Surgical Salvage for Local and Regional Recurrence in Oral Cancer

Clinical outcome of salvage surgery in patients with recurrent oral cavity cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of salvage surgery on 5-year overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors in recurrent oral cavity cancer (rOCC) patients. Relevant literature before May 2022 was reviewed, including retrospective cohort studies and observational studies comparing salvage surgery to other treatments. Risk-of-bias assessments were conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Statistical and subgroup analyses assessed the impact of salvage surgery on 5-year OS and prognostic factors. 3036 documents were initially retrieved, with 14 retrospective cohort studies (2069 participants) included. Meta-analysis of 5-year OS in salvage surgery patients yielded a rate of 43.0%. Subgroup analysis showed higher OS in Asians (49.9% vs. 36.9%, p = 0.003) and late-relapse (63.8% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.004) groups. Prognostic factors revealed hazards associated with nodal recurrence, extranodal extension, and perineural invasion. Salvage surgery is a viable option for rOCC patients, showing favorable 5-year OS outcomes. Low publication bias enhances study reliability, but its single-arm design limits conclusions on salvage surgery superiority over other treatments.

Predictors of survival in advanced oral cancers after salvage surgery with free tissue flap reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

To identify prognostic factors for patients with advanced persistent, recurrent, or 2nd primary oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) potentially unsuitable for salvage surgery with free tissue flap (FTF) reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-based cohort of 83 consecutive patients with advanced OCSCC who underwent salvage surgery with FTF reconstruction at a tertiary referral centre between 1990 and 2017. Retrospective uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors affecting all-cause mortality (ACM), i.e., overall survival (OS), as well as disease-specific mortality (DSM), i.e., disease-specific survival (DSS) after salvage surgery.

RESULTS

Median disease-free interval until recurrence was 15 months with recurrent stage I/II in 31% and III/IV in 69%. Median age at salvage surgery was 67 years (range 31-87) and the median follow-up (alive patients) 126 months. At 2, 5, and 10 years after salvage surgery, respectively, DSS rates were 61%, 44%, and 37% and OS rates 52%, 30%, and 22%. Median DSS was 26 and OS 43 months. Multivariable analysis identified recurrent clinical regional (cN-plus) disease [HR 3.57; p < .001] and elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) [HR 3.30; p = .003] as independent pre-salvage predictors for poor OS after salvage, whereas initial cN-plus [HR 2.07; p = .039] and recurrent cN-plus disease [HR 5.14; p < .001] predicted poor DSS. Among post-salvage factors, extranodal extension according to histopathology [HR ACM 6.11; HR DSM 9.99; p < .001] as well as positive [HR ACM 4.98; DSM 7.51; p < 0.001] and narrow surgical margins [HR ACM 2.12; DSM HR 2.80; p < 0.01] emerged as independent factors for poor survival.

CONCLUSION

While salvage surgery with FTF reconstruction is the primary curative option for patients with advanced recurrent OCSCC, the present findings may help guide discussions with patients who have advanced recurrent regional disease and high GGT preoperatively, especially if there is a small chance of reaching surgical radicality.

Early relapse is an adverse prognostic factor for survival outcomes in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: results from a nationwide registry study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of the relapse interval in patients with resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is a matter of ongoing debate. In this large-scale, registry-based, nationwide study, we examined whether the time interval between surgery and the first disease relapse may affect survival outcomes in Taiwanese patients with OCSCC.

METHODS

Data made available by the Taiwan Health Promotion Administration as of 2004 were obtained. The study cohort consisted of patients who were included in the registry between 2011 and 2017. Disease staging was performed according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging Manual, Eight Edition. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 13,789 patients with OCSCC who received surgical treatment. A total of 2327 (16.9%) patients experienced a first disease relapse. The optimal cutoff value for the relapse interval was 330 days when both 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) (≤ 330/>330 days, n = 1630/697) were taken into account. In addition, we undertook a propensity score (PS)-matched analysis of patients (n = 654 each) with early (≤ 330 days) versus late (> 330 days) relapse.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time in the entire study cohort was 702 days (433 and 2001 days in the early and late relapse groups, respectively). Compared with patients who experienced late relapse, those with early relapse showed a higher prevalence of the following adverse prognostic factors: pT4, pN3, pStage IV, poor differentiation, depth of invasion ≥ 10 mm, and extra-nodal extension. Multivariable analysis revealed that early relapse was an independent adverse prognostic factor for both 5-year DSS and OS (average hazard ratios [AHRs]: 3.24 and 3.91, respectively). In the PS-matched cohort, patients who experienced early relapse showed less favorable 5-year DSS: 58% versus 30%, p < 0.0001 (AHR: 3.10 [2.69 - 3.57]) and OS: 49% versus 22%, p < 0.0001 (AHR: 3.32 [2.89 - 3.81]).

CONCLUSION

After adjustment for potential confounders and PS matching, early relapse was an adverse prognostic factor for survival outcomes in patients with OCSCC. Our findings may have significant implications for risk stratification.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma with the Acantholytic Feature in the Oral Cavity: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is an aggressive subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Due to its poor prognosis, a precise pathological diagnosis of ASC is essential but challenging because its pathological criteria are still unclear. Here, we present a rare case of oral ASC accompanied by acantholytic features. The tumor was raised in the mandibular gingiva and recurred locally approximately 13 months after the initial surgery with cervical lymph node metastasis. Pathological specimens of the primary lesion showed acantholysis in a large area of the SCC. Mucous cells, the characteristic finding indicating glandular differentiation, were imperceptible in the initial surgical specimen but increased in the locally recurrent and metastatic lymph node specimens. In a comprehensive literature review of oral ASC cases, the present case was the only case of ASC with acantholytic features. We reconfirmed that ASC has poor prognoses, such as low 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival, high locoregional recurrence, and high distant metastasis rates. A precise diagnosis of ASC is required for estimating prognosis and undergoing close follow-up, even if the adenocarcinomatous component is limited to a small area in the lesion.

Incidence and prognostic significance of extranodal extension in isolated nodal recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Extranodal extension (ENE) is a crucial prognostic factor of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the role of ENE in regional recurrence (rENE) remains unclear. The purpose of our study is to assess the salvage outcome according to the presence of rENE in oral cancer patients with isolated nodal recurrence.

METHODS

Oral cancer patients diagnosed with isolated nodal recurrence at the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015 were reviewed. All patients were classified into two groups: with and without rENE. The treatment included salvage neck dissection (ND) ± metronomic chemotherapy, salvage ND and radiation (RT)/concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT), Salvage RT/CCRT alone, metronomic chemotherapy, or supportive care.

RESULTS

We analyzed 198 patients, 156 with rENE and 42 without rENE. rENE presented more frequently in patients with initial ENE+ (OR = 3.17, p = 0.04), prior RT+ (OR = 2.96, p = 0.02), initial N2/N3 (OR = 2.76, p = 0.01), and recurrent LN size >1.5 cm (OR = 2.33, p = 0.03). The extent of rENE were also significantly different in these patients. The 2-year disease-free survival for patients with and without rENE were 15.7% and 31.7%, respectively (p = 0.002). The 2-year overall survival for patients with and without rENE were 19.6% and 43.9%, respectively (p = 0.004). For patients without rENE, those received salvage ND had better survival outcome (p < 0.001). By contrast, for patients with rENE, those received salvage RT/CCRT had better survival outcome (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The rENE is frequently present (78.79%) in OSCC patients with isolated nodal recurrence. Individualized treatment modalities based on the presence of rENE should be recommended to achieve better salvage outcomes.

Patterns of Regional Recurrence and Salvage Treatment in Patients With Oral Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Regional failure after primary treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) carries a dismal outcome. Our goal was to investigate the recurrence patterns and salvage treatment in patients with OSCC and regional failure.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review of all patients treated for OSCC in a university-affiliated tertiary care center during 2000-2018.

METHODS

Data collected from patients' medical charts included demographics, clinical and pathological features, staging, treatment modalities and outcomes. Patients with insufficient data or a follow-up of less than 2 years were excluded.

RESULTS

Out of 266 surgically treated patients, 55 developed regional recurrence and were included in the study cohort. Forty patients received surgical salvage treatment followed by adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). Disease specific survival and overall survival were significantly higher in surgically treated patients compared to patients who received non-surgical treatment (46.7% vs. 0%, log-rank P value < .001 and 35.3% vs. 0%, log-rank P value = .001, respectively) and in patients who recurred regionally more than 10 months following initial treatment (40.8% vs 10.7%, log-rank P value = .065). Patients with early recurrence were older (73.6 vs. 61.3 years) and had a deeper invasion of the primary tumor (10.1 vs. 7 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage neck dissection is feasible in most cases, providing the best outcomes in patients with OSCC who fail regionally. Close follow-up during the first year after initial treatment is paramount as early recurrence carries a dismal prognosis. Specifically, elderly patients and patients with deeper primary tumor invasion should be closely monitored during the first post-operative year.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2021.

Prognostic Factors Associated with Successful Salvage Surgery in Recurrent Oral Cancer

Most patients with recurrent oral cancer are not eligible for salvage surgery. Among those who are candidates for surgical salvage, failure rates are high. Given the potential negative impact of salvage surgery on quality of life (QoL)—particularly in unsuccessful interventions—the decision to operate must be weighed carefully. However, the variables associated with successful surgical salvage in oral cancer have not been clearly established. In the present retrospective study, we sought to determine the factors associated with disease recurrence and successful salvage surgery. We evaluated the following parameters in patients (n = 261) treated for primary oral cancer at our institution from 2010 to 2017: age; T/N status; perineurial invasion; lymphovascular invasion; extranodal extension; and margin status. In total, 36 patients (33%) were considered eligible for salvage surgery. Four variables were significantly associated with suitability for salvage surgery: early primary T stage, no primary neck disease (N0), no positive margins in the primary resection, and no adjuvant radiotherapy following primary resection. The only variable significantly associated with improved salvage outcomes was negative margin status after the primary tumor resection, underscoring the importance of margin status on treatment outcomes. Additional studies are needed to identify other factors associated with successful salvage surgery in order to better stratify patients according to the likelihood of success, thus potentially avoiding the negative impact on QoL in patients who undergo unsuccessful surgery.

Genome-wide study of salivary miRNAs identifies miR-423-5p as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Survival rates of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remained substantially unchanged over the last decades; thus, additional prognostic tools are strongly needed. Salivary miRNAs have emerged as excellent non-invasive cancer biomarker candidates, but their association with OSCC prognosis has not been investigated yet. In this study, we analyzed global salivary miRNA expression in OSCC patients and healthy controls, with the aim to define its diagnostic and prognostic potential.

Methods: Saliva was collected from patients with newly diagnosed untreated primary OSCC and healthy controls. Global profiling of salivary miRNAs was carried out through a microarray approach, while signature validation was performed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). A stringent statistical approach for microarray and RT-qPCR data normalization was applied. The diagnostic performance of miRNAs and their correlation with OSCC prognosis were comprehensively analyzed.

Results: In total, 25 miRNAs emerged as differentially expressed between OSCC patients and healthy controls and, among them, seven were significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS). miR-106b-5p, miR-423-5p and miR-193b-3p were expressed at high levels in saliva of OSCC patients and their combination displays the best diagnostic performance (ROC - AUC = 0.98). Moreover, high expression of miR-423-5p was an independent predictor of poor DFS, when included in multivariate survival analysis with the number of positive lymph nodes - the only significant clinical prognosticator. Finally, we observed a significant decrease in miR-423-5p expression in matched post-operative saliva samples, suggesting its potential cancer-specific origin.

Conclusion: Salivary miRNAs identified in our cohort of patients show to be accurate in OSCC detection and to effectively stratify patients according to their likelihood of relapse. These results, if validated in an independent set of patients, could be particularly promising for screening/follow-up of high-risk populations and useful for preoperative prognostic assessment.

Outcomes of a Telephone-Based Questionnaire for Follow-up of Patients Who Have Completed Curative-Intent Treatment for Oral Cancers

Importance

Follow-up assessment of patients who had treatment for head and neck cancer is critical and an important part of the overall treatment program. During each visit to the hospital, patients are evaluated by a physician and may undergo additional tests. Because it has been observed that the symptoms mentioned by patients often guide the treating clinicians in identifying cancer recurrence, an appropriately constructed questionnaire can help clinicians determine which patients need further testing as a result of a recurrence and which patients can continue to be monitored remotely.

Objective

To evaluate the role of a symptom-based telephone questionnaire in detecting recurrences in patients with radically treated oral cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective diagnostic cohort study was conducted from October 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019. This study took place at Tata Memorial Centre, an apex referral cancer center in India. A total of 615 consecutive patients with oral cancer were screened, of whom 400 patients consented to be a part of the study. After completion of curative treatment, these patients were followed up for 2 months to 2 years. We excluded patients younger than 18 years or older than 80 years, those with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status greater than 2, and those who had already been diagnosed with recurrent disease.

Interventions/Exposures

The patients were contacted 2 weeks before their clinic appointment, and a telephone interview was conducted using a predefined questionnaire. Based on patients' responses to these questions, their disease status was estimated. Subsequently, during the actual follow-up visit, a trained head and neck surgeon, who was blinded to the questionnaire result, examined them.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The sensitivity and specificity of the telephone questionnaire were calculated by comparing its results with those of the trained head and neck surgeon after the clinical evaluation.

Results

Of the 615 patients screened, 400 consented to be part of the study. Participants had a median (interquartile range) age of 49 (41-56) years, and 334 (83.5%) were men. Recurrence was noted in 20 patients (5.0%). The telephone-based questionnaire was found to have sensitivity of 90.0%, specificity of 74.2%, positive predictive value of 15.5%, and negative predictive value of 99.3%. Clinical examination values were 100.0%, 92.9%, 42.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. A total of 124 patients (31.0%) said that they would prefer such a telephone follow-up compared with an actual physical follow-up visit.

Conclusions and Relevance

This diagnostic cohort study found that a symptom-based telephone questionnaire had good sensitivity and negative predictive value for detecting recurrences in patients with oral cancer on follow-up evaluation after completion of definitive treatment.

MMP2 as an independent prognostic stratifier in oral cavity cancers

Background

Around 25% of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) are not controlled by the standard of care, but there is currently no validated biomarker to identify those patients. Our objective was to determine a robust biomarker for severe OCSCC, using a biology-driven strategy.

Patients and methods

Tumor and juxtatumor secretome were analyzed in a prospective discovery cohort of 37 OCSCC treated by primary surgery. Independent biomarker validation was performed by RTqPCR in a retrospective cohort of 145 patients with similar clinical features. An 18-gene signature (18 G) predictive of the response to PD-1 blockade was evaluated in the same cohort.

Results

Among 29 deregulated molecules identified in a secretome analysis, including chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and molecules related to tumor growth and tissue remodeling, only soluble MMP2 was a prognostic biomarker. In our validation cohort, high levels of MMP2 and CD276, and low levels of CXCL10 and STAT1 mRNA were associated with poor prognosis in univariate analysis (Kaplan-Meier). MMP2 (p = .001) and extra-nodal extension (ENE) (p = .006) were independent biomarkers of disease-specific survival (DSS) in multivariate analysis and defined prognostic groups with 5-year DSS ranging from 36% (MMP2highENE+) to 88% (MMP2lowENE-). The expression of 18 G was similar in the different prognostic groups, suggesting comparable responsiveness to anti-PD-1.

Conclusion

High levels of MMP2 were an independent and validated prognostic biomarker, surpassing other molecules of a large panel of the tumor and immune-related processes, which may be used to select poor prognosis patients for intensified neoadjuvant or adjuvant regimens.

Oral Lichen Planus-Associated Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Associated With Improved Survival and Increased Risk of Recurrence

PURPOSE

We investigated the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival among patients with oral lichen planus-associated oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OLP-OCSCC). The secondary objective was to assess the annual risk of tumor recurrence or second primary tumor (SPT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comparative retrospective study was performed of patients with OLP-OCSCC presenting between June 2007 and December 2018 to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Michigan Medicine (Ann Arbor, MI) and patients with OCSCC in the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1973 to 2015).

RESULTS

A total of 87 patients with OLP-OCSCC met the inclusion criteria, and 55,165 patients with OCSCC from the SEER database were included. The proportion of women was greater in the OLP group than in the SEER group (56.3 vs 38.0%; P < .001). In the OLP group, 47.1% had no smoking history and 43.7% had no alcohol history. Most patients in the OLP group had presented with stage I disease (46.0%) compared with 31.7% in the SEER group (P = .004). Overall, the OS and DSS were significantly greater in the OLP group than in the SEER group at all points from 1 to 5 years (P ≤ .01). In the OLP group, 46 patients (52.9%) had at least 1 recurrence or SPT. At 10 years, the predicted mean number of recurrences was 1.93 per patient (95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 2.39).

CONCLUSIONS

OLP-OCSCC frequently affects women, nonsmokers, and nondrinkers and presents with localized disease at a high frequency. Patients with OLP-OCSCC have increased OS and DSS and a greater risk of tumor recurrence or SPT compared with OCSCC in the general population. Lifelong, frequent surveillance is recommended for patients with OLP-OCSCC owing to the risk of late recurrence. Future studies are needed to understand the pathophysiology of OLP-OCSCC.

Guidelines for the Surgical Management of Oral Cancer: Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery

Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to provide guidance on the implementation of a surgical treatment of oral cancer. MEDLINE databases were searched for articles on subjects related to “surgical management of oral cancer” published in English. Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. The quality of evidence was rated with use RoBANS (Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies) and AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews). Evidence-based recommendations for practice were ranked according to the American College of Physicians grading system. Additional directives are provided as expert opinions and Delphi questionnaire when insufficient evidence existed. The Committee developed 68 evidence-based recommendations in 34 categories intended to assist clinicians and patients and counselors, and health policy-makers. Proper surgical treatment selection for oral cancer, which is directed by patient- and subsite-specific factors, remains the greatest predictor of successful treatment outcomes. These guidelines are intended for use in conjunction with the individual patient’s treatment goals.

Salvage of recurrence after surgery and adjuvant therapy: A systematic review

PURPOSE

To determine the oncologic and functional outcomes of patients undergoing salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after initial management with surgery and adjuvant therapy.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Clinicaltrials.gov.

REVIEW METHODS

A structured search was performed of the literature to identify studies that included patients undergoing surgical salvage for local, regional, or locoregional recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma without known distant metastases who had been treated with initial surgery and post-operative adjuvant radio- or chemoradiotherapy. Studies were excluded if they did not report at least 1-year survival estimates, included patients who underwent primary non-surgical management, or included those treated with non-surgical salvage therapies or supportive care alone.

RESULTS

The search strategy yielded 3746 abstracts. After applying exclusion and inclusion criteria, 126 full-texts were reviewed and six studies were included with a total of 222 patients. All studies were retrospective in design and included diverse disease subsites and stages. Complications and functional outcomes were inconsistently reported. Five-year survival estimates ranged between 10% and 40% between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after initial surgery and adjuvant therapy may have a particularly poor prognosis. Future studies are needed to determine functional and quality of life outcomes in this patient population and to identify specific prognostic factors for re-recurrence and survival.

Neck recurrence in clinically node-negative oral cancer: 27-year experience at a single institution

OBJECTIVES

Neck failure in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) carries a poor outcome, yet the management of patients who initially present with clinically node-negative (cN0) neck is not clearly defined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with cN0 OSCC treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 1985 to 2012, focusing on rate, pattern and predictors of neck failure, salvage treatment, and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 1,302 patients, 806 (62%) underwent elective neck dissection (END) and 496 (38%) had observation. 190 patients (15%) developed neck recurrence. Median follow-up was 58.5 months (range 1-343); 5-year neck recurrence-free survival (NRFS) was 85% and 80% for the END and observation group respectively (p = .06). Patients with neck failure had poorer outcomes than patients without neck failure (5-year overall survival, 37% vs. 74% [p < .001]; disease-specific survival [DSS], 41% vs. 91% [p < .001]). Independent predictors of neck failure were smoking, primary tumor subsite (hard palate and upper gum), and extranodal extension. 87% of patients underwent salvage treatment (END: 81.1%; observation: 94%). Salvage surgery with adjuvant (chemo) radiation had better DSS than surgery alone or nonsurgical salvage.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of patients with initially cN0 OSCC triaged to END vs. observation using clinical parameters, 15% developed neck failure. Salvage treatment was feasible in most cases but survival was poorer compared to patients without neck failure. Surgery followed by adjuvant (chemo) radiation resulted in the best outcome.

Estimating Survival After Salvage Surgery for Recurrent Oral Cavity Cancer

Importance

Locoregional recurrence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) continues to be a life-threatening and difficult clinical situation. Salvage surgery can result in significant morbidities, and survival following recurrence is poor.

Objective

To outline prognostic factors influencing overall survival (OS) following salvage surgery for OCSCC to guide management of treatment for patients with locoregionally recurrent disease.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The medical records of 293 patients presenting to the London Health Sciences Center with locoregionally recurrent OCSCC between October 5, 1999, and May 2, 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was OS from salvage treatment to last follow-up or death. Univariate analyses were carried out using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. A recursive partitioning analysis was used to create risk groups based on prognosis. Analysis was conducted from December 8, 2015, to February 26, 2016.

Results

Of the 293 patients evaluated, 59 (20%) had recurrence identified after their initial OCSCC treatment; 39 (66%) were men, and the mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 62.2 (11.8) years. Thirty-nine (66%) of these patients underwent salvage surgery for locoregional recurrence with curative intent. Five-year OS from the time of salvage surgery was 43%. Recursive partitioning analysis identified 3 risk groups: (1) high risk (patients who received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy after initial surgery) with 5-year OS rate of 10% (hazard ratio [HR], 9.41; 95% CI, 2.68-33.04), (2) intermediate risk (previous surgery alone, age ≥62 years) with a 5-year OS rate of 39% (HR, 2.95; 95% CI, 0.86-10.09), and (3) low risk (previous surgery alone, age <62 years) with 5-year OS rate of 74%.

Conclusions and Relevance

This recursive partitioning analysis identified 3 prognostic groups in patients undergoing salvage surgery for recurrent OCSCC. The marked differences in survival between these groups should be taken into consideration when counselling and managing treatment for patients with locoregionally recurrent disease.

The role of perineural invasion in treatment decisions for oral cancer patients: A review of the literature

PURPOSE

The role of perineural invasion (PNI) in the management of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC) is still controversial, and there is no consensus regarding the most appropriate therapeutic approach. The purpose of this study is to review the findings in the literature describing OSCC as a neurotropic malignancy, with the aim of correlating perineural invasion with treatment decisions and disease prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted of references based on the MEDLINE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, with subject keywords including four main categories: perineural invasion, perineural spread, oral squamous cell cancinoma, neurotropic carcinoma.

RESULTS

In this systematic review and analysis, more than 350 publications met the eligibility criteria of the authors.

CONCLUSION

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a widely recognized indicator of poor prognosis in oral cancer patients, strongly correlating with aggressive tumor behavior, disease recurrence, and increased morbidity and mortality. Elective neck dissection could be an indicator in improving neck control in PNI-positive patients, while the addition of adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy may not significantly improve survival rates. Various molecular markers have been correlated with perineural tumor spread, but further investigations are required before targeting PNI as part of advanced cancer therapies.

Management of recurrent head and neck cancer: variables related to salvage surgery

After a local and/or regional recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) not all patients are candidates to salvage treatment. The objective of this study was to identify the variables related to performance of salvage surgery with curative intent in these patients. We performed a retrospective study of 1088 HNSCC patients with a local and/or regional recurrence. According to a multivariate analysis, the variables related to performance of salvage surgery were the Karnofsky index, the location and extension of the primary tumor, the initial treatment, the disease-free interval between treatment of the initial tumor and diagnosis of the recurrence, and the year the recurrence was diagnosed. Considering salvage surgery as the dependent variable, the results of a recursive partitioning analysis defined four categories of patients in function of the category of local and regional extension of the initial tumor, the location of the primary tumor, the initial treatment and the disease-free interval between treatment of the initial tumor and diagnosis of the recurrence.

Management of recurrent head and neck cancer: variables related to salvage surgery

After a local and/or regional recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) not all patients are candidates to salvage treatment. The objective of this study was to identify the variables related to performance of salvage surgery with curative intent in these patients. We performed a retrospective study of 1088 HNSCC patients with a local and/or regional recurrence. According to a multivariate analysis, the variables related to performance of salvage surgery were the Karnofsky index, the location and extension of the primary tumor, the initial treatment, the disease-free interval between treatment of the initial tumor and diagnosis of the recurrence, and the year the recurrence was diagnosed. Considering salvage surgery as the dependent variable, the results of a recursive partitioning analysis defined four categories of patients in function of the category of local and regional extension of the initial tumor, the location of the primary tumor, the initial treatment and the disease-free interval between treatment of the initial tumor and diagnosis of the recurrence.

Early oral tongue cancer initially managed with surgery alone: Treatment of recurrence

Objective

To report T1-2N0 tongue cancer recurrences initially treated with surgery alone.

Methods

Between 1990 and 2010, 27 patients at tertiary hospital referral center institution were treated with curative intent for locoregional recurrence after initial glossectomy with or without neck dissection for T1-2N0 tongue cancer. None had received adjuvant postoperative radiation as a component of the original treatment.

Results

Median time to locoregional recurrence was 12 months (range 5–39 months) and 78% of failures occurred in the first 2 years. Most treatment failures were local (63%). Salvage strategy was risk-adapted by individual patient. The 5-year disease specific survival (DSS) was 61%. Patients with local recurrences alone fared significantly better than those with regional recurrences (5-yr DSS: 86% vs. 22%, P = 0.0018). Local recurrences were usually treated by surgery alone, while regional recurrences were more commonly treated with combined modality treatment (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Recurrence of early stage oral tongue cancer can be successfully salvaged in a majority of cases. Patients developing regional recurrence have significantly worse prognosis than those with local failures.

Expression of the cancer stem cell markers CD44v6 and ABCG2 in tongue cancer: effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on local recurrence

The efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is controversial, and no report supports NAC with a high evidence level. Recently, we showed that a deep surgical margin was resected very close to the tumor site in many NAC-treated oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, suggesting that NAC may lead to local recurrence and poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of NAC on tumor local recurrence using cancer stem cell marker immunohistochemistry. We retrospectively analyzed 89 patients who underwent radical surgery for tongue cancer, and examined the effect of NAC on tumor local recurrence. Cancer stem cell marker (CD44v6 and ABCG2) expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. In our study, the local recurrence rate was 12.4%. CD44v6 and ABCG2 expression was significantly associated with regional lymph node metastasis, pattern of invasion, depth of invasion, perineural invasion and local recurrence, respectively. Tumor local recurrence was a significant independent predictive factor of the 5-year disease specific survival. CD44v6 or ABCG2 positivity in NAC-treated patients was significantly associated with tumor local recurrence. It was suggested that local recurrence in NAC-treated cases is associated with cancer stem-like cells. We propose that NAC leads to the selection and/or residue of more aggressive cancer stem-like cells.

Predictors of locoregional recurrence in T1-2N0 tongue cancer patients

Locoregional recurrence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) has been considered a poor prognostic entity in terms of survival rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of locoregional recurrence and to identify significant risk factors for locoregional recurrence in early-stage OTSCC. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 58 patients who underwent radical surgery for T1-2N0 OTSCC. The local recurrence and regional recurrence rates were 10.3 % (6/58 patients) and 15.5 % (9/58 patients) in this study, respectively. The survival rate of patients with local recurrence was 66.7 %, which was significantly lower than that (96.2 %) of patients without local recurrence, whereas the survival rates of patients with or without regional recurrence were not significantly difference. Pattern of invasion (POI), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and the status of the surgical margin were identified as factors influencing local recurrence. In particular, the status of the deep surgical margin was a high potential independent risk factor. The deep surgical margin was resected closely in many NAC-treated cases, suggesting that NAC may lead to local recurrence and a poor outcome. No efficacy of NAC was observed, suggesting that the standard treatment for early OTSCC is surgery alone.

Elective neck dissection versus "wait and watch" policy in tongue carcinoma

Aim:

To evaluate the efficacy of elective neck dissection versus the “wait and watch” policy in the treatment of early squamous cell carcinoma of tongue.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective study of 21 patients with surgical treatment between April 2009 and July 2011. The patients were divided into two groups, with Group 1 consisting of patients who underwent wide excision glossectomy with elective neck dissection and Group 2 consisting of patients who underwent glossectomy without the neck being surgically addressed. The selection of patients was done by the random double-blinded method and the review was done by a single reviewer. All patients were examined for an average period of 1 year postoperatively.

Results:

Twenty-one cases were treated, among which there were 17 T1 and 4 T2 carcinomas. All the patients had primary carcinoma involving only the tongue with no clinical neck palpable neck nodes. Eleven patients underwent wide excision of primary tumor with elective neck dissection (Group 1) and 10 patients underwent only resection of primary tumor without the neck being surgically addressed (Group 2). In Group 1, there were no recurrences, and in Group 2, there were two patients who developed subsequent cervical node metastasis with one patient undergoing further surgery to address the positive neck and the other patient was lost to follow-up.

Conclusions:

Regional recurrence was the most common cause of failure after surgical treatment of oral tongue carcinoma. Elective neck dissection significantly reduced mortality due to regional recurrence and also increased the overall survival. Our study suggests that elective neck dissection is a treatment strategy of choice for stages I and II carcinoma of the oral tongue. A prospective, randomized study is worthwhile to further evaluate the benefit of elective neck dissection in the treatment of early carcinoma of the tongue with a larger pool of patients and a lengthier follow-up period.

Role of neck ultrasound during follow-up care of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

CONCLUSION

No impact of neck ultrasound on the detection rate of neck recurrences of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) was seen. The outcome of salvage therapy was not influenced by close neck ultrasound monitoring during follow-up. Tendencies of earlier detection of neck recurrences were noticed.

OBJECTIVES

Neck ultrasound is more feasible for frequent application than computed tomography, while having comparable sensitivity and specificity in detecting neck metastasis. Before this study the effect of neck ultrasound on salvage therapy of neck recurrences when used in short defined intervals during follow-up was unknown.

METHODS

A total of 140 patients with primarily surgically treated HNSCC were enrolled in a follow-up program with defined close time intervals. Neck ultrasound was applied during every follow-up visit. Recurrence rate, survival rate, and outcome of salvage therapy were determined.

RESULTS

Overall recurrences occurred in 35.0% of patients. Local, regional, and distant recurrences were found in 11.4%, 7.9%, and 15.7%. Hypopharyngeal carcinoma and advanced staged tumor showed highest recurrence rates. In all, 24.5% of all recurrences were treated successfully by salvage therapy. Resection of local, regional, and distant recurrences resulted in 3-year survival rates of 43.8%, 36.4%, and 4.5%. The outcome of secondary therapy worsened with advancing initial primary tumor stage.

¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI in the follow-up of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT and MRI for the assessment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) relapse. Since early treatment might prevent inoperable relapse, we also evaluated THE performance of early unenhanced (18)F-FDG PET/CT in residual tumor detection. The study was prospectively performed on 32 patients who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT and MRI before treatment and at 4 and 12 months after treatment. (18)F-FDG PET/CT was also performed 2 weeks after the end of radiotherapy. Histopathology or a minimum of 18 months follow-up were used as gold standard. Before treatment (18)F-FDG PET/CT and MRI detected all primary tumors except for two limited vocal fold lesions (sensitivity 94%). MRI was more sensitive than (18)F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of local extension sites (sensitivity 75 vs 58%), but at the cost of a higher rate of false positive results (positive predictive value 74 vs 86%). For relapse detection at 4 months, sensitivity was significantly higher for (18)F-FDG PET/CT (92%) than for MRI (70%), but the diagnostic performances were not significantly different at 12 months. For the detection of residual malignant tissue 2 weeks post-radiotherapy, sensitivity and specificity of (18)F-FDG PET/CT were respectively 86 and 85% (SUV cut-off value 5.8). (18)F-FDG PET/CT is effective in the differentiation between residual tumor and radiation-induced changes, as early as 2 weeks after treatment of a primary HNSCC. For follow-up, performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT and MRI are similar except for a higher sensitivity of (18)F-FDG PET/CT at 4 months.

Genetic alterations in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression detected by combining array-based comparative genomic hybridization and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common malignancy of the oral cavity, has been shown to occur via a multistep process driven by the accumulation of carcinogen-induced genetic changes.

STUDY DESIGN

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were conducted to screen human genomewide alterations on fresh tissues of the cancer area, the dysplastic transitional area, and the resection margin (normal) free of tumor; these samples were obtained from 7 OSCC patients.

RESULTS

The highest amplification frequencies (100%, 7/7) were detected in FAM5B, TIPARP, PIK3CA, NLGN1, FGF10, HDAC9, GRM3, DDEF1, EDNRB, CHRDL1, and HTR2C, and the highest deletion frequencies in THRAP3, CTTNBP2NL, GATAD2B, REL, CKAP2L, RHOA, EIF4E3, PDLIM5, FBXO3, NEUROD4, and ABCA5 in the OSCC. In the dysplasia, amplification (100%, 7/7) was detected in RNF36 and deletion in CKAP2L and TCF8. We could detect large differences with MLPA in the number of alterations between the cancer or dysplasia versus the normal area with P values of <.001.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that these DNA copy number changes on each chromosome in the 3 categories may be associated with OSCC tumorigenesis and/or progression.

Prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Researchers have been looking for factors that can influence the prognosis of oral cancer, because its outcome is highly uncertain. Aim: To evaluate variables that can impact the survival rate of patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Material and Methods: Data analysis of 45 patients from January, 2001 to January, 2006. Survival rate curves have been estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and they have been compared through the log-rank test and the Cox regression standard. Study design: Retrospective analysis. Results: Total five-year survival rate was of 39% fpr these patients. Only the neck metastases (p=0.017), postoperative radiotherapy (p=0.056) and diseased margin(p=0.004) variables had statistic relevance. Survival rate was lower in patients with neck metastases, margins involved and those who underwent postoperative radiotherapy, in other words, those with the most aggressive tumors. After adjustment, radiotherapy did not prove to be statistically relevant. It is likely that the survival rate of 39% was due to the high number of patients with metastasis (52%) and because the samples were mostly of tongue and mouth floor diseases (82%), which are the hardest to control. Conclusion: Neck metastases and diseased margins of oral cavity carcinomas are the prognostic factors that can most impact the survival rate.

Outcome in recurrent head neck cancer treated with salvage-IMRT

BACKGROUND

Recurrent head neck cancer (rHNC) is a known unfavourable prognostic condition.The purpose of this work was to analyse our rHNC subgroup treated with salvage-intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for curable recurrence after initial surgery alone.

PATIENTS

Between 4/2003-9/2008, 44 patients with squamous cell rHNC were referred for IMRT, mean/median 33/21 (3-144) months after initial surgery. None had prior head neck radiation. 41% underwent definitive, 59% postoperative IMRT (66-72.6 Gy). 70% had simultaneous chemotherapy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the outcome following salvage IMRT in rHNC patients was performed.

RESULTS

After mean/median 25/21 months (3-67), 22/44 (50%) patients were alive with no disease; 4 (9%) were alive with disease. 18 patients (41%) died of disease. Kaplan Meier 2-year disease specific survival (DSS), disease free survival (DFS), local and nodal control rates of the cohort were 59/49/56 and 68%, respectively.Known risk factors (advanced initial pTN, marginal initial resection, multiple recurrences) showed no significant outcome differences. Risk factors and the presence of macroscopic recurrence gross tumor volume (rGTV) in oral cavity patients vs others resulted in statistically significantly lower DSS (30 vs 70% at 2 years, p = 0.03). With respect to the assessed unfavourable outcome following salvage treatment, numbers needed to treat to avoid one recurrence with initial postoperative IMRT have, in addition, been calculated.

CONCLUSION

A low salvage rate of only approximately 50% at 2 years was found. Calculated numbers of patients needed to treat with postoperative radiation after initial surgery, in order to avoid recurrence and tumor-specific death, suggest a rather generous use of adjuvant irradiation, usually with simultaneous chemotherapy.

Management of the N0 neck in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has an unpredictable capacity to metastasize to the neck, an event that dramatically worsens prognosis. Metastasis occurs even in earlier stages when no neck lymph node involvement is clinically detectable (N0). Management of the N0 neck, namely when and how to electively treat, has been debated extensively. This article presents the controversies surrounding management of the N0 neck, and the benefits and pitfalls of different approaches used in evaluation and treatment. As current methods of assessing the risk for occult metastasis are insufficiently accurate and prone to underestimation of actual risk, and because selective neck dissection (SND) is an effective treatment and has minimal long-term detriment to quality of life, the authors believe that all patients who have oral SCC, excluding lip SCC, should be prescribed elective treatment of the neck lymphatics. However, this opinion remains controversial. Because of the morbidity of radiation therapy and because treatment of the primary tumor is surgical, elective neck dissection is the preferred treatment. In deciding the extent of the neck dissection, several retrospective studies and one randomized clinical trial have shown SND of levels I through III to be highly efficacious.

Surgery alone for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: survival rates, recurrence patterns, and salvage treatment

CONCLUSION

Surgery alone may be a reliable and feasible treatment of choice in selected patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity, given the proper indications.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results of treatment of oral cavity SCC patients with surgery alone in a single institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1992 and 2004, 76 patients with previously untreated SCC of the oral cavity who had surgery alone without any other adjuvant treatment modalities were included in our study.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall rate, disease-specific survival rates, and locoregional control rate of all 76 patients were 69%, 83%, and 73%, respectively. A total of 16 patients (21%) presented with recurrences (8 with regional recurrences, 5 with local, 2 with locoregional, and 1 with distant metastasis). Four (6%) of the patients with primary T1 or T2 stage and one (50%) of those with T4 stage had recurrence at the primary site. The regional recurrence rate of patients with < or = N1 and > or = N2b was 10% (6 of 59) and 67% (2 of 3), respectively. Three of four patients who had recurrence at the primary site and attempted salvage treatment have been cured. However, only one of five patients with nodal recurrence and salvage treatment has recovered.