Outcome of ipsilateral treatment for patients with metastases to neck nodes of unknown origin

A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study on Awareness and Belief of People About Cancer in Southern Ethiopia: Special Focus on Breast and Cervical Cancers

BACKGROUND

The general population's lack of awareness, limited knowledge, myths and misconceptions about breast and cervical cancers (CCs) is considered as a serious public health problem.

OBJECTIVE

This study was intended to assess the status of awareness and beliefs of people about cancer and breast and CCs in particular.

METHODS

A descriptive community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted on 345 study participants in Southern Ethiopia. A pretested, structured questionnaire that contained demographics and questions on the variables of exposure to biological and chemical carcinogenic agents, lifestyle and personal behavior was administered. Frequency distribution and proportions were used to describe the study population in relation to major variables.

RESULTS

The mean age of study participants was 25.19 (Range 15-58). More than a third of the study participants heard about cancer from Mass Media followed by schools (28.5%) and treating physicians (6.7%). The proportion of study participants that knew about the association between smoking, alcohol intake and cancer development was 38.6% and 51.5%, respectively. Only 48% and 24.2% of the study participants heard about breast and CCs, respectively. The fact that 69.4% of the study participants had limited knowledge about the mode of transmission of the causative agents of CCs indicates that the study groups are at risk of acquiring the agent. Additionally, only 4.7% of the study participants were screened for CC and have poor breast self-examination experiences, indicating poor awareness and knowledge about the importance of screening programs.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensive awareness and knowledge about cancer in general and breast and CCs in particular is lacking in southern Ethiopia. Early sexual debut, limited knowledge about the diseases and unfavorable lifestyle are the risk factors to be addressed in public health education.

Clinical outcomes for patients presenting with N3 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Analysis of the National Cancer Database

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data regarding head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and N3 nodal disease.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients with N3 HNSCC identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) was performed.

RESULTS

We identified 4867 patients with N3 HNSCC treated with primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Propensity-adjusted median survival was 54.2 and 44.8 months for surgery and CRT, respectively (P = .06). Oropharyngeal primary subsite demonstrated a survival advantage with surgery versus CRT with propensity-adjusted median survivals of 86.0 and 61.9 months, respectively (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Management of N3 HNSCC relies largely on CRT. Patients with N3 nodal disease with nonoropharyngeal primary tumors exhibit 5-year overall survival approaching 30% independent of initial treatment modality. Patients with oropharyngeal primaries exhibit improved outcomes with surgery largely influenced by the human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative subset. These data represent the most comprehensive analysis of N3 HNSCC outcomes and serves as a foundation for future research and clinical management.

Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in patients with cervical lymph node metastases from unknown primary carcinoma

Cervical metastases from unknown primary tumors are rare and no clear therapeutic options are available. This study was performed to assess the efficacy and safety profiles of induction chemotherapy followed radiotherapy in patients with cervical lymph node metastases from unknown primary cancer. Patients with histological diagnosis of cervical lymph-node metastasis from carcinoma with an unknown primary cancer underwent induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. All patients had squamous cell carcinoma. Induction chemotherapy consisted of 3-4 cycles every 3 weeks of docetaxel (day 1.70 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (day 1.75 mg/m(2)). Radiation therapy (RT) was started with in 10 weeks of the last cycle of chemotherapy, and it was administered 5 days per week. It was given in daily fractions of (1.8) Grays (Gy) of 2 Gy and the total dose to the primary tumor was 70-74 Gy. Neck dissection was reserved for residual disease after definitive radiotherapy. Overall survival, recurrent free survival, and locoregional control were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Twenty one patients with an unknown primary cancer underwent induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After induction chemotherapy, 6 patients achieved CR and 8 patients achieved PR. The overall response rate after radiation, was 90.4 % (19 of 21 patients). Neutropenia and infection were the most common grade 3-4 adverse event during induction chemotherapy. Mucositis and dermatitis were the most common grade 3-4 toxicities during radiotherapy. With a median follow-up of 50.6 months, the estimated 2 years OS rates were 71 ± 6 %, respectively. The median OS was 42 months (95 % confidence interval CI 8-65 months). The recurrent-free survival rate at 2 years was 57 %, respectively. In the patients with responder to induction chemotherapy, superior relapse free survival and overall survival rate observed. No occurrence of primary cancer was observed during the follow-up period. Induction chemotherapy followed RT for unknown primary cancer has provided good overall and disease-free survival in all the patients with an acceptable rate of complications. The use of induction chemotherapy and radiation therapy for more advanced disease led to good clinical results with reasonable toxicities.

Cervical lymph node metastases from unknown primary cancer: a single-institution experience with intensity-modulated radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To determine the effectiveness and rate of complications of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the treatment of cervical lymph node metastases from unknown primary cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between February 2005 and November 2008, 25 patients with an unknown primary cancer underwent IMRT, with a median radiation dose of 70 Gy. The bilateral neck and ipsilateral putative pharyngeal mucosa were included in the target volume. All patients had squamous cell carcinoma, except for 1 patient who had adenosquamous differentiation. They were all treated with curative intent. Of the 25 included patients, 20 were men and 5 were women, with a median age of 54 years. Of these patients, 3 had Stage III, 18 had Stage IVa, and 4 had Stage IVb. Of the 25 patients, 18 (72%) received platinum-based chemotherapy in a combined-modality setting. Neck dissection was reserved for residual disease after definitive IMRT. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional control were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 38 months, the overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional control rates were all 100% at 3 years. No occurrence of primary cancer was observed during the follow-up period. The reported rates of xerostomia reduced with the interval from the completion of treatment. Nine patients (36%) reported Grade 2 or greater xerostomia at 6 months, and only 2 (8%) of them reported the same grade of salivary function toxicity after 24 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In our institution, IMRT for unknown primary cancer has provided good overall and disease-free survival in all the patients with an acceptable rate of complications. IMRT allowed us to address the bilateral neck and ipsilateral putative pharyngeal mucosa with minimal late salivary function toxicity. The use of concurrent chemotherapy and IMRT for more advanced disease led to good clinical results with reasonable toxicities.

Prognostic factors of unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic factors of unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SUBJECTS: Patients with unknown primary HNSCC from 1980 to 2000 were included.

RESULTS: Forty-eight patients, predominantly male and with a mean age of 63.3 ± 11.6 years, were recruited. The median survival time (MST) was 44 months. The overall survival rate was 60.4 percent at three years and 39.6 percent at five years. Forty-two patients receiving intervention regimens had a MST of 45 months, while six patients receiving palliative therapy had a MST of 8.5 months (log rank test, P = 0.016). With multivariate Cox regression analysis, age (per year), higher nodal stage (N3 vs N1 or N2), and treatment (operation vs nonoperation) had a hazard ratio of 1.081 ( P < 0.0001), 5.852 ( P = 0.010), and 0.4 ( P = 0.042), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Older age, higher nodal stage, and palliative treatment indicated poor prognosis. Survival time might be prolonged if surgical treatment is tolerable.

Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary site: retrospective analysis of 113 patients

PURPOSE

The management of patients with cervical lymph-node metastases from unknown primary site (UPS) remains a matter of discussion. This study aimed to analyze the results and prognostic factors in a series of patients treated with radiotherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Data from 113 patients who presented with cervical lymph nodes metastases from UPS treated from 1980 to 2004 were reviewed. Eighty-seven patients (77.0%) were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Ninety-one patients were treated with curative and 22 with palliative intent. Fifty-nine of 113 patients (52.2%) received surgery followed by radiotherapy and 54 of 113 (47.8%) received radiotherapy alone. Radiotherapy was delivered to the neck and pharyngeal mucosa in 67 patients and to the ipsilateral or bilateral neck in 45 patients. Twenty-one patients (18.5%) also received chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival rates were 40.7% for the entire group and 46.6% for the SCC subgroup. The occurrence of the occult primary was observed in 23 of 113 patients (20.3%), 19 (82.6%) within the head and neck region. At multivariate analysis, treatment with curative intent and extensive irradiation of bilateral neck and pharyngeal mucosa were favorable prognostic factors for the whole series, and treatment with curative intent, extensive irradiation of bilateral neck and pharyngeal mucosa, and absence of extracapsular spread were favorable prognostic factors for the SCC subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cervical lymph node metastases from UPS have a similar prognosis to those affected by other head and neck malignancies. Curative treatment strategies including neck dissection and extensive irradiation by three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy resulted in significantly better outcomes.

Carcinoma Metastatic to Cervical Lymph Nodes From an Occult Primary Tumor: The Outcome After Combined-Modality Therapy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to analyze the results of treatment of patients with cervical node metastases from carcinoma of occult primary with a policy including neck dissection and postoperative comprehensive radiotherapy.

METHODS

Ninety patients were treated with curative intent from 1990 to 2002.

RESULTS

The actuarial rate of neck disease control was 68.8% at 5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 58.9%-78.7%). On multivariate analysis, the rate of neck disease control was significantly related to lymph nodal metastatic level (P = .006). The actuarial rate of developing head and neck primary tumors at 5 years was 8.9% (95% CI, 2.6%-15.2%). The 5-year actuarial rate of distant metastases was 19.1% (95% CI, 9.4%-28.9%). In multivariate analysis, a statistically significant difference in the rate of distant metastasis was obtained when patients were stratified according to the level of nodal involvement (P = .01) and the presence of extracapsular extension (P = .013). At the time of analysis, 50 of the 90 patients were alive. A total of 32 (35.6%) had died from causes related to their primary disease. Actuarial disease-specific survival at 2 and 5 years was 73.6% (95% CI, 64.3%-82.9%) and 62.8% (95% CI, 51.9%-73.7%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, a statistically significant difference in disease-specific survival was obtained when patients were stratified according to the level of nodal involvement and the presence of extracapsular extension.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study seems to support the use of combined-modality therapy in patients with neck metastases from carcinoma of occult primary. However, in the absence of randomized trials, comprehensive irradiation cannot be routinely advised.

Benefit of postoperative chemoradiotherapy for patients with unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND

Postopertative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy recently became an established modality for patients with selected high-risk locally advanced head and neck cancers. The optimal treatment of unknown primary squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) continues to be controversial, since major randomized studies excluded those patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of patients treated during 1995 to 2002 for unknown primary SCCHN. All patients were treated with a neck dissection followed by concurrent high-dose cisplatin (100 mg/m(2)) and bilateral neck radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were identified with nodal disease distribution of N1 (5%), N2a (22%), N2b (41%), N2c (8%), N3 (22%), and Nx (3%). Modified neck dissection was done on the majority (30/37 = 81%) of patients. With a median follow-up of 42 months among the survivors, very few patients had regional recurrence (5%) or distant failure (11%), and 89% of patients were alive. The actuarial 5-year overall survival rate could not be estimated because there were no deaths beyond 20 months after surgery. Substantial yet acceptable acute and late morbidities were demonstrated in this cohort of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy is of potential benefit to patients with unknown primary SCCHN by improving survival and reducing failures. This treatment warrants further prospective evaluation.

Cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary

Cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma from occult primary constitute about 2-5% of all patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUP). Metastases in the upper and middle neck are generally attributed to head and neck cancers, whereas the lower neck (supraclavicular area) involvement is often associated with primary malignancies below the clavicles. The diagnostic procedures include physical examination with thorough evaluation of the head and neck mucosa using fiber-optic endoscopy, biopsies from all suspicious sites or blindly from the sites of possible origin of the primary, computer tomography and/or magnetic resonance. A systematic tonsillectomy in the absence of suspicious lesions is often recommended since up to 25% of primary tumors can be detected in this site. The thoracic primary (tracheal, bronchial, lung, esophagus) has to be excluded, especially in the case of lower neck involvement. Positron emission tomography (PET) with fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose allows detection of primary tumor in about 25% of cases, but this procedure is still considered investigational. Therapeutic approaches include surgery (lymph node excision or neck dissection), with or without postoperative radiotherapy, radiotherapy alone and radiotherapy followed by surgery. In early stages (N1), neck dissection and radiotherapy seem to have similar efficacy, whereas more advanced cases (N2, N3) necessitate combined approaches. The extent of radiotherapy (irradiation of bilateral neck and mucosa versus ipsilateral neck radiotherapy) remains debatable. A potential benefit from extensive radiotherapy should be weighted against its acute and late morbidity and difficulties in re-irradiation in the case of subsequent primary emergence. The role of other methods, such as chemotherapy and hyperthermia, remains to be determined.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for N2 or N3 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck from an occult primary

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to explore the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the management of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck from an occult primary (HNCOP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1991 to 2000, 25 patients with T0N2M0 or T0N3M0 HNCOP were entered into five sequential phase II clinical trials. Chemoradiotherapy consisted of a split course of radiotherapy with concurrent 5-fluorouracil and hydroxyurea either alone or with cisplatin, or paclitaxel. Two of the five protocols incorporated induction chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Nodal stage was N2a in five patients (20%), N2b in 13 (52%), N2c in one (4%) and N3 in six (24%). Twenty-two patients (88%) underwent neck dissection; 14 of 22 patients underwent neck dissection before initiating protocol therapy. Total radiation doses of 55-75 Gy (median 60 Gy) were delivered; radiation fields included the potential sites of mucosal primaries and the neck bilaterally. Selected patients received a radiation boost to the involved neck. With a median follow-up of 3.9 years, three patients have progressed (one local, two distant) and seven patients have died. Deaths were due to disease progression (three) or unrelated causes (four). No metachronous primaries developed. The 5-year progression-free and overall survival was 87% and 75%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Combined-modality treatment with intensive chemoradiotherapy results in excellent disease control and long-term survival for patients with N2-N3 HNCOP and compares favorably with traditional therapy.