Antiresorptive therapy in combination with radiation results in enhanced risk for necrosis and associated complicatifions

OBJECTIVE

Patients exposed to a combination of antiresorptive medication and radiotherapy of the head and neck area developing necrosis of the jaw in the course of treatment are extremely rare. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the outcome and complications in this highly vulnerable patient cohort.

STUDY DESIGN

Seventeen patients who received both antiresorptive treatment and radiotherapy (medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw/osteoradionecrosis = the [MRONJ/ORN] group) in the head and neck area were enrolled in this study. Included patients were treated in our department between 2005 and 2022. Four hundred twenty-four patients with MRONJ (the MRONJ group) and 138 patients with ORN of the jaw were enrolled as two control groups (the ORN group). Demographic data, lesion localization, date of primary diagnosis, clinical symptoms, type of therapy (surgical or non-surgical), details on antiresorptive treatment, outcome, and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Pathological fractures, continuity resection, and recurrence appear more often in patients who receive a combination of antiresorptive treatment and radiotherapy in the head and neck area compared with patients undergoing only one of these treatments. There was a statistically significant difference (P < .001) between the MRONJ/ORN group and the MRONJ group and the MRONJ/ORN group and the ORN group considering recurrence, fracture, and continuity resection. Patients with ORN combined with MRONJ have a 4-times higher risk for developing recurrence compared with patients with MRONJ and a 1.5-times higher risk for recurrence compared with patients with ORN. Jaw fracture and continuity resection appear more often in patients with MRONJ/ORN.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients under antiresorptive therapy in combination with radiation therapy in the head and neck area have a higher risk for developing complications in case of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Therefore, a strict follow-up care schedule is highly recommended.

Unilateral Neck Treatment with either Surgery and/or Radiotherapy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma for the Tonsil

INTRODUCTION

Strategies for treatment of tonsil carcinoma are under active investigation. Limiting surgical and radiation treatment volumes to the primary tumor and ipsilateral neck in appropriately selected patients are one such approach. Here, we present our institutional experience with treatment through ipsilateral surgical or radiotherapeutic neck management.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database of patients with tonsil carcinoma treated from 2012 to 2020. Patients were included for analysis if they received definitive radiation therapy (RT), definitive surgery (S), or surgery with postoperative radiation therapy (S-PORT) and whose treatment volumes were limited to the primary tumor and involved/elective ipsilateral neck. Patients who received radiation and/or surgery to the contralateral neck (including those with bilateral nodal involvement), as well as patients with metastatic disease, were excluded. Clinical factors including T- and N-stage (AJCC 7th edition), and HPV status (by p16 and/or HPV DNA PCR) were recorded, as were pathologic factors (when applicable) including margin status, extracapsular extension (ECE), lymphovascular invasion (LVSI), and perineural invasion (PNI). Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional control (LRC) at 2 years were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

In total, 71 patients were treated with unilateral neck approaches: S (n = 49), RT (n = 10), and S+PORT (n = 12). Among these patients, 32, 36, and 3 had T1, T2, and T3 disease, respectively. N-stage was N0, N1, N2a, N2b, and N3 in 22, 20, 5, 23, and 1 patient(s), respectively. Concurrent chemotherapy was administered in 12 patients. From those with recorded risk factors, 86% were HPV positive, 20% had LVSI, 7% had PNI, 13% had ECE, and 5% had positive margins. From a median follow-up of 27 months, local, regional, and distant failures occurred in 5, 6, and 5 patients, respectively. No contralateral neck failures were recorded. At 2 years, OS, PFS, and LRC were 92% (95% CI 85-99%), 85% (95% CI 75-95%), and 88% (95% CI 80-98%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with early T-stage tonsil carcinoma, treatment of the primary tumor and ipsilateral neck is associated with acceptable OS, PFS, and LRC. In this population, the risk of contralateral neck failure is likely very low regardless of primary treatment modality. Additional prospective studies are needed to determine the impact of limiting treatment extent, either surgical or radiotherapeutic, to the unilateral neck.

Association of ipsilateral radiation therapy with contralateral lymph node failure in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ipsilateral neck radiotherapy (INRT) is controversial in some patients with oral cavity cancer due to concern for contralateral neck failure (CNF).

METHODS

A systematic review was performed and data were extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Outcomes were the rate of CNF following INRT and the rates of CNF by AJCC 7th ed. tumor and nodal staging.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies consisting of 1825 patients were identified. Among the 805 patients treated with INRT, the rate of CNF was 5.7%. Patients with T4 tumors constituted 56% of all CNF cases. The rate of CNF increased by N stage (N0: 1.2%; N1: 3.8%; N2-N3: 17.4%) and was significantly higher for patients with N2-N3 than N0-N1 disease (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

INRT is associated with an overall low risk of CNF in well-selected patients with N0-N1 disease. Patients with N2-3 and/or T4 disease should receive bilateral RT due to increased risk of CNF following INRT.

Low contralateral neck recurrence risk with ipsilateral neck radiotherapy in N2b tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To characterize factors including nodal burden, pre-treatment imaging, and other patient factors which may influence the role of ipsilateral neck radiotherapy (IRT) in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with multiple involved ipsilateral nodes.

METHODS

Patients with cT1-2N0-2bM0 (AJCC 7th edition) tonsillar SCC treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT) at Duke University Medical Center from 1/1/1990-10/1/2019 were identified. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were compared between those that received bilateral neck RT (BRT) versus IRT. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was estimated with Kaplan-Meier method. A subset analysis of patients with N2b disease was performed. Patterns of recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

120 patients with cT1-2N0-2b tonsillar SCC were identified, including 71 with N2b disease (BRT: n = 30; IRT: n = 41). Median follow-up was 80 months (range: 7-209). No N2b patients who received IRT had > 1 cm of soft palate/base of tongue extension. N2b patients treated with IRT had a median of 3 (range 2-9) involved lymph nodes, with median largest nodal dimension of 2.8 cm (range 1.3-4.8 cm). 93 % of N2b patients who received IRT had staging by PET/CT, and 100 % received IMRT. For N2b patients treated with IRT, there were no contralateral neck recurrences, and 10 year RFS was 95 % (95 % CI 82 %-98 %).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients treated with IRT for well-lateralized N2b tonsillar SCC, we observed high rates of local control with no observed contralateral neck recurrence. These data suggest that BRT is not universally necessary for patients with multiple involved ipsilateral nodes, particularly in the setting of baseline staging with PET/CT.

Association of Unilateral Radiotherapy With Contralateral Lymph Node Failure Among Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsil: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Ipsilateral neck radiotherapy (RT) is controversial in some patients with tonsil cancer due to concern for nodal failure within the contralateral nonirradiated neck (hereinafter referred to as contralateral neck failure [CNF]).

Objective

To determine the rate of CNF following ipsilateral neck RT in patients with tonsil cancer.

Data Sources

Databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were queried for peer-reviewed, English language articles published between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2021.

Study Selection

Studies reporting rates of CNF from at least 20 patients treated with ipsilateral neck RT. Studies were excluded if they lacked full text, reported results from databases or systematic reviews, or did not provide RT details.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data were extracted following the PRISMA reporting guideline. Study quality was assessed using criteria from a methodological index for nonrandomized studies. Pooled outcomes were estimated using random-effects models.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcome was the pooled rate of CNF following ipsilateral neck RT. Secondary outcomes were the pooled rates of CNF by tumor and nodal staging categories from the 7th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual and rates of toxic effects.

Results

A total of 17 studies (16 retrospective and 1 prospective) including 1487 unique patients were identified. The pooled risk of CNF was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.2%-2.6%). The rate of CNF by tumor (T) category was as follows: 1.3% (95% CI, 0.3%-2.3%) for T1; 3.0% (95% CI, 1.6%-4.4%) for T2; 11.3% (95% CI, 3.3%-19.2%) for T3; and 16.0% (95% CI, -7.8% to 39.8%) for T4. Patients with T3 to T4 tumors had a significantly higher rate of CNF than those with T1 to T2 tumors (11.5% [95% CI, 3.9%-19.1%] vs 1.8% [95% CI, 1.0%-2.6%]; P < .001). The rate of CNF by nodal (N) category was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-2.2%) for N0; 4.8% (95% CI, 2.4%-7.2%) for N1; 3.1% (95% CI, 0.4%-5.8%) for N2a; 3.1% (95% CI, 1.2%-4.9%) for N2b; and 0 (95% CI, not applicable) for N3. Rates of CNF were similar for patients with N2b to N3 and N0 to N2a disease (3.0% [95% CI, 1.2%-4.7%] vs 1.7% [95% CI, 0.6%-2.8%], respectively; P = .07). Compared with bilateral RT, ipsilateral RT was associated with increased risk of CNF (log odds ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 0.09-2.48]; P = .04). The crude rates of xerostomia of grade 3 or greater and feeding tube use were 0.9% (95% CI, -0.2% to 1.9%) and 13.3% (95% CI, 8.3%-18.3%), respectively.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, ipsilateral neck RT was associated with a low rate of CNF in patients with small, lateralized tonsil cancers. Bilateral neck RT was associated with lower risk of CNF compared with ipsilateral neck RT. Patients with tumors of a higher T category were at increased risk for CNF following ipsilateral neck RT, and advanced nodal stage was not associated with CNF. Rates of toxic effects appeared favorable in patients treated with ipsilateral neck RT.

Human Papillomavirus-Related Non-Metastatic Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Current Local Treatment Options and Future Perspectives

Over the last two decades, human papillomavirus (HPV) has caused a new pandemic of cancer in many urban areas across the world. The new entity, HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), has been at the center of scientific attention ever since, not only due to its distinct biological behavior, but also because of its significantly better prognosis than observed in its HPV-negative counterpart. The very good treatment outcomes of the disease after primary therapy (minimally-invasive surgery, radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy) resulted in the creation of a separate staging system, reflecting this excellent prognosis. A substantial proportion of newly diagnosed HPV-driven OPSCC is diagnosed in stage I or II, where long-term survival is observed worldwide. Deintensification of the primary therapeutic methods, aiming at a reduction of long-term toxicity in survivors, has emerged, and the quality of life of the patient after treatment has become a key-point in many clinical trials. Current treatment recommendations for the treatment of HPV-driven OPSCC do not differ significantly from HPV-negative OPSCC; however, the results of randomized trials are eagerly awaited and deemed necessary, in order to include deintensification into standard clinical practice.

Unilateral Radiation Therapy for Tonsillar Cancer: Treatment Outcomes in the Era of Human Papillomavirus, Positron-Emission Tomography, and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to evaluate disease, survival, and toxic effects after unilateral radiation therapy treatment for tonsillar cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective study was performed of patients treated at our institution within the period from 2000 to 2018. Summary statistics were used to assess the cohort by patient characteristics and treatments delivered. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine survival outcomes.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 403 patients, including 343 (85%) with clinical and/or radiographic evidence of ipsilateral cervical nodal disease and 181 (45%) with multiple involved nodes. Human papillomavirus was detected in 294 (73%) tumors. Median follow-up time was 5.8 years. Disease relapse was infrequent with local recurrence in 9 (2%) patients, neck recurrence in 13 (3%) patients, and recurrence in the unirradiated contralateral neck in 9 (2%) patients. Five- and 10-year overall survival rates were 94% and 89%, respectively. Gastrostomy tubes were needed in 32 (9%) patients, and no patient had a feeding tube 6 months after therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with well-lateralized tonsillar tumors and no clinically evident adenopathy of the contralateral neck, unilateral radiation therapy offers favorable rates of disease outcomes and a relatively low toxicity profile.

A Rational Approach to Unilateral Neck RT for Head and Neck Cancers in the Era of Immunotherapy

Radiotherapy plays an important role in the definitive and adjuvant treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, standard courses of radiation therapy may contribute to the depletion of circulating lymphocytes and potentially attenuate optimal tumor antigen presentation that may be detrimental to the efficacy of novel immunotherapeutic agents. This review explores the advantages of restricting radiation to the primary tumor/tumor bed and ipsilateral elective neck as it pertains to the evolving field of immunotherapy.

Unilateral versus bilateral nodal irradiation: Current evidence in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Cancers of the head and neck region often present with nodal involvement. There is a long-standing convention within the community of head and neck radiation oncology to irradiate both sides of the neck electively in almost all cases to include both macroscopic and microscopic disease extension (so called elective nodal volume). International guidelines for the selection and delineation of the elective lymph nodes were published in the early 2000s and were updated recently. However, diagnostic imaging techniques have improved the accuracy and reliability of nodal staging and as a result, small metastases that used to remain undetected and were thus in the past included in the elective nodal volume, will now be included in high-dose volumes. Furthermore, the elective nodal areas are situated close to the parotid glands, the submandibular glands and the swallowing muscles. Therefore, irradiation of a smaller, more selected volume of the elective nodes could reduce treatment-related toxicity. Several researchers consider the current bilateral elective neck irradiation strategies an overtreatment and show growing interest in a unilateral nodal irradiation in selected patients. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the current evidence about the indications and benefits of unilateral nodal irradiation and the use of SPECT/CT-guided nodal irradiation in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Comparing unilateral vs. bilateral neck management in lateralized oropharyngeal cancer between surgical and radiation oncologists: An international practice pattern survey

BACKGROUND

Management of the neck in oropharyngeal carcinoma varies due to a lack of clarity of patterns of lymphatic drainage and concern of failure in the contralateral neck. With recent advances in transoral surgical techniques, surgical management has become increasingly prevalent as the primary treatment modality. We compare international practice patterns between surgical and radiation oncologists.

METHODS

A survey of neck management practice patterns was developed and pilot tested by 6 experts. The survey comprised items eliciting the nature of clinical practice, as well as patterns of neck management depending on extent of nodal disease and location and extent of primary site disease. Proportions of surgical and radiation oncologists treating the neck bilaterally were compared using the chi-squared statistic.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and twenty-two responses were received from 172 surgical oncologists, 44 radiation oncologists, 3 medical oncologists, and 3 non-oncologists from 32 different countries. For tongue base cancers within 1 cm of midline (67% vs. 100%, p < 0.001), and for tonsil cancers with extension to the medial 1/3 of the soft palate (65% vs. 100%, p < 0.001) or tongue base (77% vs. 100%, p < 0.001), surgical oncologists were less likely to treat the neck bilaterally. For isolated tonsil fossa cancers with no nodal disease, both surgical and radiation oncologists were similarly likely to treat unilaterally (99% vs. 97%, p = NS). However, with increasing nodal burden, radiation oncologists were more likely to treat bilaterally for scenarios with a single node < 3 cm (15% vs. 2%, p < 0.001), a single node with extranodal extension (41% vs. 18%, p < 0.001), multiple positive nodes (55% vs. 23% p < 0.001), and node(s) > 6 cm (86% vs. 33%, p < 0.001). For tumors with midline extension, even with a negative PET in the contralateral neck, the majority of surgical and radiation oncologists would still treat the neck bilaterally (53% and 84% respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates significant practice pattern variability for management of the neck in patients with lateralized oropharyngeal carcinoma. Surgical oncologists are less likely to treat the neck bilaterally, regardless of tumor location or nodal burden. Even in the absence of disease in the contralateral neck on imaging, them majority of practitioners are likely to treat bilaterally when the disease approaches midline.

Ipsilateral radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil: American Radium Society appropriate use criteria executive summary

BACKGROUND

We conducted the current systemic review to provide up-to-date literature summary and optimal evidence-based recommendations for ipsilateral radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil.

METHODS

We performed literature search of peer-reviewed journals through PubMed. The search strategy and subject-specific keywords were developed based on the expert panel's consensus. Articles published from January 2000 to May 2020 with full text available on PubMed and restricted to the English language and human subjects were included. Several prespecified search terms were used to identify relevant publications and additional evidence published since the initial American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria Ipsilateral Tonsil Radiation recommendation was finalized in 2012. The full bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed and irrelevant studies were removed.

RESULTS

The initial search and review returned 46 citations. The authors added three citations from bibliographies, websites, or books not found in the literature search. Of the 49 citations, 30 citations were retained for further detailed review, and 14 of them were added to the evidence table. Articles were removed from the bibliography if they were not relevant or generalizable to the topic, or focused on unknown primary disease. Several commonly encountered clinical case variants were created and panelists anonymously rated each treatment recommendation. The results were reviewed and disagreements discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The panel provided updated evidence and recommendations for ipsilateral radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil in the setting of primary radiation-based therapy and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. This committee did not reach agreements for some case variants due to a lack of strong evidence supporting specific treatment decisions, indicating a further need for research in these topics.

Phase II study of de-intensified intensity-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin/5-fluorouracil in lateralized p16-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

To assess cancer control and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after de-intensified intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in lateralized p16-associated oropharyngeal cancer (p16-OPC).

METHODS

Lateralized p16-OPC treated with radiotherapy and concurrent Carboplatin/5-fluorouracil between 2011 and 2014 were enrolled. De-intensified IMRT consisted in elective neck dose of 43.2 Gy/24 fractions and omission of contralateral retropharyngeal/level IV nodes. PROs were assessed using the EORTC QLC-C30 and QLQ-HN35 scales.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were included. Median follow-up was 44 months. As per AJCC 7th Ed, 7%, 83% and 10% of patients had stage III, IVa and IVb. 5-year locoregional control and overall survival rates were 100% and 100%, respectively. Rates of acute were 52% and 35%, respectively. At 2 years post-treatment, 50% and 14% of patients had grade 1 xerostomia and dysgueusia, respectively. Most PROs scores returned to baseline within 8 months post-treatment.

CONCLUSION

De-intensified IMRT was associated with excellent cancer outcomes, and rapid recovery of PROs in lateralized p16-OPC.

A Review of Controversial Issues in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer: A Swiss Multidisciplinary and Multi-Institutional Patterns of Care Study-Part 2 (Radiation Oncology)

Background: The Head and Neck Cancer Working Group of Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) has investigated the level of consensus (LOC) and discrepancy in everyday practice of diagnosis and treatment in head and neck cancer.

Materials and Methods: An online survey was iteratively generated with 10 Swiss university and teaching hospitals. LOC below 50% was defined as no agreement, while higher LOC were arbitrarily categorized as low (51–74%), moderate (75–84%), and high (≥85%).

Results: Any LOC was achieved in 62% of topics (n = 60). High, moderate, and low LOC were found in 18, 20, and 23%, respectively. Regarding Head and Neck Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and biomarkers, LOC was achieved in 50, 57, 83, and 43%, respectively.

Conclusions: Consensus on clinical topics is rather low for surgeons and radiation oncologists. The questions discussed might highlight discrepancies, stimulate standardization of practice, and prioritize topics for future clinical research.

Regional Radiation Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer in the HPV Era

Oropharyngeal carcinoma associated with the human papillomavirus is increasing in incidence and represents a unique head and neck disease with favorable treatment outcomes. This review evaluates the evolving role of radiotherapy in regional management with an overall goal of treatment de-escalation in the appropriate patient. Determining the optimal approach and selection factors for treatment de-escalation is under active investigation. Response to induction chemotherapy, refining adverse pathologic factors after a primary surgical approach, decreasing radiation dose with or without chemotherapy in the definitive or adjuvant settings as well as more selective nodal level irradiation all are current strategies for treatment de-escalation. This review details the likely changes in regional radiotherapy management for oropharyngeal carcinoma in the modern human papillomavirus era and discusses future approaches to patient selection with the goal of reducing toxicities while maintaining function preservation and quality of life in group of patients who are younger and healthier than traditional head and neck cancer patients.

Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsil Receiving Postoperative Ipsilateral Versus Bilateral Neck Radiotherapy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis (KROG 11-07)

Purpose

The impact of postoperative ipsilateral neck radiotherapy (INRT) versus bilateral neck radiotherapy (BNRT) on the clinical outcomes of patients with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma was analyzed retrospectively.

Materials and Methods

Between October 2001 and June 2012, 241 patients with T1-2 and N0-N2b tonsillar carcinoma from 16 institutes underwent postoperative INRT (n=84) or BNRT (n=157) following a tonsillectomy. Seventy patients were identified from each group by propensity score matching and compared in terms of the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method with a log-rank test.

Results

The median follow-up was 55 months (range, 3 to 133 months). The survival outcomes in the INRT and BNRT groups were similar: 5-year OS (92.8% vs. 94.0%, p=0.985), DFS (80.5% vs. 94.2%. p=0.085), LRRFS (88.1% vs. 97.1%, p=0.083), and DMFS (92.7% vs. 97.0%, p=0.370). Subgroup analysis revealed no contralateral neck recurrence in 61 patients with T1-2N0-2a regardless of the treatment groups. For 79 patients with N2b, contralateral neck recurrence was more common in the INRT group than in the BNRT group (7.9% vs. 0.0%), but the difference was not significant (p=0.107). The overall grade ≥ 2 toxicities were lower in the INRT group: acute (45.7% vs. 74.3%, p=0.001) and late (4.3% vs. 31.4%, p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

INRT is an attractive strategy for patients with T1-2N0-2a tonsillar carcinoma compared to BNRT. For patients with N2b, there was a small risk of contralateral neck recurrence when treated with INRT, but its impact on the OS was limited with successful salvage treatment.

Squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary tumor metastatic to neck nodes: role of elective irradiation

In patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metastases to neck lymph nodes and unknown primary tumor, the role of elective irradiation of uninvolved neck and potential mucosal primary sites is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to review the experience treating SCC of unknown primary metastatic to neck nodes with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in Slovenia between 1995 and 2010 and to determine the importance of the extent of irradiated volume. For this purpose, the nationwide Cancer Registry of Slovenia database was used for identifying patients. 126 patients were identified. Involved-field PORT and extended-field PORT was used in 50 and 76 patients, respectively. At 5 years, locoregional control was 86 %, disease-specific survival 77 %, and overall survival 57 %. In multivariate analysis, the extent of irradiated volume has not been predictive for any outcome under study. Grade ≥3 acute and late radiotherapy-induced toxicities were more frequent in the extended-field PORT group. In conclusion, although not superior, involved-field PORT seems to be a preferred treatment option in SCC of unknown primary metastatic to neck nodes due to significantly reduced toxicity and better prospects for successful salvage.

[Human papillomavirus and squamous cell cancer of the head and neck region : Prognostic, therapeutic and prophylactic implications]

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are responsible for approximately half of all oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and incidence rates of HPV-associated OPSCC continue to increase substantially. The defined viral carcinogenesis permits development of specific diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic approaches. Laboratory identification of HPV-associated OPSCC may be achieved by p16(INK4a) immunohistochemistry combined with HPV DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using tumor tissue. Patients with HPV-associated OPSCC have a relatively good prognosis; therefore, the HPV status plays an important role in patient guidance. Due to the relatively favorable prognosis, ongoing studies are evaluating whether less rigorous therapy for HPV-positive patients results in equally good cure rates. The criteria for patient selection are, however, still uncertain. Particularly markers for detection of HPV-positive patients with a high risk of treatment failure are lacking. Besides tumor stage and comorbidities, distinct genomic, epigenetic, and immunologic alterations are prognostically relevant for HPV-associated OPSCC, and might be of predictive value. Furthermore, the characteristic molecular alterations suggest the possibility of novel vigilant and specific therapy approaches. These may be inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase (PI3K) pathway, which is frequently activated in HPV-associated OPSCC, and immunotherapeutic methods, e. g., therapeutic vaccination. Although prophylactic HPV vaccinations may also prevent development of HPV-associated OPSCC, foreseeable effects on OPSCC incidence will be low, given the low vaccination rates in Germany. This highlights the fact that interdisciplinary research networks should enhance the necessary activities related to HPV-associated OPSCC.

Management of locally advanced HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: where are we?

HPV-related (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has a better prognosis compared to HPV unrelated (HPV-) OPC. This review summarizes and discusses several of the controversies regarding the management of HPV+ OPC, including the mechanism of its treatment sensitivity, modern surgical techniques, chemotherapy regimens, and treatment de-intensification protocols. We also discuss and reconsider potential adverse prognostic factors such as tumor EGFR expression, tumor hypoxia, and patient smoking history, as well as the significance of retropharyngeal adenopathy. Finally, we discuss elective nodal treatment of uninvolved lymph node stations. While this review does not exhaust all controversies related to the management of HPV+ OPC, it aims to highlight some of the most clinically relevant ones.

Patterns of Relapse in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsil - Unilateral vs. Bilateral Radiation in the HPV-Era

OBJECTIVES

 In the pre-human papillomavirus (HPV) era, unilateral radiation therapy (URT) for tonsil cancer was associated with low contralateral failure rates and had less toxicity than bilateral radiation therapy (BRT). This study explores the validity of URT in HPV-positive tonsil cancers.

METHODS

 Tonsil squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) treated (typically with 70 Gy radiation and Cisplatin-based chemotherapy) between 2001 and 2007 were reviewed. Retrospective p16 immunohistochemistry staining was undertaken. Baseline, treatment, and response data were collected.

RESULTS

 Of 182 patients, 78% were p16-positive, were younger (predominantly male), mostly former or non-smokers, and had a more advanced nodal stage. With a median follow-up of 68 months, contralateral recurrence (CLR) rates were low (3.5% p16-positive versus 2.5% p16-negative, p=0.63). Overall survival (OS) was 74% for p16-positive versus 54% for p16-negative subjects (p=0.01), but all other outcomes were similar. Analysis amongst only p16-positive subjects revealed URT was delivered to 37%, with CLR rates of 7.5% versus 1.1% for those treated with BRT, p=0.05. Of the four p16-positive subjects treated with URT who developed contralateral recurrences, three were managed with neck dissection (two disease-free and one died of lung metastases) and one received palliative radiation to the neck and distant metastatic site. All disease control and survival outcomes were similar between those treated with URT versus BRT.

CONCLUSION

 While CLRs remain rare overall, there appears to be a slightly increased rate among HPV-positive subjects treated with URT. However, overall outcomes do not appear to be impacted, suggesting that URT remains a reasonable approach in HPV-positive subjects.

Expert consensus panel guidelines on geriatric assessment in oncology

Despite consensus guidelines on best practice in the care of older patients with cancer, geriatric assessment (GA) has yet to be optimally integrated into the field of oncology in most countries. There is a relative lack of consensus in the published literature as to the best approach to take, and there is a degree of uncertainty as to how integration of geriatric medicine principles might optimally predict patient outcomes. The aim of the current study was to obtain consensus on GA in oncology to inform the implementation of a geriatric oncology programme. A four-round Delphi process was employed. The Delphi method is a structured group facilitation process, using multiple iterations to gain consensus on a given topic. Consensus was reached on the optimal assessment method and interventions required for the commonly employed domains of GA. Other aspects of GA, such as screening methods and age cut-off for assessment, represented a higher degree of disagreement. The expert panel employed in this study clearly identified the criteria that should be included in a clinical geriatric oncology programme. In the absence of evidence-based guidelines, this may prove useful in the care of older cancer patients.

Long-term results of ipsilateral radiotherapy for tonsil cancer

Purpose

We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of ipsilateral radiotherapy for the patient with well lateralized tonsil cancer: not cross midline and <1 cm of tumor invasion into the soft palate or base of tongue.

Materials and Methods

From 2003 to 2011, twenty patients with well lateralized tonsil cancer underwent ipsilateral radiotherapy. Nineteen patients had T1-T2 tumors, and one patient had T3 tumor; twelve patients had N0-N2a disease and eight patients had N2b disease. Primary surgery followed by radiotherapy was performed in fourteen patients: four of these patients received chemotherapy. Four patients underwent induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The remaining two patients received induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and definitive CCRT, respectively. No patient underwent radiotherapy alone. We analyzed the pattern of failure and complications.

Results

The median follow-up time was 64 months (range, 11 to 106 months) for surviving patients. One patient had local failure at tumor bed. There was no regional failure in contralateral neck, even in N2b disease. At five-year, local progression-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and progression-free survival rates were 95%, 100%, and 95%, respectively. One patient with treatment failure died, and the five-year overall survival rate was 95%. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 2 xerostomia was found in one patient at least 6 months after the completion of radiotherapy.

Conclusion

Ipsilateral radiotherapy is a reasonable treatment option for well lateralized tonsil cancer. Low rate of chronic xerostomia can be expected by sparing contralateral major salivary glands.