Primary fit tracheoesophageal puncture in primary versus salvage laryngectomy: Short-term and long-term complications and functional outcomes

BACKGROUND

Primary fit tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is widely preferred for individuals who have not undergone prior radiation. However, there is no consensus on the relative utility of primary-fit TEP in the setting of salvage laryngectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective, single-center review was conducted of individuals undergoing laryngectomy with primary fit TEP between 2012 and 2018. Multivariable analysis was conducted to compare short-term and long-term complications, as well as speech and swallowing outcomes, of those who underwent primary versus salvage laryngectomy.

RESULTS

In this study, 134 patients underwent total laryngectomy with primary fit TEP. Aside from a higher rate of peristomal dehiscence (13.1% vs. 1.4%) found in the salvage group, there was no difference in incidence of all other complications, including pharyngocutaneous fistula formation. The groups had comparable speech and swallow outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Primary fit TEP is a safe and effective surgical choice for individuals undergoing salvage laryngectomy who desire a voice prosthesis.

Occult Nodal Metastases in Individuals with Clinically Node-Negative Salivary Gland Malignancies

OBJECTIVES

Salivary gland malignancies comprise a heterogeneous group of pathologies, for which treatment of the clinically negative neck may vary depending on numerous factors. Herein we present data on occult nodal metastases (ONM) as well as survival and recurrence from a large series of cN0 salivary gland malignancies.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was conducted on 532 patients, with 389 patients with major salivary gland cancers and 143 patients with minor salivary gland cancers. Demographic and treatment data were included and rates of ONM, overall survival, local recurrence, regional recurrence, and distant recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

We found that the overall rate of ONM for parotid was 27% (63/235), for submandibular/sublingual was 35% (18/52), and for minor was 15% (4/26). Analysis of ONM rate at each nodal level was also performed, finding higher rates of level IV and V ONM than prior studies. Submandibular/sublingual and minor salivary gland malignancies showed a predominance of ONMs at levels I-III. Our survival and recurrence rates were similar to those found in previous studies.

CONCLUSION

Our data also demonstrate a predominance of ONM in levels I-III for submandibular/sublingual and minor salivary gland cancers, suggesting elective dissection in these levels.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 134:1705-1715, 2024.

Head and Neck Surgery-The Call to Joyful Sacrificial Giving

This Viewpoint explores the role of the servant leader and its implications as a leadership model for head and neck surgeons.

An Unusual Case of a Pharyngeal Fistula to the Cervical Spine Causing Osteomyelitis

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Pharyngeal fistulas to the cervical spine resulting in vertebral osteomyelitis are a rare, yet clinically important, complication of total laryngectomy performed in conjunction with chemoradiotherapy or radiation therapy. This complication is likely underdiagnosed and can have a high mortality rate. It is very important that clinicians are aware of this complication as early diagnosis and management may improve patient outcomes.

Prognostic value of computed tomography scan detection of cartilage invasion in advanced laryngeal cancer treated with primary total laryngectomy

Background

We sought to determine whether detection of cartilage invasion (CI) by computed tomography predicts oncologic outcomes after primary total laryngectomy.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study comparing oncologic outcomes between radiologic versus pathologic diagnosis.

Results

Assessment of clear CI versus gestalt CI resulted in 84% versus 48% specificity, 90.9% versus 80.3% positive predictive value (PPV), 60.6% versus 80.3% sensitivity, 44.7% versus 48% negative predictive value (NPV), respectively. Disease‐free survival (DFS) was similar between cT4a and cT3/cT2 patients (p = 0.87). DFS trended towards superiority among pT3/pT2 versus pT4a patients (p = 0.18). DFS was similar among patients with CI on radiologist gestalt versus no CI (p = 0.94). Histologically confirmed CI was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.46 (p = 0.27), gestalt CI 1.13 (p = 0.70), and clear CI 1.61 (p = 0.10) for DFS.

Conclusion

Gestalt determination of CI results in high sensitivity but low specificity, while clear determination of CI results in moderate sensitivity and high specificity.

Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Single Institution Series of Outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) is a rare but aggressive subtype of thyroid cancer that portends a poor prognosis. There remains a paucity of literature on PDTC outcomes. The aim of our study was to evaluate outcomes of PDTC in our tertiary care facility.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified all histologically confirmed PDTC cases from 1997-2018 treated at our Institution and collected data points in an IRB-approved registry. We then conducted a retrospective study to assess outcomes and identified factors associated with inferior outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were identified with a median age at diagnosis of 60 years (range=39-89 years). Nineteen (83%) underwent total thyroidectomy. Eight (42%) patients had lymph node dissections and 2 (11%) underwent adjuvant radiation. Thirteen (68%) patients were treated with radioactive iodine (RAI). Those who underwent total thyroidectomy had a median overall survival (mOS) of 88 months, 5 year-OS of 56%, 5 year-local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of 45%, and 5 year-distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) of 36%. T4 disease had worse mOS (14 vs. 87 m, p=0.0082), and 5 year-LRFS rate (12 vs. 74%, p=0.0312) compared to T1-3. N0 disease had an improved mOS (172 vs. 32 m, p=0.0013), 5 year-LRFS rate (63 vs. 17%, p=0.0033), and 5 year-DRFS (57 vs. 0%, p=0.0252). Eight out of 23 patients (35%) were alive at last follow-up, with a median of 68 months (range=20-214). The most common cause of death was distant recurrence (73%). Six patients received systemic therapy with various tyrosine kinase inhibitors with a median duration on treatment of 7 months (range=1-30 months).

CONCLUSION

Advanced T and N stage were factors associated with significantly inferior outcomes. While select patients benefited with systemic treatment, it remains unclear if intensified locoregional therapy should be considered in patients with PDTC.

Outcomes After Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Salvage Surgery

OBJECTIVES

Investigate outcomes following oral cavity and oropharyngeal salvage surgery.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx from 1996 to 2018 were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), associated factors, and basic quality measures were analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight patients (72% oral cavity, 28% oropharynx) were followed for a median of 17.9 months. Median DFS and OS were 9.9 and 21 months, respectively. Surgery with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy compared to surgery alone (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.78) and negative margins (HR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.90) were associated with better DFS, while lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.14-6.19) and higher stage (III vs. I-II, HR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.22-12.71) were associated with worse DFS. Higher stage was associated with worse OS (HR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.09-13.19). Patients were hospitalized for a median of 8 days with 24% readmitted within 30 days. A total of 72% and 38% of patients, respectively, underwent placement of a feeding tube or tracheostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

After oral cavity and oropharyngeal salvage surgery, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, negative margins, negative LVSI, and lower stage were associated with a lower risk of recurrence. Only lower-stage disease was associated with improved survival. The majority of patients had feeding tubes, half underwent free tissue transfer, a third required tracheostomy, and a quarter was readmitted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 2022.

Updated Outcomes of Split Course Radiotherapy in Elderly or Infirm Patients With Advanced Cancers of the Head and Neck

BACKGROUND/AIM

Head and neck cancers are often treated with extended courses of radiotherapy (RT), which may prove excessively toxic for frail patients. Split course RT (SCRT) delivers two courses of RT separated by 4-6 weeks, personalizing treatment intensity based on response. In this study, we present our updated experience using this technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From a single institution database, we identified patients considered for SCRT. For patients undergoing a second course of RT, cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (LRR) and overall survival (OS) are reported.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients were included, of whom seventy-five percent underwent a second course of RT. The most common fractionation was 30 Gy in 10 fractions for each course, with a median cumulative dose of 60 Gy. In those undergoing a second course of RT, median OS was 9.7 months and cumulative incidence of LRR at 6, 12, and 24 months was 17.0%, 23.1%, and 29.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

SCRT offers an attractive treatment paradigm to personalize radiation intensity based on patient tolerance, while maintaining reasonable safety and efficacy in those unfit for standard full course RT.

Outcomes of Post-Operative Treatment with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in High-Risk Resected Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC): A Multi-Institutional Collaboration

Adjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), with high-dose cisplatin remains standard treatment for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with high-risk pathologic features. We evaluated outcomes associated with different cisplatin dosing and schedules, concurrent with radiation (RT), and the effect of cumulative dosing of cisplatin. An IRB-approved collaborative database of patients (pts) with primary OCSCC (Stage I–IVB AJCC 7th edition) treated with primary surgical resection between January 2005 and January 2015, with or without adjuvant therapy, was established from six academic institutions. Patients were categorized by cisplatin dose and schedule, and resultant groups compared for demographic data, pathologic features, and outcomes by statistical analysis to determine disease free survival (DFS) and freedom from metastatic disease (DM). From a total sample size of 1282 pts, 196 pts were identified with high-risk features who were treated with adjuvant CRT. Administration schedule of cisplatin was not significantly associated with DFS. On multivariate (MVA), DFS was significantly better in patients without perineural invasion (PNI) and in those receiving ≥200 mg/m² cisplatin dose (p < 0.001 and 0.007). Median DFS, by cisplatin dose, was 10.5 (<200 mg/m²) vs. 20.8 months (≥200 mg/m²). Our analysis demonstrated cumulative cisplatin dose ≥200 mg/m² was associated with improved DFS in high-risk resected OCSCC pts.

Risk Assessment in Thyroid Lobectomy and Total Thyroidectomy using Over 100 Thousand Cases

OBJECTIVES

To assess risk factors and non-thyroid specific postoperative complications for thyroid lobectomy compared to total thyroidectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-sectional study of adults undergoing a lobectomy or total thyroidectomy using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between 2005 and 2017. Patients not treated by otolaryngologists or general surgeons and with unknown demographic variables were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 106 915 patients were analyzed, 64 763 total thyroidectomies and 42 152 lobectomies. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that total thyroidectomy patients were half as likely to return to the operating room (OR = 0.491 (95%CI 0.445-0.542), P < .001). Within this cohort, patients at greater risk for reoperation had a history of hypertension (OR = 1.225 (95%CI 1.090-1.376), P < .001), a malignant pathology (OR = 1.921 (95%CI 1.734-2.128), P < .001), and smoked (OR = 1.237 (95%CI 1.087-1.407), P = .001). Conversely, diabetes and body mass index did not impact the rate of reoperation when assessing total thyroidectomy and lobectomy. The most frequent non-thyroid specific complications in total thyroidectomy were unplanned intubation (0.5%), urinary tract infection (0.3%), and superficial surgical site infection (0.3%). In thyroid lobectomy, the most common complications were superficial surgical site infection (0.3%) and urinary tract infection (0.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our multi-institutional study indicates specific risk factors for returning to the operating room that may warrant closer follow up after surgery for total thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy. We also identified the most common post-operative complications. During pre-operative planning, these findings should be considered by thyroid surgeons to help mitigate risk to patients.

Characteristics and Outcomes in Head and Neck Sarcomatoid Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Cleveland Clinic Experience

OBJECTIVES

To analyze characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Fifty-five patients were treated for sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck between 1996 and 2018. Data collection included clinical history, tumor characteristics, pathology, treatment modality, and outcomes. Mean follow up was 17.1 months. Cox univariate analysis was used to evaluate for associations with locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, and overall survival.

RESULTS

Most patients were white males with a smoking history and median age 66 years (range 41-92) at diagnosis. Twenty-two percent had prior head and neck radiation. Tumor site was most frequently oral cavity (41.8%), followed by larynx (29.1%), and oropharynx (16.4%). Half presented with early T stage disease (15.5% T0, 12.7% T1, 30.9% T2) and the remainder with late stage disease (16.4% T3, 34.5% T4). Locoregional recurrence rate was 60.0%, metastatic recurrence was rate 21.8%, with median time to recurrence of 4 months and mean overall survival of 20 months. Presence of lymphovascular space invasion was statistically associated with locoregional recurrence (P = .018, HR 3.55 [95% CI 1.24, 10.14]) and poorer overall survival (P = .015, HR 2.92 [95% CI 1.23, 4.80]). Treatment with multimodality therapy was associated with decreased locoregional recurrence (P = .039, HR 0.39 [95% CI 0.16, 0.95]) but did not impact overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma remains a rare and aggressive disease variant with high recurrence rates and high mortality. High risk features such as lymphovascular space may indicate the need for more aggressive therapy.

Identifying an oligometastatic phenotype in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer: Implications for clinical trial design

OBJECTIVES

Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCC-OP) have improved overall survival (OS) after distant metastasis (DM) compared to HPV negative patients. These patients may be appropriate candidates for enrollment on clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of metastasis-directed therapy (MDT). This study seeks to identify prognostic factors associated with OS after DM, which could serve as enrollment criteria for such trials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From an IRB approved multi-institutional database, we retrospectively identified patients with HPV/p16 positive SCC-OP diagnosed between 2001 and 2018. Patterns of distant failure were assessed, including number of lesions at diagnosis and sites of involvement. The primary outcome was OS after DM. Prognostic factors for OS after DM were identified with Cox proportional hazards. Stepwise approach was used for multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 621 patients with HPV-associated SCC-OP, of whom 82 (13.2%) were diagnosed with DM. Median OS after DM was 14.6 months. On multivariable analysis, smoking history and number of lesions were significantly associated with prolonged OS. Median OS after DM by smoking (never vs ever) was 37.6 vs 11.2 months (p = 0.006), and by lesion number (1 vs 2-4 vs 5 or more) was 41.2 vs 17.2 vs 10.8 months (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Among patients with newly diagnosed metastatic HPV-associated SCC-OP, lesion number and smoking status were associated with significantly prolonged overall survival. These factors should be incorporated into the design of clinical trials investigating the utility of MDT, with or without systemic therapy, in this population.

Evaluating compliance with process-related quality metrics and survival in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: Multi-institutional oral cavity collaboration study

BACKGROUND

Process-related measures have been proposed as quality metrics in head and neck cancer care. A recent single-institution study identified four key metrics associated with increased survival. This study sought to validate the association of these quality metrics with survival in a multi-institutional cohort.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective study of patients with oral cavity squamous cell (1/2005-1/2015). Baseline patient and disease characteristics and compliance with quality metrics was evaluated. Association between compliance with quality metrics with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Failure to comply with two or more of the quality metrics was associated with worse OS, DFS, and DSS. Adherence to all or all but one of the quality metrics was found to be associated with improved survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Process-related quality metrics are associated with increased survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in a multi-institutional cohort.

A National Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes in Completion Thyroidectomy and Total Thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE

To characterize and assess the non-thyroid-specific postoperative complications of completion thyroidectomy as compared with total thyroidectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis: 2005 to 2017.

SETTING

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Patients aged >18 years receiving a completion or total thyroidectomy were eligible for inclusion. Patients not treated by otolaryngologists or general surgeons and with unknown demographic variables were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 70,638 patients were analyzed, representing 64,763 total thyroidectomies and 5875 completion thyroidectomies. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.1% for both procedures (P > .05). Overall, 1.7% and 1.4% of patients undergoing total and completion thyroidectomies experienced at least 1 complication (P > .05), while 1.2% and 0.9% had a postoperative medical complication (P = .0186), respectively. On multivariable analysis, patients undergoing total thyroidectomies were significantly more likely to return to the operating room (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.04-1.80; P = .027) and to be readmitted (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16-1.81; P = .001). Adjusted analysis also demonstrated that patients undergoing total thyroidectomies were more likely to be inpatients (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11-1.24; P < .001), be treated by nonotolaryngologists (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.29-1.45; P < .001), and smoke (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.13-1.33; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

National data suggest that total and completion thyroidectomies are relatively safe procedures but that completion thyroidectomies are associated with lower rates of postoperative complications. These findings may play a role in determining treatment plans for patients and optimizing risk reduction.

Detection and Oncologic Outcomes of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin

BACKGROUND/AIM

To assess factors that predict detection of tumors and oncologic outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (SCCUP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study at a single tertiary care institution.

RESULTS

The primary site was detected at examination under anesthesia (EUA) in 92 (51.1%) patients. The primary site was detected by directed biopsies in 60 (65%), palatine tonsillectomy in 28 (30.4%), and lingual tonsillectomy in 4 patients (4.3%). Four of eight lingual tonsillectomies were positive (50%). Primary locations included: palatine tonsils (51, 28.3%), base of tongue (37, 20.6%), larynx (4, 2.2%), oral cavity (3, 1.67%) and nasopharynx (1, 0.6%). Human papillomavirus (HPV) positive status (HR=0.26, p=0.004) and treatment with chemoradiation (CRT) (HR=0.38, p=0.004) were associated with better disease free survival (DFS).

CONCLUSION

A primary site was located after aggressive investigation in approximately half of the patients. More research is warranted towards the use of lingual tonsillectomy. Predictors of favorable prognosis included HPV positive status and treatment with CRT.

Clinical Versus Pathologic Laryngeal Cancer Staging and the Impact of Stage Change on Outcomes

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Evaluate the impact and accuracy of clinical laryngeal cancer staging.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Two hundred sixty-five consecutive patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent total laryngectomy from 2001 to 2017 were studied. Clinical versus pathologic tumor (T) and nodal (N) categories were compared. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analyzed the association of stage change with perioperative factors and outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (17.7%, accuracy = 0.969 ± 0.010 [standard error]) changed between T1-2 and T3-4. Sixty-four patients (24.1%, accuracy = 0.866 ± 0.020) had inaccurate N category. Salvage patients were less likely to have stage change (downstage: odds ratio [OR] = 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08-0.50, P < .001; upstage: OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23-0.74, P = .003), but more likely to have inaccurate nodal category (39.8% vs. 11.7%, P < .001). Patients with stage change tended to have greater odds of positive/close margins (upstage: OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 0.91-3.5, P = .092) and chemotherapy (downstage: OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 0.80-6.14, P = .128; upstage: OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 0.85-4.11, P = .119). Stage change was associated with recurrence (P = .047) with downstaged patients less likely to recur (hazard ratio = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.82, P = .021). Stage change was not associated with positron emission tomography scan, subsite, time to surgery, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

A third of laryngeal cancer patients were downstaged or upstaged after laryngectomy with 18% and 24% of clinical T and N categories inaccurate, respectively. Stage change was less common for salvage patients and associated with risk of recurrence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 131:559-565, 2021.

Single-institute outcomes of palliative chemotherapy in metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

e18513

Background: Distantly metastatic HNSCC carries a poor prognosis with limited palliative systemic treatment options and a paucity of literature examining factors impacting outcomes of such therapy. We sought to evaluate characteristics conferring more favorable responses to frontline palliative systemic therapy after distant failure (DF). Methods: From an IRB-approved database, we identified 332 pts with metastatic HNSCC treated from 1999 to 2019. Pts with locoregional HNSCC who developed DF and subsequently were treated with palliative systemic therapy were included. Pts were categorized by disease factors, and outcomes were analyzed for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank p-values. Results: A total of 85 pts were identified with median age 59.5 years (37-89); 82.4% male, 90.6% Caucasian, 52.9% with > 10 pack-years tobacco use history. Oropharynx primary was the most common site (36.5%) followed by oral cavity (23.5%). All 31 oropharynx cancer pts were HPV-related. Sixty-six pts initially received definitive chemoradiotherapy, with 43 receiving concurrent radiosensitizing cisplatin. Median time to DF was 15 months (m). Thirty pts (35.3%) had concurrent locoregional failure with DF. 62.4% had only one metastatic organ site, with lung-only metastasis in 43.5%. Carboplatin/paclitaxel was the most commonly used frontline palliative chemotherapy (50.6%); 22.4% received frontline nivolumab or pembrolizumab, and 9.4% were treated with frontline platinum/5-FU/cetuximab (9.4%). 63.5% of pts achieved a best response of stable disease or better with frontline therapy. At two years after initial DF, 6 pts (7%) were disease-free. Sixteen pts were alive at last follow-up. After DF, median PFS was 6.5 m and median OS was 10.6 m. On univariate analysis, HPV-related disease was associated with increased PFS (9.5 vs 5.1 m, p < 0.0001) and increased OS (21.1 vs 7.7 m, p < 0.0001). Pts with one metastatic organ site had better OS (11.0 vs 6.2 m, p = 0.047). There was a trend of increased OS with lung-only metastasis (14.4 vs 7.7 m, p = 0.0776), and absence of concurrent locoregional failure (10.8 vs 8.3 m, p = 0.1153). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that HPV-related metastatic HNSCC is associated with a statistically significant increased PFS and OS. Additionally, there was a trend of increased OS with lower locoregional and distant metastatic burden at DF though statistical significance was not achieved.

Selection of patients for surveillance imaging after radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and oropharynx

6533

Background: NCCN guidelines do not recommend routine surveillance imaging for distant failure (DF) after definitive treatment of head & neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We hypothesized that there exists a subset of patients with sufficiently high enough risk for DF to benefit from surveillance imaging. This study attempts to define high risk cohorts of oropharynx (OP) and oral cavity (OC) patients. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients with SCC of the OP or OC at a single tertiary care institution from 1994-2019. Patients were staged according to AJCC 7th edition and included in this study if they completed definitive-intent treatment and received 60 Gray or higher of radiotherapy (RT). Local, regional, and distant failure were estimated with cumulative incidence. Univariable & multivariable risk factors for DF were identified with Fine & Gray competing risk regression. Significant variables were compiled to calculate a risk score. Results: 863 patients were included (676 OP/187 OC). OC patients were 60.4% male, median age 61, with median follow up of 77.5 months. Smoking status was 27.3% current, 44.4% former, 28.3% never, with 30 median pack years. Disease was 57.3% T1-2, 42.7% T3-4, 55.6% N0-2a, 44.4% N2b-3. 94.1% had surgery & 34.3% had concurrent systemic therapy. OP patients were 87.9% male, median age 58, 96.3% HPV+, with median follow up of 60.8 months. Smoking status was 20.9% current, 44.5% former, 34.6% never, with 20 median pack years. Disease was 67.9% T1-2, 32.1% T3-4, 29.9% N0-2a, 70.1% N2b-3. 11.5% had surgery & 87.3% had concurrent systemic therapy. Specifically, 52.2% of OP patients received concurrent cisplatin, 10.6% concurrent cetuximab, and 24.5% other systemic therapies. 11.7% of patients experienced DF, of which 77% failed in the lung. Within the OC cohort, nodal stage 2b or higher was the only predictive factor (HR 3.26, p < 0.001), conferring a 3 year risk of DF of 34% vs 10%. Within the OP cohort, a high risk cohort of 87 patients (12.9%) was identified with a 3 year incidence DF of 22%, compared to 10% or less in lower risk cohorts. This high risk cohort consisted of active smokers treated with definitive RT and either concurrent cisplatin or no concurrent therapy, with at least T3 and N2b disease, as well as any patients treated with definitive RT and concurrent cetuximab. Conclusions: We identified groups of OC & OP patients with greater than 20% risk of developing DF at 3 years, the majority of which occurred in the lung. Surveillance imaging of the chest should be considered for patients meeting these criteria.

Clinical management of emerging sinonasal malignancies

Several emerging sinonasal malignancies have recently been described in the pathology literature. Although not all distinctly classified by the World Health Organization, these rare tumors present a management challenge to surgeons and oncologists. While prior studies have summarized histologic details, a clinically focused review is currently lacking in the literature. This review describes the presentation, histopathology, imaging, treatment, and prognosis of newly described or recently evolving sinonasal malignancies while highlighting the distinguishing features of these entities. It includes teratocarcinosarcoma, human papillomavirus-related multiphenotypic carcinoma, biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma, sinonasal renal cell-like adenocarcinoma, NUT-midline carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma associated with inverted papilloma, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, and INI-1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma. By describing the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of these recently defined entities, this clinical review aims to help guide oncologists in the clinical management of these patients.

Tumor Volume Useful Beyond Classic Criteria in Selecting Larynx Cancers For Preservation Therapy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between tumor volume and locoregional failure (LRF) after concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) for locally advanced larynx cancer (LC).

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2014 identified from an institutional review board-approved registry. Fifty-nine of 68 patients with locally advanced larynx cancer treated with definitive CCRT who had available imaging for review were identified. The main endpoint to be assessed was the association between gross tumor volumes (GTV; T = total, P = primary, N = nodal) and LRF. Receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves were used to investigate diagnostic accuracy.

RESULTS

Twenty LRFs were observed, resulting in a 2-year LRF rate of 39% (95% CI, 23-52%). On UVA, the GTV-T (P = .01), GTV-P (P = .05), and GTV-N (P = .04) were statistically significant predictors of LRF. Furthermore, age, smoking status, N-stage, larynx subsite, and tracheostomy/feeding tube dependence were potentially associated with LRF (P < .3), whereas T-stage (T3-4 vs. T2) was not (HR 1.05, 95% CI, 0.38-2.91, P = .92). In the multivariable model, GTV-P (HR 1.022, 95% CI, 0.999-1.046, P = .07) and GTV-N (HR 1.053, 95% CI, 1.0004-1.108, P = .05) were the two most impactful covariates on the model's R² . ROC analysis suggested an optimal cut point of 12 cc in the GTV-T. The 2-year LRF for GTV-T > 12 cc was 64.2% and ≤ 12 cc was 16.4%, P = .006.

CONCLUSION

GTV is associated with LRF after definitive CCRT for LC. Patients with bulky primary and/or nodal tumors may be better served with upfront surgical resection regardless of T-stage. Further investigation into the safety of larynx preservation for low-volume T4 tumors can be considered.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 130:2372-2377, 2020.

The prognostic impact of level I lymph node involvement in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We investigated the impact of level I lymph node involvement (LNI) on survival for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

METHODS

We performed a cohort study of patients with OPSCC who underwent resection with known human papillomavirus (HPV) status in the National Cancer Database (2010-2014).

RESULTS

Among 5591 patients with OPSCC, 599 (10.7%) had level I LNI. Predictors of level I LNI included pT classification (pT3 vs pT1; odds ratio [OR], 1.95; P < 0.001), pN classification (pN3 vs pN1; OR, 1.63; P = 0.05), and level III LNI (OR, 6.05; P < 0.001). Among included patients, 4035 had known survival status. Level I LNI predicted inferior overall survival (OS) while adjusting for covariates (HR, 1.64; P < 0.001). Subset analyses revealed association between level I LNI and inferior OS among patients with base of tongue cancer, pT/pN classification greater than 1, and HPV-negative cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Level I LNI predicts inferior OS, particular among patients with at least pT2 or pN2 OPSCC.

Clinical Factors Associated With Cost in Head and Neck Cancer: Implications for a Bundled Payment Model

PURPOSE:

To determine which factors influence cost in head and neck cancer (HNC) to inform the development of a bundled payment model (BPM).

METHODS:

Patients with stages 0 to IVB (by American Joint Commission on Cancer, 7th edition) HNC of various sites and histology treated definitively at a single tertiary care center during 2013 were included. Clinical variables and direct cost data were obtained, and their associations were investigated using χ2, t, Wilcoxon rank sum, and analysis of variance testing. Results were used to develop a BPM.

RESULTS:

One hundred fifty patients were included; 87% were white, 74% were men, 48% had oropharyngeal cancer, and 58% had stage IVA disease. Treatment consisted of surgery alone (17%), radiation alone (11%), surgery plus radiation (14%), chemoradiation (45%), and surgery plus chemoradiation (13%). On multivariable analysis, both increasing group stage and number of treatment modalities used were significantly associated with higher cost. Given that stage often dictates treatment, we developed three cost tiers that were based on overall treatment modality. Tier A, the least costly, consisted of single-modality therapy with either surgery alone or radiation alone (median cost divided by the median overall cost of treatment, 0.54; 25th to 75th percentile range, 0.29 to 1.02), followed by tier B, which consisted of bimodality therapy with either chemoradiation or surgery plus radiation (1.03; range, 0.81 to 1.35), followed by tier C, which consisted of trimodality therapy with surgery plus chemoradiation (1.43; range, 1.10 to 1.96).

CONCLUSION:

The number of treatment modalities required is the primary driver of cost in HNC. These data can simplify development of a comprehensive HNC BPM.

Outcomes of post-operative treatment with concurrent systemic therapy and radiotherapy (RT) in intermediate (INT) risk resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC): A multi-institutional collaboration

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Background: Patients (pts) with adverse pathologic factors in resected OCSCC excluding positive surgical margins or extranodal extension represent a group of INT risk disease. Though not standard of care, adjuvant CRT is often used in INT pts. We conducted a multi-institutional study to evaluate factors associated with improved outcomes in INT pts treated with or without chemotherapy. Methods: An IRB-approved collaborative database of patients with primary OCSCC (Stage I-IVB AJCC 7th edition) treated with primary surgical resection between 1/1/2005 and 1/1/2015 with or without adjuvant therapy was established from 6 academic institutions. Pts were categorized by pathologic features and adjuvant therapy. Kaplan Meier curves, log-rank p-values and multivariate analysis (MVA) were used to describe outcomes by treatment including locoregional control (LRC) and disease free survival (DFS). Results: From a total sample size of 1270 patients, 455 INT risk pts were treated with primary surgical resection and adjuvant therapy; 95 received CRT, 274 received RT alone, and 86 received RT without recorded chemotherapy. 49% of pts had perineural invasion (PNI), 24.8% lymphovascular space invasion, 21.5% poorly differentiated histology, 47.3% with pT3/4 disease, and 27.9% with > 2 lymph node positive (LN+). 55.8% of CRT pts were treated with cisplatin. > 2 LN+ was the only significant predictor of LRC (HR 1.49, p= 0.049). PNI and > 2 LN+ were significant predictors of DFS (HR 1.52, p= 0.003 and HR 1.76, p< 0.001). On MVA, after adjusting for > 2 LN+, treatment with cisplatin-RT was borderline significant for LRC (HR 0.52, p= 0.08). 3 year LRC in pts with > 2 LN+ was 84.4% in pts treated with cisplatin-RT compared with 64.9% for RT alone. Conclusions: The addition of cisplatin-based CRT to INT risk pts is controversial but among pts with > 2 LN+ there was a trend toward benefit. This study is limited by small numbers of pts treated with CRT, though these results highlight the need for further investigation in this population to identify INT pts who would benefit from adjuvant therapy intensification.

Preliminary safety results of a phase II study investigating pembrolizumab in combination with postoperative intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in resected high risk cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck

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Background: High risk cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (cSCC-HN) have suboptimal outcomes with surgery and postoperative radiation. We report preliminary safety outcomes of a phase II study (NCT03057613) exploring the safety and efficacy of the addition of Pembrolizumab to postoperative IMRT. Methods: Patients with cSCC-HN were eligible for this IRB approved study if they had resection of all gross disease and demonstrated (a) invasion of the skeleton or skull base; (b) node positive disease; (c) or a tumor > 2cm with ≥1 of the following risk factors: recurrent disease, perineural invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, poorly differentiated, positive margins, satellitosis or in-transit metastases. Immune competent pts and those with CLL were eligible. This study aimed to accrue 34 evaluable patients to assess a primary safety endpoint of dose limiting toxicity (DLT) defined as any grade ≥3 toxicity at least possibly related to the immunotherapy. Assuming toxicity of < 20% is acceptable and > 40% is unacceptable, if ≥11 of 34 (32%) patients experienced a DLT, the regimen would be considered unsafe. Results: Of 15 pts already enrolled on this study, 11 have completed the protocol treatment. There were no DLTs observed to date. Grade 2 immune related toxicity was seen in two patients, one with bullous pemphigoid and another with lymphopenia and peripheral neuropathy and weakness in his hands in the setting of a prior cervical spine injury. Both responded to steroids and recovered completely. Based on this initial cohort, the 95% confidence intervals (CI) on DLTs for the entire cohort is 0-28%. Using the most conservative CI of 28%, the likelihood of 11 of the remaining 23 patients experiencing a DLT is 3.4%. Assuming a CI of 20%, the risk is 0.3%. None of the 11 pts who have completed protocol therapy have experienced a recurrence. Conclusions: The addition of Pembrolizumab to postoperative IMRT in high risk cSCC-HN is safe and will be studied in a randomized phase III adjuvant study (Keynote 630). This phase II study will continue to enroll CLL patients to assess safety and efficacy signals in this unique higher risk population. Clinical trial information: NCT03057613.

Nationwide treatment patterns of oropharyngeal cancer in the human papillomavirus era

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Background: Human papillomavirus-mediated (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer is now defined as a clinically distinct entity from HPV-unrelated (HPV-) disease in the 8th edition AJCC staging system, which more accurately informs prognosis for HPV+ patients. Treatment decisions are currently made according to the AJCC 7th ed staging. HPV+ patients are associated with favorable outcome. This study aims to analyze the national pattern of practice for HPV+ disease. Methods: Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) diagnosed from 2010-2012 were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Patients were staged using the AJCC 7th system. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery were counted as treatment modalities. Fisher’s exact test and chi-squared test were used to assess treatment patterns over time. Overall survival (OS) was compared with Cox proportional hazards model. Results: 5,928 HPV+ OPSCC patients were identified. Single modality (surgery or radiation) was the most common treatment choice, used in 53.6% of stage I and 48.8% of stage II patients. For stage I, the use of dual modality therapy (70.8% received surgery with radiation) decreased from 36% in 2010 to 19% in 2012 (p = 0.05), though no significant difference in OS was seen between dual modality and single modality. Dual modality with chemoradiation was the main approach for stage III (58.6%) and stage IVA (67.5%) disease. Use of trimodality decreased from 2010 to 2012 in both stage III (p = 0.03) and stage IVA (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Using a national cohort of HPV+ patients from the NCDB, we showed that single modality was the most common for stages I/II and dual modality was the mainstay for stages III/IVA. Usage of aggressive approaches (dual modality for stages I/II and trimodality for stages III/IVA) decreased over time. Prospective studies would be needed to determine the optimized therapeutic choice for HPV+ patients given favorable outcome.

Incidence of severe late toxicities of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) treatment in the era of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)

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Background: IMRT for HNSCC limits exposure to critical nearby structures thereby reducing toxicities. Real world data on toxicities after long term follow-up post IMRT for HNSCC are lacking. This study assessed the incidence of late toxicities in patients with HNSCC within 5 years post-treatment with definitive IMRT (d-IMRT). Methods: This is a retrospective, IRB approved, single-institution review of patients (pts) with stage I-IVB HNSCC treated with d-IMRT +/- chemotherapy between 2009 and 2013. The primary outcomes were incidence of severe late toxicities (dysphagia requiring esophageal stricture dilation, physician-reported grade 2 or worse neck fibrosis and xerostomia) occurring 3 months or more after completion of IMRT; feeding tube (FT) dependence within 1st year of IMRT completion, and FT dependence beyond 1st year post IMRT. Toxicities were deemed acute if they occurred during IMRT and up to 90 days post IMRT. Results: 274 pts, median age 59 years (38 – 82.9), were identified. 67.6% were HPV positive, 10.5% HPV negative and HPV status was unknown in 21.9%. Site of disease was oropharynx in 70%, larynx in 25% and hypopharynx in 4%. 206 pts (75.2%) received d-IMRT alone, 37 (13.5%) had definitive concurrent chemoradiation – mostly with cisplatin (58%), and 31 (11.3%) received adjuvant IMRT. Of the 243 pts treated with d-IMRT +/- chemotherapy, 80 (32.9%) required FT during RT due to grade 2 or worse acute dysphagia. Excluding 11 pts with disease recurrence or new HNSCC diagnosis, FT dependence at any time from 3 months to one year post IMRT occurred in 22 of 232 pts (9.48%), while FT dependence beyond 1st year post IMRT occurred in 8 pts (3.4%). 11 pts (4.7%) required stricture dilation for late dysphagia. Late grade 2 or worse fibrosis and xerostomia occurred in 7 (3.0%) and 89 (38.4%) pts, respectively. Conclusions: Our study suggests that except for xerostomia, severe late toxicities after definitive IMRT for HNSCC is likely uncommon. Prospective studies with late IMRT toxicities and their impact on quality of life (QoL) as endpoints are warranted.

Outcomes of postoperative treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in high risk resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC): A multi-institutional collaboration

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Background: Adjuvant CRT with high-dose cisplatin remains standard treatment for OCSCC with high risk pathologic features of positive surgical margins (SM+) and/or extranodal extension (ENE). High-dose cisplatin is associated with significant toxicities, and alternative dosing schedules or treatments are used. We evaluated outcomes associated with different systemic therapies concurrent with RT and the effect of cumulative dosing of cisplatin. Methods: An IRB-approved collaborative database of patients (pts) with primary OCSCC (Stage I-IVB AJCC 7th edition) treated with primary surgical resection between 1/1/2005 and 1/1/2015 with or without adjuvant therapy was established from 6 academic institutions. Pts were categorized by systemic therapy received, and resultant groups compared for demographic data, pathologic features, and outcomes by t-test and Chi-squared tests. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank p-values, and multivariate analysis (MVA) for disease free survival (DFS) and freedom from metastatic disease (DM). Results: From a total sample size of 1282 pts, 196 pts were identified with high risk features (SM+, ENE) who were treated with adjuvant CRT. Median age was 56 years, 63.3% of pts were men, 81.1% were Caucasian, 70.9% had significant tobacco history. 35.7% of pts had SM+, 82.7% ENE, 65.3% with perineural invasion (PNI), 49% had lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI). There was a trend associating higher cisplatin dose delivered with improved locoregional control, DM, and overall survival (OS) (p-values 0.131, 0.084, and 0.187, respectively). DFS was significantly better with higher cisplatin dose (HR = 0.95 per 100 mg/m2 increase in cisplatin). Administration schedule of cisplatin (weekly versus high-dose) was not significantly associated with DFS. On MVA, PNI and higher cisplatin dose remained statistically significant for DFS (p < 0.001 and 0.007). Median OS by cisplatin dose was 10.5 ( < 200 mg/m2) vs. 20.8 months ( > / = 200 mg/m2). Conclusions: This multi-institutional analysis demonstrated cumulative cisplatin dose > / = 200 mg/m2 was associated with improved DFS in high risk resected OCSCC pts. It remains unclear by this analysis if cisplatin administration schedule has any prognostic implication. Further study is warranted to elucidate the optimal cisplatin schedule for this population.

Suboptimal Outcomes in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck with Nodal Metastases

BACKGROUND/AIM

There are limited data regarding survival, failure patterns, and factors associated with disease recurrence in patients with cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (cSCC-HN) with nodal metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients with cSCC-HN metastatic to cervical and/or parotid lymph nodes treated with surgery and post-operative radiation therapy was performed.

RESULTS

This study included 76 patients (57 immunocompetent and 18 immunosuppressed) with a median follow-up of 18 months. Overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and disease recurrence (DR) at 2 years was 60%, 49%, and 40%, respectively. Immunosuppressed patients had significantly lower 2-year DFS (28% vs. 55%; p=0.003) and higher DR (61% vs. 34%; p=0.04) compared to immunocompetent patients. Analysis of immunocompetent patients demonstrated extracapsular extension (ECE) as the only factor associated with DR (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with nodal metastases from cSCC-HN have suboptimal outcomes. ECE and immunosuppression were significantly associated with DR.

Surgical management of patients with Eagle syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Eagle syndrome, a spectrum of disease resulting from an elongated styloid process and/or calcified stylohyoid ligament, lacks standardized recommendations regarding indications for surgical intervention and approach.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single tertiary care institution.

SUBJECTS

Patients treated surgically for Eagle syndrome between January 2011 and June 2017.

METHODS

Patients were diagnosed with Eagle syndrome based on thorough clinical workup and assessment. The primary outcome was improvement in pain severity following surgery, with complete resolution of pain being considered clinically meaningful. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and Fisher's exact were used to compare numerical and categorical variables, respectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were diagnosed with Eagle syndrome and underwent surgical resection of the styloid process. Patients most often complained of neck pain (81%), throat pain (62%), and ear pain (48%). Among these patients, 57% of procedures featured a transcervical approach, while the remaining 43% were transoral. The vast majority (90%) of patients experienced improvement in pain severity from a median of 6.0 before surgery to 0.0 afterwards (p < 0.01) as 62% experienced complete resolution. Using multivariable linear regression to model changes in pain severity, neck pain (β = -1.69, p < 0.01) and jaw pain (β = -0.93, p = 0.03) predicted greater relief, while headache (β = 0.82, p = 0.04) predicted an inferior response. Adverse events were uncommon and typically resolved within three months, with 24% experiencing first bite syndrome and 19% reporting numbness.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcervical and transoral styloidectomy are effective treatments for Eagle syndrome with minimal adverse effects. Patients with classic symptoms of neck or jaw pain benefit most from surgery.

Abstract 3681: A biologic basis for locoregional failure in patients with oral cavity cancers

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for patients with oral cavity cancer (OCC) with intermediate risk pathologic variables after surgery is adjuvant radiotherapy. Despite this, one-third of patients experience locoregional failure (LRF). Clinicopathologic prognostic models have not been able to identify subsets of patients at higher risk of failure in whom treatment intensification with the addition of systemic chemotherapy should be considered. We posited that gene expression-derived tumor taxonomies can predict treatment failures and therefore guide more nuanced clinical decision making. Herein, we report on a score model based on OCC gene expression characteristics that can be incorporated into risk stratification and treatment decisions.

METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients with intermediate risk OCC treated with surgery followed by radiation alone were subjected to quantitative nuclease protection and next-generation sequencing to measure gene expression (HTG Molecular EdgeSeq™). A subset of samples that had corresponding frozen tumor samples were profiled by RNAseq to validate the FFPE results. Patients were divided into two groups based on LRF. Differentially expressed genes were identified using the R limma package. 98 genes were selected on the basis of unadjusted P values and predicted biological impact, as measured by gene set enrichment results (GSEA) and resultant biological pathway scores. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC dataset (n=521) was used to validate the prognostic performance of our gene set.

RESULTS: Of the 78 patients included in the study, 35% of patients had LRF. GSEA of the 98 genes demonstrated a role for DNA repair, oxidative phosphorylation, hypoxia and p53 pathways, indicating radiobiologic plausibility for a significant subset of the genes that constitute the score. The mean composite score was 0.42 for patients with LRF, and -0.19 for patients without LRF (P = 0.0002). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression free survival at 3 years for the 1st (high risk) and 4th quartile (low risk) groups were 0.65 (0.47 to 0.89; 95% CI) and 0.93 (0.82 to 1; 95% CI), respectively. On multivariate analysis, the composite score was the strongest predictor of LRF (P = 0.0073). Composite scores also strongly predicted for overall survival in the TCGA HNSCC dataset (P &lt; 0.01) and the Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival at 2 years for the 1st and 4th quartile groups were 0.55 (0.45 to 0.68; 95% CI) and 0.73 (0.63 to 1; 84% CI), respectively. Composite scores performed the best in patients with OCC (P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS: We developed a gene signature that predicts LRF in patients with intermediate risk OCC treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Further validation on larger datasets are needed. This biomarker can potentially identify higher risk patients who should be considered for intensification strategies with the addition of systemic therapy.

Citation Format: Elif I. Sarihan, Brian B. Burkey, Joseph Scharpf, Robert Lorenz, Eric D. Lamarre, Brandon Prendes, Jessica L. Geiger, David J. Adelstein, Shlomo A. Koyfman, Mohamed E. Abazeed. A biologic basis for locoregional failure in patients with oral cavity cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3681.

Definitive Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx: Long-term Outcomes and Toxicity

BACKGROUND/AIM

Definitive chemoradiation (CRT) is a common approach for locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with the goal of organ preservation. Reports on long-term oncologic and functional outcomes have been limited. This study reports on outcomes utilizing this approach at a single institution over 30 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records for patients with stage III-IVB SCC of the hypopharynx were retrospectively reviewed. Patient and disease-related factors were identified and analyzed for impact on overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival, distant failure, and locoregional failure.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients were identified who were treated with definitive CRT to a mean dose of 72 Gy. With a median follow-up period of 49.8 months, 5- and 10-year OS was 62% and 43% respectively. Five and 10-year CSS were 74% and 72% respectively. Ten-year local control was 78%. Of the 37 patients with no treatment failure, 29% experienced a grade 3 or higher late toxicity, with the majority resolving during continued long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates good outcomes with long-term follow-up with acceptable rates of late toxicities. The findings here represent the longest published median follow-up in this population and validate the strategy of organ preservation.

Increased pathologic upstaging with rising time to treatment initiation for head and neck cancer: A mechanism for increased mortality

BACKGROUND

Time to treatment initiation (TTI) is increasing and is associated with worsening survival. In the current study, the authors sought to identify a mechanism for this relationship by assessing the effect of TTI on clinical-to-pathologic upstaging in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODS

Using the National Cancer Data Base, the authors analyzed patients receiving definitive surgery for SCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx from 2005 through 2014. The primary outcome was T, N, or stage group upstaging, defined as higher pathologic stage than clinical stage. TTI was defined as the time between diagnosis and surgery. Multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression modeled upstaging and survival, respectively.

RESULTS

Cohorts of 60,194 patients, 51,380 patients, and 52,980 patients, respectively, with complete T, N, and stage group data were included. N upstaging was most common (18.6%), followed by stage group (17.4%) and T (12.1%) upstaging; all types were predicted by TTI. Compared with a TTI of 1 to 6 days, TTIs as short as 7 to 13 days (odds ratio, 1.20; P = .038) or ≥ 70 days (odds ratio, 2.04; P < .001) were found to predict T upstaging, a finding that is consistent for N and stage group upstaging. Using restricted cubic splines, relative odds of T and stage group upstaging escalated to 2.25 and 1.93, respectively, at a TTI of 365 days. In survival analyses, T (hazard ratio [HR], 1.53), N (HR, 1.88), and stage group (HR, 1.69) upstaging all predicted mortality (P < .001), whereas TTI only predicted mortality after 70 days (HR, 1.11; P = .023).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor progression, measured by clinical-to-pathologic upstaging, increases mortality for patients with HNSCC experiencing treatment delays. Cancer 2018;124:1400-14. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

A matched comparison of human papillomavirus-induced squamous cancer of unknown primary with early oropharynx cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cancer of unknown primary (CUP) are generally excluded from clinical trials, despite surgical series reporting detection rates of occult oropharynx primaries of >80%. We performed a matched-pair analysis to compare outcomes between T0N1-3M0 HPV+ CUP and T1-2N1-3M0 HPV+ oropharynx known primary (OPX).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study at a single institution.

METHODS

Patients with early T stage, node positive HPV+ OPX or CUP treated with curative intent between 1998 and 2016 were identified. For a subgroup of CUP patients with an unknown HPV status, we imputed HPV status and included patients with a >80% probability of being HPV+. Cohorts were matched based on patient demographics using a nearest neighbor propensity technique. After matching, patients were grouped according to either a favorable or unfavorable risk stratification designations per current NRG Oncology clinical trial enrollment criteria. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Of 298 patients with T1-2N1-3 OPX, 48 were matched to 48 HPV+ CUP patients (32 with confirmed and 16 imputed HPV status). Median follow-up for CUP (34.1 months) and OPX (27.8 months) patients were similar (P = .23).There were no significant differences between the CUP and OPX groups for 3-year DFS (89% vs. 85%, P = .44), and 3-year OS (91% vs. 91%, P = .11), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T0N+M0 HPV-induced CUP have similar survival outcomes to matched patients with T1-2N+M0 HPV+ OPX. These patients can reasonably be included in clinical trials investigating the role of treatment deintensification and risk stratified similar to patients with early-stage known primary OPX cancer.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1379-1385, 2018.

Predictors of distant metastasis in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer is associated with favorable outcomes, prompting investigations into treatment deintensification. The purpose of this study was for us to present the predictors of distant metastases in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or cetuximab-based bioradiotherapy (bio-RT).

METHODS

In patients with stage III to IVb HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate distant metastases rates. Univariate analysis (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA) were used to identify factors associated with distant metastases.

RESULTS

Increased distant metastases rates were noted in active smokers versus never/former smokers (22% vs 5%), T4 vs T1 to T3 (15% vs 6%), and cetuximab-based bio-RT versus CRT (23% vs 5%). All remained significant on MVA.

CONCLUSION

T4 tumors and active smokers have substantial rates of distant metastases, and trials investigating intensified systemic therapies may be considered. Higher rates of distant metastases observed with concurrent cetuximab are hypothesis generating, but further data are needed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 940-946, 2017.

Microbiomic differences in tumor and paired-normal tissue in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

BACKGROUND

While the role of the gut microbiome in inflammation and colorectal cancers has received much recent attention, there are few data to support an association between the oral microbiome and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Prior investigations have been limited to comparisons of microbiota obtained from surface swabs of the oral cavity. This study aims to identify microbiomic differences in paired tumor and non-tumor tissue samples in a large group of 121 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and correlate these differences with clinical-pathologic features.

METHODS

Total DNA was extracted from paired normal and tumor resection specimens from 169 patients; 242 samples from 121 patients were included in the final analysis. Microbiomic content of each sample was determined using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using QIIME algorithms. F-testing on cluster strength, Wilcoxon signed-rank testing on differential relative abundances of paired tumor-normal samples, and Wilcoxon rank-sum testing on the association of T-stage with relative abundances were conducted in R.

RESULTS

We observed no significant difference in measures of alpha diversity between tumor and normal tissue (Shannon index: p = 0.13, phylogenetic diversity: p = 0.42). Similarly, although we observed statistically significantly differences in both weighted (p = 0.01) and unweighted (p = 0.04) Unifrac distances between tissue types, the tumor/normal grouping explained only a small proportion of the overall variation in the samples (weighted R² = 0.01, unweighted R² < 0.01). Notably, however, when comparing the relative abundances of individual taxa between matched pairs of tumor and normal tissue, we observed that Actinomyces and its parent taxa up to the phylum level were significantly depleted in tumor relative to normal tissue (q < 0.01), while Parvimonas was increased in tumor relative to normal tissue (q = 0.01). These differences were more pronounced among patients with more extensive disease as measured by higher T-stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Matched pairs analysis of individual tumor-normal pairs revealed significant differences in relative abundance of specific taxa, namely in the genus Actinomyces. These differences were more pronounced among patients with higher T-stage. Our observations suggest further experiments to interrogate potential novel mechanisms relevant to carcinogenesis associated with alterations of the oral microbiome that may have consequences for the human host.

Oncologic and Functional Outcomes of Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment of Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Supraglottic Larynx

IMPORTANCE

Nonsurgical treatment of advanced supraglottic laryngeal cancer is widely used as part of a larynx preservation protocol. However, recent studies have suggested that nonsurgical treatment may be associated with inferior survival. Furthermore, it is not clear whether preservation of the larynx provides superior voice or swallowing function in the long term.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that surgical treatment of advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx is associated with superior overall survival (OS), freedom from recurrence (FFR), and noninferior voice and swallowing function.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective medical record review of patients treated for stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx between January 1990 and June 2013 at a tertiary referral center: 97 patients underwent surgical treatment and 138, nonsurgical treatment. Exclusion criteria included prior definitive treatment for laryngeal cancer or evidence of distant metastatic disease at presentation. The median follow-up for all 235 patients was 63 months.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical or nonsurgical therapy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Freedom from recurrence (FFR), OS, larynx preservation, voice graded from 1 to 5, and swallowing graded from 1 to 6 using our voice and swallowing function scales.

RESULTS

Surgical treatment was associated with superior FFR (5-year FFR: 75% vs 55%; P = .006) but not OS (5-year OS: 52% vs 52%; P = .61). The larynx was preserved in 83% of patients in the nonsurgical group vs 42% of patients in the surgical group (P < .001). Voice function was superior in the nonsurgical group at all time points through 5 years after treatment (mean voice score, 3.8 vs 2.6; P < .001). Swallowing function was comparable between surgical and nonsurgical groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that advanced age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43 per 10-year increment; 95% CI, 1.19-1.72) and clinical N stage (HR, 1.17 per 1-level increment; 95% CI, 1.05-1.30) were associated with worse OS, while treatment with chemotherapy was associated with superior OS (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.41-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Compared with surgical treatment, nonsurgical treatment as part of a larynx preservation protocol is associated with a higher likelihood of recurrence but has similar OS and should continue to be viewed as a viable alternative for the treatment of advanced supraglottic laryngeal cancer.

Severe late dysphagia and cause of death after concurrent chemoradiation for larynx cancer in patients eligible for RTOG 91-11

PURPOSE

The long-term results of RTOG 91-11 suggested increased deaths not attributed to larynx cancer after concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) despite no apparent increase in late effects. Because the timing of events was not reported by RTOG 91-11, one possibility is that severe late dysphagia (SLD) develops beyond five years and leads to unreported treatment-related deaths. Here we explore the timing of SLD after CRT.

METHODS

Patients who would have met eligibility criteria for RTOG 91-11 and were treated with CRT between 1993 and 2013 were identified. Events occurring beyond 3months after treatment and suggestive of SLD were recorded including esophageal stricture dilations, hospital admissions for aspiration pneumonia or feeding-tube insertion. Feeding-tube dependence beyond one year was also considered SLD. The cumulative incidence of SLD and its components was quantified using Gray's competing risk analysis with recurrence or death considered competing risks.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were included with a median follow-up of 43months. The 5-year overall survival was 70% (95% CI 58-80%). No death was directly a result of treatment-induced late dysphagia. The 5-year incidence of SLD was 26.5%. While 15 of 18 (83%) first stricture dilations occurred within 5years after CRT, 3 of 5 (60%) aspiration admissions and 5 of 8 late feeding tube insertions occurred beyond five years from CRT.

CONCLUSIONS

SLD is common after CRT for larynx cancer and can occur beyond 5years from the end of treatment, emphasizing the importance of survivorship follow-up. Despite the incidence of SLD, death related to dysphagia is uncommon.

Split-Course Accelerated Hypofractionated Radiotherapy (SCAHRT): A Safe and Effective Option for Head and Neck Cancer in the Elderly or Infirm

BACKGROUND

Achieving locoregional control in high-risk patients with head and neck cancer who are poor candidates for standard continuous-course (chemo) radiotherapy due to advanced age, comorbidities, or very advanced disease is challenging. At our Institution, we have significant experience with a regimen of split-course, accelerated, hypofractionated radiotherapy (SCAHRT) for these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The SCAHRT regimen consisted of 60-72 Gy in 20-24 fractions separated by several weeks mid-course to allow for toxicity recovery and disease reassessment. It was used for patients with advanced age, significant co-morbidities, anticipated intolerance to definitive (chemo)radiation, and those with oligometastatic disease. Disease-free and overall survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight out of 65 patients (89%) completed both courses of treatment. Patients without metastatic or recurrent disease were evaluated for treatment response and survival (n=39). Among this group, total tumor response was 91%, and median locoregional failure-free survival and overall survival were 25.7 and 8.9 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In high-risk patients unable to tolerate continuous-course definitive (chemo)radiation, SCAHRT is a safe, well-tolerated and effective method of achieving durable locoregional disease control. In properly selected patients, this regimen is preferable to purely palliative approaches.

Development and validation of a staging system for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer by the International Collaboration on Oropharyngeal cancer Network for Staging (ICON-S): a multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus-related (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer is a rapidly emerging disease with generally good prognosis. Many prognostic algorithms for oropharyngeal cancer incorporate HPV status as a stratification factor, rather than recognising the uniqueness of HPV+ disease. The International Collaboration on Oropharyngeal cancer Network for Staging (ICON-S) aimed to develop a TNM classification specific to HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer.

METHODS

The ICON-S study included patients with non-metastatic oropharyngeal cancer from seven cancer centres located across Europe and North America; one centre comprised the training cohort and six formed the validation cohorts. We ascertained patients' HPV status with p16 staining or in-situ hybridisation. We compared overall survival at 5 years between training and validation cohorts according to 7th edition TNM classifications and HPV status. We used recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) and adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) modelling methods to derive new staging classifications for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer. Recent hypotheses concerning the effect of lower neck lymph nodes and number of lymph nodes were also investigated in an exploratory training cohort to assess relevance within the ICON-S classification.

FINDINGS

Of 1907 patients with HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer, 661 (35%) were recruited at the training centre and 1246 (65%) were enrolled at the validation centres. 5-year overall survival was similar for 7th edition TNM stage I, II, III, and IVA (respectively; 88% [95% CI 74-100]; 82% [71-95]; 84% [79-89]; and 81% [79-83]; global p=0·25) but was lower for stage IVB (60% [53-68]; p<0·0001). 5-year overall survival did not differ among N0 (80% [95% CI 73-87]), N1-N2a (87% [83-90]), and N2b (83% [80-86]) subsets, but was significantly lower for those with N3 disease (59% [51-69]; p<0·0001). Stage classifications derived by RPA and AHR models were ranked according to survival performance, and AHR-New was ranked first, followed by AHR-Orig, RPA, and 7th edition TNM. AHR-New was selected as the proposed ICON-S stage classification. Because 5-year overall survival was similar for patients classed as T4a and T4b, T4 is no longer subdivided in the re-termed ICON-S T categories. Since 5-year overall survival was similar among N1, N2a, and N2b, we re-termed the 7th edition N categories as follows: ICON-S N0, no lymph nodes; ICON-S N1, ipsilateral lymph nodes; ICON-S N2, bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes; and ICON-S N3, lymph nodes larger than 6 cm. This resembles the N classification of nasopharyngeal carcinoma but without a lower neck lymph node variable. The proposed ICON-S classification is stage I (T1-T2N0-N1), stage II (T1-T2N2 or T3N0-N2), and stage III (T4 or N3). Metastatic disease (M1) is classified as ICON-S stage IV. In an exploratory training cohort (n=702), lower lymph node neck involvement had a significant effect on survival in ICON-S stage III but had no effect in ICON-S stage I and II and was not significant as an independent factor. Overall survival was similar for patients with fewer than five lymph nodes and those with five or more lymph nodes, within all ICON-S stages.

INTERPRETATION

Our proposed ICON-S staging system for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer is suitable for the 8th edition of the Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification. Future work is needed to ascertain whether T and N categories should be further refined and whether non-anatomical factors might augment the full classification.

FUNDING

None.

Risk Factors Associated with Disease Recurrence in Patients with Stage III/IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity Treated with Surgery and Postoperative Radiotherapy

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to identify variables associated with high risk of failure in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (SCC-OC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 191 patients with stage III-IVb SCC-OC treated with post-operative radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) between 1995 and 2013. Disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed; variables associated with inferior DFS were identified.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients (39%) recurred. DFS and five-year OS were 52% and 54%, respectively. Poorly differentiated tumors (p=0.03), recurrent tumors (p=0.02) and high nodal ratio (p=0.02) were associated with an increased risk of recurrence. CRT was associated with improved DFS in patients with positive margins and/or extracapsular extension (p=0.021).

CONCLUSION

Tumors that are recurrent, high grade, or have high nodal ratio are at risk of recurrence. Presence of these disease features should be taken into consideration for better risk stratification.

Effect of human papillomavirus on patterns of distant metastatic failure in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy

IMPORTANCE

Important differences exist in the pattern and timing of distant metastases between human papillomavirus-initiated (HPV+) and HPV- oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, our understanding of the natural history of distant metastases in HPV+ OPSCC and its implications for surveillance is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the rate, pattern, and timing of distant metastases in advanced-stage OPSCC treated definitively with concomitant chemoradiotherapy.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In a retrospective review, we identified 291 patients with pathologically diagnosed stages III to IVB OPSCC and known HPV status from a tumor registry at the Cleveland Clinic. Patients were treated from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2013. Details of treatment failure and the natural history of the disease were retrieved from the electronic medical records.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients were treated with definitive concomitant chemoradiotherapy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the rate and timing of distant metastases. Secondary outcomes included the pattern of distant failure and survival after distant metastases.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients developed distant metastatic disease after definitive treatment, including 28 of 252 patients with HPV+ disease and 9 of 39 patients with HPV- disease. The 3-year projected distant control rate was higher in the HPV+ group (88% vs 74%; P = .01). The median time to develop distant metastases was also longer after the completion of treatment for HPV+ disease compared with HPV- disease (16.4 vs 7.2 months; P = .008). We detected a trend in patients with HPV+ disease for more distant metastatic sites involved than in those with HPV- disease (2.04 vs 1.33 sites; P = .09). Although the lung was the most common distant site involved in HPV+ and HPV- disease (HPV+ group, 23 of 28 patients [82%]; HPV- group, 7 of 9 patients [78%]), the HPV+ group had metastases to several subsets atypical for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including the brain, kidney, skin, skeletal muscle, and axillary lymph nodes in 2 patients each and in the intra-abdominal lymph nodes in 3 patients. The rate of 3-year overall survival was higher in the HPV+ group (89.9% vs 62.0%; P < .001), as was the median survival after the occurrence of distant metastases regardless of additional treatment (25.6 vs 11.1 months; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This retrospective review suggests that distant metastases in patients with HPV+ OPSCC occurs significantly later after completion of chemoradiotherapy than in patients with HPV- disease. Human papillomavirus-initiated OPSCC also appears to involve a greater number of subsites and metastatic sites infrequently seen in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Distant metastatic disease in HPV+ OPSCC has unique characteristics and a natural history that may require alternative surveillance strategies.

Endoscopic and open surgical approaches to locally advanced sinonasal melanoma: comparing the therapeutic benefits

IMPORTANCE

This study helps to elucidate the appropriate surgical treatment for sinonasal melanoma.

OBJECTIVE

To compare open resection (OR) and endoscopic resection (ER) as surgical approaches to sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNM)and evaluate their associations with treatment-related outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective review of the medical records of 25 patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNM) treated by either OR or ER in an academic tertiary care medical center.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients underwent either OR or ER of their SNM tumors.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Overall survival was the primary outcome measured; secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, lengths of hospital stay, patterns of failure, and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with SNM underwent an OR, while 12 had ER of their tumors. The OR and ER groups did not differ significantly in demographic and tumor characteristics. In the OR vs ER group comparisons, mean age (67.8 vs 65.5 years) (P = .63), the proportions of patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (85% [n = 11] vs 92% [n = 11]) (P > .99), and the proportion who achieved negative surgical margins on resection (54% [n = 7] vs 58% [n = 7]) (P = .82) were similar. Overall all median survival (12.7 and 1.9 years) (P = .87) and disease-free survival (1.9 and 1.2 years) (P = .72) were modest and did not differ between OR and ER groups, respectively. Likewise, the OR and ER groups, respectively, showed comparable mean lengths of hospital stay (3.6 and 3.8 days) (P = .87), rates of postoperative bleeding (8% [n = 1] and 17% [n = 2]) (P = .59), and rates of cerebrospinal fluid leak (15% [n = 2] and 25% [n = 3]) (P = .64). In addition, the OR and ER groups, respectively, had high rates of local (23% [n = 3] and 8% [n = 1]) (P = .59), distant (15% [n = 2] and 25% [n = 3]) (P = .64), and multiple failures (15% [n = 2] and 25% [n = 3]) (P = .64).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This retrospective study of a rare disease suggests that endoscopic resection of sinonasal melanoma offers an attractive, minimally invasive surgical option. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, an endoscopic approach yields survival and morbidity outcomes comparable to those of an open approach.