Sinonasal malignancies: incidence and histological distribution in Jamaica, 1973–2007

Cancer of the paranasal sinuses in Germany: Data on incidence and survival from a population-based cancer registry

PURPOSE

This study aims to provide a broad overview of the epidemiology of cancer of the paranasal sinuses (PSC) in Germany. The data include information on incidence, staging, clinicopathological features and survival from one of the largest cancer registries in Europe.

METHODS

Population-based data on PSC diagnosed from January 1st, 2009 until December 31st, 2019 were retrieved from the German Centre for Cancer Registry Data (ZfKD). Age standardized incidence was calculated and relative survival estimates were computed by sex, histological subtype, age group and T-, N-, and M-Stage.

RESULTS

In total, 3975 cases were included in this study. The age-adjusted incidence rate (ASR) for PSC was 0.3/100,000 which remained stable during the observation period. The most frequent tumor localization was the maxillary sinus (41.9 %) and the most common histological subtype was keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (kSCC) (44.3 %). All subtypes were predominantly found in the maxillary sinus except for adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinomas (SNEC), which were most frequently located in the ethmoidal sinus. The majority of the patients with a known T stage was diagnosed in tumor stage T4 (60.8 %). The overall 5-year relative survival (RS) for all patients with PSC was 52 %. RS dropped from 93 % for T1 stage tumors to 39 % for T4 tumors. RS was 58 % for N0 and 31 % for N+ cases, 54 % for M0 and 27 % for M1 cases.

CONCLUSION

Age-adjusted incidence for PSC is low and has been stable for the observed 11-year period. RS decreases continuously with increasing T-, N- and M-stage.

A cross-sectional analysis of investigator needs for non-communicable disease research at the University of the West Indies, Mona

OBJECTIVE

To describe the needs of academic staff conducting non-communicable disease (NCD) research at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica.

METHODS

Utilizing a cross-sectional design an online survey was created using the research electronic data capture application (REDCap); it was disseminated via email to 708 academic staff members in the Faculties of Medical Sciences and Science & Technology between September and November 2018. Participants were asked to indicate their level of access to expertise, training and equipment for conducting research. Descriptive analysis was conducted using STATA version 14.

RESULTS

Most respondents were women (74.2%), predominantly scientists (33.1%) or specialist physicians (22.6%). Less than 2/3 of respondents reported publishing research findings in peer reviewed journals, with a quarter not disseminating their research findings in any medium. Resources for field research/data collection, epidemiological methods and principles, and data management/data analysis were generally available. However, there was limited access to training, expertise and equipment in emerging techniques for NCD research such as metabolomics, bioinformatics/analysis of large-scale data sets and health economics. Additional challenges included limited access to financing for research, inadequate workspace and poor administrative support for conducting research.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for more local research seed funding, stronger administrative support for researchers, and opportunities for training in cutting edge NCD research techniques. Jamaican researchers could benefit from being part of a regional research centre of excellence with critical research skills and equipment that builds research networks and strengthens the NCD research response.

Dental considerations in diagnosis of maxillary sinus carcinoma: A patient series of 24 cases

BACKGROUND

Maxillary sinus carcinoma is a rare entity with an incidence of 0.2% and a low patient survival rate due to the frequency of late diagnosis.

METHODS

In this multicenter, transversal, retrospective, observational study, the authors analyzed patients who had received a diagnosis of maxillary sinus carcinoma, registering their oral symptoms, histologic type, treatment efficacy, and survival rate.

RESULTS

Maxillary sinus carcinoma was diagnosed in 24 patients (15 men and 9 women), of which 75% were squamous cell carcinomas. All patients had dental mobility, and some had swelling, orosinus fistula, or some dental loss. Mean patient survival rate was 38.83 months.

CONCLUSIONS

A history of pain or swelling of unknown origin, an unexplained widening of periodontal ligament space, or mobility of the teeth should be considered warning signs of maxillary sinus carcinoma.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Recognition of oral symptoms by the dentist would help in making an early diagnosis of maxillary sinus carcinoma, improving the patient's chances of survival and quality of life.