Inter-observer agreement in laryngeal pre-neoplastic lesions

Diagnosis with confidence: deep learning for reliable classification of laryngeal dysplasia

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of head and neck (HN) squamous dysplasias and carcinomas is critical for patient care, cure, and follow-up. It can be challenging, especially for grading intraepithelial lesions. Despite recent simplification in the last WHO grading system, the inter- and intraobserver variability remains substantial, particularly for nonspecialized pathologists, exhibiting the need for new tools to support pathologists.

METHODS

In this study we investigated the potential of deep learning to assist the pathologist with automatic and reliable classification of HN lesions following the 2022 WHO classification system. We created, for the first time, a large-scale database of histological samples (>2000 slides) intended for developing an automatic diagnostic tool. We developed and trained a weakly supervised model performing classification from whole-slide images (WSI). We evaluated our model on both internal and external test sets and we defined and validated a new confidence score to assess the predictions that can be used to identify difficult cases.

RESULTS

Our model demonstrated high classification accuracy across all lesion types on both internal and external test sets (respectively average area under the curve [AUC]: 0.878 (95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.834-0.918]) and 0.886 (95% CI: [0.813-0.947])) and the confidence score allowed for accurate differentiation between reliable and uncertain predictions.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that the model, associated with confidence measurements, can help in the difficult task of classifying HN squamous lesions by limiting variability and detecting ambiguous cases, taking us one step closer to a wider adoption of AI-based assistive tools.

Dysplastic Lesions of the Larynx

There have been many advancements in the clinical and histologic diagnosis of laryngeal dysplasia (LD), but diagnosis still necessitates invasive histologic evaluation. Furthermore, despite improved histologic identification of dysplastic lesions, the exact details of pathophysiologic progression and the risk of malignant transformation is still uncertain. These unknowns create a barrier to establishing an ideal grading and classification system, which prevents the establishment of a precise and consistent treatment paradigm. Identifying these gaps in knowledge serves to highlight where further studies are warranted, ideally focusing on a better understanding of the biological behavior of LD. This would ultimately allow for the creation of a reliable grading and classification system and for the formalization of management and treatment guidelines for LD.

Comparison of the prognoses of laryngeal preneoplastic lesions based on Ljubljana and World Health Organization classifications

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognosis of patients with laryngeal preneoplastic lesions based on Ljubljana classification (LC), Revised LC, World Health Organization Dysplasia System (WHO-DS) 2005 and WHO-DS 2017.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with a laryngeal preneoplastic lesion in our clinic between 2005 and 2018 were included in the study. Biopsy preparations of patients were reexamined by the pathology unit and classified based on LC, Revised LC, WHODS 2005, and WHO-DS 2017. Patients with carcinoma were identified during follow-up. The prognosis of preneoplastic lesions was statistically analyzed based on carcinoma development and duration using these four different classifications.

RESULTS

Carcinoma developed in 16 of 142 patients after repeated biopsy. The risk for carcinoma development was found to be more statistically significant in atypical hyperplasia than in squamous cell hyperplasia and basal-parabasal cell hyperplasia according to LC (p: 0.027 and 0.035), no statistically significant difference was observed between squamous and basal-parabasal cell hyperplasia and CIS groups. The risk of carcinoma development was more statistically significant in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) than in low-grade SIL according to revised LC (p: 0.04); in severe hyperplasia than in other groups according to WHO-DS 2005; and in highgrade dysplasia than in low-grade dysplasia according to WHO-DS 2017 (p: 0.013). The Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of developing carcinoma statistically increased with age in all classifications, independent of the severity of dysplasia (p < 0.01). According to Cox regression analysis, there was no effect of sex on carcinoma development.

DISCUSSION

: In revised classifications, such as the revised LC and WHO-DS 2017, it is seen that facilitating clinical use is achieved by reducing the number of subgroups by combining the subgroups that do not statistically differ in terms of carcinoma development.

Management of Laryngeal Dysplasia and Early Invasive Cancer

OPINION STATEMENT

Dysplasia and early laryngeal cancer lie on a spectrum of cellular changes. These start with early changes to the cells including epithelial hyperplasia and expand to dysplasia, squamous cell carcinoma in situ and finally developing in to invasive cancer. Dysplasia can range from low to high grade, with each being treated in a different manner. Treatment options are typically determined by where the dysplasia/invasive cancer lie on this spectrum along with the site within the larynx. Hyperkeratosis, mild dysplasia and moderate dysplasia typically involve primary endoscopic excision. Severe dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma in situ involve primary endoscopic resection with the addition of possible laser resection and/or ablation. At this stage, surgery will be followed by close surveillance. Finally, early laryngeal cancer such as T1 and T2 lesions is typically more involved. Treatment depends on the site and degree of involvement of the structures, along with spread to surrounding structures. Typical treatment options of more involved early laryngeal cancer can range from radiation therapy, endoscopic transoral laser resection, endoscopic transoral robotic resection to open resection. Often times, my choice of treatment will be aimed at voice preservation but patient preference will also play a role in the decision making between treatment modalities. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are typically not used in early stage laryngeal cancer.

Laryngeal dysplasia: Oncological outcomes in a large cohort of patients treated in a tertiary comprehensive cancer centre

PURPOSE

Laryngeal dysplasia represents a series of precancerous lesions, observed as laryngeal leukoplakia. General agreement has been lacking for their management and treatment ranging from simple biopsy to complete excision with cold blade/laser. In this work, we aim at providing the oncological outcomes of patients affected by laryngeal dysplasia, treated with a single modality, and at identifying clinical parameters predictive of malignant transformation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery between January 2005 and December 2015 in a tertiary comprehensive cancer centre. Data were collected about smoke and alcohol habits, site of the laryngeal lesion, surgical outcomes and progression to invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

The grade of dysplasia, margins' status and smoke habit were not associated with a significantly worse DFS and a higher risk of invasive SCC. We identified three parameters (supraglottic involvement, multifocality and history of more than one recurrence of dysplasia) that have a significant prognostic value.

CONCLUSIONS

On the base of these clinical parameters, a more intensive follow-up might be warranted for high-risk patients.

Developing Classifications of Laryngeal Dysplasia: The Historical Basis

During the last 60 years numerous significant attempts have been made to achieve a widely acceptable terminology and histological grading for laryngeal squamous intraepithelial lesions. While dysplasia was included in the pathology of the uterine cervix already in 1953, the term dysplasia was accepted in laryngeal pathology first after the Toronto Centennial Conference on Laryngeal Cancer in 1974. In 1963 Kleinsasser proposed a three-tier classification, and in 1971 Kambic and Lenart proposed a four-tier classification. Since then, four editions of the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification have been proposed (1978, 1991, 2005 and 2017). Several terms such as squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (SIN) and laryngeal intraepithelial neoplasia (LIN) are now being abandoned and replaced by squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). The essential change between the 2005 and 2017 WHO classifications is the attempt to induce a simplification from a four- to a two-tier system. The current WHO classification (2017) thus recommends the use of a two-tier system with reasonably clear histopathological criteria for the two groups: low-grade and high-grade dysplasia. Problems with interobserver variability apart, subjectivities and uncertainties remain, but to a lesser degree. Ongoing and additional molecular studies may help to clarify underlying events that will increase our understanding and possibly can facilitate our attempts to obtain an even better classification. The classification needs to be easier for the general pathologist to perform and easier for the clinician to interpret. These two objectives are equally important to provide each patient the best personalised treatment available for squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Flexible Endoscopic Biopsy: Identifying Factors to Increase Accuracy in Diagnosing Benign and Malignant Laryngopharyngeal Pathology

OBJECTIVES

To assess the influence that several factors, such as the amount of obtained biopsies, difficult procedures, biopsy site and the experience of the attending physician, have on accuracy of flexible endoscopic biopsy (FEB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

203 FEB procedures for benign or malignant laryngopharyngeal lesions were prospectively included. During the procedure, three representative biopsies (macroscopically containing vital tumor tissue and not only necrosis or healthy tissue) were obtained. The accuracy of each biopsy was separately analyzed. Difficulties during the procedures leading to failure of acquiring three representative biopsies were recorded and classified into tumor, patient and procedural factors. Histological results of FEB were defined correct when consistent with clinical context, additional biopsies or Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) revealed equivalent pathology, or the lesion was stable or resolved in >6 months follow-up.

RESULTS

The first representative biopsy yielded a correct diagnosis in 65% of the cases. After the second representative biopsy, 78% was correctly diagnosed. The contribution of the third and fourth representative biopsies to accuracy was 3%. The overall accuracy of FEB was 85%. Difficult procedures were more likely to result in misdiagnosis, whereas biopsy site or experience of the attending physician did not influence results.

CONCLUSIONS

FEB was accurate in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal lesions when at least two representative biopsies were obtained. Accuracy of FEB could be further improved by limiting possible constraints during the procedures, for example by selecting, informing, and anesthetizing patients carefully.

Laryngeal Dysplasia: Persisting Dilemmas, Disagreements and Unsolved Problems-A Short Review

We present the historical review and current state of the histopathological classifications and terminology of laryngeal precursor lesions. Attention to recent genetic findings is also presented; although in need of additional confirmation, these raise possibility for early detection of patients at risk of dysplasia progression. Although a number of identified genetic alterations with a promising diagnostic and prognostic value are emerging, none of the known genetic alterations can be currently implemented in clinical practice as a completely reliable diagnostic and/or prognostic marker. Regarding the terminology of precursor lesions, dysplasia remains the most frequently used term, but squamous intraepithelial lesion can be used as a synonym as well. Histological findings, in spite of certain degree of subjectivity, remain at present the most reliable method for an accurate diagnosis. The current 2017 WHO classification seems to successfully stratify risk of malignant progression, with a significantly different risk of malignant progression between low-grade dysplasia and high-grade dysplasia. In case of pronounced architectural disorders, severe cellular and nuclear atypias, and an increased number of mitoses, also atypical form, the high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma in situ can be separated. The Slovenian tertiary centers have a policy of surgical removal of high-grade SILs and life-long close follow-up. Radiotherapy is reserved for more pronounced intraepithelial lesions classified as carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer. Such a distinction can facilitate clinical decision to use radiotherapy if complete surgical removal is not possible.

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas are Commonly Associated With Differentiated Squamous Intraepithelial Neoplasia With or Without an Admixture With Usual Type of Squamous Intraepithelial Neoplasia: Clinical and Pathologic Significance

BACKGROUND

Differentiated squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (dSIN) is a pathway in the development of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) distinct from the usual-type squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (uSIN) and has not been described in the larynx.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-nine consecutive cases of SCC were identified which included 25 dSIN, 13 uSIN, and 31 mixed dSIN+usual-like SIN (u-like SIN) cases.

RESULTS

dSIN was characterized by atypical squamous cells limited to the basal/parabasal layers and u-like SIN was characterized by cytologic atypia limited to less than full thickness. Despite the lack of neoplastic involvement of the full thickness of the epithelium, these types of SIN were commonly connected with invasive carcinoma. Prior biopsies demonstrating only dSIN, without the underlying invasive SCC, were underdiagnosed in 2 cases. Because of the frequent keratinization, u-like SIN likely represents the "keratinized dysplasia" and shows changes suggestive of dSIN with upward spread of neoplastic cells into the upper layer of the epithelium.

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngeal dSIN represents an important but under recognized pathway of invasive SCC development. As moderate dysplasia of uSIN type are not associated with invasive SCC, labeling u-like SIN as dysplasia of grade 2 or 3 likely leads to the controversies in the current grading systems in the upper aerodigestive system and causes confusion for clinicians.

Local inflammatory reaction to benign, pre-malignant and malignant glottic lesions: A matched case-control study

OBJECTIVES

To study the inflammatory infiltrates associated with the different stages of laryngeal carcinogenesis.

DESIGN

Observational, matched case-control study of histopathologic specimens.

SETTING

An academic referral centre.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 45 patients who underwent removal of glottic lesions between 2008 and 2015. Patients were enrolled and categorised into three matched groups according to lesions' histopathologic diagnoses, 15 patients in each group: benign, pre-malignant and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Matching was based on age, gender and pack-years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Immunohistochemistry staining using monoclonal antibodies against CD4, CD8, CD68, CD20 and S100 representing T-helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, macrophages, B cells and dendritic cells, respectively. Cell counts and distributions were measured and compared between groups. Correlations between the different cells were examined.

RESULTS

The predominant cell type was CD8+, followed by CD68+ and CD4+. All inflammatory cells increased significantly in number in SCC (P-value < 0.001), with no significant difference between benign and pre-malignant groups. Strong correlations between the different cells were demonstrated only in the malignant group. S100+ cells correlated with both T-cell subsets, CD4+ (rho = 0.769, P-value = 0.001) and CD8+ (rho = 0.697, P-value = 0.0004). Infiltrates exhibited more extensive distribution in SCC compared to pre-malignant and benign; CD8+ and CD68+ cells were demonstrated in both intraepithelial and stromal regions in 93% of SCC lesions (P-value = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngeal carcinoma demonstrates a unique pattern of inflammatory infiltrates, with significant changes in cell counts and distribution. Leucocyte infiltrates increased significantly in the transition from laryngeal pre-malignant lesion to malignancy while no significant differences were seen between benign and pre-malignant lesions.

The White Lesion, Hyperkeratosis, and Dysplasia

Laryngeal mucosal precursor lesions represent a challenging clinical entity. Updated classification systems allow for grade-based categorization. Multiple management options exist, with treatment decisions made jointly by physician and patient and focused on both appropriate lesion treatment and preservation of laryngeal structure and function. Traditional methods include cold steel and CO₂ laser excision, with newer modalities using angiolytic lasers for lesion ablation. Both operating room-based and office-based treatment options exist, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. Research is ongoing to advance the understanding of lesion biology, and to optimize prevention and treatment.

Precursor Lesions of the Vocal Cord: a Study on the Diagnostic Role of Histomorphology, Histometry and Ki-67 Proliferation

The precise typing of precursor lesions of squamous cell carcinoma of vocal cord is of vital importance since it determines the line of therapy and prognosis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possible value of the types of dyskeratosis, histometry and cell proliferation rate in discriminating these lesions. The present retrospective study was based on 145 patients, classified according to the updated 2017 WHO system and included: Low-grade dysplasia (24 cases), high -grade dysplasia (53 cases), carcinoma insitu (33 cases) and microinvasive carcinomas (35 cases). Cell proliferation was assessed by immunoreactivity to Ki-67. For histometry and quantitation of Ki-67 proliferation rate, an image analysis system was used (Leica LAS, Wetzlar, Germany). Epithelial pearls (cell nests) were commonly observed in microinvasive carcinoma (82.9%) than high-grade dysplasia (5.9%). The median epithelial thickness, as well as, proliferation rate showed a significant increase according to the grade of the lesion. It is concluded that dyskeratosis pattern, histometry and Ki-67proliferation rate are valuable parameters to characterize precursor lesions. The presence of epithelial pearls, thickness > 450 μm and Ki-67 > 40% denote high risk lesions that require adequate excision and/or radiotherapy.

Transoral flexible laryngoscope biopsy: Safety and accuracy

Objective

To determine the accuracy of transoral flexible laryngoscope (TFL) biopsy and also to identify the safety as office based procedure in terms of complications.

Methods

This is a diagnostic study; the type of intervention is outpatient department based biopsy of laryngeal lesions. All patients seen in ENT outpatient department of Lyari General Hospital with suspicious lesions of Larynx were referred for Transoral Flexible Laryngoscopy Biopsy under local anesthesia. The specimens were sent for histopathology. The patients with benign pathology or carcinoma in situ were referred for direct laryngoscopy and biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated and the frequencies of complications were monitored to determine the complication rate.

Results

During the course of study a total of 47 patients underwent TFL biopsy in office settings. Out of these patients 16 patients were referred for direct laryngoscopy biopsy. The study population included 32 men and 15 women with ages ranging from 28 to 52 years and mean of (39 ± 6) years. Among 43 patients squamous cell carcinoma was the final diagnosis in 31 patients. In the rest of 12 patients’ dysplasia and benign lesion was the diagnosis in 9 and 3 patients respectively. These 12 patients underwent direct laryngoscopy biopsy and 10 of them diagnosed with invasive carcinoma rest had benign lesions. Hence the specificity was 75.6% and sensitivity was 100%. None of the patients developed any serious complication.

Conclusions

All patients with a suspicious lesion diagnosed by TFL biopsy as being benign or carcinoma in situ should have direct laryngoscopy for verification of the findings. But the results positive for carcinoma are reliable. In addition, this is a safe procedure.

Recent Changes of Classification for Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Head and Neck

CONTEXT

- Interpretation of atypical squamous lesions of the head and neck has always been a nettlesome task for pathologists. Moreover, many different grading systems for squamous intraepithelial lesions have been proposed in past decades. The recent World Health Organization 2017 classification presents 2 types of 2-tier systems for laryngeal and oral precursor lesions.

OBJECTIVE

- To review the recent changes in classification and the clinical significance for squamous intraepithelial lesions of the head and neck.

DATA SOURCES

- Personal experience and data from the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

- The 2-tier grading system for laryngeal dysplasia, presented by World Health Organization in 2017, is expected to improve diagnostic reproducibility and clinical implication. However, the diagnostic criteria for low-grade dysplasia do not distinguish it clearly from basal cell hyperplasia. The World Health Organization 2017 classification of oral epithelial dysplasia remains unclear, and complicated and variable grading systems still make head and neck intraepithelial lesions difficult to interpret.

Laryngeal precursor lesions: Interrater and intrarater reliability of histopathological assessment

OBJECTIVE

The World Health Organization classification (WHOC) 2017 of low-grade versus high-grade laryngeal dysplasia recently replaced the previous WHOC 2005 of mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Our objectives were to compare the interrater agreement of the WHOC 2017 with that of the WHOC 2005 and to test the intra-rater agreement of the WHOC 2005.

METHODS

Two expert head and neck pathologists rated 211 tissue samples that were initially diagnosed with laryngeal precursor lesions. The samples were rated twice according to the WHOC 2005 and once according to the WHOC 2017; estimates of interrater and intrarater agreements were calculated with kappa statistics.

RESULTS

The crude intrarater agreements using the WHOC 2005 were 0.93 for rater 1 and 0.62 for rater 2. The corresponding unweighted kappa values were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-0.95) for rater 1 and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.35-0.54) for rater 2, whereas the standard linear weighted kappa values were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.97) for rater 1 and 0.60 (95% CI, 0.53-0.69) for rater 2. The crude interrater agreement for the WHOC 2005 was 0.57, with a corresponding unweighted kappa value 0.38 (95% CI, 0.31-0.48) and a standard linear weighted kappa value 0.52 (95% CI, 0.42-0.60). The crude interrater agreement for the WHOC 2017 was 0.83, with a corresponding unweighted kappa value 0.45 (95% CI, 0.31-0.59) and a standard linear weighted kappa value 0.46 (95% CI, 0.30-0.60).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate difficulties in providing reliable diagnosis of laryngeal precursor lesions, even with experienced head and neck pathologists and the application of a newly revised classification system.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 128:2375-2379, 2018.

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 Tumours of the Hypopharynx, Larynx, Trachea and Parapharyngeal Space

Chapter 3 "Tumours of the hypopharynx, larynx, trachea, and parapharyngeal space" of the World Health Organization (WHO) Blue Book 2017 "Classification of Head and Neck Tumours" shows a shortened list of entities, especially due to reducing the number of benign and malignant soft tissue tumours, malignant melanoma and some others, which are transferred to more frequently affected regions of the head and neck. The basic concept of the new edition is to assimilate all advances concerning the discussed tumours in a shorter framework, appropriate for daily work. The main emphasis is on the most frequent lesions and tumors originating from the covering squamous epithelium. Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal conventional squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), its variants and precursor lesions, occupy a major part of the chapter. New data on etiopathogenesis, with the focus on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, are discussed in relation to the entities of the squamous epithelium. Although only a small fraction of these lesions are HPV-related, further studies are required for evaluation of the potential prognostic and therapeutic benefit of mRNA HPV determination. In contrast to earlier data, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal verrucous SCC, spindle cell SCC and basaloid SCC are not anymore considered as HPV-related tumours. New data on the pathogenesis of spindle cell SCC exhibiting divergent differentiation by epithelial-mesenchymal transition, are also briefly discussed. The most important innovation is brought by the section on precursor lesions, in which a unified two-tier classification, consisting of low- and high-grade dysplasia, is introduced. The proposed two-tier system can also be transformed into a three-tier classification for treatment purposes, with a distinction between carcinoma in situ and high-grade dysplasia. The reviewed morphological criteria of the proposed system are based on the amended Ljubljana classification. The section on laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) represents a considerable improvement in terminology and classification. NEC are divided into well-, moderate- and poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. The latter is additionally divided into small cell NEC and large cell NEC (LCNEC). It is of extreme importance that LCNEC, which was associated in the WHO 2005 edition with atypical carcinoid/moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma, grade II, has now been transferred into the group of poorly differentiated NEC, grade III, displaying a specific morphology and poorer prognosis.

Laryngeal Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions: An Updated Review on Etiology, Classification, Molecular Changes, and Treatment

Laryngeal carcinogenesis is a multistep process, characterized by an accumulation of genetic changes associated with architectural and cytologic alterations, ranging from squamous hyperplasia to carcinoma in situ and encompassed by the terminology of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). The etiology, classification, genetic changes, and malignant progression of these lesions are reviewed. Tobacco remains the principal etiological factor with gastroesophageal reflux disease recently considered as a possible factor. In contrast, there is little evidence that microbiological agents, especially human papillomavirus infection, are frequently involved in laryngeal carcinogenesis and probably <10% of SILs are driven by biologically active human papillomavirus infection. Light microscopy, despite a degree of subjectivity, remains the mainstay of accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and guidance for a patient's treatment. The currently used classifications, the dysplasia system, squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, and the Ljubljana classification, reflect different standpoints on this important topic. The modified Ljubljana classification, with good interobserver agreement, could be considered as a proposal for a unified classification of laryngeal SILs. This review also briefly discusses recently discovered genetic changes, such as CDKN2A and CTNNB1 genes, and chromosome instability of chromosomes 1 and 7; however, none of these can at present improve histologic diagnosis. Malignant progression of precursor lesions varies from 2% to 74%, according to different studies. Cold-steel microinstruments, CO2 laser, and radiotherapy are used to treat the different grades of precursor lesions. There is as yet no worldwide agreement on the treatment of high-grade lesions and carcinoma in situ.

Transnasal Flexible Fiberoptic in-office Laryngeal Biopsies-Our Experience with 117 Patients with Suspicious Lesions

OBJECTIVE

To compare pathologic results obtained via in-office transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy (TFL) to those of subsequent direct laryngoscopy in order to assess the accuracy of TFL as a diagnostic tool.

PATIENTS

One hundred and seventeen patients with suspicious laryngeal lesions.

METHODS

All patients underwent in-office biopsies. All patients with malignant diagnosis were referred to treatment. All patients with benign diagnosis or carcinoma in situ were referred to direct laryngoscopy for definitive diagnosis. The pathological results of the specimens from both procedures were compared.

RESULTS

Adequate tissue for diagnostic purposes was obtained in 110 of 117 in-office transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy biopsies (94.0%). The biopsy results revealed invasive carcinoma in 42 patients (38.2%), carcinoma in situ (CIS) in 17 patients (15.4%), and benign lesions in 51 patients (46.4%). All patients with benign pathologies and carcinoma in situ were referred to biopsy under direct laryngoscopy (five patients refused and were removed from the statistics). The final pathologies identified from the biopsies on direct laryngoscopy revealed that there was an underestimation of the transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy results in 33 patients (a false negative rate of 31.4%, 33/105) and an overestimation in one patient. The sensitivity of transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy biopsy compared with direct laryngoscopy biopsy was 70.6% and the specificity was 96.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

TFL with biopsy is easy, safe, and cost-effective but raises serious doubts about its clinical value due to its low sensitivity rate for diagnosing suspicious lesions of the larynx. As such, it is recommended that all patients with a suspicious lesion diagnosed by TFL biopsy as being benign or CIS should be referred to direct laryngoscopy for verification of the findings.

Laryngeal Papillomatosis Associated Dysplasia in the Adult Population

Objectives:

The objectives were to determine the prevalence of laryngeal dysplasia and associated human papilloma virus (HPV) subtypes in adult patients, 18 years or older, suffering from laryngeal papillomatosis at a tertiary care institution.

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

Patients with biopsy proven laryngeal papillomatosis were identified via chart review. All available pathology specimens were reviewed by a dedicated head and neck pathologist to confirm/refute the diagnosis of laryngeal dysplasia, and grade the level of dysplasia. Interrater agreement was compared using cross-tabulation methods. Specimens identified to be positive for dysplasia underwent further testing via in situ hybridization for low-risk (6/11) or high-risk (16/18) HPV subtypes.

Results:

Of the 85 subjects identified to have laryngeal papillomatosis, 24(28%) demonstrated laryngeal dysplasia. There was good interrater agreement on the presence of dysplasia; however, there was only fair agreement on the grade of dysplasia. Of the pathology specimens tested for HPV subtype, the majority of patients (62%) were positive for HPV 6/11, including all high-grade dysplasia patients. Three (12%) dysplasia specimens were negative for both high- and low-risk HPV subtypes.

Conclusions:

We found a 28% prevalence of dysplasia in our patient population with the majority of patients positive for low-risk HPV subtypes indicating that high-risk HPV subtypes do not predispose laryngeal papilloma patients to dysplasia.

Current views and perspectives on classification of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the head and neck

The current state in the field of classifying oral and laryngeal precursor lesions, as proposed in the WHO 2005 Blue Book is not ideal. The results of various inter-observer studies have shown that the currently used grading systems, with different basic concepts and different terminology, cannot continue to be reliably used in the future. The different etiology of cervical and head and neck precursor lesions requires a classification designed to cater to the specificities of the head and neck region. Trying to harmonize different classifications of the oral and laryngeal precursor lesions, we have proposed four crucial steps to set up a unified classification of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs): (a) the classification should contain two grades, low-grade and high-grade lesions and, specifically for the larynx, an additional grade-carcinoma in situ (CIS) which must be separated from high-grade laryngeal SILs; (b) the terminology should be unified; our preference is for the term SIL over squamous intraepithelial neoplasia; (c) all leading morphological criteria for low- and high-grade lesions, as well as for CIS, should be clearly defined; (d) agreement between clinicians and pathologists should be achieved on the most appropriate choice of treatment of different grades of SILs in separate head and neck areas.

Diagnostic Variability of Laryngeal Premalignant Lesions

Objective

This study was to analyze the interobserver histopathological variability and carcinoma transformation of laryngeal premalignant lesions.

Study Design

A historical cohort study.

Setting

Department of Pathology, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Subjects and Methods

κ-statistics analysis was performed to estimate interobserver histopathological variability among pathologists by reassessment of 237 cases with laryngeal premalignant lesion according to 2005 WHO classification system. A retrospective follow-up of 237 patients over 8-year duration was carried out, and the carcinoma transformation of laryngeal premalignant lesions was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve estimation.

Results

κ-values of 0.5989 concerning interobserver variability indicated a moderate agreement among 3 pathologists. Major source of intergrade diagnostic disagreement between the original and the consensus diagnoses involved 2 grade pairs, namely, mild and moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ. In addition, follow-up study showed that 20 of 237 (8.44%) laryngeal premalignant lesion cases developed into invasive carcinoma. Carcinoma transformation in severe dysplasia group exhibited a similar risk compared to that in carcinoma in situ group ( P = .232).

Conclusion

Severe dysplasia shows the same carcinoma transformation potential as the carcinoma in situ does. Clinically, more attention to severe dysplasia is needed in comparison with mild and moderate dysplasia.