Carcinoma of the oral pharynx: an analysis of subsite treatment heterogeneity

Biochemical analysis of saliva in head and neck cancer patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Radiation therapy leads to salivary gland damage that causes xerostomia, the standard radiation-induced complication during radiotherapy that affects the quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. This study was conducted at a tertiary cancer institute in Punjab state to analyze the influence of radiation therapy on various parameters and substances of saliva.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty head and neck cancer patients who underwent conventional radiotherapy on a Cobalt machine were included. Saliva was collected in both stimulated and unstimulated states. Stimulated whole saliva was collected by applying two to three drops of citric acid solution (2%) over the dorsum of the tongue bilaterally at 30-s intervals for 2 min. Biochemical changes in the whole saliva were evaluated by biochemical methods at baseline, completion of therapy, and 3 and 6 months post-radiotherapy completion.

RESULTS

The lowest concentration of proteins was seen after the therapy in unstimulated and stimulated saliva. Salivary protein levels showed a rising trend toward baseline in 3- and 6-month posttherapy samples. The peak value (0.4 mg/dl) was reached in the stimulated saliva after therapy. Salivary amylase did not show a consistent concentration graph. The salivary concentrations of sodium, potassium, and chloride showed peak values after radiotherapy. The lowest salivary pH was obtained at completion of therapy, both in unstimulated and stimulated saliva. After 3 months of chemoradiotherapy, the saliva reached a pH value of 8.3, whereas 6-month posttherapy sample showed a pH value of 8.4 in both unstimulated and stimulated saliva.

CONCLUSIONS

At the completion of chemoradiotherapy, the total salivary protein, albumin, and inorganic components (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus) showed a downward trend from the baseline values due to the damage caused to the acinar part of the salivary gland by radiotherapy. The rise in salivary electrolytes' concentrations is attributed to the fact that even though there is loss of absorptive property of the tubular portion of the salivary gland, it retains its secretory property. Saliva becomes thick, scarce, tenacious, and acidic during the period of chemoradiotherapy.

High-Risk Human Papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Coinfection: A Potential Role in Head and Neck Carcinogenesis

Simple Summary

A subset of carcinomas that arise in the head and neck region show a viral etiology. In fact, a subgroup of oropharyngeal cancers are caused by some types of human papillomavirus (HPV), so-called high-risk (HR)-HPVs, whereas undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas are etiologically related to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). However, studies have reported the presence of both HR-HPV and EBV in some types of head and neck cancers. In this review, we discuss the potential contribution and role of HR-HPV/EBV coinfection in head and neck carcinogenesis, as well as the mechanisms that are potentially involved. In addition, HR-HPV/EBV interaction models are proposed.

Abstract

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are recognized oncogenic viruses involved in the development of a subset of head and neck cancers (HNCs). HR-HPVs are etiologically associated with a subset of oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPCs), whereas EBV is a recognized etiological agent of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs). In this review, we address epidemiological and mechanistic evidence regarding a potential cooperation between HR-HPV and EBV for HNC development. Considering that: (1) both HR-HPV and EBV infections require cofactors for carcinogenesis; and (2) both oropharyngeal and oral epithelium can be directly exposed to carcinogens, such as alcohol or tobacco smoke, we hypothesize possible interaction mechanisms. The epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that HR-HPV/EBV cooperation for developing a subset of HNCs is plausible and warrants further investigation.

Palate Squamous Cell Carcinomas:A Ten-Year Single Institute Experience

The literature date estimated that about 5% of all oral cavity cancers are hard palate cancers while soft palate cancers account for about 5-12% of oropharyngeal cancers. Although rare, usually these tumors had a more aggressively behavior than other oral cancer sites. That is why our study aimed to investigate comparatively the epidemiological, clinical and histopathological peculiarities of the two palatal sites of oral squamous cell carcinomas. We conducted a retrospective study limited to a period of 10 years in a single medical institution to investigate the morphoclinical profile of such tumors. We found that patients with hard palate SCCs had an average age slightly larger compared to those who developed soft palate tumors. Also, those with hard palate tumors are mostly diagnosed in less advanced stages compared to those at the level of the soft palate, and implicitly the former had a longer survival time. Histopathologically the most encountered hard palate SCC were the conventional well-differentiated tumor, and from the peculiar SCC variant the papillary and verrucous forms while for the soft palate SCC prevailed the moderate and poor differentiated conventional SCC and from the peculiar SCC variant the basaloid and acantholytic forms. In conclusion hard palate tumors differ in many aspects from those of the soft palate, and thus specification of the origin tumor site become important for the assessment of prognosis, treatment and survival outcome of such patients.

Carcinoma de paladar blando. Descripción de una serie de casos

Introducción y objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, anatómicas y el trata-miento quirúrgico, incluyendo las distintas opciones de reconstrucción de los tumo-res de paladar blando. Descripción: Estudio retrospectivo de 6 pacientes diagnosti-cados y tratados en el servicio de Otorrinolaringología del hospital San Pedro de Logroño entre los años 2018 y 2019. Discusión: Exponemos los resultados de nues-tros pacientes y realizamos una revisión de los tumores de orofaringe localizados en el paladar blando, los detalles anatómicos y técnicas quirúrgicas reconstructivas más utilizadas en el tratamiento quirúrgico de los tumores de paladar blando. Conclusio-nes: La prevalencia de los tumores de orofaringe ha aumentado en los últimos años a expensas de la infección por el virus del papiloma humano (VPH). Sin embargo, los carcinomas de paladar blando son mayoritariamente P16 negativos. Estos tumores son poco sintomáticos en fases iniciales y es necesario un alto índice de sospecha para evitar diagnósticos tardíos. El desarrollo de la cirugía transoral ha impulsado el tratamiento quirúrgico de los tumores de paladar blando y puede reducir la necesidad de tratamientos complementarios hasta en un 40% de los casos. La reconstrucción se hace necesaria en resecciones mayores del 50%.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Soft Palate in the United States: A Population-Based Study

Objectives To describe the incidence and determinants of survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate (SCCSP) using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Study Design Retrospective, population-based cohort study of patients. Setting SEER cancer registry. Subjects and Methods Patients from the SEER cancer registry from 1973 to 2015 were used to analyze demographics and survival of SCCSP. Results A total of 4366 cases were identified. The average overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were 68.7 months and 161.3 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, stage, and treatment (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.690, P = .019; HR = 1.73, P < .001; HR = 0.64, P < .001, respectively) were independent determinants of better or worse DSS. Age, stage, and treatment (HR = 1.02, P < .001; HR = 1.49, P < .001; HR = 0.66, P < .001; HR = 0.48, P < .001, respectively) were independent determinants of better or worse OS. For stages I, II, and III, radiation alone and surgery alone have nearly equivalent OS. Patients with stage IV disease who underwent both surgery and radiation had a significantly higher median OS at 50.0 months. Conclusion Radiation alone and surgery alone both have nearly equivalent OS benefit for stages I to III, while surgery and radiation provide the most survival benefit for stage IV disease. The large discrepancy between OS and DSS can be due to significant comorbidities. Future studies should aim to address the determinants of quality-of-life variables that help direct treatment decisions and might indirectly affect survival.

Feasibility analysis of the parametric response map as an early predictor of treatment efficacy in head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Estimating changes in the volume transfer constant, normalized area under the contrast-enhancement time curve at 60 seconds, and fractional blood plasma volume by using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging may be useful in predicting tumor response to chemoradiation. We hypothesized that the parametric response map, a voxel-by-voxel analysis of quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging maps, predicts survival in patients with head and neck cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma underwent definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy. For each patient, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging data were collected before and 2 weeks after treatment initiation. Change in perfusion parameters within the primary tumor volume with time was analyzed by parametric response mapping and by whole-tumor mean percentage change. Outcome was defined as overall survival. The perfusion parameter and metric most predictive of outcome were identified. Overall survival was estimated by the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curve.

RESULTS

The volume transfer constant and normalized area under the contrast-enhancement time curve at 60 seconds were predictive of survival both in parametric response map analysis (volume transfer constant, P = .002; normalized area under the contrast-enhancement time curve at 60 seconds, P = .02) and in the percentage change analysis (volume transfer constant, P = .04; normalized area under the contrast-enhancement time curve at 60 seconds, P = .02). Blood plasma volume predicted survival in neither analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Parametric response mapping of MR perfusion biomarkers could potentially guide treatment modification in patients with predicted treatment failure. Larger studies are needed to determine whether parametric response map analysis or percentage signal change in these perfusion parameters is the stronger predictor of survival.

Radiographic imaging of human papillomavirus related carcinomas of the oropharynx

Imaging, especially contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for anatomy and positron emission tomography (PET) with labeled (18)F fluorodeoxyglucose for physiologic detail, is critical for staging carcinomas of the oropharynx. As the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and related carcinomas of the tonsil and base of tongue (BOT) increases, experience with CECT and PET for staging HPV+ tumors is growing. No imaging modality, however, can determine whether the tumor is HPV+. There are some unique challenges posed by HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In most locations of the head and neck, a malignancy enhances more than surrounding normal structures, which facilitates tumor mapping. Unfortunately, normal lymphoid tissue of the oropharynx, in the BOT and palatine tonsillar fossa, enhances on CECT and gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in a manner similar to SCC. The primary tumor may be small or even occult at presentation, and easily over-looked on CECT. PET coupled with CECT has made a true "unknown primary" very rare, as the metabolically active tumor is almost always detectable on PET. The nodal metastases, so common with HPV+ SCC, can be truly cystic; and as such, can be misdiagnosed as a second branchial cleft cyst, a congenital benign lesion. These pitfalls, coupled with the complex anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract, make staging these tumors difficult. In this monograph we describe the anatomy of the oropharynx and review the imaging modalities available for staging. Figures highlight the points raised in the text.

Focus issue: neck dissection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The staging and prognosis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is intimately tied to the status of the cervical lymph nodes. Due to the high risk for occult nodal disease, most clinicians recommend treating the neck for these primary tumors. While there are many modalities available, surgical resection of nodal disease offers both a therapeutic and a diagnostic intervention. We review the relevant anatomy, nodal drainage patterns, clinical workup, surgical management and common complications associated with neck dissection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Surgical management of squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate: factors predictive of outcome

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate (SCCSP) is uncommon. The aim of this study was to report our experience and identify factors predictive of outcome.

METHODS

Between 1976 and 2005, 186 patients with SCCSP were treated with curative intent. In all, 150 patients had primary surgery, of whom 112 patients (75%) had cT1/T2 tumors and 103 patients (69%) had cN0 necks. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and factors predictive of outcome were identified.

RESULTS

Five-year OS, DSS, and RFS for surgical patients were, respectively, 52%, 71%, and 56%. DSS for cT1T2N0 and cT1T2N+ were 79% and 56%, respectively. For OS and DSS, multivariate analysis showed cN classification was predictive of outcome. For RFS and distant RFS, margin status was a significant predictor, whereas the cT classification was a significant predictor for local RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes of patients with early-stage SCCSP managed by surgery were excellent. These patients may be suitable for transoral robotic or endoscopic surgical procedures.