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Objective: To determine oncological and functional outcomes in patients with T3 and T4 laryngeal carcinoma, in which choice of treatment was based on expected laryngeal function and not T classification. Methods: Oncological outcomes (disease-specific survival and overall survival) as well as functional outcomes (larynx preservation and functional larynx preservation) were analysed. Results: In 130 T3 and 59 T4 patients, there was no difference in disease-specific survival or overall survival rates after radiotherapy (RT) (107 patients), chemoradiotherapy (36 patients) and total laryngectomy (46 patients). The five-year disease-specific survival rates were 83 per cent after RT, 78 per cent after chemoradiotherapy and 69 per cent after total laryngectomy, whereas overall survival rates were 62, 54 and 60 per cent, respectively. Five-year larynx preservation and functional larynx preservation rates were comparable for RT (79 and 66 per cent, respectively) and chemoradiotherapy (86 and 62 per cent, respectively). Conclusion: There is no difference in oncological outcome after (chemo)radiotherapy or total laryngectomy in T3 and T4 laryngeal carcinoma patients whose choice of treatment was based on expected laryngeal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common malignancy of the skin, often occurring in older patients and in the head and neck area (cSCCHN). Age, life expectancy, and frailty are not taken into consideration by current guidelines. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of frailty and life expectancy on guideline deviation, treatment outcomes, and quality of life (QoL) after treatment in patients with cSCCHN. Methods: Patients with cSCCHN were prospectively included. A geriatric assessment was performed, including the Geriatric 8 (G8), Groningen Frailty Indicator, and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). The Lee index was used to predict a limited life expectancy, and the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 was used as a comorbidity index. QoL was assessed by the Basal and Squamous cell carcinoma Quality of Life (BaSQoL) questionnaire at three time points. Results: Seventy-seven patients with cSCCHN were included. Frail patients had significantly more high-risk tumours. Guideline deviation occurred in 7.8% and was more common in patients who were frail (G8), with high-risk tumours (≥T2), with a limited life expectancy or an increased TUG. Guideline deviation did not lead more often to progression of disease in our study. No predictors for post-operative complications were found. BaSQoL subscores were very low at each time point and did not change significantly with time in the total group. Frail patients reported more fear of recurrence or new tumours 3 months after treatment, and less concern about other people's skin 6 months after treatment, compared to non-frail patients. Complication rate, gender, or guideline deviation did not affect any subscale scores. Conclusions: Assessment of frailty and life expectancy can guide physicians and patients in treatment decisions. Deviation from guidelines towards less aggressive treatment schedules can be considered in frail patients with a limited life expectancy, since it did not negatively affect short-term outcomes or QoL in patients with cSCCHN in our study. However, these results should be confirmed by other, larger prospective studies with a longer follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the impact of delay in treatment initiation on hospitalization, overall survival, and recurrence in older patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Study Design: Retrospective multicenter study. Setting: Two tertiary referral centers. Methods: All patients with newly diagnosed HNC (≥60 years) treated between 2015 and 2017 were retrospectively included. Time-to-treatment intervals were assessed (ie, calendar days between first visit and start of treatment). Multiple multivariable models were performed with hospital admission days (>14 days), survival, and recurrence as dependent outcome variables. Results: In total, 525 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 70.7 years and 70.7% were male. Median time to treatment was 34.0 days, and 36.3% started treatment within 30 days (P =.576 between centers). Patients with radiotherapy had longer time to treatment than surgical patients (39.0 vs 29.0 days, P <.001). Current smoking status, stage IV tumors, and definitive radiotherapy were significantly associated with delay in the multivariable analysis. Time-to-treatment interval ≥30 days was a significant predictor of longer hospital admission (>14 days) in the first year after treatment in an adjusted model (odds ratio, 4.66 [95% CI, 2.59-8.37]; P <.001). Delay in treatment initiation was not associated with overall survival or tumor recurrence. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance and challenges of ensuring timely treatment initiation in older patients with HNC, as treatment delay was an independent predictor of hospitalization. During oncologic workup, taking time to consider patient-centered outcomes (including minimizing time spent in hospital) while ensuring timely start of treatment requires well-structured, fast-track care pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are rapidly developing tumours, and substantial delay in treatment initiation is associated with decreased overall survival. The effect of delay on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of delay on QOL and overall survival. Methods: Patients with mucosal HNSCC were prospectively included. HRQOL and 2‐year overall survival were analysed using linear mixed‐model analyses and cox regression, respectively. Delay was defined as care pathway interval (CPI) of ≥30 days between first consultation and treatment initiation. Results: Median CPI was 39 days for the 173 patients included. A trend towards higher HRQOL‐scores (indicating better HRQOL) during 2‐year follow‐up for patients with delay in treatment initiation was visible in the adjusted models (HRQOL summary score—β: 2.62, 95% CI: 0.57–4.67, p = 0.012). Factors associated with decreased overall survival were moderate comorbidities (HR: 5.10, 95% CI: 1.65–15.76, p = 0.005) and stage‐IV tumours (HR: 12.37, 95% CI: 2.81–54.39, p = 0.001). Delay was not associated with worse overall survival. Conclusion: Timely treatment initiation is challenging, especially for patients with advanced tumours and initial radiotherapy treatment. Encountering delay in treatment initiation did not result in clinically relevant differences in HRQOL‐scores or decreased overall survival during 2‐year follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are relatively fast‐growing tumours, and delay of treatment is associated with tumour progression and adverse outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify determinants of delay in a head and neck oncology centre. Methods: This cohort study with prospectively collected data investigated associations between patient (including geriatric assessment at first consultation), tumour and treatment characteristics and treatment delay. Two quality indicator intervals assessing value‐based healthcare were studied: care pathway interval (CPI, interval between first visit in an HNOC and treatment initiation) and time‐to‐treatment initiation (TTI, interval between histopathological confirmation of HNSCC and treatment initiation), using regression analyses. Results: Stage‐IV tumours and initial radiotherapy were independent predictors of delay in CPI. Initial radiotherapy was associated with delay in TTI. Overall, 37% of the patients started treatment within 30 days after first consultation (67% in case of initial surgical treatment and 11.5% if treated with (chemo)radiation, p < 0.001). Geriatric assessment outcomes were not associated with delay. Indicators for delay in initial surgery patients were stage‐IV tumours (CPI). Conclusion: The majority of HNSCC patients encounter delay in treatment initiation, specifically in patients with advanced‐stage tumours or when radiotherapy is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To evaluate expression of potential molecular imaging targets epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in lymph nodes (LNs) with or without head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) metastases after (chemo)radiation. Study Design: Retrospective study comparing receptor expression in paired lymph nodes after initial treatment. Setting: A tertiary referral hospital. Subjects and Methods: Salvage neck dissection specimens of 40 patients treated with (chemo)radiation were selected. LNs that contained viable tumor, reactive changes after initial treatment, and normal LNs were analyzed using immunohistochemically determined H-scores and by calculating sensitivity and specificity rates and positive/negative predictive values (PPVs/NPVs). Results: EGFR expression was found in 86% and GPNMB expression in 100% of the LNs with viable tumor. VEGF expression was present in all lymph node types. For EGFR, the sensitivity rate was 86%, and specificity rate was 81%. For GPNMB, these were 100% and 75%, respectively. PPV of EGFR was 61.8% and NPV was 98.2%. These were 56.4% and 100% for GPNMB, respectively. Conclusion: In residual or recurrent HNSCC lymph node metastases, both EGFR and GPNMB show tumor-specific expression in immunohistochemistry, which may prove useful in future molecular imaging in salvage neck dissections. Immunohistochemically detected VEGF expression indicates that this target is not feasible for imaging purposes in salvage surgery. Therefore, GPNMB could be a new potential imaging target showing comparable results to EGFR in immunohistochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The purpose of this study was to validate the prognostic value of adding narrow-band imaging (NBI) during transoral laser surgery (TLS) for early glottic cancer. Methods In 84 patients, 93 transoral laser resections were performed for carcinoma in situ (Tcis), T1, or T2 glottic cancer. TLS was preceded by intraoperative evaluation using traditional white-light imaging (WLI) in 51 cases. In 42 cases, NBI was used in addition to WLI. Local recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival were retrospectively compared between both groups. Results Local recurrences developed in 14% of the 93 cases: 12 of 51 patients (24%) were treated by TLS based on WLI alone, and in 1 of 42 patients (2%) in the NBI group ( P < .01). Two-year recurrence-free survival was 82% in the WLI group and 98% in the NBI group ( P < .05). Conclusion Additional use of NBI during TLS for early glottic cancer significantly improves clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Total laryngectomy with or without adjuvant (chemo)radiation often induces speech, swallowing and neck and shoulder problems. Speech, swallowing and shoulder exercises may prevent or diminish these problems. The aim of the present paper is to describe the study, which is designed to investigate the effectiveness and cost-utility of a guided self-help exercise program built into the application "In Tune without Cords" among patients treated with total laryngectomy.Methods/design: Patients, up to 5 years earlier treated with total laryngectomy with or without (chemo)radiation will be recruited for participation in this study. Patients willing to participate will be randomized to the intervention or control group (1:1). Patients in the intervention group will be provided access to a guided self-help exercise program and a self-care education program built into the application "In Tune without Cords". Patients in the control group will only be provided access to the self-care education program. The primary outcome is the difference in swallowing quality (SWAL-QOL) between the intervention and control group. Secondary outcome measures address speech problems (SHI), shoulder disability (SDQ), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35 and EQ-5D), direct and indirect costs (adjusted iMCQ and iPCQ measures) and self-management (PAM). Patients will be asked to complete these outcome measures at baseline, immediately after the intervention or control period (i.e. at 3 months follow-up) and at 6 months follow-up.Discussion: This randomized controlled trial will provide knowledge on the effectiveness of a guided self-help exercise program for patients treated with total laryngectomy. In addition, information on the value for money of such an exercise program will be provided. If this guided self-help program is (cost)effective for patients treated with total laryngectomy, the next step will be to implement this exercise program in current clinical practice.Trial Registration: NTR5255 Protocol version 4 date September 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We describe our experience with the Groningen Dilatation Tracheoseope (Karl Storz GimbH & Co. Tuttlin- gen. Germany) in treating benign subglottie and tracheal stenosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective survey from a medical record analysis of 26 patients with different origins of benign. grade 11 (Myer-Cotton) subglottic or tracheal stenosis. All patients underwent dilatation tracheoscopy for a total of 64 times (average. 2.46 operations per patient). Five patients had to undergo subsequent operations. Patient data (sex, age at intervention, underlying and other systemic diseases) and operation data (course, intraoperative and postoperative adverse events) were recorded. Analysis of the measured preoperative and postoperative peak how values was performed Results: The average predilatation and postdilatation peak flow values were 225 L/min and 331 L/min respectively. Eighty percent of the patients (21 of 26) were successfully treated with 1 or more dilatation tracheoxcopy interventions without supplementary treatment for the stenosis. There is only I tracheal eannula-dependent patient in the examined population, making the overall success rate of our treatment 96%. No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. Conclusions: Dilatation tracheoscoy is a simple. relatively safe, and effective method in the treatment of benign sub- glottic or tracheal stenosis of various origins. The intervention is minimally invasive and is easily repeatable in case of restenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Older patients may experience delayed treatment and adverse events due to frailty. • Treatment delay can result in tumor progression and inferior outcome. • Delay was a significant predictor for recurrence in surgically treated patients. • Delayed treatment initiation was not associated with short-term adverse events. As a result of rapid tumor growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), delay in treatment initiation can result in tumor progression and inferior outcome. Especially older and frail patients are prone to develop adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of delay on development of adverse events and recurrence in older HNSCC patients. This cohort study with prospectively collected data included all newly diagnosed, curatively treated HNSCC patients (≥60 years) between 2015 and 2017. Time-to-treatment interval and geriatric domains were assessed. Adverse events were defined as postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) and acute radiation-induced toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria of Adverse Events). Multivariable regression models were performed, using adverse events and recurrence as outcome variables. A total of 245 patients were included. Median time-to-treatment was 26 days for surgery patients and 40 days for radiotherapy patients (p < 0.001). Delayed treatment initiation was not associated with postoperative complications or acute radiation-induced toxicity. Delay was significantly associated with recurrence risk within two years after treatment initiation in a model adjusted for stage and tumor location in patients treated with initial surgery (HR:4.1, 95%CI:1.2–14.0, p = 0.024). For patients treated with radiotherapy, delay was not significantly associated with recurrence risk. Delayed treatment initiation was independently associated with increased recurrence risk in patients treated with initial surgery. Delay was not associated with short-term adverse events. These findings highlight the importance of establishing fast-track care pathways to minimize delays and improve especially long-term outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The head and neck cancer incidence was nearly 25% less during the first COVID wave. • The lower incidence was mainly observed in oral cavity and laryngeal cancer. • During COVID, tumor stage and treatment distribution did not differ. • The expected increase in incidence during the remainder of 2020 was not observed. • Time-to-treatment was significantly shorter, regardless of first treatment modality. Inevitably, the emergence of COVID-19 has impacted non-COVID care. Because timely diagnosis and treatment are essential, especially for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) with fast-growing tumours in a functionally and aesthetically important area, we wished to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HNC care in the Netherlands. This population-based study covered all, in total 8468, newly diagnosed primary HNC cases in the Netherlands in 2018, 2019 and 2020. We compared incidence, patient and tumour characteristics, primary treatment characteristics, and time-to-treatment in the first COVID-19 year 2020 with corresponding periods in 2018 and 2019 (i.e. pre-COVID). The incidence of HNC was nearly 25% less during the first wave (n = 433) than in 2019 (n = 595) and 2018 (n = 598). In April and May 2020, the incidence of oral cavity and laryngeal carcinomas was significantly lower than in pre-COVID years. There were no shifts in tumour stage or alterations in initial treatment modalities. Regardless of the first treatment modality and specific period, the median number of days between first visit to a HNC centre and start of treatment was significantly shorter during the COVID-19 year (26–28 days) than pre-COVID (31–32 days, p < 0.001). The incidence of HNC during the Netherlands' first COVID-19 wave was significantly lower than expected. The expected increase in incidence during the remainder of 2020 was not observed. Despite the overloaded healthcare system, the standard treatment for HNC patients could be delivered within a shorter time interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]