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Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a preventable malignancy that continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Using data from the ARCAGE and Rome studies, we investigated the main predictors of survival after larynx, hypopharynx and oral cavity (OC) cancers. We used the Kaplan–Meier method to estimate overall survival, and Cox proportional models to examine the relationship between survival and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. 604 larynx, 146 hypopharynx and 460 OC cancer cases were included in this study. Over a median follow-up time of 4.6 years, nearly 50% (n = 586) of patients died. Five-year survival was 65% for larynx, 55% for OC and 35% for hypopharynx cancers. In a multivariable analysis, we observed an increased mortality risk among older (≥71 years) versus younger (≤50 years) patients with larynx/hypopharynx combined (LH) and OC cancers [HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.09–2.38 (LH) and HR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.35–3.33 (OC)], current versus never smokers [HR = 2.67, 95% CI 1.40–5.08 (LH) and HR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.32–3.54 (OC)] and advanced versus early stage disease at diagnosis [IV versus I, HR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.78–3.79 (LH) and HR = 3.17, 95% CI 2.05–4.89 (OC)]. Survival was not associated with sex, alcohol consumption, education, oral health, p16 expression, presence of HPV infection or body mass index 2 years before cancer diagnosis. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapeutic modalities, survival after HNC remains low in Europe. In addition to the recognized prognostic effect of stage at diagnosis, smoking history and older age at diagnosis are important prognostic indicators for HNC. © 2018 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO); licensed by UICC

Although previous studies on tobacco and alcohol and the risk of upper-aerodigestive-tract (UADT) cancers have clearly shown dose-response relations with the frequency and duration of tobacco and alcohol, studies on addiction to tobacco smoking itself as a risk factor for UADT cancer have not been published, to our knowledge. The aim of this report is to assess whether smoking addiction is an independent risk factor or a refinement to smoking variables (intensity and duration) for UADT squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) risk in the multicenter case-control study (ARCAGE) in Western Europe. The analyses included 1,586 ever smoking UADT SCC cases and 1,260 ever smoking controls. Addiction was measured by a modified Fagerström score (first cigarette after waking up, difficulty refraining from smoking in places where it is forbidden and cigarettes per day). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for UADT cancers with addiction variables were estimated with unconditional logistic regression. Among current smokers, the participants who smoked their first cigarette within 5 min of waking up were two times more likely to develop UADT SCC than those who smoked 60 min after waking up. Greater tobacco smoking addiction was associated with an increased risk of UADT SCC among current smokers (OR = 3.83, 95% CI: 2.56-5.73 for score of 3-7 vs. 0) but not among former smokers. These results may be consistent with a residual effect of smoking that was not captured by the questionnaire responses (smoking intensity and smoking duration) alone, suggesting addiction a refinement to smoking variables. What's new? Previous studies have clearly shown dose-response relationships between tobacco/alcohol use and the risk of upper-aerodigestive- tract (UADT) cancers, but these studies have focused only on the variables of frequency and duration of use. In this study, the authors asked whether addiction to smoking might be an independent risk factor. They found that addiction was indeed associated with UADT cancer risk among current smokers. This addiction-cancer association suggests that it is important to include questions that elicit information regarding smoking addiction when accounting for smoking effect through questionnaire information. Copyright © 2013 UICC.

SUMMARY The aim of the present study was to determine whether immediate revision surgery has benefits for patients with iatrogenic bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy. From January 1, 2004 to January 30, 2011, 29 consecutive patients underwent immediate revision after total thyroidectomy. The cohort comprised 29 patients, 2 males and 27 females, aged 23 to 76 years (median 52 years). Identification of the type and extent of injury of each branch was reported in the protocol, and reconstruction was performed whenever possible. A complete transection of the nerve or one of its branches was found in 14 and 5 nerves, respectively. In three patients, the nerve was completely or partially transected on both sides. Seven anatomically intact nerves were injured by loaded ligature, in one case there was a sign of thermal damage and four nerves showed signs of excessive manipulation (thinning of the nerve trunk). Primary end-to-end anastomosis was performed in seven completely transected RLN and four transected anterior branches of RLN. None of the reconstructed nerve trunks or its branches regained function, although good muscle tone was observed. 23 of 38 intact nerves (61%) regained function, and normal vocalcord mobility on both sides was restored in only four patients. In all cases with regained vocal-cord mobility, functional recovery occurred within 3 months after primary surgery. In conclusion, immediate revision after thyroidectomy may help to indicate the type of RLN damage, which is a predictor of functional recovery and one of major factors influencing future therapeutic management.

Introduction: Narrow band imaging is an novel optical technique that enables early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions by identifying pathological neoangiogenic pattern of tumours. The method uses illumination of the affected mucosal lining by two narrow light bands centred at 415 and 540[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 82. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

Based on tonotopy, auditory cortex (AC) of the rat can be divided into different cortical fields. Our previous results showed that there is clear difference in electrophysiological features of neurons in different auditory fields and that the tonotopy is not the only feature which distinguishes the [for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 82. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

The endoscopic treatment of malignant tumors of the nose (nasal and paranasal cavities) and the rhinobase is the challenge of modern otorhinolaryngology. The advanced FESS surgical knowledge, support of neurosurgeon and use of navigated surgery are the basic prerequisites. Since May 2009 we have treated[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 82. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

Many methods of mucotomy/turbinoplasty have been developed. The history of mucotomy goes back into 19th century. Nowadays, the well established methods are those performed by diode laser or radiofrequency and the surgical turbinoplasty. The comparison study shows advantage/disadvantage of [for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 81. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

The human lectin galectin-7 (Gal-7; p53- induced gene-1) has anti- and pro-malignant features in different in vitro models. We tried to clarify relation of its expression to cellular and clinical parameters in head and neck squamous and basal cell carcinomas. Using a non-cross-reactive antibody, immunohistochemical staining in squamous cell epithelia (epidermis, epithelium of oropharynx and larynx) (n = 57), squamous cell carcinomas (n = 47) and lymph node metastases (n = 25), as well as basal cell carcinomas (n = 10) were studied. This monitoring was flanked by processing to assess the level of differentiation (cytokeratins 10 and 14), proliferation (Ki67) and basal lamina formation (collagen IV). The results were correlated with clinical and pathological findings (grading, TNM-staging, extracapsular spread, angio- and lymphangioinvasion, perineural invasion, recurrence and survival). Gal-7 resides in all layers of epithelia with cytoplasmic and nuclear localization in normal specimens. Basal cell carcinomas were devoid of the Gal-7 respective signal. Squamous cell carcinomas were positive, presenting different staining profiles. Intense staining was predominantly found in squamous cell cancers with high degrees of differentiation and keratinization. Fittingly, poor level of differentiation (P = 0.0009), absence of keratinization (P = 0.0105) and significant discontinuity or absence of collagen IV expression in the peritumoral basal lamina (P = 0.0024). was found in Gal-7-negative tumors. Gal-7 presence was not related to gender, primary tumor site, T-stage, Nstage, clinical stage, extracapsular spread, angio- and lymphangioinvasion, perineural spread or treatment outcome at a statistically significant level. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a positive correlation for differentiation and keratinization to Gal-7 presence in squamous cell carcinomas. Absence of Gal-7 expression was detected in basal cell carcinomas. These clinical data delineate Gal-7 influence on differentiation in vivo, without evidence for a role in dissemination reported for lymphoma.

Remarkable achievements in stem cell research delineated new horizons of future improvement of cancer therapy. Paradigm of existence of cancer stem cell has been established in solid tumors and it is based on parallel between tissue stem cells and population of cancer cells responsible for tumor spreading.[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 80. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

Introduction: Meningiomas represent 2nd most common tumor of cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Tumors with internal auditory canal extension are rare. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of 14 microsurgically treated meningiomas of CPA with internal auditory canal extension during 1997-2007[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 80. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

We report a case of a young adult patient who primarily revealed symptoms of orbitocellulitis as complication of odontogenous acute rhinosinusitis. Proper diagnostic (incl. CT of paranasal sinuses and orbit) and therapeutical measures (incl. FESS-drainage of maxillary sinus, putrid tooth extraction, antibiotics) were undertaken to manage the disease immediately after stationary admission. Two weeks after inconspicuous healing period a hemiparesis due to an intracranial empyema formation developed. The consecutive orbital and intracranial complications of an acute rhinosinusitis are rare but must be mutually excluded in a complicated rhinosinusitis even when proper surgical and medical treatment tend to efficient healing of orbital complication. The correct indication of imaging methods, the evaluation of diminutive symptoms and the role of underlying mechanisms of intracranial abscess formation is discussed. Review of literature concerning orbital and intracranial complications coincidence is stated. Unterstützt durch: Ministry of Health Czech Republic - Grant Nr.9908-3, GMS Current Posters in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; 5:Doc52; ISSN 1865-1038

Cancers of head and neck represents about 5% of all tumors. 80 to 90% of these tumors are constituted of squamous cell carcinomas. Despite a rapid progress in diagnostics and therapy the overall 5-year survival of this type of cancer is among the lowest of the major cancer types. This unfavourable situation needs the extensive research to found new markers to better characterize biological behavior of tumors as a rational background for more sophisticated therapeutic modalities. Among the most promising markers are endogenous lectins called galectins and their ligands. Especially galectin-1, -3 and -7 play a key role in pathology of squamous cell carcinomas.