Clinical and oncological outcomes after surgical excision of parotid gland tumours in patients aged over 80 years

Use of Computed Tomography-Based Texture Analysis to Differentiate Benign From Malignant Salivary Gland Lesions

OBJECTIVE

Salivary gland lesions show overlapping morphological findings and types of time/intensity curves. This research aimed to evaluate the role of 2-phase multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) texture analysis in differentiating between benign and malignant salivary gland lesions.

METHODS

In this prospective study, MSCT was carried out on 90 patients. Each lesion was segmented on axial computed tomography (CT) images manually, and 33 texture features and morphological CT features were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to confirm predictors of malignancy ( P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant), followed by receiver operating characteristics analysis to assess the diagnostic performance.

RESULTS

Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that morphological CT features (shape, size, and invasion of adjacent tissues) and 17 CT texture parameters had significant differences between benign and malignant lesions ( P < 0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression demonstrated that shape, invasion of adjacent tissues, entropy, and inverse difference moment were independent factors for malignant tumors. The diagnostic accuracy values of multivariate binary logistic models based on morphological parameters, CT texture features, and a combination of both were 87.8%, 90%, and 93.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-phase MSCT texture analysis was conducive to differentiating between malignant and benign neoplasms in the salivary gland, especially when combined with morphological CT features.

Management of Salivary Gland Malignancy: ASCO Guideline

PURPOSE

To provide evidence-based recommendations for practicing physicians and other healthcare providers on the management of salivary gland malignancy.

METHODS

ASCO convened an Expert Panel of medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, neuroradiology, pathology, and patient advocacy experts to conduct a literature search, which included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and prospective and retrospective comparative observational studies published from 2000 through 2020. Outcomes of interest included survival, diagnostic accuracy, disease recurrence, and quality of life. Expert Panel members used available evidence and informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 293 relevant studies to inform the evidence base for this guideline. Six main clinical questions were addressed, which included subquestions on preoperative evaluations, surgical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, appropriate radiotherapy techniques, the role of systemic therapy, and follow-up evaluations.

RECOMMENDATIONS

When possible, evidence-based recommendations were developed to address the diagnosis and appropriate preoperative evaluations for patients with a salivary gland malignancy, therapeutic procedures, and appropriate treatment options in various salivary gland histologies.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/head-neck-cancer-guidelines.

Assessment of salivary gland tumors using MRI and CT: impact of experience on diagnostic accuracy

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To analyze the accuracy of radiological diagnosis in MRI and CT studies of salivary gland tumors depending on the radiologist's experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three radiologists with differing experience (R1 > 20, R2 > 11, and R3 > 7 years, respectively) retrospectively reviewed 128 cases (116 MRI, 12 CT studies) with suspected salivary gland tumors regarding dignity and classification using histopathology as a reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value and inter-observer agreement (using Cohen's κ) were calculated to compare diagnostic performance.

RESULTS

Lesions were benign in 87 and in 23 cases malignant. Neoplasia was absent in 18 cases (15 cases without neoplasia and 3 cases without disease). The highest inter-observer agreement for determining dignity using CT was found between R1 and R2 (κ = 0.74, p < 0.001), and the lowest between R2 and R3 (κ = 0.28, p < 0.001). MRI sensitivity/specificity for classifying pleomorphic adenomas was as follows: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (76.92%/87.01%), R3 (43.53%/67.53%), and for CT: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (100%/88.89%), R3 (66.67%/88.89%; for Warthin's tumor using MRI: R1 (100%/97.44%), R2 (68.42%/83.33%), R3 (50.00%/67.95%), and using CT: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (50.00%/100%), R3 (100%/100%; for squamous cell carcinomas using MRI: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (75.00%/97.12%), R3 (75.00%/99.04%), and using CT: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (66.67%/88.89%), R3 (66.67%/66.67%). The highest agreement was found between R1 and R2 for MRI (κ = 0.62, p < 0.001), and the lowest between R1 and R3 at MRI (κ = 0.28, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of salivary gland tumors strongly depends on the observer's expertise and increases with higher experience.

Clinical Outcome of Parotidectomy with Reconstruction: Experience of a Regional Head and Neck Cancer Unit

BACKGROUND

Salivary gland pathologies represent a histologically diverse group of benign and malignant neoplasms. Currently, World Health Organization recognizes 13 benign and 24 malignant variants of all salivary gland neoplasms. Surgery continues to remain the main-stay for treatment of parotid gland neoplasms. The aim of this study was to document our experiences of the patients treated for parotid tumors and find out if any compelling variable predicted the relative clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study, from records of parotidectomies performed at the operating theatre by the head and neck cancer division of the study institution between 2010 and 2013. Eligibility for study inclusion included cases with benign or malignant parotid neoplasms requiring surgical management with or without adjunct radiotherapy. The predictors of postoperative complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients underwent parotidectomy. The mean age was 42 years. Tumors were located on the left parotid in 13 cases (65%) and the right parotid in 7 cases (35%). The surgical procedures comprised 16 superficial parotidectomies, 1 total parotidectomy, and 3 radical parotidectomy (inclusive of facial nerve sacrifice) and 2 neck dissections levels II-V. The reconstructive procedures were 2 facial nerve branch cable grafts, 1 end-to-end facial-facial nerve branch anastomoses, and 2 facial re-animation surgeries (temporalis muscle suspensions). A total of five cases (33.3%) had postoperative complications. 2 variables (length of surgery and neck dissection) were found to have an impact on postoperative complications that were statistically significant. Additionally, length of surgery was a significant predictor on the 2 years OS and DFS.

CONCLUSION

The result of this study showed good clinical outcome, especially in the benign cases. The comprehensive clinical outcome of the malignant cases could not be objectively assessed, as the OS and DFS were 50% at 2-years follow-up. It is our submission that a larger sample size is utilized in subsequent studies and quality of life evaluation is included in the methodology.