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Schwannoma can arise from any cranial, peripheral or autonomic nerve, except the olfactory and optic. About 25–45% of extracranial schwannomas lie in the head and neck. Data on malignant schwannoma from low-income settings are inconsistent. We reported a case of giant periorbital malignant schwannoma successfully treated in a low-income setting. The strength of our case is given not only by the rarity and the size of the disease but also for highlighting the weakness of health system in low-resource settings. It is mandatory to strengthen the health system with particular attention to physical, psychologic and social aspects and to promote comprehensive programs including all these aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral cancer is one of the common malignant tumors of the head and neck. However, current treatments have numerous side effects, and drugs from natural sources may have better therapeutic potential. This research investigated the induction of apoptosis by α-hederin (α-HN), a constituent of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel, in the oral cancer cell line SCC-25 and its underlying mechanism. Results: SCC-25 cells were treated with 50, 100, and 200 µmol/L α-HN. Cell proliferation; extent of apoptosis; activities of caspases-3, 8, and 9; and the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, phosphorylated (p)-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), p-Akt, and p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) proteins were determined using the 3-(4,5)-2-thiazole-(2,5)-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, caspase activity detection kits, and western blot assays, respectively. The results showed that the proliferation of SCC-25 cells in the α-HN-treated groups decreased significantly, and the inhibitory effect was time and concentration dependent. Compared with cells in the control group, the extent of apoptosis increased significantly, caspase-3 and -9 activities were significantly enhanced, and the Bcl-2 level was lowered and the Bax level was elevated significantly in SCC-25 cells treated with α-HN for 48 h (P b 0.05). The expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR was also significantly lower in SCC-25 cells treated with α-HN than that in the control group (P b 0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that á-HN can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of SCC-25 cells and may exert these effects by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pilot numerical study is conducted to investigate whether a tumor located in the outermost layers of the brain is able to change power absorption and temperature increase in the head, when exposed to the field radiated by a cellular phone. Results show that absorption into the head tissues different from the tumor is barely affected by its presence. On the other hand, inside the tumor, tumor dielectric properties highly influence electromagnetic power absorption, while temperature increments are mainly affected by tumor thermal properties rather than dielectric properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1264–1267, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25158 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]