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Purpose Despite the promising palliative effects of radiation treatment, few reports have studied the role of palliative tumor surgery (PTS) in patients with unresectable head and neck cancer (HNC). Thus, we aimed to present the outcomes of PTS in HNC, and suggest a possible surgical indication for PTS. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients who underwent PTS for HNC between 2002 and 2017. PTS was defined as surgical debulking of tumor or surgery of loco-regionaltumors in patients with distant metastasis. As functional outcomes, we evaluated changes in pain, diet, respiration, and wound care before and after PTS. Results Squamous cell carcinoma was the common cancer type (72.2%), followed by salivary gland cancers and others. The median overall survival time was 17 months (95% confidence interval, 7.3 to 26.7). PTS significantly reduced the pain score (P= 0.013), and improved cancer-related wounds (P=0.003 in wound infection). Oral swallowing and respiration status did not change after PTS. The recurrent tumor at the operation bed was clinically detected at post-operative 1 to 2 months with intact skin (without wound problems). Of note, further chemotherapy or other additional cancer treatments was possible in 66.7% of patients with PTS (P=0.002). Conclusion PTS could provide a meaningful benefit to selected patients with incurable HNC, in terms of pain control and cancer wound management. Thus, PTS is a considerable option for selected HNC patients, based on the accurate evaluation of tumor extent along with multi-disciplinary consultation as well as patient counseling.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) versus elective neck dissection (END) in clinically node-negative (cN0) tongue cancer. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cN0 tongue cancer from a single institution, including 91 patients in the SLNB group and 120 patients in the END group. Results The overall recurrence rate showed no significant difference between the two groups. The regional control rate was also comparable between the two groups (P=0.490). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was slightly better in the SLNB group than in the END group (P=0.427). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 89.9% in the SLNB group versus 91.9% in the END group (P=0.737). In a propensity-matched subgroup analysis, the type of neck management did not affect RFS or OS. Conclusion SLNB showed non-inferior oncologic outcomes compared to END in patients with cN0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract Background Early detection and diagnosis of parotid gland cancer (PGC) are essential to improve clinical outcomes, because Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage at diagnosis is a very strong indicator of prognosis in PGC. Nevertheless, some patients still present with large parotid mass, maybe due to the unawareness or ignorance of their disease. In this study, we aimed to present the clinical outcomes of bulky PGC (defined by a 4 cm cutoff point for T3–4 versus T1–2 tumors), to emphasize the necessity of a self-examination tool for parotid gland tumor. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 60 consecutive cases with bulky (equal to and greater than 4 cm in the longest diameter, determined radiologically) malignant tumors arising from the parotid gland from 1995 to 2016. The clinical and pathological factors were analyzed to identify risk factors for poor outcomes using Cox proportional hazard models. In addition, we designed a self-examination tool for parotid gland tumors, similar to breast self-examination for breast cancer detection. Results Patients with bulky parotid cancer showed 48.9% 5-year and 24.5% 10-year overall survival rates and a 47.9% risk of high-grade malignancy. The common pathological diagnoses were carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (18.3%), adenocarcinoma (16.7%), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (16.7%), salivary duct carcinoma (16.7%), and adenoid cystic carcinoma (11.7%). Survival analyses revealed that tumor size (hazard ratio, HR = 1.262 upon increase of 1 cm, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI 1.059–1.502), lymph node metastasis (HR = 2.999, 95%CI 1.048–8.583), and high tumor grade (HR = 4.148, 95%CI 1.215–14.154) were independent prognostic factors in multivariable analysis. Functional preservation of the facial nerve was possible only in less than half of patients. Conclusion In bulky PGC, lymph node metastasis at diagnosis and high tumor grade indicated poor survival outcomes, and functional outcomes of the facial nerve were suboptimal. Thus, a public effort seems to be necessary to decrease these patients with bulky PGC, and to increase patients’ self-awareness of their disease. As a way of early detection, we proposed a parotid self-examination tool to detect parotid gland tumors at an early stage, which is similar to breast self-examination.

Functional preservation of the facial nerve (FN) is essential in parotid tumor surgery. Recently, direct visualization of the FN in the parotid gland (double-echo steady-state sequence with water excitation magnetic resonance imaging [DESS-WE-MRI]) has been attempted with promising diagnostic accuracy. In this report, we present three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the FN course in two parotid gland tumor cases using DESS-WE-MRI images for the first time. One patient had a recurrent benign parotid gland tumor, while the other patient had a malignant parotid gland tumor. Regions-of-interest including the FN and the tumors were manually selected in each section ofthe DESS-WE-MRI images. The 3D renderings were then created with an In-Vesalius software. The FNs were well-demarcated to the temporofacial and cervicofacial branches. This virtual reconstruction of the FN nerve course can provide comprehensive and immediate understanding of the anatomical relationship between tumor and the FN, even for surgeons unaccustomed with DESS-WE-MRI images.

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRC) are important for lymph node (LN) structure and function. Here the authors show that the YAP/TAZ complex downstream of Hippo signalling regulates FRC commitment and maturation, with YAP/TAZ deficiency impairing FRC differentiation, while hyperactivation of YAZ/TAZ inducing myofibroblastic FRCs and LN fibrosis.

Abstract Background The reported incidence of facial weakness immediately after parotid tumor surgery ranges from 14 to 65%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative facial weakness related to parotidectomy with use of preoperative computed tomography (CT), intraoperative facial nerve monitoring, and surgical magnification. Also, we sought to elucidate additional information about risk factors for postoperative facial weakness in parotid tumor surgery, particularly focusing on the tumor subsites. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 794 cases with parotidectomy for benign and malignant tumors arising from the parotid gland (2009–2016). Patients with pretreatment facial palsy were excluded from the analyses. Tumor subsites were stratified based on their anatomical relations to the facial nerve as superficial, deep, or both. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for postoperative facial weakness. Results The overall incidences of temporary and permanent (more than 6 months) facial weakness were 9.2 and 5.2% in our series utilizing preoperative CT, intraoperative facial nerve monitoring, and surgical magnification. Multivariable analysis revealed that old age, malignancy, and recurrent tumors (revision surgery) were common independent risk factors for both temporary and permanent postoperative facial weakness. In addition, tumor subsite (tumors involving superficial and deep lobe) was associated with postoperative facial weakness, but not tumor size. Extent of surgery was strongly correlated with tumor pathology (malignant tumors) and tumor subsite (tumors involving deep lobe). Conclusion Aside from risk factors for facial weakness in parotid tumor surgery such as old age, malignant, or recurrent tumors, the location of tumors was found to be related to postoperative facial weakness. This study result may provide background data in a future prospective study and up-to-date information for patient counseling.

Surgery has long been a cornerstone of cancer treatment in many types of cancer. Traditionally, intraoperative assessment of the resection margin is largely dependent on visual inspection and palpation of tumors, with the aid of frozen section analysis. Although preoperative imaging can provide gross anatomical information, in situ translation of these images to the operation field is challenging. With the advancement of molecular imaging technology and its clinical application, the gap between preoperative radiologic images and surgical findings has been reduced through image-guided surgery. However, the imaging probes for intraoperative visualization of tumors are not individual tumor-specific. As conventional oncology has moved toward precision oncology with genomic and biological information specific to each tumor, image-guided surgery should also shift toward tumor biology-based image-guided surgery, so-called precision surgery for cancer. In precision cancer surgery, tumors should be analyzed molecularly and genetically to select the optimal imaging probes for individual tumors before surgical resection, beyond the use of predetermined imaging probes for certain types of cancer. This will raise the likelihood of meeting the surgical goals of cancer treatment. In summary, precision cancer surgery can be defined as individual tumor biology-based image-guided surgery.

Objectives Length of in-hospital stay (LOS) is often regarded as a surrogate marker of efficiency in medical care. A shorter stay can redistribute medical resources to more patients if patient outcomes would not be worsened. However, the adequate LOS remains largely understudied for a complex head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery and free flap reconstruction. Methods Active management of LOS (14-day LOS program) included detailed preoperative surgical planning, intensive wound care, postoperative early ambulation and positive psychological encouragement. It was applied to 43 patients undergoing HNC surgery and free flap reconstruction. Outcomes such as noninferior oncological results, rates of timely adjuvant treatments and complications were compared with those of 125 patients without active management of LOS. In addition, the medical costs of shortened LOS were compared with those of the control group. Cases undergoing HNC surgery as a salvage treatment were excluded from both groups for analyses. Results Active management of LOS resulted in less in-hospital period compared to the control group (15.0 vs. 21.0 days, P=0.001), and reduced medical costs significantly. Incidence of postoperative complications was comparable between the two groups. Oncological outcomes did not differ significantly according to LOS. In all patients in both groups, initial high T status (T3–4) and occurrence of postoperative complications were independent risk factors for long LOS (>30 days). Conclusion In patients undergoing HNC surgery with free flap reconstruction as an initial treatment, a 14-day LOS could be safe in terms of comparable oncological outcomes and postoperative complications. To achieve this goal safely, careful management for T3–4 tumors and prevention of postoperative complications seem to be necessary.

Background/Aims Clinical trials have not consistently supported the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. Hypopharynx and base of tongue (BOT) cancer has shown relatively poor survival. We investigated the role of IC in improving outcome over current chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with hypopharynx and BOT cancer. Methods Treatment-naïve patients with stage III/IV (M0) hypopharynx or BOT cancer were randomly assigned to receive CRT alone (CRT arm: cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on D1 3-weekly, two times plus radiotherapy 68.4 Gy/30 fractions on weekdays) versus two 21-day cycles of IC with TPF (docetaxel & cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on D1, and fluorouracil 75 mg/m2 on D1-4) followed by the same CRT regimen (IC arm). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results This study closed early after enrollment of 36 patients (19 in the CRT arm, 17 in the IC arm). After a median follow-up of 47.2 months, there was no significant difference in PFS: the median PFS was 26.8 months for the CRT arm and was not reached for the IC arm (p = 0.13). However, the survival curves were widely separated with a plateau after 3 years, suggesting a potential survival benefit from IC: 3-year PFS rates were 45% and 68%, and 3-year overall survival rates were 56% and 86%, in the CRT and IC arms, respectively. Conclusions This study failed to demonstrate that induction TPF chemotherapy improves survival in patients with BOT and hypopharynx cancer. However, it suggested a favorable outcome with IC to this population.

Purpose: Salivary gland cancer (SGC) in the oral cavity is not common and has been less studied in comparison with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SGC in the oral cavity compared with oral SCC.Methods: The medical charts of the patients with SGC (N = 68) arising from minor salivary glands and SCC (N = 750) in the oral cavity between 1995 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical and pathological factors and treatment outcomes were compared to identify clinical differences between oral SGC and SCC in total cases and in tumor size and subsite (propensity score)-matched pairs (N = 68 in each group). In addition, pattern of local invasion was pathologically assessed in a subset of SGC and SCC tumors.Results: Patients with SGC in the oral cavity showed >90% survival at 5 years. Most common pathologies of SGC were mucoepidermoid carcinoma (39.7%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (35.3%), where high-grade tumors (including adenoid cystic carcinomas having solid components, grade 2 or 3) represented only 36.8%. Compared with oral SCC, surgery for SGC had narrow surgical safety margin. However, local control was very successful in SGC even with

Two isoforms of the 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase, S6K1 and S6K2, have been identified and are considered key downstream effectors of the mTOR signaling pathway, which is involved in tumor growth and progression. However, their biological roles in the tumor microenvironment are poorly understood. In this study, utilizing tumor xenograft models in S6k1−/− and S6k2−/− mice, we show that loss of S6K1 but not S6K2 in the tumor stroma suppresses tumor growth, accompanied by attenuated tumor angiogenesis. We found that while S6K1 depletion had no effect on the proangiogenic phenotype of endothelial cells, the growth and angiogenesis of tumor xenografts were significantly reduced in wild-type mice upon reconstitution with S6K1-deficient bone marrow cells. Furthermore, upon S6K1 loss, induction of both mRNA and protein levels of Hif-1α and those of the downstream target, Vegf, was compromised in bone marrow–derived macrophages stimulated with lactate. These findings indicate that S6K1 but not S6K2 contributes to establishing a microenvironment that favors tumor growth through mediating angiogenesis, and suggest that attenuated tumor angiogenesis upon loss of S6K1 in the tumor stroma is, at least in part, attributable to impaired upregulation of Vegf in tumor-associated macrophages.

Abstract Background Skin engraftment of intraoral defects is known to be inconsistent due to mobility of the oral structure, uneven wounds, and accumulation of saliva under the skin graft. To improve the success rate of oral skin graft, we proposed a novel and simple dressing technique for intraoral skin graft to control saliva accumulation, in comparison with the conventional bolster dressing. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients reconstructed with skin graft in their intraoral defect. The patients were divided into two groups; conventional bolster group (n = 21) and modified bolster group (n = 10). In the modified bolster group, a polyvinyl alcohol sponge was designed to fit the skin graft and a suction drain was inserted with tagging suture to apply continuous suction. We analyzed the success rate, the size of the skin grafts and clinical variables of each method. Results The overall success rate of oral skin graft was not different between the two groups (90.0 and 90.5%). However, partial necrosis in the engrafted skin was observed frequently in the control group (57.1% versus 20.0%). The relative engrafted area was significantly higher in the modified bolster group (55.0 ± 11.6% versus 23.0 ± 18.7%, p = 0.015). The duration of bolster dressing and the time to start an oral diet were shorter in the modified bolster group. Conclusions Our modified method could be easily applied for removing saliva accumulation under a skin graft and for enhancing skin engraftment of an oral cavity wound.

Abstract Background The prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, it is currently unclear which cutoff values of NLR could consistently and independently differentiate HNSCC patients to better and worse prognosis groups. Methods We performed a meta-analysis of prognostic significance of pretreatment NLR values, using data extracted from 24 relevant articles. Main outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in HNSCC patients. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using the random effect model for outcomes. Impacts of NLR cutoff values across the studies were assessed with a meta-regression analysis. Results were validated using an independent data set of patients (n = 540). Results Pretreatment high NLR values above the cutoff were significantly associated with shorter OS (HR = 1.96, 95%CI = 1.66–2.31) and DFS (HR = 1.90, 95%CI = 1.41–2.54). Of note, NLR cutoffs ranging from 1.9 to 6.0 did not affect HR of OS or DFS in meta-regression analyses. In an independent cohort, any NLR cutoff between 2 and 6 produced significant HR of OS, similarly. Instead of binary cutoffs, three subgroups of NLR (

Abstract Background High-grade salivary gland cancer is a distinct clinical entity that has aggressive disease progression and early systemic spread. However, because of the rarity of the disease, the clinical outcomes, prognostic factors and clinical decision on the optimal treatments have not been fully understood. Methods In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 124 patients with high-grade salivary gland cancers and performed multivariate survival analyses to evaluate the clinico-pathological factors affecting the treatment outcomes. Results The 5-year disease-specific survival was 63.4% in patients with high-grade salivary gland cancers. Among the clinico-pathological factors, presence of lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio 5.63, 95% confidence interval 2.64–12.03, P

PURPOSE:The prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells (CTC) on disease recurrence, progression and survivals in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been adequately described. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of the presence of CTC on loco-regional recurrence and survival of HNSCC patients by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS:A comprehensive search for articles published between 1990 and 2016 was conducted and data from these studies were extracted, using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. The main outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of HNSCC patients. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using the random effect model for outcomes. The quality of the studies, heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed with the appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS:Six eligible studies with 429 patients were identified. The presence of CTC was significantly associated shorter RFS (HR = 4.88 [95%CI: 1.93-12.35], P < 0.001). However, it could not predict patients' OS (HR = 1.92 [95%CI: 0.93-3.96], P = 0.078). The following analyses using univariable values of each study also made the similar results (HR = 1.70 [95%CI: 0.83-3.45] for OS, HR = 3.79 [95%CI: 2.02-7.13] for RFS). Heterogeneity and publication bias were not significant, except one enrolled study. CONCLUSIONS:The presence of CTC is not a significant prognostic indicator for OS of patients with HNSCC, although it could reflect the outcomes of loco-regional disease.

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in many solid cancers is a well-known prognostic factor; however, it has been debated whether regional LNM simply reflects tumor aggressiveness or is a source for further tumor dissemination. Similarly, the metastatic process in head and neck cancer (HNC) has not been fully evaluated. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relative significance of LNM in metastatic cascade of HNC using functional imaging of HNC patients and molecular imaging in in vivo models. First, we analyzed 18Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) parameters of 117 patients with oral cancer. The primary tumor and nodal PET parameters were measured separately, and survival analyses were conducted on the basis of clinical and PET variables to identify significant prognostic factors. In multivariate analyses, we found that only the metastatic node PET values were significant. Next, we compared the relative frequency of lung metastasis in primary ear tumors versus lymph node (LN) tumors, and we tested the rate of lung metastasis in another animal model, in which each animal had both primary and LN tumors that were expressing different colors. As a result, LN tumors showed higher frequencies of lung metastasis compared to orthotopic primary tumors. In color-matched comparisons, the relative contribution to lung metastasis was higher in LN tumors than in primary tumors, although both primary and LN tumors caused lung metastases. In summary, tumors growing in the LN microenvironment spread to systemic sites more commonly than primary tumors in HNC, suggesting that the adequate management of LNM can reduce further systemic metastasis.

ObjectivesAdvancements in medical endoscopy and techniques of rigid bronchoscopy for foreign body removal have enabled higher diagnostic accuracy, reduced morbidity and precise manipulation. However, in pediatric patients, endoscope-combined forceps may be too big to fit into the small sized airway. Here we present our method of endoscope assisted rigid bronchoscopy in pediatric patients and compare the clinical benefits with conventional naked-eye rigid bronchoscopy.MethodsWe used a 2.7 mm, 0° straight endoscope and small caliber grasping forceps with 3.0 to 4.5 mm sized rigid bronchoscopy for very young (

ObjectivesTo introduce a new injection material for vocal fold diseases, which could be readily translated to clinical practice, we investigated the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on the injured vocal fold in terms of histological recovery.MethodsBlood samples were drawn from New Zealand White rabbits and PRP was isolated through centrifugation and separation of the samples. Using a CO2 laser, we made a linear wound in the 24 vocal fold sides of 12 rabbits and injected each wound with PRP on one vocal fold side and normal saline (NS) on the other. Morphologic analyses were conducted at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after injection, and inflammatory response, collagen deposit, and changes in growth factors were assessed using H&E and masson trichrome (MT) staining and western blot assay.ResultsPRP was prepared in approximately 40 minutes. The mean platelet concentration was 1,315,000 platelets/mm3. In morphological analyses, decreased granulation was observed in the PRP-injected vocal folds (P

Gastroesophageal reflux is associated with numerous pathologic conditions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Gastric pepsin within reflux contributes to immunologic reactions in the tonsil. In this study, we aimed to find the relationships between pepsin and tonsillar hypertrophy.We explored the notion whether tonsillar hypertrophy was due to pepsin-mediated gastric reflux in tonsil hypertrophy. Fifty-four children with tonsil hypertrophy and 30 adults with tonsillitis were recruited before surgical treatment. Blood and tonsil tissues from each patient were harvested for analysis of changes in lymphocyte and macrophage numbers coupled with histological and biochemical analysis. Pepsin was expressed at different levels in tonsil tissues from each tonsillar hypertrophy. Pepsin-positive cells were found in the crypt epithelium, surrounding the lymphoid follicle with developing fibrosis, and also surrounding the lymphoid follicle that faced the crypt. And also, pepsin staining was well correlated with damaged tonsillar squamous epithelium and TGF-β1 and iNOS expression in the tonsil section. In addition, pepsin and TGF-β1-positive cells were co-localized with CD68-positive cells in the crypt and surrounding germinal centers. In comparison of macrophage responsiveness to pepsin, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were noticeably larger in the presence of activated pepsin in the child group. Furthermore, CD11c and CD163-positive cells were significantly increased by activated pepsin. However, this was not seen for the culture of PBMNCs from the adult group.The lymphocytes and monocytes are in a highly proliferative state in the tonsillar hypertrophy and associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory factors as a result of exposure to stomach reflux pepsin.

ObjectivesThe authors would report the results of definitive radiation therapy (RT) for early glottic cancer by two different radiation dose schedules.MethodsFrom February of 1995 till June of 2008, 157 patients with T1-2N0 glottic cancer were treated with curative RT at Samsung Medical Center. All patients had squamous cell carcinoma, and there were 89 patients (56.7%) with T1a, 36 (22.9%) with T1b, and 32 (20.4%) with T2. Two different radiation dose schedules were used: 70 Gy in 35 fractions to 64 patients (40.8%, group A); and 67.5 Gy in 30 fractions to 93 patients (59.2%, group B). The median treatment durations were 50 days (range, 44 to 59 days) and 44 days (range, 40 to 67 days) in the groups A and B, respectively.ResultsThe median follow-up durations were 85 and 45 months for the groups A and B. No severe late complication of RTOG grade 3 or higher was observed, and there was no difference in acute or chronic complication between the groups. Twenty-four patients experienced treatment failure: local recurrence only in 19 patients; regional recurrence only in one; combined local and regional recurrence in four; and systemic metastasis in none. The overall 5-year disease-free survival and disease-specific survival rates were 84.7% and 94.8%. The disease-free survival rate in the group B was better (78.3% vs. 90.8%, P=0.031). This difference was significant only in T1 stage (83.4% vs. 94.6%, P=0.025), but not in T2 (62.7% vs. 60.6%, P=0.965). Univariate analysis showed that the tumor extent, cord mobility, T-stage, and the dose schedule had significant influence on the disease-free survival, and multivariate analysis showed that only the tumor extent and the dose schedule were associated with the disease-free survival.ConclusionSuperior disease-free survival could be achieved by 2.25 Gy per fraction without increased toxicity over shorter RT duration, when compared with 2.0 Gy per fraction.

ObjectivesThis is to report treatment results of major salivary gland cancer by surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy (PORT).MethodsBetween March 1995 and January 2006, 94 patients with primary major salivary cancer underwent curative surgical resection at Samsung Medical Center. The parotid gland was the most commonly involved (73, 77.7%), followed by the submandibular and the sublingual. Neck dissection was added in 28 patients, and PORT was individually recommended to those with risk factors. Seventy-five (79.8%) patients received PORT. PORT volume included primary tumor bed and pathologically involved regional lymphatics, and no additional effort was made for elective nodal irradiation. The median total doses were 56.0 Gy to primary site and 58.7 Gy to regional lymphatics.ResultsAfter median follow-up of 49 months, 21 patients had relapsed: 20 in PORT; and one in surgery alone group. As the first site of failure, distant metastasis was the most common (17 patients). Local recurrence occurred in three, and regional relapse in one. The lung was the most common site (10 patients), followed by the bone, and the brain. Five-yr disease free survival (DFS), local control, and overall survival (OS) rates were 74.4% and 94.7%, 96.0% and 100%, and 78.2% and 100% in PORT and surgery alone groups, respectively. On multivariate analysis, DFS was significantly affected by pN+ (hazard ratio [HR], 3.624; P=0.0319), while OS was by pN+ (HR, 7.138; P=0.0034) and perineural invasion (HR, 5.073; P=0.0187).ConclusionBased on our experience, the patients with early stage major salivary gland cancer with low risk can be effectively treated by surgery alone, and those who with risk factors can achieve excellent local and regional control by adding PORT. Omitting elective neck irradiation in patients with N0 disease seems a feasible strategy under accurate clinical evaluation. An effort is needed to decrease distant metastasis through further clinical trials.

ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to determine whether 18F-FDG-PET/CT (PET/CT) scans provide additional diagnostic information in addition to the direct laryngoscopic examination (L/E) and contrast-enhanced CT (CT) in patients with glottic cancer during the initial evaluation.MethodsFifty-five consecutive patients with glottic cancer of the larynx that had L/E, CT and PET/CT were enrolled. The diagnostic value of each modality was compared for their accuracy in predicting the extent of the primary tumors on sub-site based analysis and the final tumor staging. The reference standards were either the surgical pathology findings or clinical/radiological follow-up outcome. Changes in patient care based on PET/CT results were compared with the treatment decisions based on L/E with CT.ResultsFor primary tumor sub-site based analysis, the sensitivity was significantly higher for L/E (92.8%) than for PET/CT (79.4%, P=0.028). The comparisons between L/E vs. CT and CT vs. PET/CT did not reach statistical significance. As an initial tumor-staging method the L/E had a diagnostic accuracy of 76.4%, compared to 61.8% for CT and 41.8% for PET/CT. The L/E and CT were better than the PET/CT (P=0.0009 and 0.049) for the initial TNM staging. PET/CT scanning changed the clinical decision-making based on the L/E with CT results in 12.7% of cases, of whom 5.5% had no additional PET/CT related benefit.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that PET/CT imaging added no clinical information benefit compared to the L/E and CT for the initial evaluation of patients with glottic cancer.

Purpose Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are relatively rare but comprise various histologic subtypes, which complicates design of prospective trials. Systemic chemotherapy plays a limited role in treatment of SGCs, but cisplatin and docetaxel showed efficacy in a previous preclinical study. Here, we conduct a prospective, phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of cisplatin plus weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic or recurrent SGC. Materials and Methods We included patients with histologically confirmed SGCs of the following subtypes: mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, ductal carcinoma, or adenoid cystic carcinoma. Patients had no prior systemic chemotherapy for metastatic or recurrent tumors and at least one measurable lesion. Patients were treated with docetaxel 35 mg/m² (D1, 8) and cisplatin 70 mg/ m2 (D1) every 21 days. Results Forty-one patients were enrolled between April 2014 and October 2020. The median age was 58 years (range, 32 to 73 years). The most common histologic subtype was adenoid cystic carcinoma (63.4%), followed by ductal carcinoma (24.4%). The most common metastatic site was the lung (75.6%). The median treatment cycle was 5.5 (range, 3 to 8), and the objective response rate was 46.3%, with three complete responses. The median duration of response was 6.8 months (interquartile range, 4.0 to 10.2). The progression-free survival and overall survival were 9.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.4 to 10.5) and 28.2 months (95% CI, 22.7 to 33.6), respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (4.9%) and fatigue (4.9%). Conclusion Cisplatin plus weekly docetaxel is effective and tolerable with manageable toxicity as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic or recurrent SGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]