Search

Background: xCT, also known as SLC7A11 (solute carrier Family 7 Member 11), is a cystine/glutamate antiporter protein that mediates regulated cell death and antioxidant defense. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of xCT on the outcome of patients diagnosed with new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized a population‐based dataset, comprising all patients (n = 1033) diagnosed with new HNSCC during 2005–2015 in a population of 697,000 people. All patients (n = 585) with a tumor tissue sample available for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were included. The follow‐up rates were 97% and 81% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Also, the specificity of the anti‐xCT antibody was validated. Results: The expression level and prognostic significance of xCT were strongly dependent on tumor location. In oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients, xCT expression was a significant prognostic factor for 5‐year overall survival (OAS) (HR: 2.71; 95% CI 1.67–4.39; p < 0.001), disease‐specific survival (DSS) (HR: 2.58; 95% CI 1.47–4.54; p = 0.001), and disease‐free survival (DFS) (HR: 2.69; 95% CI 1.55–4.64; p < 0.001). Five‐year survival rates for OPSCC patients with high and low levels of xCT were OAS 34% versus 62%; DSS 51% versus 73%; DFS 43% versus 73%, respectively. According to a multivariate model adjusted for age, T‐class, nodal positivity, and tobacco consumption, xCT was an independent prognostic factor for 3‐year survival, in which it outperformed p16 IHC. Similar associations were not observed in squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity or larynx. Regarding treatment modalities, xCT was most predictive in HNSCC patients who received radiotherapy. Conclusions: High xCT expression was associated with poor prognosis in OPSCC. Our findings suggest that joint analysis of xCT and p16 may add significant value in OPSCC treatment stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric neck infections and their complications, such as abscesses extending to deep neck compartments, are potentially life-threatening acute conditions. Medical imaging aims to verify abscesses and their extensions and exclude other complications. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be a useful and highly accurate imaging method in acute neck infections in children. Children and adults differ in terms of the types of acute infections and the anatomy and function of the neck. This pictorial review summarizes typical findings in pediatric patients with neck infections and discusses some difficulties related to image interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. We investigated the lengths and factors associated with patient, primary health care (PHC), and specialist care (SC) delays in T3–T4 oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer. Methods: A nationwide prospective questionnaire‐based study (n = 203) with the 3‐year long data collection period. Results: The median patient, PHC and SC delays were 58, 13, and 43 days, respectively. Lower level of education, heavy alcohol use, hoarseness, difficulties breathing, and eventual palliative treatment associated with a longer patient delay. A lump on the neck or facial swelling associated with a shorter PHC delay. Conversely, if symptoms were treated as an infection, PHC delay was longer. The treatment modality and tumor site affected SC delay. Conclusions: Patient delay stands as the most notable factor contributing to delays before treatment. HNC symptom awareness thus remains especially important among HNC risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Oto-Laryngologica is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)