Use of Lugol's iodine in the resection of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Clinical Experience with Autofluorescence Guided Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Surgery

In our study, the effect of the use of autofluorescence (Visually Enhanced Lesion Scope-VELscope) on increasing the success rate of surgical treatment in oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) was investigated. Our hypothesis was tested on a group of 122 patients suffering from OSCC, randomized into a study and a control group enrolled in our study after meeting the inclusion criteria. The preoperative checkup via VELscope, accompanied by the marking of the range of a loss of fluorescence in the study group, was performed before the surgery. We developed a unique mucosal tattoo marking technique for this purpose. The histopathological results after surgical treatment, i.e., the margin status, were then compared. In the study group, we achieved pathological free margin (pFM) in 55 patients, pathological close margin (pCM) in 6 cases, and we encountered no cases of pathological positive margin (pPM) in the mucosal layer. In comparison, the control group results revealed pPM in 7 cases, pCM in 14 cases, and pFM in 40 of all cases in the mucosal layer. This study demonstrated that preoperative autofluorescence assessment of the mucosal surroundings of OSCC increased the ability to achieve pFM resection 4.8 times in terms of lateral margins.

A Multicenter Study on the Effect of Margin Distance on Survival and Local Control in Stage 1-2 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue

BACKGROUND

Pathological close margins are considered a significant factor for local recurrence in patients with oral cancer. However, the oral cavity has complicated anatomical features, and the appropriate margin distance for each site is unknown. This multicenter, retrospective study aimed to determine the appropriate resection margin for early tongue cancer and investigate the need for additional treatment for close margins and stump dysplasia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 564 patients from ten hospitals were enrolled in this study. Sex, age, performance status, T stage, tumor length diameter, depth of invasion, elective neck dissection, iodine staining, horizontal margin distance, vertical margin distance, pathological differentiation, invasion pattern, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, dysplasia in the resection edge, additional treatment for close margins, local recurrence, neck metastasis, distant metastasis, and outcomes were investigated.

RESULTS

Receiver operating characteristic analysis for local recurrence revealed cut-off values of 3.3 mm for horizontal distance and 3.1 mm for vertical distance. Patients with close horizontal or vertical margins showed significantly higher local recurrence rates, but these were not associated with overall or disease-specific survival. Furthermore, there was no effect of additional treatment in patients with dysplasia at the surgical margin.

CONCLUSION

For early tongue cancer, a horizontal margin of 3.3 mm was defined as a close margin. Close margins were significantly correlated with local recurrence but did not affect survival. In the future, we would like to examine the concept of "quality margins," including the surrounding anatomical features.

Prognostic factors in oral cancer surgery - results from a UK tertiary centre

INTRODUCTION

Oral cancer surgery is complicated by the diverse nature of clinical and histopathological presentations that occur. Current National guidance recognises the significant role that surgical margin status plays in the overall survival of patients. Many other histopathological factors influence patient survival, the importance of which varies between the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective longitudinal study, all patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma who had primary surgical treatment under general anaesthesia were included. Surgery was performed by one surgical team within this tertiary referral centre. Patients were followed up for a maximum of 7 years following their surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 250 patients were included from 2015 to 2022. Patients were 61.44 years old (SD 13.23) at diagnosis, and 56.4% were male (n = 141). Pathology was mainly pT1 (39.1%) and the most common sites were the border of tongue (31.2%) and floor of mouth (18.8%). 43.4% of patients had clear surgical margins, with overall survival being significantly associated with margin status (p = 0.0079). Extra-capsular spread was significantly associated with higher risk of death from metastatic head and neck cancer (p = 0.014), whereas presence of high-grade dysplasia at surgical margins and depth of invasion of tumour were not.

CONCLUSION

This study has reinforced the importance of surgical margin clearance and as such the development of intra-operative techniques to ensure this is imperative. The significance of extra-capsular spread in survival has also been demonstrated. Discussion regarding the current deficiency in accurate pre-operative diagnostic methods for extra capsular spread is covered.

Prognostic significance of dysplasia associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma in patients undergoing surgery with curative intent

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of dysplasia in patients undergoing primary surgery with curative intent in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study specifically aimed to demonstrate the effect of dysplasia on local recurrence, disease specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Data collection for 833 patients with OSCC undergoing treatment for curative intent was undertaken retrospectively for the period of February 2006 to May 2020. Analysis of any association between known clinicopathological prognostic categorical variables with respect to dysplasia was undertaken using the chi squared test. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to demonstrate the impact of dysplasia on DSS and OS, and Cox's proportional-hazards model deployed to obtain hazard ratios associated with dysplasia and the outcomes of interest. Dysplasia was statistically significant in predicting disease specific and overall survival in patients undergoing primary surgery for OSCC (DSS p<0.001, HR 0.577; 95%CI 0.428 to 0.777), OS p<0.001 HR 0.691; 95%CI 0.562 to 0.850) with the absence of dysplasia predicting poorer outcomes. The absence of dysplasia correlated with pathological higher T and N stage, increased categorised depth of tumour invasion, non-cohesive invasive front, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, extranodal extension and increased modified Glasgow Prognostic Score. No significant prognostic relationship was attributable to the presence of dysplasia at a surgical margin. The absence of dysplasia appeared to be a significant independent prognostic indicator for patients with OSCC. The presence or absence of dysplasia may provide a heuristic means of stratifying OSCC primary lesions in terms of disease hostility.

Clinical value of entire-circumferential intraoperative frozen section analysis for the complete resection of superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the clinical value of an entire-circumferential intraoperative frozen section analysis (e-IFSA) for the complete resection of superficial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total 276 specimens from 51 patients with pT1-2, N0, mucosal or submucosal invasion SCC were analyzed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the e-IFSA and the added value of the e-IFSA to iodine staining. The e-IFSA results were compared with the final histologic results obtained using permanent sections. All specimens for the e-IFSA were taken over the entire circumference 5 mm outside from the iodine unstained areas. The outline of the main resected specimen after taking these outer mucosal specimens were defined as the surgical margins determined by iodine staining alone.

RESULTS

The e-IFSA results were in excellent agreement with final histological results (Cohen's kappa value: 0.85) and the e-IFSA showed high sensitivity (100%) and high negative predictive value (100%). The actual complete resection rate with an e-IFSA was 100% (51/51), and no patient required additional resection after surgery. In contrast, 10/51 patients (20%) patients showed residual atypical mucosal epithelium at or beyond the margin determined by iodine staining alone; this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002). The 5-year local control rate and 5-year overall survival rate after this procedure were both 100%.

CONCLUSION

An e-IFSA has additional value when performed in conjunction with iodine staining. An e-IFSA would be useful for achieving complete resection of superficial SCC of the tongue.

An overview of the current clinical status of optical imaging in head and neck cancer with a focus on Narrow Band imaging and fluorescence optical imaging

Early and accurate identification of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is important to improve treatment outcomes and prognosis. New optical imaging techniques may assist in both the diagnostic process as well as in the operative setting by real-time visualization and delineation of tumor. Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) is an endoscopic technique that uses blue and green light to enhance mucosal and submucosal blood vessels, leading to better detection of (pre)malignant lesions showing aberrant blood vessel patterns. Fluorescence optical imaging makes use of near-infrared fluorescent agents to visualize and delineate HNSCC, resulting in fewer positive surgical margins. Targeted fluorescent agents, such as fluorophores conjugated to antibodies, show the most promising results. The aim of this review is: (1) to provide the clinical head and neck surgeon an overview of the current clinical status of various optical imaging techniques in head and neck cancer; (2) to provide an in-depth review of NBI and fluorescence optical imaging, as these techniques have the highest potential for clinical implementation; and (3) to describe future improvements and developments within the field of these two techniques.

Usefulness of fluorescence visualization-guided surgery for early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma compared to iodine vital staining

BACKGROUND

In the most cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is found adjacent to the primary tumor. The delineation of surgical margins for OSCC is critical to minimize the risk for local recurrence. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the fluorescence visualization (FV)- device can delineated the lesion visualizes OED of adjacent primary tumors by histopathologically comparison to conventional iodine vital staining.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 40 patients with superficial tongue squamous cell carcinoma treated from July 2016 to July 2018 at the Oral Cancer Center, Tokyo Dental College.

RESULTS

Cytokeratin 13 (CK13) expression rate in the area of fluorescence visualization loss (FVL) was significantly lower than that in the area of fluorescence visualization retention (FVR). In addition, CK17, Ki-67, and p53 expression rates were significantly higher in FVL than FVR. There was no significant difference in the delineation rate or area between FVL and iodine-unstained area. High-grade dysplasia was observed most frequently at the FV and iodine-unstained boundary, but no significant pathological differences were found.

CONCLUSION

We strongly suggest the FV-guided surgery is a useful method for accurate resection in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Early tongue carcinomas (clinical stage I and II): echo-guided three-dimensional diode laser mini-invasive surgery with evaluation of histological prognostic parameters. A study of 85 cases with prolonged follow-up

The management of patients with early stage (cT1-T2) tongue squamous cell carcinoma without clinicoradiologic evidence of neck node metastasis (cN0) has been widely debated over the last 3 decades and still remains controversial. Nevertheless, the identification of patients with low-stage tumours at high-risk for occult cervical metastases is imperative before planning treatments of primary tumours, as well as that of prognostic markers which may possibly select those patients who may benefit of additional workup after surgery in view of the high metastatic potential of the primary tumour. The pre-surgical evaluation of tongue malignant primary tumour (for assessing lateral and deep margins) along with diode laser surgery (with accurate incision, bleeding-free and with reduced/absent post-surgical complications) may lead to a more conservative but equally decisive surgical treatment, also with a greater patient compliance. We studied 85 consecutive cases of cT1-T2 N0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma who had been managed by the following diagnostic/therapeutic protocol: pre-operative high definition ultrasound examination for the evaluation of size and depth, followed by three-dimensional surgical excision by diode laser (wavelength of 800 ± 10 nm, output power of 8 W in continuous wave, flexible optic fibre of 320 μm in contact mode) and detailed histological analyses of well-established prognostic parameters (tumour grade, thickness, depth, front of infiltration and surgical margins) with statistical analysis. No post-surgical photobiomodulation was performed. Overall, 58.82% of patients were stage I, 18% stage II, and the most frequent histotype was squamous cell carcinoma (97.64%). Large nests invasion pattern was observed in 64 cases, expansive pattern in 9, invasion in single cells in 12; front of invasion involved the muscle in 62 cases, vessels in 6, nerves in 15; peritumoural vascular invasion was assessed in 6 patients and perineural invasion in 15. Selective neck lymphadenectomy was performed in 9 cases, and clinically occult node metastases were detected in two cases. At follow-up, 78 patients (98.73%) were alive and free of disease, one patient experienced tumour-related death, while the remaining 6 died for non-disease-related causes. All the histological prognostic parameters were statistically significant (χ² test; p = 0.05), thus leading to a prognostic weight classification with a three-tiered stratification. On the bases of these results, the authors maintain that the reported diagnostic/therapeutic protocol, including the pre-operative echo-guided three-dimensional evaluation, the following diode laser mini-invasive surgery for tumour excision and the histological examination along with the proposed three-tiered stratification of histological prognostic parameters may allow proper management of clinical stage I and II early tongue carcinomas.

Impact of dysplastic surgical margins for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Dysplastic changes at the surgical margin of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) could be encountered frequently. However, the impact of a dysplastic surgical margin on patients with OSCC remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospectively, we reviewed patients with OSCC who were diagnosed and treated at the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015. Patients were divided into four groups: clear (≥5 mm), close (<5 mm), positive, and dysplastic margins.

RESULTS

Of 1642 patients, 596 had clear margin, 169 had positive margin, 707 had close margin, and 170 had dysplastic margin. The mean age at diagnosis was 55 ± 11 years (range, 16-97 years). Dysplastic margins were frequently present in patients with primary T1/T2 OSCC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7, p = 0.009), tumor without perineural invasion (OR = 1.48, p = 0.04), and tumor thickness ≤10 mm (OR = 1.94, p = 0.001). In patients with clear, close, positive, and dysplastic margins, the 5-year disease-free survival rates were 63.1%, 51%, 37.2%, and 54.7%, respectively; overall survival (OS) rates were 71.1%, 61.9%, 49%, and 72%, respectively. Disease-free and overall survival were not significantly different in patients with dysplastic and clear margins (p = 0.37 and p = 0.38, respectively). Adjuvant radiotherapy had no significant benefit for patients with dysplastic margins. Finally, a multivariate analysis showed that the presence of a dysplastic margin was not an independent risk factor for disease-free (p = 0.43) and overall survival (p = 0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

The survival rates of the patients with OSCC who had dysplastic margin were significantly better than those with positive margin.

Current Practice and Emerging Molecular Imaging Technologies in Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers globally. Survival rates for patients are directly correlated with stage of diagnosis; despite this knowledge, 60% of individuals are presenting with late-stage disease. Currently, the initial evaluation of a questionable lesion is performed by a conventional visual examination with white light. If a lesion is deemed suspicious, a biopsy is taken for diagnosis. However, not all lesions present suspicious under visual white light examination, and there is limited specificity in differentiating between benign and malignant transformations. Several vital dyes, light-based detection systems, and cytology evaluation methods have been formulated to aid in the visualization process, but their lack of specific biomarkers resulted in high false-positive rates and thus limits their reliability as screening and guidance tools. In this review, we will analyze the current methodologies and demonstrate the need for specific intraoral imaging agents to aid in screening and diagnosis to identify patients earlier. Several novel molecular imaging agents will be presented as, by result of their molecular targeting, they aim to have high specificity for tumor pathways and can support in identifying dysplastic/cancerous lesions and guiding visualization of biopsy sites. Imaging agents that are easy to use, inexpensive, noninvasive, and specific can be utilized to increase the number of patients who are screened and monitored in a variety of different environments, with the ultimate goal of increasing early detection.

Clinical Application of the IllumiScan Fluorescence Visualization Device in Detecting Oral Mucosal Lesions

Objective: Fluorescence visualization devices are screening devices that can be used to examine lesions of the oral mucosa non-invasively. We observed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia using the IllumiScan (Shofu, Kyoto, Japan) fluorescence visualization device and examined its usefulness and characteristics.

Methods: We investigated 31 OSCC and nine leukoplakia in patients who were examined using the IllumiScan and treated in our department from January 2017 to February 2018. Images taken with the IllumiScan were analyzed using image analysis software. We also examined the lesions using narrowband imaging (NBI). Additionally, the IllumiScan and NBI images and the non-stained areas of iodine staining method (IOM) were visually evaluated.

Results: The average luminance of OSCC in the keratinized mucosa was significantly lower than that of OSCC in non-keratinized mucosa. The average luminance of OSCC was significantly lower than that of leukoplakia. Even in keratinized mucosa where IOM is impossible to use, the OSCC lesion exhibited fluorescence visualization loss.

Conclusion: The application of the fluorescence visualization device to the oral mucosa may be useful for distinguishing between cancer and normal areas and can be used to detect OSCC in the keratinized mucosa. The use of the IllumiScan in combination with other conventional screening methods may lead to a better diagnosis.

Management update of potentially premalignant oral epithelial lesions

The term oral potentially malignant disorders, proposed at the World Health Organization workshop in 2005, has now been renamed potentially premalignant oral epithelial lesions (PPOELs). It is important to differentiate among PPOELs, which is a broad term to define a wide variety of clinical lesions, and oral epithelial dysplasia, which should be reserved specifically for lesions with biopsy-proven foci of dysplasia. PPOELs encompass lesions that include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia, lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis. The primary goal of management of dysplasia includes prevention, early detection, and treatment before malignant transformation. The aim of this article is to inform the clinician about management of PPOELs.

Real Time Optical Vascular Imaging: A Potential Technique for the Diagnosis of Mucosal Disease Including Early Oral Cancer

Early detection of oropharyngeal carcinoma is imperative in order to minimise morbidity and increase survival rate, but most of these patients present to the specialist with already advanced stages of malignancy, when the prognosis is relatively poor. General dental practitioners and dental care professionals have a unique opportunity during routine examination to detect any suspicious lesions. However, we continue to rely mostly on conventional examination, which is known to have limitations. There are diagnostic adjuncts available to help detect oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), such as vital staining, brush cytology and macroscopic light-based detection techniques, discussed elsewhere in this issue. However a recent meta-analysis demonstrated that these techniques are not reliable enough as standalone diagnostics and that conventional biopsy remains the diagnostic gold standard. This article shows a new imaging technique which has the potential to detect early signs of oral cancer. This technique is based on the use of green light which allows the observation of oral microvasculature. General dental practitioners and dental care practitioners have a privileged opportunity during routine examination to detect any suspicious lesions in the head and neck region and refer when necessary to specialist care. However, they rely mostly on conventional examination, which is known to be insufficient for the detection of early signs of malignancy. There are diagnostic adjuncts available to help detect oral cancer and oral premalignant disorders, such as vital staining, brush cytology and macroscopic light-based detection techniques, but a recent meta-analysis has concluded that alone, these are not reliable enough to make a full tissue diagnosis. In the main, their value is more as a guide to indicate need for and to locate sites for conventional biopsy, which remains the diagnostic gold standard. However, biopsy also has inherent limitations such as sample handling and site errors and is associated with patient morbidity at every sampling event. The authors have developed and tested a new real-time optical vascular imaging technique (RTOVI) to observe the gingival microvasculature as a direct reporter of local tissue function and behaviour. In addition to direct imaging, the reliability of a potential image analysis method, developed for microvascular images, was assessed. The images were assessed for number of capillaries, capillary area (CA), total capillary area (TCA) and aspect ratio (AR). The mean number of capillaries found in our study (45.06 per mm2) which was higher than figures identified in previous 'same-location' oral mucosal studies (15.42 per mm2). This may reflect the wide variation between individuals and potentially improved resolution and contrast optics between studies. This small study suggests that mean values in CA, TCA and AR may be reliable parameters for thresholding normal values, for comparison between individuals and for the assessment of the microvasculature over time. This assessment of normal is essential to pave the way for further studies involving inflammatory and mitotic lesions.

Clinical relevance of the utilization of vital Lugol's iodine staining in detection and diagnosis of oral cancer and dysplasia

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to assess the clinical relevance of the utilization of vital Lugol's iodine staining in detection of oral cancer and dysplastic lesions as well as demarcation of the extent of these lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was performed in Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital, Sudan. Suspicious oral epithelial lesions indicating incisional biopsy were stained with 10 % Lugol's iodine solution and were clinically designated as "negative" for dysplasia or neoplasia when no unstained lesion (USL) area was observed, or as "positive" when a USL area is observed. Incisional biopsies involving both the unstained portion and the stained portion were obtained and histologically evaluated for definitive diagnosis.

RESULTS

Forty-five biopsies were obtained from 28 patients. Histopathological examination of the specimens confirmed some degree of dysplasia or neoplasia in all clinically positive specimens with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) being the most common definitive diagnosis (17 patients, 60.7 %). Clinical relevance level of vital Lugol's iodine staining in detecting oral cancer and dysplasia was found to be 90.9 % (SE = 0.05, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study showed that Lugol's iodine is an easy, safe, and effective method of visualizing oral epithelial lesions and differentiating epithelial carcinoma and dysplasia from other benign mucosal lesions. Despite certain limitations, its use is of great value in detection and diagnosis of oral cancer and dysplasia.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Lugol's iodine staining can effectively be used in detection of the dysplastic and malignant superficial lesions of the oral epithelium.

Is NBI-Guided Resection a Breakthrough for Achieving Adequate Resection Margins in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

OBJECTIVES

Obtaining free resection margins is the main goal of oncological surgeons. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) has been recently used to help define resection margins in transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative NBI in defining the surgical resection margins of oral and oropharyngeal cancers.

METHODS

Between January 2014 and March 2015, NBI was used intraoperatively after an initial definition of resection margins with white light in 26 patients (group A). The rate of superficial positive margins at definitive histology was compared with that of a historical cohort of 44 patients (group B) previously managed without the use of intraoperative NBI.

RESULTS

A statistically significant reduction in the rate of positive superficial margins was observed at definitive histology in group A (P = .028). NBI helped to identify the presence of dysplasia and cancer around the visible tumor not otherwise detectable with visual examination alone.

CONCLUSIONS

NBI could be a useful tool for obtaining free resection margins in oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Iodine penetration and glycogen distribution in vital staining of oral mucosa with iodine solution

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare iodine penetration and glycogen distribution in a vital staining of oral mucosa with iodine solution.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty samples were obtained including both iodine-stained and -unstained mucosa. Intraepithelial iodine was examined using frozen sections. Glycogen distribution was assessed by periodic acid-Schiff staining and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Iodine accumulation was observed mainly superficially and in the upper and middle thirds of prickle cell layers, with glycogen in almost the whole epithelium except for the para- and basal cell layers. The pattern of iodine and glycogen distribution was classified into 3 types (full-, surround-, and scatter-type). The iodine color was mainly derived from the cells with full- and surround-type distributed glycogen in the upper half of the oral epithelium.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggested that iodine penetrated into nonkeratinized oral epithelium and reacted mainly with intraepithelial glycogen homogeneously distributed in the cytoplasm.

High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for mobile tongue cancer: preliminary results of a dose reduction trial

Purpose

To compare the outcome of our facility with another about the shortened schedule (60 Gy in 10 fractions to 54 Gy in 9 fractions) of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR ISBT) for mobile tongue cancer.

Material and methods

Eighteen patients were treated with HDR ISBT as a monotherapy in dose reduction schedule with some unique technique to determine the border of tumor accuracy (lugol's staining and metal marker), and to minimize adverse effect (lead-lined silicon block) at our facility.

Results

The 2-year local and regional control rates and cause-specific survival rate were 82%, 80%, and 83% and moderate to severe late complications occurred in five patients (28%), which were almost the same treatment results achieved by another facility.

Conclusions

We recommend 54 Gy in 9 fractions over 7 days as a feasible treatment to reduce patient discomfort in mobile tongue cancer patients.

Three-dimensional image-based high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for mobile tongue cancer

To investigate the influence of a 3D image-based treatment-planning method for high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) for mobile tongue cancer, we analyzed dose-volume histogram results for the clinical target volume (CTV) and the mandible. Between October 2010 and November 2011, one and four patients having T2 and T3 tumors, respectively, were treated with HDR-ISBT. Multiplane implantation using 9-15 treatment applicators was performed. Lugol's iodine staining, metal markers, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging were used to identify the contours of the gross tumor volume (defined as the CTV). The results of the image-based treatment plan were compared with those of the conventional simulated plan on the basis of a reference point 5 mm from the applicator position. The mean D90(CTV) and V100(CTV) were 112% of the prescribed dose (PD) and 98.1%PD, respectively, for the image-based plan, and 113%PD and 97.2%PD, respectively, for the conventional plan. The median CTVref/Vref was 0.23 for the image-based plan and 0.16 for the conventional plan (P = 0.01). The mean D0.1 cm(3) (mandible), D1 cm(3) (mandible), and D2 cm(3) (mandible) were 80.1%PD, 62.5%PD, and 55.7%PD, respectively, for the image-based plan, and 109.1%PD (P = 0.02), 82.4%PD (P = 0.005), and 74%PD (P = 0.004), respectively, for the conventional plan). Image-based treatment planning may achieve high-conformity radiotherapy for the CTV and decrease irradiated doses to the mandible.

LIHNCS - Lugol's iodine in head and neck cancer surgery: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of Lugol's iodine to assist excision of moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ at mucosal resection margins of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

Oral cavity and oropharynx cancer are increasing in incidence worldwide but survival outcomes have not significantly improved over the last three decades. The presence of dysplasia or carcinoma in situ at surgical margins following resection of squamous carcinoma of the mucosal surfaces of the head and neck has been shown to be associated with a higher incidence of local recurrence and reduced survival. While invasive carcinoma in mucosal surfaces can usually be distinguished from adjacent normal mucous membrane, pre-malignant disease is much less readily distinguished at operation. We describe a protocol for a randomised, controlled trial in which we will assess the effectiveness of Lugol’s iodine staining in allowing visualisation and excision of cancer margin dysplasia at time of primary surgery.

Methods/Design

We will recruit 300 patients diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma. All participants will be planned for primary surgery with curative intent. After completion of baseline assessment participants will be randomised into either a standard surgical treatment arm or surgical treatment including Lugol’s iodine staining.

Discussion

This paper describes the rationale and design of a unique trial in head and neck surgical oncology. If margin dysplasia visualisation with Lugol’s iodine allows complete excision of high-risk, pre-cancer mucosa at time of primary surgery, this may lead to a reduction in local recurrence and improved survival.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN03712770.

Morphology of early lesions of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice

AIM: To dynamically observe the morphology of early lesions of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in C57BL/6 mice.

METHODS: ESCC was induced in C57BL/6 mice by giving drinking water containing 100 μg/mL of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. During the experiment period, the morphology of early lesions of ESCC was observed by esophageal exfoliated cytology, iodine staining, observation with naked eyes, and histological assessment at weeks 12, 16, 20 and 24 after induction of ESCC.

RESULTS: Early esophageal lesions could not be observed by esophageal exfoliated cytology or iodine staining. Esophageal epithelial dysplasia was observed by longitudinally dissecting the esophagus at week 12. In situ carcinoma and invasive cancer were observed at weeks 16, 20, and 24. Inflammation existed during the entire process of the development of ESCC.

CONCLUSION: Histopathological techniques, not esophageal exfoliated cytology or iodine staining, are suitable for observing the morphology of early ESCC lesions in C57BL/6 mice.

Full length articles published in BJOMS during 2010-11--an analysis by sub-specialty and study type

Full length articles such as prospective and retrospective studies, case series, laboratory-based research and reviews form the majority of papers published in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BJOMS). We were interested to evaluate the breakdown of these types of articles both by sub-specialty and the type of study as well as the proportion that are written by UK colleagues compared to overseas authors over a 2 year period (2010-11). A total of 191 full length articles across all sub-specialties of our discipline were published, with 107 papers (56%) coming from UK authors. There were proportionately more oncology papers arising from the UK than overseas (60 and 30% of total respectively) while the opposite was found for cleft/deformity studies (10% and 22%). There was only one laboratory-based study published from the UK compared with 27 papers from overseas. The number of quality papers being submitted to the Journal continues to increase, and the type of article being published between UK and overseas probably reflects different practices and case-loads amongst colleagues. The relatively few UK laboratory based studies published in BJOMS compared to overseas authors are most likely due to authors seeking the most prestigious journals possible for their work.

Anatomical surgical planning for oral and oropharyngeal primary carcinoma combined with adjuvant treatment where indicated is associated with improved local control

We aimed to find out whether surgical tactics that lead to a reduction in tumour-involved surgical margins also improve local control. We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive case series (n=162) of previously untreated patients who had operations for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity or oropharynx. Extensive use was made of computed tomographic multiplanar imaging to plan primary resections. Nine patients (6%) had tumour at the resection margin. Local control at 36 months was 96%, disease-specific survival (DSS) was 86%, and overall survival (OS) was 77%. Carefully planned primary operation for SCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx to minimise tumour-involved margins combined with conventional adjuvant treatment where indicated, is associated with a high probability of local control and disease-specific survival.

What are we reading? A study of downloaded and cited articles from the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2010

A large number of papers related to oral and maxillofacial surgery are published in many specialist journals. With the ever-increasing use of the internet it is easy to download them as part of a journal subscription on a fee per paper basis, or in some cases for free. Online access to the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BJOMS) is free to British Association (BAOMS) members with a $30 fee per paper download for non-members. Many colleagues use the online version of the journal, and this provides valuable information about downloading trends. Other data on articles that have been cited in subsequent publications are also readily available, and they form the basis for the calculation of a journal's impact factor. We evaluated the top 50 downloaded papers from the BJOMS website in 2010 to ascertain which articles were being read online. We also obtained data on the number of citations for papers published in 2009-2010 to see whether these papers were similar to the articles being downloaded. In 2010 there were over 360000 downloaded articles. The most popular papers were leading articles, reviews, and full length articles; only one short communication featured in the top 50 downloads. The papers most cited in subsequent publications were full length articles and leading articles or reviews, which represent 80% of the total citations of the 50 papers. Ten papers were in both the top 50 downloaded and most cited lists. We discuss the implications of this study for the journal and our readers.

Effectiveness of vital staining with iodine solution in reducing local recurrence after resection of dysplastic or malignant oral mucosa

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of vital staining with iodine solution in reducing local recurrence after resection of dysplastic or malignant oral mucosa. The historical control group had dysplastic or malignant mucosal lesions resected solely on the evidence of direct inspection and palpation. In the vital staining group tissue was resected only after vital staining with iodine solution. Seven of 25 patients in the conventional group developed recurrent dysplastic or cancerous oral mucosa around the primary site, while no patient among 23 reported recurrence in the vital staining group (p<0.01). Kaplan-Meier assessment showed that the 5-year primary control rate was 100% in the vital staining group and 75% in the conventional group. Although this retrospective study has some limitations, the results suggest that vital staining with iodine may be useful in reducing the incidence of recurrence of dysplastic or cancerous epithelium at a primary site. Further well-controlled study is essential.