Facial asymmetry in head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma survivors

Facial deformation following treatment for pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma; the difference between treatment modalities. Results of a trans-Atlantic, multicenter cross-sectional cohort study

BACKGROUND

The four different local therapy strategies used for head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (HNRMS) include proton therapy (PT), photon therapy (RT), surgery with radiotherapy (Paris-method), and surgery with brachytherapy (AMORE). Local control and survival is comparable; however, the impact of these different treatments on facial deformation is still poorly understood. This study aims to quantify facial deformation and investigates the differences in facial deformation between treatment modalities.

METHODS

Across four European and North American institutions, HNRMS survivors treated between 1990 and 2017, more than 2 years post treatment, had a 3D photograph taken. Using dense surface modeling, we computed facial signatures for each survivor to show facial deformation relative to 35 age-sex-ethnicity-matched controls. Additionally, we computed individual facial asymmetry.

FINDINGS

A total of 173 HNRMS survivors were included, survivors showed significantly reduced facial growth (p < .001) compared to healthy controls. Partitioned by tumor site, there was reduced facial growth in survivors with nonparameningeal primaries (p = .002), and parameningeal primaries (p ≤.001), but not for orbital primaries (p = .080) All patients were significantly more asymmetric than healthy controls, independent of treatment modality (p ≤ .001). There was significantly more facial deformation in orbital patients when comparing RT to AMORE (p = .046). In survivors with a parameningeal tumor, there was significantly less facial deformation in PT when compared to RT (p = .009) and Paris-method (p = .007).

INTERPRETATION

When selecting optimal treatment, musculoskeletal facial outcomes are an expected difference between treatment options. These anticipated differences are currently based on clinicians' bias, expertise, and experience. These data supplement clinician judgment with an objective analysis highlighting the impact of patient age and tumor site between existing treatment options.

Static and Motion Facial Analysis for Craniofacial Assessment and Diagnosing Diseases

Deviation from a normal facial shape and symmetry can arise from numerous sources, including physical injury and congenital birth defects. Such abnormalities can have important aesthetic and functional consequences. Furthermore, in clinical genetics distinctive facial appearances are often associated with clinical or genetic diagnoses; the recognition of a characteristic facial appearance can substantially narrow the search space of potential diagnoses for the clinician. Unusual patterns of facial movement and expression can indicate disturbances to normal mechanical functioning or emotional affect. Computational analyses of static and moving 2D and 3D images can serve clinicians and researchers by detecting and describing facial structural, mechanical, and affective abnormalities objectively. In this review we survey traditional and emerging methods of facial analysis, including statistical shape modeling, syndrome classification, modeling clinical face phenotype spaces, and analysis of facial motion and affect. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science, Volume 5 is August 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Head and Neck Rhabdomyosarcoma

The use of radiation therapy is an important part of multimodality treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma. The specific doses, treatment volumes, and techniques used in radiation therapy can vary dramatically based upon a number of factors including location, tumor size, and molecular characteristics, resulting in complex decisions in treatment planning. This article reviews the principles of evaluation and management for head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma including a summary of the historical studies upon which current management is based.

European guideline for imaging in paediatric and adolescent rhabdomyosarcoma - joint statement by the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group, the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe and the Oncology Task Force of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology

Appropriate imaging is essential in the treatment of children and adolescents with rhabdomyosarcoma. For adequate stratification and optimal individualised local treatment utilising surgery and radiotherapy, high-quality imaging is crucial. The paediatric radiologist, therefore, is an essential member of the multi-disciplinary team providing clinical care and research. This manuscript presents the European rhabdomyosarcoma imaging guideline, based on the recently developed guideline of the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) Imaging Committee. This guideline was developed in collaboration between the EpSSG Imaging Committee, the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) Imaging Group, and the Oncology Task Force of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR). MRI is recommended, at diagnosis and follow-up, for the evaluation of the primary tumour and its relationship to surrounding tissues, including assessment of neurovascular structures and loco-regional lymphadenopathy. Chest CT along with [F-18]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT or PET/MRI are recommended for the detection and evaluation of loco-regional and distant metastatic disease. Guidance on the estimation of treatment response, optimal long-term follow-up, technical imaging settings and standardised reporting are described. This European imaging guideline outlines the recommendations for imaging in children and adolescents with rhabdomyosarcoma, with the aim to harmonise imaging and to advance patient care.

Efficacy and Safety of Limited-Margin Conformal Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma: Long-Term Results of a Phase 2 Study

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to assess disease outcomes and late toxicities in pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma treated with conformal photon radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Sixty-eight patients (median age, 6.9 years) were treated with conformal photon RT to the primary site on a prospective clinical trial. Target volumes included a 1-cm expansion encompassing microscopic disease. Prescribed doses were 36 Gy to this target volume and 50.4 Gy to gross residual disease. Chemotherapy consisted of vincristine/dactinomycin (n = 6), vincristine/dactinomycin/cyclophosphamide (n = 37), or vincristine/dactinomycin/cyclophosphamide-based combinations (n = 25). Patients were evaluated with primary-site magnetic resonance imaging, whole-body [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and chest computed tomography for 5 years after treatment.

RESULTS

Five-year disease-free survival was 88% for low-risk (n = 8), 76% for intermediate-risk (n = 37), and 36% for high-risk (n = 23) patients (P ≤ .01 for low risk/intermediate risk vs high risk). The cumulative incidence of local failure (LF) at 5 years for the entire cohort was 10.4%. Tumor size at diagnosis was a significant predictor of LF (P < .01). Patients with head and neck primary tumors (n = 31) had a 35% cumulative incidence of cataracts; the risk correlated with lens dose (P = .0025). Jaw dysfunction was more severe when the pterygoid and masseter muscles received a mean dose of >20 Gy (P = .013). Orbital hypoplasia developed more frequently after a mean bony orbit dose of >30 Gy (P = .041). Late toxicity in patients with genitourinary tumors included microscopic hematuria (9 of 14), bladder-wall thickening (10 of 14), and vaginal stenosis (2 of 5).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term LF rates were low, and higher rates correlated with larger tumors. Treatment-related toxicities resulting in measurable functional deficits were not infrequent, despite the conformal RT approach.

An overview of radiological manifestations of acquired dental developmental disturbances in paediatric head and neck cancer survivors

OBJECTIVES

In paediatric cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy therapy, late effects on dental development are quite common. Oral radiologists are not familiar with the radiographic images of these specific dental consequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. With the goal of educating colleagues, to raise awareness of the needs of survivors, and to identify directions for future research, we present dental radiographs of survivors treated for head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Also, based on the survivors reviewed, a radiographic inventory of commonly found late dental developmental effects seen in conjunction with treatment is presented.

METHODS

Panoramic radiographic findings of five illustrative cases are presented, from a group of 42 survivors of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma treated at the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands over the past 25 years.

RESULTS

Five cases showing dental developmental disorders are presented. These cases show an association of the location of the radiation field and the developmental stage of the teeth with the severity of the effect on dental development. We also report an inventory of severe and moderate effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on the development of molars and anterior teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper presents five cases and a radiographic inventory to illustrate disturbances of dental development associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in children. Medical and dental professionals involved in the treatment of cancer survivors are relatively unaware of the dental consequences of radiation therapy and the age dependency of specific regional effects. These effects can be severe, with great impact on quality of life. Further research in this area could help improve planning of radiation therapy for children, potentially preventing or limiting dental or maxillofacial sequelae.

Dose-Effect Analysis of Early Changes in Orbital Bone Morphology After Radiation Therapy for Rhabdomyosarcoma

PURPOSE

In survivors of orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), late effects include facial deformation and asymmetry. We sought to quantify orbital asymmetry in ERMS survivors and characterize the dose effect of radiation to the orbital bones.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We evaluated the most recent follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 17 children (≤21 years old) with stage 1 group III orbital ERMS treated with proton therapy between 2007 and 2018. For all patients, the orbital socket volumes were calculated and compared with the contralateral, unirradiated orbital socket. Patient age, orbital tumor quadrant, and the radiation dose delivered to the major orbital bones (maxillary, frontal, and zygomatic bones) were recorded and correlated with the orbital socket volume difference.

RESULTS

The mean age at diagnosis was 5.4 years old (range, 1.1-9.7 years). All patients received a prescription dose of 45 GyRBE. The mean time interval between radiation and MRI was 2.9 years (range, 0.8-3.2 years). The mean age at most recent MRI was 8.4 years (range, 2.3-12.9 years). In 16 of 17 patients, the volume of the ipsilateral orbit was significantly smaller than the contralateral orbit on follow-up MRI (P ≤ .0001). In one patient with nonviable tumor in situ, the irradiated orbit was larger. The volume difference increased with follow-up time and did not correlate with age at treatment or age at MRI. A dose >40 GyRBE to all bones of the orbital rim was associated with a significant decrease in orbital volume (P < .05), but an isolated dose of >40 GyRBE to either the frontal, maxillary, or zygomatic bone was not.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the dosimetric precision of proton therapy, orbital asymmetry will develop after >40 GyRBE to multiple bones of the orbital rim. These data may be used to guide treatment planning and counsel patients on expected cosmesis.

Methamphetamine drug abuse and addiction: Effects on face asymmetry

The abnormal aging mechanism associated with drug abuse results in poor performance of face recognition systems on illicit drug addicts (mainly methamphetamine). Consequently, the high correlation between drug addiction and crime exaggerates the urge for further investigations to originate and overcome this problem. Concurrently, face asymmetry was found to play a significant role in face recognition and age estimation. Therefore, facial asymmetry assessment for meth-addicts is highly serviceable, acknowledging how meth addiction accelerates biological aging and causes severe face distortion. In this work, we address facial asymmetry for meth-addicts compared with ordinary people. We assess facial asymmetry by employing the most credible state-of-the-art tools for local and global two-dimensional (2D) methods. More specifically, we use a classical bilateral-based metric for local analysis, combined with a proposed global approach, that we refer to as the Area Mismatch metric, to give a vivid overview of geometrical facial asymmetry. Finally, we construct a metric for textural facial asymmetry assessment by employing the Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) for dual regions in a given face. We apply the aforementioned metrics on two databases, a recently collected meth-addicted database and a regular aging database (FERET). Statistical analysis indicated a significant increment of facial asymmetry for meth addicts while aging, three to five times more than ordinary people. This study definitively answers the question regarding the correlation between meth abuse and addiction and the increase of facial asymmetry. Also, it confirms previous findings concerning aging and increased facial asymmetry.

Psychosocial well-being of long-term survivors of pediatric head-neck rhabdomyosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (HNRMS) survivors are at risk to develop adverse events (AEs). The impact of these AEs on psychosocial well-being is unclear. We aimed to assess psychosocial well-being of HNRMS survivors and examine whether psychosocial outcomes were associated with burden of therapy.

PROCEDURE

Sixty-five HNRMS survivors (median follow-up: 11.5 years), treated in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom between 1990 and 2010 and alive ≥2 years after treatment visited the outpatient multidisciplinary follow-up clinic once, in which AEs were scored based on a predefined list according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Survivors were asked to complete questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL; PedsQL and YQOL-FD), self-perception (KIDSCREEN), and satisfaction with appearances (SWA). HRQoL and self-perception scores were compared with reference values, and the correlation between physician-assessed AEs and psychosocial well-being was assessed.

RESULTS

HNRMS survivors showed significantly lower scores on PedsQL school/work domain (P ≤ 0.01, P = 0.02, respectively), YQOL-FD domains negative self-image and positive consequences (P ≤ 0.01, P = 0.04, respectively) compared with norm data; scores on negative consequences domain were significantly higher (P = 0.03). Over 50% of survivors negatively rated their appearances on three or more items. Burden of AEs was not associated with generic HRQoL and self-perception scores, but was associated with disease-specific QoL (YQOL-FD).

CONCLUSION

In general, HRQoL in HNRMS survivors was comparable to reference groups; however, survivors did report disease-specific consequences. We therefore recommend including specific questionnaires related to difficulties with facial appearance in a systematic monitoring program to determine the necessity for tailored care.

Caring for survivors of childhood cancer: it takes a village

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are now cured. The burgeoning population of survivors of childhood cancer experiences high rates of morbidity and mortality due to 'late-effects' of treatment. These can be defined as any consequence of treatment that persists beyond or develops after the completion of cancer therapy. Awareness of late-effects is critically important for pediatricians and adult providers alike, as late-effects impact children in proximity to cancer treatment, as well as adults many decades removed. This review presents the importance of lifelong follow-up care for survivors, highlights existing screening guidelines, and reviews various models of survivor care.

RECENT FINDINGS

National and international guidelines have been developed to standardize screening for survivors, and multiple models of survivorship care exist. The optimal model likely depends on individual factors, including the survivor's needs and preferences, as well as local resources. Key strategies for the successful care of survivors include accurate risk-stratification for specific late-effects, individualized screening plans, education of survivors and professionals, clear communication between providers, and well coordinated transition of care across services.

SUMMARY

Early identification and management of late-effects are important for survivors of childhood cancer. Providers should be familiar with the risks for specific late-effects and have access to screening guidelines. The strengths and weaknesses of care models, along with individual circumstances, should be considered in designing the optimal approach to care for each survivor.

A Road Map for Important Centers of Growth in the Pediatric Skeleton to Consider During Radiation Therapy and Associated Clinical Correlates of Radiation-Induced Growth Toxicity

With the increasing use of advanced radiation techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiation therapy, and proton therapy, radiation oncologists now have the tools to mitigate radiation-associated toxicities. This is of utmost importance in the treatment of a pediatric patient. To best use these advanced techniques to mitigate radiation-induced growth abnormalities, the radiation oncologist should be equipped with a nuanced understanding of the anatomy of centers of growth. This article aims to enable the radiation oncologist to better understand, predict, and minimize radiation-mediated toxicities on growth. We review the process of bone development and radiation-induced growth abnormalities and provide an atlas for contouring important growth plates to guide radiation treatment planning. A more detailed recognition of important centers of growth may improve future treatment outcomes in children receiving radiation therapy.

Combined Face-Brain Morphology and Associated Neurocognitive Correlates in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

BACKGROUND

Since the 1970s, a range of facial, neurostructural, and neurocognitive adverse effects have been shown to be associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Typically, these effects are studied individually and not in combination. Our objective is to improve the understanding of the teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure by simultaneously considering face-brain morphology and neurocognitive measures.

METHODS

Participants were categorized as control (n = 47), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS, n = 22), or heavily exposed (HE) prenatally, but not eligible for a FAS diagnosis (HE, n = 50). Structural brain MRI images and high-resolution 3D facial images were analyzed using dense surface models of features of the face and surface shape of the corpus callosum (CC) and caudate nucleus (CN). Asymmetry of the CN was evaluated for correlations with neurocognitive measures.

RESULTS

(i) Facial growth delineations for FAS, HE, and controls are replicated for the CN and the CC. (ii) Concordance of clinical diagnosis and face-based control-FAS discrimination improves when the latter is combined with specific brain regions. In particular, midline facial regions discriminate better when combined with a midsagittal profile of the CC. (iii) A subset of HE individuals was identified with FAS-like CN dysmorphism. The average of this HE subset was FAS-like in its facial dysmorphism. (iv) Right-left asymmetry found in the CNs of controls is not apparent for FAS, is diminished for HE, and correlates with neurocognitive measures in the combined FAS and HE population.

CONCLUSIONS

Shape analysis which combines facial regions with the CN, and with the CC, better identify those with FAS. CN asymmetry was reduced for FAS compared to controls and is strongly associated with general cognitive ability, verbal learning, and recall in those with prenatal alcohol exposure. This study further extends the brain-behavior relationships known to be vulnerable to alcohol teratogenesis.