Mucosal microflora in head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the tongue and buccal microflora prospectively in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS

In 33 dentate patients, microbial samples from the tongue and buccal mucosa were collected pretreatment, during treatment, and 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-treatment. Microorganisms associated with oral health and oral disorders were analysed using cultivation technique. Oral mucositis was scored at the appointment during treatment.

RESULTS

Compared with pretreatment, lactobacilli and Candida increased on the tongue, while streptococci and Neisseria decreased during treatment. Two years post-treatment, Neisseria and Prevotella were decreased and Candida increased. On the buccal mucosa, an increased growth of lactobacilli and increased detection frequencies of the opportunistic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative enteric rods and enterococci were seen during treatment compared with pretreatment. Seventy per cent showed severe mucositis during treatment. Two years post-treatment the total count as well as streptococci, Neisseria and Fusobacterium nucleatum were decreased and lactobacilli increased compared with pretreatment.

CONCLUSION

Despite improvements in treatment for cancer in the head and neck region, microorganisms associated with oral health decrease during treatment and mucosal pathogens increase. Two years post-treatment, levels of acid-tolerant (lactobacilli and Candida) were increased, while acid-sensitive microorganisms (Neisseria and F. nucleatum) were decreased, plausibly due to persisting decreased salivary secretion rate.

Temporal patterns of patient-reported trismus and associated mouth-opening distances in radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To identify temporal patterns of patient-reported trismus during the first year post-radiotherapy, and to study their associations with maximal interincisal opening distances (MIOs).

DESIGN

Single institution case series.

SETTING

University hospital ENT clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and ninety-six subjects who received radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) with or without chemotherapy in 2007-2012 to a total dose of 64.6/68 Gy in 38/34 fractions, respectively. All subjects were prospectively assessed for mouth-opening ability (Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), and MIO) pre-RT and at 3, 6 and 12 months after RT.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Correlations between temporally robust GTQ symptoms and MIO as given by Pearson's correlation coefficients (P_r ); temporally robust GTQ-symptom domains as given by factor analysis; rates of trismus with respect to baseline by risk ratios (RRs).

RESULTS

Four temporally robust domains were identified: Eating (3-7 symptoms), Jaw (3-7), Pain (2-5) and Quality of Life (QoL, 2-5), and included 2-3 persistent symptoms across all post-RT assessments. The median RR for a moderate/severe (>2/>3) cut-off was the highest for Jaw (3.7/3.6) and QoL (3.2/2.9). The median P_r between temporally robust symptoms and MIO post-radiotherapy was 0.25-0.35/0.34-0.43/0.24-0.31/0.34-0.50 for Eating/Jaw/Pain/QoL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Mouth-opening distances in patients with HNC post-RT can be understood in terms of associated patient-reported outcomes on trismus-related difficulties. Our data suggest that a reduction in MIO can be expected as patients communicate their mouth-opening status to interfere with private/social life, a clinical warning signal for emerging or worsening trismus as patients are being followed after RT.

Baclofen-mediated gastro-oesophageal acid reflux control in patients with established reflux disease

AIM

To explore the effect of baclofen on oesophageal acid exposure in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty patients with established reflux disease were included in this double-blind, randomized, crossover study. Baclofen, 40 mg, or placebo was given as a single dose with a washout period of 4 weeks. Symptoms were assessed by a visual analogue scale. Oesophageal pH was registered for 12 h and analysed for the whole period and for the 0-4-h, 4-8-h, 8-12-h and 2-h post-prandial periods.

RESULTS

Baclofen significantly reduced the number of reflux episodes during the 0-4-h (7.9 vs. 16.5, P < 0.0001; post-prandially: 6.0 vs. 11.2, P < 0.0001) and 0-12-h (46.5 vs. 73, P=0.0001; post-prandially: 18.8 vs. 29.3, P < 0.0001) periods. The fraction of time with pH < 4 was significantly lowered during the 0-4-h period (9.3 vs. 15.6, P=0.0019; post-prandially: 16.1 vs. 23.5, P=0.0083). Similar results were also obtained in patients with a hiatus hernia (n=13). Belching was significantly reduced (32 vs. 69 episodes, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

A single oral dose of 40 mg baclofen significantly reduced both the number of reflux episodes and the fraction of time with pH < 4, an effect primarily found during the first 4 h after dosing.

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid pathology in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathology of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SHL), both seropositive and seronegative to Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), was prospectively studied. Nineteen consecutive patients were included and trends between the degree of hearing recovery and serum/CSF pathology and given therapy were examined. The pilot study showed a high prevalence (68%) of pathology in serum and CSF in patients with SHL. In 54% of the patients, elevated levels of CSF proteins and/or pathological CSF cell counts were present without positive antibodies to Bb. Positive levels of antibodies against Bb or pathological proteins in CSF were associated with better hearing recovery (means of 47.2 and 51.7%, respectively). The audiometric configuration "high frequency sloping" hearing impairment was associated with the lowest degree of hearing recovery. Patients with SHL and positive serology to Bb who received antibiotic treatment (oral tetracycline), with or without steroids, had the best hearing recovery in this study (61.7 and 48.4%, respectively). In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of serum and CSF pathology in a consecutive group of patients with SHL. Early appropriate antibiotic treatment may prevent the development of major late complications of Lyme disease/borreliosis. We also find it justified to perform more general serological analyses, including CSF analysis, in patients with SHL. A more liberal approach to testing and development of test protocols for SHL patients will increase our knowledge in this field.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Laryngeal Cancer: A Post-Treatment Comparison of Different Modes of Communication

INTRODUCTION

The effects of different treatment modalities and voice and speech rehabilitation methods on the quality of life in patients with laryngeal cancer are not fully understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional post-treatment questionnaire survey of 125 patients with laryngeal cancer was performed. The response rate was 74%. Three patient groups were identified: patients treated with radiotherapy and communicating with preserved larynx (n = 70), laryngectomized patients using a tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) for speech (n = 14), and laryngectomized patients communicating with an electrolarynx (n = 5). Two established generic questionnaires, the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, were used.

RESULTS

The radiotherapy and the TEP groups displayed similar SIP and HAD profiles. No significant differences were seen in favor of the radiotherapy group, whereas the TEP group reported fewer problems in the SIP sleep/rest subscale. In 10 of 12 SIP categories, the numerically highest proportion of patients with clinically important dysfunction (SIP scores >10) was found in the small electrolarynx group.

CONCLUSION

Successful speech rehabilitation with a TEP after laryngectomy may be as effective as conservative treatment with radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer with regard to psychosocial adjustment and functional ability, as measured with generic quality of life instruments.

Absence of bacterial infection in the mucosal secretion in chronic laryngitis

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether an infectious process is present in the laryngeal secretion in patients with chronic laryngitis.

STUDY DESIGN

Mucosal secretion from vocal cords and ventricular folds from 14 patients with chronic laryngitis was examined. Twelve patients with healthy larynxes served as control subjects.

METHODS

Secretion from the laryngeal mucosa was sampled with an imprint technique during general anesthetic. The samples were stained and examined by light and fluorescence microscopy. The numbers of leukocytes and bacteria and the extension of phagocytosis were estimated.

RESULTS

In the secretion from eight of the patients with chronic laryngitis we could observe huge numbers of bacteria, whereas only few bacteria were seen in the secretion from the control subjects. However, in both groups, only a few neutrophils were observed and phagocytosis was not present, indicating that the bacteria were present as colonizers.

CONCLUSIONS

No infectious process is present in the secretion in chronic laryngitis. Further studies concerning the pathogenesis should focus on the pathological processes or conditions of the mucosa.

A cross-sectional validation study of Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngeal Cancer--a questionnaire for use in the voice rehabilitation of laryngeal cancer patients

A psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire 'Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngeal Cancer' (S-SECEL) addressing communication dysfunction in patients with laryngeal cancer was carried out. Ninety-three patients with laryngeal cancer were studied. For comparison of response patterns and external validation, 21 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 26 patients with hoarseness, caused by benign laryngeal disease, were included in the analysis. The patients completed three questionnaires; the S-SECEL, the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). The S-SECEL questionnaire was well-accepted by the patients, compliance was satisfactory, and missing value rates were low. The reliability of the S-SECEL was satisfactory for the Environment and Attitude subscales, whereas the General subscale did not reach the reliability levels recommended for group comparisons. In general, the response pattern in the three diagnostic groups and the pattern of correlations between the S-SECEL scores and the SIP- and HAD-subscales and dimensions lent support to the construct validity of the S-SECEL.

Acoustic and perceptual evaluation of voice and speech quality: a study of patients with laryngeal cancer treated with laryngectomy vs irradiation

OBJECTIVE

To compare voice and speech function in patients who underwent laryngectomy with that of 2 control groups.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study comparing acoustic and temporal variables with perceptual evaluations in 3 subject groups.

SETTING

University hospital in Göteborg, Sweden.

SUBJECTS

Two groups of patients with laryngeal carcinoma were examined: 12 male patients who had laryngectomy and were using a tracheoesophageal prosthesis and 12 male patients treated with radical radiotherapy who had a preserved larynx. The third group consisted of 10 normal controls without laryngeal disease.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Acoustic variables were fundamental frequency, absolute fundamental frequency perturbation, speech rate, and maximum phonation time. Perceptual evaluation included 15 listeners' perceptual evaluation and the patients' self-assessment of speech intelligibility, voice quality, and speech acceptability.

RESULTS

No significant acoustic or temporal differences were found between the laryngectomy and radical radiotherapy groups. There was a significant difference between the patient groups in perceptual evaluation. Both groups of patients differed from normal controls in acoustic and temporal measures, where the laryngectomy group generally deviated more from the normal controls than the patient group treated with radiotherapy. There was a weak, but significant, correlation between absolute fundamental frequency perturbation and perceived voice quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceptual evaluations could indicate significant differences between the patients who underwent laryngectomy and irradiated patients, where the acoustic analysis failed to reflect these differences. Both patient groups could be distinguished according to acoustic and temporal measures when compared with normal controls. The acoustic analyses were more sufficient in voices without severe dysfunction.

Quality of life and voice in patients with laryngeal carcinoma: a posttreatment comparison of laryngectomy (salvage surgery) versus radiotherapy

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to compare the voice and the quality of life (QOL) of laryngeal cancer patients receiving treatment with radical radiotherapy with or without laryngectomy as salvage surgery. We also compared the patients' own perceptual ratings of their voice to the perceptual ratings of a group of listeners.

STUDY DESIGN

Two groups of laryngeal cancer patients were studied.

METHODS

Fourteen irradiated laryngeal speakers with preserved larynx were matched with 14 salvage surgery laryngectomized patients speaking with tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP). To measure patients' QOL, we used the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the EORTC Head and Neck module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) and a study-specific questionnaire. For the perceptual speech evaluation we used visual analog scales.

RESULTS

The perceptual ratings of speech intelligibility, voice quality, and speech acceptability showed a significant difference between the treatment groups. Both the patients who received treatment with radiotherapy and the listeners rated the irradiated laryngeal voices higher than the tracheoesophageal speech. The laryngectomized patients scored significantly better than the patients treated with radical radiotherapy on the question about hoarseness. No other significant difference was found for the QOL functions and symptoms.

CONCLUSION

When patients treated with radiotherapy were compared with patients treated with laryngectomy as salvage surgery, QOL was similar, only small differences being found in the perceptual speech evaluation.

Intelligibility and perceptual ratings after treatment for laryngeal cancer: laryngectomy versus radiotherapy

In Sweden the most common treatment for T3-T4 laryngeal carcinoma is radical radiotherapy (with surgery for salvage), because the voice is thus preserved. A Swedish study showed that surgery yielded a significantly better 5-year survival and locoregional control at 3 years in T4 laryngeal carcinoma than radical radiotherapy. With these results in mind, we wanted to compare the different modes of treatment (surgery with a tracheoesophageal [TE] fistula and radical radiotherapy) with respect to the patients' speech proficiency. Twenty-eight subjects (with 14 patients in each treatment group) were judged by inexperienced and experienced listeners according to intelligibility by transcription and three perceptual ratings. From the perceptual ratings of speech intelligibility, voice quality, and speech acceptability we conclude that there is a significant difference, the irradiated speakers being rated higher than the tracheoesophageal speakers. It is also clear that most of the TE and irradiated laryngeal speaking patients are comparable to normal laryngeal speakers in intelligibility by transcription. Experienced and inexperienced listeners are able to rate TE and irradiated laryngeal speech reliably and similarly according to intelligibility by transcription. The inexperienced listeners rated the TE speakers significantly higher than did the experienced listeners.

Advanced laryngeal cancer T3-T4 in Sweden: a retrospective study 1986-1990. Survival and locoregional control related to treatment

Different treatment modalities for advanced laryngeal cancer are much discussed in the literature. One-hundred-and-sixty patients with T3-4, N0-3, M0-1 laryngeal cancer diagnosed in Sweden between 1986 and 1990 were retrospectively analysed. One hundred (65 T3: 35 T4) received radical radiotherapy with salvage surgery (RRSS) in case of residual or recurrent disease. Thirty-eight (11T3: 27 T4) patients received surgery with or without radiotherapy (S +/- RT). Twenty-two patients received no treatment. After a median follow up of 4.4 years, the estimated 5-year actuarial corrected survival and 3-year locoregional control were 59% and 44% for T3 RRSS and 47% and 54% for T3 S +/- RT. No significant difference between the different treatment modalities was found. The 5-year corrected survival rate and the locoregional control at 3 years between T4-RRSS (32%; 26%) and T4-S + RT (58%; 68%) groups were significantly different (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). This might suggest that surgery with or without radiotherapy still has its place as a treatment modality for patients with advanced T4 laryngeal carcinoma.