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Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has been regarded as a disease affecting the elderly. Several etiologic factors have been demonstrated, such as tobacco and alcohol use and premalignant lesions, whereas others have been suspected, such as genetic or immunodeficiency disorders. Recently, some reports have addressed a tendency toward an increase in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in young patients. In recent years we have observed an increase in the number of squamous cell carcinomas in patients younger than 40 years. Therefore we retrospectively reviewed our clinical experience of cancer in those patients younger than 40 years. After screening 505 clinical charts, 294 patients met the criteria to enter our study. Twenty-four (8.2%) patients were aged 40 years or younger. Data collected included the history of premalignant lesions, etiologic factors, TNM stages, treatment modalities, and histopathologic issues. Statistical analysis with Kaplan-Meier survival rates and log-rank tests between various variables were applied. A significant association in survival was observed between patterns of recurrence (p = 0.031) and presence of neoplastic cells 5 mm or closer to the specimen margin. On the other hand, a lack of association was assessed in carcinogenic-related habits and in premalignant lesions. Likewise, although men showed a slightly worse prognosis than women, statistically no significant differences were found (p = 0.27).

Laparoscopic abdominal surgery is considered a low-risk procedure for postoperative thromboembolic disease. We report two cases of pulmonary embolism following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, review the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and suggest a specific prophylactic scheme for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In spite of the low incidence of postoperative thromboembolic disease following minimally invasive procedures, the risk of pulmonary embolism must not be underestimated and its symptoms must not be underdiagnosed.

The malignant schwannoma is a sarcoma which very rarely occurs on the face. This article describes the case of a woman with such a tumour and whose study and evolution shows that was no relation with the nervous trunk, neurofibroma or neurofibromatosis.