of anaplasia), most of these tumors demonstrate primaries in Waldeyer's ring, often of a very small size. Adequate clinical work-up (pan-endoscopy, extensive radiographic imaging and random biopsies or prophylactic tonsillectomy) is mandatory in order to limit the radiation-therapy ports and to document the location of the primary, yielding an excellent long-term prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Thompson
- Department of Endocrine and Otorhinolaryngic-Head and Neck Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC 20306-6000, USA
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