Transoral robotic surgery in head and neck district: a retrospective study on 67 patients treated in a single center

Surgical, Functional, and oncological outcomes of transoral robotic surgery for cT1-T3 supraglottic laryngeal Cancers: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

This systematic review investigated the surgical, functional, and oncological outcomes of transoral robotic supraglottic laryngectomy (TORS-SGL) for cT1-T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

METHODS

Two investigators conducted an updated PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library systematic review for studies investigating the surgical, functional, and oncological outcomes of TORS-SGL using the PRISMA statements. The bias analysis was conducted with the MINORS.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies were included, accounting for 896 patients. TORS-SGL was primarily performed for cT1 (39.1 %), cT2 (46.9 %), and some selected cT3 (7.7 %) LSCCs. Surgical margins were positive in 10.8 % of cases. The mean hospital stay was 8.6 days. Hemorrhage (6.3 %), pneumonia (5.5 %), and aspiration (1.7 %) are the primary complications. The surgical margins were positive in 10.6 % of cases. Feeding tubes, temporary tracheotomy, and definitive percutaneous gastrostomy are found in 65.6 %, 19.7 %, and 5.2 % of patients, respectively. The oral diet is restarted after a mean of 7.2 days. The 5-year OS and DFS of TORS-SGL were estimated to be 78.3 %, and 91.7 %, with 5-year local-relapse-free survival and nodal-relapse-free survival of 90.8 %, and 86.6 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The TORS-SGL is a safe, and effective surgical approach for cT1-T3 SGL. The functional and surgical outcomes appear comparable with TOLM-SGL. The oncological outcomes of TORS-SGL could be better than TOLM and open SGLs, but further large cohort-controlled studies are needed to draw reliable conclusions.

Surgical margins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A narrative review

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a prevalent and frequently recurring malignancy, often necessitates surgical intervention. The surgical margin (SM) plays a pivotal role in determining the postoperative treatment strategy and prognostic evaluation of HNSCC. Nonetheless, the process of clinical appraisal and assessment of the SMs remains a complex and indeterminate endeavor, thereby leading to potential difficulties for surgeons in defining the extent of resection. In this regard, we undertake a comprehensive review of the suggested surgical distance in varying circumstances, diverse methods of margin evaluation, and the delicate balance that must be maintained between tissue resection and preservation in head and neck surgical procedures. This review is intended to provide surgeons with pragmatic guidance in selecting the most suitable resection techniques, and in improving patients' quality of life by achieving optimal functional and aesthetic restoration.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Oral Cancers Using Transoral Robotic Surgery in an Endemic Region

Oral cancer poses a major health challenge in Taiwan, consistently ranking among the highest globally in both incidence and cancer-related mortality. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has potential advantages over open surgery, but its long-term oncologic outcomes are not well established. In this study, we sought to elucidate the role of TORS in improving treatment outcomes among oral cancer patients. A case-control study with propensity score matching was conducted in a single teaching hospital in Taiwan. It included 72 oral cancer patients in each group to analyze and compare survival outcomes between the surgical approaches. The TORS group demonstrated a higher negative resection margin rate, a lower mortality risk and better overall survival than the open-surgery group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed TORS's association with a reduced risk of death. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests indicated significantly better survival outcomes for the TORS group across all cancer stages. Moreover, the TORS group exhibited improved overall survival rates for stage III and IV patients compared to the conventional open-surgery group. In conclusion, this study suggests that TORS may offer better overall survival rates and potential advantages over conventional surgery for oral cancer treatment.

Meet the Insidious Players: Review of Viral Infections in Head and Neck Cancer Etiology with an Update on Clinical Trials

Head and neck cancers (HNC) occur in the upper aerodigestive tract and are among the most common cancers. The etiology of HNC is complex, involving many factors, including excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption; over the last two decades, oncogenic viruses have also been recognized as an important cause of HNC. Major etiological agents of nasopharynx carcinoma and oropharyngeal carcinoma include Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomaviruses (HPVs), both of which are able to interfere with cell cycle control. Additionally, the association of hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection was observed in oral cavity, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and nasopharyngeal cancers. Overall prognoses depend on anatomic site, stage, and viral status. Current treatment options, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapies, are distributed in order to improve overall patient prognosis and survival rates. However, the interplay between viral genome sequences and the health, disease, geography, and ethnicity of the host are crucial for understanding the role of viruses and for development of potential personalized treatment and prevention strategies. This review provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of a vast field, including HNC risk factors, as well as viral mechanisms of infection and their role in HNC development. Additionally, currently available treatment options investigated through clinical practice are emphasized in the paper.