Leiomyosarcoma of the oral cavity: Report of seven cases and review of literature

Radiomics analysis of CT imaging improves preoperative prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of CT radiomics for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

METHODS

LSCC patients who received open surgery and lymphadenectomy were enrolled and randomized into primary and validation cohorts at a ratio of 7:3 (325 vs. 139). In the primary cohort, we extracted radiomics features from whole intratumoral regions on venous-phase CT images and constructed a radiomics signature by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. A radiomics model incorporating the radiomic signature and independent clinical factors was established via multivariable logistic regression and presented as a nomogram. Nomogram performance was compared with a clinical model and traditional CT report with respect to its discrimination and clinical usefulness. The radiomics nomogram was internally tested in an independent validation cohort.

RESULTS

The radiomics signature, composed of 9 stable features, was associated with LNM in both the primary and validation cohorts (both p < .001). A radiomics model incorporating independent predictors of LNM (the radiomics signature, tumor subsite, and CT report) showed significantly better discrimination of nodal status than either the clinical model or the CT report in the primary cohort (AUC 0.91 vs. 0.84 vs. 0.68) and validation cohort (AUC 0.89 vs. 0.83 vs. 0.70). Decision curve analysis confirmed that the radiomics nomogram was superior to the clinical model and traditional CT report.

CONCLUSIONS

The CT-based radiomics nomogram may improve preoperative identification of nodal status and help in clinical decision-making in LSCC.

KEY POINTS

• The radiomics model showed favorable performance for predicting LN metastasis in LSCC patients. • The radiomics model may help in clinical decision-making and define patient subsets benefiting most from neck treatment.

Lingual Leiomyosarcoma: A Histopathological Case Report

Leiomyosarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal neoplasms originating from smooth muscle cells. Although leiomyosarcoma is commonly located in the female reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract, and subcutaneous tissues, it is a rare entry in the head and neck area, probably due to the scarcity of smooth muscle tissue in this topographical region. Herein we present a histopathological case report of a 60-year-old male with a slow-growing painless mass on the middle third of the right lateral lingual margin, with focal ulceration measuring 1x1.5cm. After gross excision, histopathology revealed pleomorphic spindle cells, some with bizarre nuclei and abundant pathological mitotic activity with a tendency to grow in a fascicular pattern. As the patient had the demographic characteristic and risk factors for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, a spindle-shaped variety (sarcomatoid) variety was suspected, and immunohistochemistry with a broad set of antibodies was used to prove the histogenetic group of the tumor. As the tumor was pan-cytokeratin and desmin negative, focally positive for caldesmon, and positive for smooth muscle actin, the diagnosis of pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma of the tongue was established.

Prevalence of occult nodal metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Primary: To determine the rate of occult cervical metastases in primary temporal bone squamous cell carcinomas (TBSSC). Secondary: to perform a subgroup meta-analysis of the risk of occult metastases based on the clinical stage of the tumour and its risk based on corresponding levels of the neck.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of papers searched through Medline, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science up to November 2021 to determine the pooled rate of occult lymph node/parotid metastases. Quality assessment of the included studies was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

Overall, 13 out of 3301 screened studies met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 1120 patients of which 550 had TBSCC. Out of the 267 patients who underwent a neck dissection, 33 had positive lymph nodes giving a pooled rate of occult metastases of 14% (95% CI 10-19%). Occult metastases rate varied according to Modified Pittsburg staging system, being 0% (0-16%) among 12 pT1, 7% (2-20%) among 43 pT2 cases, 21% (11-38%) among 45 pT3, and 18% (11-27%) among 102 pT4 cases. Data available showed that most of the positive nodes were in Level II.

CONCLUSION

The rate of occult cervical metastases in TBSCC increases with pathological T category with majority of nodal disease found in level II of the neck.

Leiomyosarcoma of the jaw: case series

Objectives

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm that affects smooth muscle tissue and it is very rare in the field of oral and maxillofcial surgery. The purpose of this study was to obtain information on diagnosis of and treatment methods for leiomyosarcoma by retrospectively reviewing of the cases.

Patients and Methods

The study included nine patients who were diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Seoul National University Dental Hospital. The subjects were analyzed with respect to sex, age, clinical features, primary site of disease, treatment method, recurrence, and metastasis.

Results

Particular clinical features included pain, edema, mouth-opening limitations, dysesthesia, and enlarged lymph nodes. All cases except one were surgically treated, and recurrence was found in two cases. Four of nine patients were followed up without recurrence and one patient underwent additional surgery due to recurrence.

Conclusion

In our case series, notable symptoms included pain, edema, mouth-opening limitations, and dysesthesia; however, it was difficult to label these as specific symptoms of leiomyosarcoma. Considering the aggressive characteristics of the disease and poor prognosis, surgical treatment is necessary with careful consideration of postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

A Multicenter Retrospective Study of Elective Neck Dissection for T1-2N0M0 Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Analysis Using Propensity Score-Matching

Background

This multicenter retrospective study aimed to determine whether elective neck dissection (END) can be performed for T1-2N0M0 tongue cancer.

Methods

Patients with T1-2N0M0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma who received treatment between January 2000 and December 2012 were enrolled at 14 multicenter study sites. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) were compared between the propensity score-matched END and observation (OBS) groups.

Results

The results showed that the OS rates among the 1234 enrolled patients were 85.5% in the END group and 90.2% in the OBS group (P = 0.182). The DSS rates were 87.0% in the END group and 94.3% in the OBS group (P = 0.003). Among the matched patients, the OS rates were 87.1% in the END group and 76.2% in the OBS group (P = 0.0051), and the respective DSS rates were 89.2% and 82.2% (P = 0.0335).

Conclusion

This study showed that END is beneficial for T1-2N0M0 tongue cancer. However, END should be performed for patients with a tumor depth of 4–5 mm or more, which is the depth associated with a high rate of lymph node metastasis. The use of END should be carefully considered for both elderly and young patients.

Leiomyosarcoma in the mandible: A rare case report

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a malignancy which very rarely occurs in maxillofacial location, and the course of the disease is not very characteristic.In this case report, we present a 58-year-old female patient with a painless tumor of the left angle of the mandible causing slight asymmetry of the face. She also reported that she observed deterioration in fitting of the lower denture in the oral cavity for several months, which she had used successfully for 5 years.On the basis of clinical tests, histopatological examination, and imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound, pantomography), the patient was diagnosed with primary malignant leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the mandibular corpus and ramus on the left side. The patient received combined surgical and oncological treatment. The first stage was a surgery, and then adjuvant radiotherapy was applied on the site of the resected tumor-a total dose of 60 Gy in 35 fractions. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. She also underwent adjuvant therapy well. In the period of 3-year follow-up, no signs of recurrence were observed.The findings may extend our knowledge and experiences in the treatment of leiomvosarcoma in the craniofacial area.

Clinical significance of SUVmax in (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan for detecting nodal metastases in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

To retrospectively investigate the diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET/CT relative to CT for detection of cervical node metastases in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), using histologic evaluation of dissected cervical nodes as the reference standard. Thirty-six patients with OSCC who underwent neck dissection (4 bilateral, 32 unilateral; 250 nodal levels) after FDG-PET/CT. Two observers consensually determined the lesion size and SUVmax of visible cervical nodes and compared the results with pathologic findings at the nodal level. Histopathology revealed nodal metastases in 13 (36.1 %) of 36 patients and 28 (11.2 %) of 250 nodal levels. Using a best discriminative SUVmax cut-off of 3.5 for the node, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FDG-PET/CT for identification of nodal metastases on a level-by-level basis were 67.9, 94.6, and 91.6 %, respectively. The corresponding figures for CT were 42.9, 96.8, and 90.8 %, respectively. The sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT was significantly better than CT (p = 0.023). Moreover, using the level-based modified SUVmax cut-off, the respective figures for FDG-PET/CT were 71.4, 95.9, and 93.2 %, with significantly higher sensitivity (p = 0.013) and accuracy (p = 0.041) than CT. FDG PET/CT with SUVmax is a useful modality for preoperative evaluation of cervical neck lymph node metastases in patients with OSCC.

Accuracy of microRNAs as markers for the detection of neck lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The presence of metastatic disease in cervical lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients is a very important determinant in therapy choice and prognosis, with great impact in overall survival. Frequently, routine lymph node staging cannot detect occult metastases and the post-surgical histologic evaluation of resected lymph nodes is not sensitive in detecting small metastatic deposits. Molecular markers based on tissue-specific microRNA expression are alternative accurate diagnostic markers. Herein, we evaluated the feasibility of using the expression of microRNAs to detect metastatic cells in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lymph nodes and in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of HNSCC patients.

METHODS

An initial screening compared the expression of 667 microRNAs in a discovery set comprised by metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes from HNSCC patients. The most differentially expressed microRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR in two independent cohorts: i) 48 FFPE lymph node samples, and ii) 113 FNA lymph node biopsies. The accuracy of the markers in identifying metastatic samples was assessed through the analysis of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and area under the curve values.

RESULTS

Seven microRNAs highly expressed in metastatic lymph nodes from the discovery set were validated in FFPE lymph node samples. MiR-203 and miR-205 identified all metastatic samples, regardless of the size of the metastatic deposit. Additionally, these markers also showed high accuracy when FNA samples were examined.

CONCLUSIONS

The high accuracy of miR-203 and miR-205 warrant these microRNAs as diagnostic markers of neck metastases in HNSCC. These can be evaluated in entire lymph nodes and in FNA biopsies collected at different time-points such as pre-treatment samples, intraoperative sentinel node biopsy, and during patient follow-up. These markers can be useful in a clinical setting in the management of HNSCC patients from initial disease staging and therapy planning to patient surveillance.

Pattern of Failure in Surgically Treated Patients with Cervical Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern of failure in patients who have undergone surgical resection for cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

University hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty-two patients who had undergone surgical resection of cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from January 2001 through April 2012. Sites of failure were documented.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients had developed treatment failure. Of the 29 patients, 14, 13, and 14 had developed local failure, regional failure, and distant metastasis, respectively. Of the 13 regional failures, the images of 2 patients were lost. The other 11 regional failures included left lateral nodal disease at level II (n = 2), level III (n = 4), and level IV (n = 7); right lateral nodal disease at level II (n = 2), level III (n = 3), and level IV (n = 3); and level VI (n = 4). The overall 2-year local failure-free survival rate and regional failure-free survival rates were 79.6% and 58.6% (P = .04) for patients with stage II disease and 79.6% and 59.6% (P = .054) for patients with stage III disease, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of failure of cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by early locoregional failure, especially in patients with stage III disease.

Key architectural changes in tumor-negative lymph nodes from metastatic-free oral cancer patients are valuable prognostic factors

Regional lymph node (LN) metastasis in oral cancer patients is the most significant grave prognostic factor. We evaluated the relationship between clinical outcomes and different histopathological changes in tumor-negative LNs (LN0) selected from neck dissections without metastatic disease (pN0). A total of 435 LN0 selected from pN0 neck dissections (up to three nodes in each level) were scored for histopathological parameters of LN areas, capsule thickness, subcapsular and medullary sinus ectasia, lobular architecture and percent of cortical reactive follicles. These were compared to 328 LN0 selected from neck dissections with metastases (pN+) after exclusion of metastatic LNs. Data were presented by maximum scores of each parameter in I-III (close) and in IV-V (distant) levels. Limited data from level V and regression analyses inferred that the values in level IV represented the worst changes for most patients. Cox proportional hazard regression on each parameter in close and distant levels demonstrated that capsule thickness, number of lobules and percent of reactive follicles were significantly associated with time to death from disease. The higher the change in distant levels, the shorter the time to death, while the higher the change in close levels (given a stable change in distant levels), the longer the time to death. After adjustment for gender, age and location, only the effect of the percent of reactive follicles retained their significant effect. Logistic regression of metastases demonstrated that all parameters except for percent of reactive follicles were significantly associated with risk of metastases, with differences between close and distant levels similar to those found for time to death. After adjustment for gender, age and location, only the area and number of lobes retained their significance. The findings of this study suggested that selective histopathological changes in tumor-negative LNs in metastatic-free patients provide new valuable prognostic parameters.

Selective use of postoperative neck radiotherapy in oral cavity and oropharynx cancer: a prospective clinical study

Background

In cervical postoperative radiotherapy, the target volume is usually the same as the extension of the previous dissection. We evaluated a protocol of selective irradiation according to the risk estimated for each dissected lymph node level.

Methods

Eighty patients with oral/oropharyngeal cancer were included in this prospective clinical study between 2005 and 2008. Patients underwent surgery of the primary tumor and cervical dissection, with identification of positive nodal levels, followed by selective postoperative radiotherapy. Three types of selective nodal clinical target volume (CTV) were defined: CTV0, CTV1, and CTV2, with a subclinical disease risk of <10%, 10-25%, and 25% and a prescribed radiation dose of <35 Gy, 50 Gy, and 66–70 Gy, respectively. The localization of node failure was categorized as field, marginal, or outside the irradiated field.

Results

A consistent pattern of cervical infiltration was observed in 97% of positive dissections. Lymph node failure occurred within a high-risk irradiated area (CTV1-CTV2) in 12 patients, marginal area (CTV1/CTVO) in 1 patient, and non-irradiated low-risk area (CTV0) in 2 patients. The volume of selective lymph node irradiation was below the standard radiation volume in 33 patients (mean of 118.6 cc per patient). This decrease in irradiated volume was associated with greater treatment compliance and reduced secondary toxicity. The three-year actuarial nodal control rate was 80%.

Conclusion

This selective postoperative neck irradiation protocol was associated with a similar failure pattern to that observed after standard neck irradiation and achieved a significant reduction in target volume and secondary toxicity.

Elective neck dissection vs observation in transorally treated early head and neck carcinomas with cN0 neck

CONCLUSION

This study showed that elective neck dissection (ND) resulted in reduced regional recurrences in a selected group of surgically treated patients with pT1-2 carcinomas but did not show any benefit for disease-specific survival (DSS). Furthermore, the importance of pN classification was also verified for this patient group.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of elective ND in patients with early head and neck carcinomas and cN0 neck that have undergone a transoral removal of the primary tumor can reduce the incidence of regional recurrence and improve survival.

METHODS

Between 1980 and 2010, 224 patients that underwent transoral resection of a pT1-2 carcinoma and had a cN0 neck were included in the study; 101 patients received an elective ND and 123 did not.

RESULTS

The group that underwent elective ND showed a tendency toward better regional control (RC) (96.0% vs 90.3%, p = 0.07) but similar DSS (85.7% vs 85.4%, p = 0.984). Cases with pN0 classification had a better overall survival (74.6% vs 46.9%, p = 0.07), DSS (88.4% vs 53.6%, p = 0.44), and RC (98.6% vs 62.5%, p < 0.001) compared with pN+ patients.

Robot-Assisted Selective Neck Dissection of Levels II to V via a Modified Facelift or Retroauricular Approach

Objectives

We performed robot-assisted selective neck dissection via a modified facelift or retroauricular approach without creating an apparent scar around the neck to remove neck node of levels II to V after transoral robotic surgery of a primary lesion in patients with laryngopharyngeal carcinoma. Patient data were prospectively analyzed to verify the feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted neck dissection in the treatment of cN0 laryngopharyngeal carcinoma.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Setting

University tertiary care facility.

Subjects and Methods

Between March 2011 and March 2012, 7 patients were enrolled in the study. Before study initiation, the Institutional Review Board of Yonsei University approved the protocol, and informed consent was obtained from all patients.

Results

Robot-assisted neck dissection was successfully performed in all patients. Five patients underwent selective neck dissection including levels II to IV, and 2 patients underwent selective neck dissection including levels II to V. The average number of lymph nodes retrieved was 25.1. Occult nodal metastasis was found in 1 (14%) neck specimen. During the follow-up period (mean of 13.5 months), all patients were alive without locoregional recurrence. All patients were extremely satisfied with their cosmetic results.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted selective neck dissection is a feasible and safe technique to manage the neck in cN0 laryngopharyngeal carcinoma patients. It may be especially helpful for patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery since no apparent scar around the neck remains. Long-term results with respect to oncologic safety and functional outcomes are required to establish the validity of robot-assisted neck dissection.

Selective neck dissection for clinically node-positive oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The treatment of a clinically node-positive (cN+) neck is important in the management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the extent of neck dissection (ND) remains controversial. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether level IV or V can be excluded in therapeutic ND for cN+ OSCC patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of 92 patients who underwent a comprehensive or selective ND as a therapeutic treatment of cN+ OSCC from January 1993 to February 2009.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of metastasis to level IV or V was 22% (16 of 72) on the ipsilateral neck. Of 67 cases without clinically suspicious nodes at level IV or V, 11 cases (16%, 11 of 67) had pathologically proven lymphatic metastasis to level IV or V. Only a nodal staging above N2b was significantly relevant with the higher rate of level IV or V lymph node metastasis (p=0.025). In this series, selective ND, combined with proper adjuvant therapy, achieved regional control and survival rates comparable to comprehensive ND in patients under the N stage of cN2a OSCC.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, level IV and V patients can avoid recurrence under cN2a OSCC.

Are We Over-treating Neck in Buccal & Alveolo-buccal Cancers: Experience from a Tertiary Cancer Care Center

Oral cancer is one of the most common types of cancer seen in India with buccal and alveolo buccal regions being the most frequent subsites. A retrospective analysis of buccal and alveolo buccal cancer patients undergoing neck dissection from 1995 to 2009 was performed to analyze the profile of neck dissections and patterns of nodal involvement in these patients. Total 310 neck dissections were done for buccal and alveolo-buccal cancer including 41 (13.2 %) RND, 231(74.5 %) MND and 38 (12.2 %) Supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND). Clinically palpable nodes were present in 75.9 % patients but only 117 (38 %) were pathologically node positive. 20 % had occult positive nodes in N0 group. Level I was most commonly involved with 35 % having positive nodes in more than one level. There were no patients with isolated involvement of level IV or V with only 3.9 % patients with involvement of level III. Current guidelines recommend neck dissection in all clinically node positive patients. However, our experience shows that neck is over treated in majority of patients and there is a need to optimize surgical management of neck in these patients.

The determining risk factors for treatment outcomes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate

BACKGROUND

The determining risk factors for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate are not well verified.

METHODS

Medical records from our facility of all patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate receiving curative surgery between March 2003 and May 2009 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients were enrolled in the study. The 5 year disease-free and overall survival rates were 49.8 and 49.7%, respectively. The 5 year disease-free and overall survival rates were statistically different between positive/close margins and negative margins (24.6% vs. 65.4%, P = 0.02; 20.1% vs. 63.1%, P = 0.001, respectively), with and without soft palate invasion (38.8% vs. 68.9%, P = 0.02; 27.4% vs. 77.5%, P = 0.001, respectively), and soft palate invasion patients with and without perineural invasion (10.4% vs. 52.8%, P = 0.02; 0% vs. 38.1%, P = 0.008, respectively). The rate of positive nodal metastasis for T3 and T4 tumors was 44%. For the tumor with soft palate invasion, the rate of positive nodal metastasis was 29%. After multivariate analyses, soft palate invasion and positive/close margins were the determining risk factors for disease-free and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Soft palate invasion and positive/close margins were the determining risk factors for disease-free and overall survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate. Elective neck dissection is suggested for advanced primary tumors (T3 or T4) or tumors with soft palate invasion.

Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI for detecting neck metastasis of oral cancer: comparison between analyses performed by oral and medical radiologists

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to verify the concordance of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and MRI evaluation among four radiologists in detecting metastatic cervical lymph nodes of oral cancer patients.

METHODS

Ten patients underwent clinical and imaging examinations (CECT and MRI). Four radiologists, two oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMRs) and two medical radiologists (MRs), independently analysed the images twice. Cohen's kappa index and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to verify the concordance between all analyses.

RESULTS

Regarding the interobserver agreement, the OMRs presented excellent kappa values for determining the regional lymph nodes (N-stage) in both CECT and MRI. The MRs presented moderate agreement for CECT evaluation at the first reading, but no concordance was found for the other analyses. When each imaging modality was analysed separately, kappa values were higher between all examiners. Greater variability was demonstrated between N-stage evaluation using different examinations. All radiologists were able to identify a greater number of metastatic lymph nodes in CECT than in MRI, except one MR, but no significant difference was found for all readers. The differences between the number of metastatic lymph nodes among all radiologists were not statistically significant. Moderate intraobserver agreement was observed for CECT and MRI evaluation, except for one MR.

CONCLUSIONS

The differences found between the N-stage performed by OMRs and MRs support the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in the imaging evaluation of metastatic nodes. Further studies are necessary to confirm which imaging modality should be employed when evaluating neck areas.

Gasless transaxillary robot-assisted neck dissection: a preclinical feasibility study in four cadavers

PURPOSE

We hypothesized that comprehensive neck dissection could be achieved via a gasless transaxillary approach using a robotic system. We intended to evaluate the accessibility of level I, IIB and VA nodes with transaxillary robot-assisted neck dissection of four cadavers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Transaxillary robotic neck dissection was performed in four cadavers through a 7-cm longitudinal incision at the anterior axilla and a 0.8-cm-sized incision in the chest wall.

RESULTS

We successfully performed neck dissection from level II to V in all four cadavers. However, dissection of levels IIB and VA, which lie on the cephalic portion of the spinal accessory nerve, was difficult. Vital structures, including the internal jugular vein, carotid artery, vagus nerve, phrenic nerve, superior thyroid artery and hypoglossal nerve, were successfully identified and preserved.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the feasibility of robot-assisted neck dissection using a transaxillary approach. We suggest that gasless, transaxillary robotic neck dissection is a promising technique for treating nodal metastasis in thyroid cancers or in selected squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. However, some modification of the approach might be needed when performing comprehensive neck dissections of all levels of the neck.

Primary oral leiomyosarcoma: a retrospective clinical analysis of 20 cases

PURPOSE

As a review and clinical analysis of primary oral leiomyosarcoma (LMS) cases in West China stomatology Hospital in the past 37 years, this study provides demographic, therapeutic and prognostic information of this rare tumor.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In our study, 20 cases of primary oral LMS treated between 1972 and 2008 in West China Stomatology Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. A thorough review of clinical records was carried out and potential indicators of survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

The most common symptom of oral LMS presented as a painless mass. The median age of patients was 37 years, and the peak incidence age of this tumor was in the 2nd and 5th decades. There was no predilection of gender, and the male-to-female ratio was 11:9. The most frequently occurring site of oral leiomysarcoma was the jawbones. The prognosis of this tumor was poor as a result of the high local recurrence and the estimated 2 year survival was 17.6%. The bony involvement and method of therapy was observed to have an influence on the prognosis and survival of this tumor (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was a predilection site of jawbones for oral LMS, and bony involvement was a potential indicator suggesting a poorer prognosis. The recommended method of therapy on this tumor was aggressive, radical surgical resection; however, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also have a beneficial effect.

Is it necessary to dissect levels I and IIB in hypopharyngeal cancer?

CONCLUSION

The low incidence of metastases in levels I and IIB in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer in cases of clinical N0 and N+ neck and the fact that all patients with metastases in levels I and IIB received postoperative radiotherapy justifies the preservation of levels I and IIB in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer to improve functional results and reduce the operating time.

OBJECTIVES

Neck dissection of levels I and IIB is technically demanding due to the complex local anatomy and can cause several comorbidities. Therefore the aim of the study was to analyze whether levels I and IIB have to be dissected in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent primary surgical treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer and neck dissection, with evaluation of the incidence of metastases in levels I and IIB in cases of cN0 and cN+ neck.

RESULTS

None of the patients with cN0 neck but 2/33 patients with cN+ neck had metastases in level I. Metastases in level IIB were detected in 1/14 patients with cN0 neck and 2/36 patients with cN+ neck. All patients with metastases in levels I and IIB received postoperative radiotherapy due to the N2b and N2c status.

Contemporary management of cancer of the oral cavity

Oral cancer represents a common entity comprising a third of all head and neck malignant tumors. The options for curative treatment of oral cavity cancer have not changed significantly in the last three decades; however, the work up, the approach to surveillance, and the options for reconstruction have evolved significantly. Because of the profound functional and cosmetic importance of the oral cavity, management of oral cavity cancers requires a thorough understanding of disease progression, approaches to management and options for reconstruction. The purpose of this review is to discuss the most current management options for oral cavity cancers.

Management of gingivobuccal complex cancer

INTRODUCTION

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity ranks as the 12th most common cancer in the world and the 8th most frequent in males. It accounts for up to one-third of all tobacco-related cancers in India. Cancer of the gingivobuccal complex is especially common in Indians due to their tobacco habits. This review focuses on the management of lower gingivobuccal complex cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

References for this review were identified by search of Medline and other bibliographic information available in the PubMed database. The search terms carcinoma oral cavity, and cancer oral cavity, buccal mucosa, gingiva, gingivobuccal complex, and alveolus cancer/carcinoma were used. References from relevant articles and abstracts from international conferences were also included. Only articles published in the English language were used.

RESULTS

Treatment of gingivobuccal complex cancer is primarily surgical. Radical neck dissection, or its modification, is the standard treatment for the node-positive neck. Supraomohyoid neck dissection is the accepted treatment for the node-negative neck. Radiotherapy is usually not the preferred modality of treatment for early gingivobuccal complex cancer. It is used either as postoperative adjuvant treatment or as definitive treatment for advanced cancer with or without chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been used as neo-adjuvant, adjuvant or palliative treatment. Advanced cancers are common and continue to pose a challenge to the multidisciplinary team.

CONCLUSIONS

Gingivobuccal complex cancer remains a major public health problem despite being highly preventable and easily detectable. Advanced cancers constitute a major proportion of patients presenting for treatment. These patients are difficult to treat and have a poor outcome.

Tumor thickness and paralingual distance of coronal MR imaging predicts cervical node metastases in oral tongue carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The presence of cervical lymph node metastases is an important prognostic factor for oral tongue cancer. The accurate preoperative assessment is essential for treatment. Several studies have suggested that histologic tumor thickness is related to the metastases. The aim of this study was to determine whether MR images of oral tongue tumor have the potential to predict cervical lymph node metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 43 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue were investigated. Tumor thickness, sublingual distance between tumor and sublingual space, and paralingual distance between tumor and paralingual space, as determined from coronal MR imaging, were preoperatively estimated. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of lymph node metastases.

RESULTS

Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that T classification, N classification, and 3 measured MR imaging distances (millimeters) were significantly associated with lymph node metastases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor thickness (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.63; P < .005) and paralingual distance (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35-0.82; P < .005) were significant predictors for lymph node metastases. The probability of metastases was estimated with these models. The preoperative decision (20% probability) as to whether to perform neck dissection could be based on tumor thickness of >9.7 mm and paralingual distance of <5.2 mm.

CONCLUSION

MR images provide satisfactory accuracy for the preoperative estimation of the tumor thickness and the paralingual distance, which are valuable for predicting cervical lymph node metastases.

Elective neck dissection in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma--does it influence recurrence and survival?

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the influence on survival and regional control rates of neck dissection therapy at the time of surgery of the primary tumor in early stages of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity.

METHODS

A series of 154 patients with pT1N0M0 and pT2N0M0 intraoral carcinomas was analyzed retrospectively. Neck dissection was associated with tumor ablation in 87 patients (56.5%), although 67 patients (43.5%) were treated with local resection exclusively. Survival and relapse rates were studied with the Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test for univariate analysis and Cox proportional model for multivariate analysis (p < .05).

RESULTS

Regional recurrences occurred in 25 cases (16.2%), 7 cases (8%) with primary neck dissection and 18 cases (26.8%) with local excision alone. Neck dissection therapy was a significant prognostic factor for recurrences and survival (p < .05). The 5-year regional control rate was of 92.5% for patients with elective lymph node ablation versus 71.2% for patients without primary neck dissection. Neck dissection was also significant for recurrences in stage I and for survival and recurrences in stage II. Neck dissection therapy also showed independent prognostic value in the Cox analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with intraoral carcinomas, elective neck treatment should be considered even in cases with a small primary tumor and negative clinical examination because of the high incidence of occult nodal metastases and the tendency to regional recurrences.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in squamous cell carcinomas of the lips and the oral cavity—A single center experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Despite the availability of initial data on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in OSCC, its value in clinical practice remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential of SLNB as a reliable staging procedure in early stage SCC of the lips and the oral mucosa.

METHODS

From 2001 to 2004, 40 patients with early stage SCC of the lips and oral cavity were enrolled. The main inclusion criteria were: cN0 category by MRI and ultrasound, tumor category T1-T2, for certain sites also T3. Patients with positive SLN underwent MRND and/or radiation. Patients with negative SLN were monitored monthly.

RESULTS

In eight patients, the SLN were positive. Two patients with negative SLN subsequently developed nodal disease (5% false negatives). Twenty-one patients have a follow-up longer than 24 months. Five patients died (one from nodal disease, one from local recurrence, and three from unrelated causes). One patient developed a second primary tumor, the remaining patients are free of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

SLNB may contribute to more targeted lymph node dissection strategies. Further studies will have to ensure the safety of this procedure in comparison to selective neck dissection.