A two-decade experience of head and neck paragangliomas in a whole population-based single centre cohort

Malignant carotid body tumors: What we know, what we do, and what we need to achieve. A systematic review of the literature

Malignant carotid body tumors (MCBT) are rare and diagnosed after detection of nodal or distant metastases. This systematic review (SR) focuses on MCBT initially approached by surgery. Preferred Reporting Items for SR and Meta-Analysis (MA) guided the articles search from 2000 to 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Among 3548 papers, 132 (337 patients) were considered for SR; of these, 20 (158 patients) for MA. Malignancy rate was 7.3%, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) mutation 17%, age at diagnosis between 4th and 6th decades, with a higher prevalence of females. MCBTs were mostly Shamblin III, with nodal and distant metastasis in 79.7% and 44.7%, respectively. Malignancy should be suspected if CBT >4 cm, Shamblin III, painful or otherwise symptomatic, at the extremes of age, bilateral, with multifocal disease, and SDHx mutations. Levels II-III clearance should be performed to exclude nodal metastases and adjuvant treatments considered on a case-by-case basis.

Reduced Risk of Corporal Tumors in Patients With Head and Neck Paragangliomas With p.Pro81Leu Mutations

OBJECTIVE

Patients with head and neck paragangliomas who are positive for the SDHD p.Pro81Leu (P81L) mutation are thought to have a distinct phenotype from other SDHx mutations, but few studies have focused on this mutation. The objective of this study was to determine the hazard of developing a second primary, metastatic, or recurrent paraganglioma in SDHx patients with or without P81L.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review of 60 patients with head and neck paragangliomas and genetic testing, followed for a median of 9 years.

SETTING

Single academic medical center.

METHODS

Univariable Cox proportional hazards regression evaluated second primary and recurrent paragangliomas in patients with SDHD P81L, SDHx non-P81L, and nonhereditary paraganglioma.

RESULTS

This series comprised 31 patients without SDHx, 14 with SDHD P81L, and 15 with other SDHx mutations. At a median 9 years of follow-up, corporal (not head and neck) second primary paragangliomas occurred in 31% of patients with SDHx non-P81L mutations, compared with 0% and 4% of patients with SDHD P81L and without SDHx mutations, respectively. Second corporal paragangliomas were more likely in patients with SDHx non-P81L mutations than in those without a mutation (hazard ratio = 5.461, 95% confidence interval: 0.596-50.030, p = .13).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to report a lower likelihood of corporal tumors for patients with head and neck paragangliomas with SDH mutations positive for P81L. Larger studies are needed to determine if head and neck paraganglioma patients with P81L qualify for less intensive imaging surveillance to screen for second primary paragangliomas outside the head and neck.

Complex II Biology in Aging, Health, and Disease

Aging is associated with a decline in mitochondrial function which may contribute to age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, mitochondrial Complex II has emerged as an important player in the aging process. Mitochondrial Complex II converts succinate to fumarate and plays an essential role in both the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the electron transport chain (ETC). The dysfunction of Complex II not only limits mitochondrial energy production; it may also promote oxidative stress, contributing, over time, to cellular damage, aging, and disease. Intriguingly, succinate, the substrate for Complex II which accumulates during mitochondrial dysfunction, has been shown to have widespread effects as a signaling molecule. Here, we review recent advances related to understanding the function of Complex II, succinate signaling, and their combined roles in aging and aging-related diseases.

Paragangliomas of the head and neck

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that can be found from the skull base to the pelvis. Head and neck paragangliomas have been historically treated with surgery. However, surgical resection adds risk of injury to vascular structures and cranial nerves that can lead to morbidity such as hoarseness, dysarthria, dysphagia, or aspiration. Recently, improved understanding of the behavior of these tumors and increasing experience in non-surgical treatments such as observation and radiation therapy, have changed the paradigms of management of this entity. Multiple series now show a trend towards a more conservative management, with a higher percentage of patients being observed or treated with radiotherapy. Several factors should be taken into consideration when deciding the most appropriate treatment for head and neck paragangliomas, starting by differentiating carotid body tumors from non- carotid body tumors. In general, surgical resection is normally recommended for carotid body tumors as the complications from treatment are usually minimal. In contrast, for non- carotid body tumors, surgery is often associated with significant functional impairment due to cranial nerve paralysis. As such, non-surgical treatment is now usually recommended for this subset of head and neck paragangliomas. In young patients with no comorbidities and a small to medium carotid body tumors, surgery should be considered. Moreover, surgery should be offered for secreting tumors, malignant tumors, tumors with rapid growth or increase in symptomatology, and when radiotherapy cannot be performed. Conversely, conservative management with active surveillance or radiotherapy can be offered in the remaining cases in order to avoid unnecessary morbidity while still providing acceptable tumor control.

Head and neck paragangliomas: 30-year experience

BACKGROUND

We aimed to review our experience and the changing trends in the management of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPG) over the last three decades.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 103 patients with HNPG treated at our center (1986-2017). We included patients treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and patients maintained under active surveillance.

RESULTS

Of the surgically treated patients (n = 79), 20% (12/59) of the carotid body tumors (CBT) had a cranial nerve deficit as sequela compared to 95% (19/20) of the non-CBT. Radiotherapy controlled growth in all tumors treated with this modality (n = 10). Of the initially observed patients, 70% (14/20) remained stable and did not require additional treatment. Stratifying by decades, there was a progressive increase in patients initially attempted to be observed and a decrease in upfront surgery. No deaths attributable to the HNPG were encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery is an effective treatment for CBT. Nonsurgical treatment should be considered for non-CBT.

Recurrence and Progression of Head and Neck Paragangliomas after Treatment

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the recurrence of head and neck paragangliomas and the factors associated with disease progression after treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In total, 173 adults with 189 paragangliomas (41.3% carotid body, 29.1% glomus jugulare, 19.0% glomus tympanicum, and 10.6% glomus vagale) treated between 1990 and 2010 were evaluated to determine the incidence and risk of recurrence using Cox proportional hazards.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) follow-up duration was 8.6 (9.1) years. The incidence was 2.92 recurrences per 100 person-years. The rate of recurrence was 8.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7-12.7) after 4 years and 17.1% (95% CI, 10.2-24.0) after 10 years. Glomus jugulare tumors were more likely to recur (hazard ratio [HR], 3.69; 95% CI, 1.70-8.01; P < .001) while carotid body tumors were less likely (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.21-0.97; P = .041). Radiation had a lower risk of recurrence or progression compared to surgical excision (HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-.94; P = .040). Recurrence was associated with right-sided paragangliomas (HR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.63-7.75; P = .001). The median time to recurrence was 18.4 years. Six (3.2%) patients developed metastasis, which was more common with local recurrence (9.5% vs 1.4%, P = .015).

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence is more common with glomus jugulare tumors and less common with carotid body tumors. Radiation may have a lower risk of recurrence or progression than surgery for some paraganglioma types. Metastasis is rare but more likely with recurrent disease. Surveillance neck imaging is recommended every several years for decades after treatment.

Head and neck paragangliomas: A two-decade institutional experience and algorithm for management

Objectives

Paragangliomas of the head and neck and cranial base are typically benign, slow‐growing tumors arising within the jugular foramen, middle ear, carotid bifurcation, or vagus nerve proper. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive characterization of our institutional experience with clinical management of these tumors and posit an algorithm for diagnostic evaluation and treatment.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing treatment for paragangliomas of the head and neck and cranial base at our institution from 2000–2017. Data on tumor location, catecholamine levels, and specific imaging modalities employed in diagnostic work‐up, pre‐treatment cranial nerve palsy, treatment modality, utilization of preoperative angiographic embolization, complications of treatment, tumor control and recurrence, and hereditary status (ie, succinate dehydrogenase mutations) were collected and summarized.

Results

The mean (SD) age of our cohort was 51.8 (±16.1) years with 123 (63.4%) female patients and 71 (36.6%) male patients. Catecholamine‐secreting lesions were found in nine (4.6%) patients. Fifty‐one patients underwent genetic testing, with mutations identified in 43 (20 SDHD, 13 SDHB, 7 SDHD, 1 SDHA, SDHAF2, and NF1). Observation with serial imaging, surgical extirpation, radiation, and stereotactic radiosurgery were variably employed as treatment approaches across anatomic subsites.

Conclusion

An algorithmic approach to clinical management of these tumors, derived from our longitudinal institutional experience and current empiric evidence, may assist otolaryngologists, radiation oncologists, and geneticists in the care of these complex neoplasms.

Level of Evidence

4