Head and neck cancer: carcinoma of unknown primary

[Diagnosis, treatment and oncological outcome of cervical CUP-syndrome depending on p16 status]

The incidence of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-CUP is increasing, with a significant proportion being HPV-associated. In this 10-year retrospective study, we analyzed clinical and therapeutic parameters of patients with cervical SCC-CUP. Primary tumor detection rates in patients with initial SCC-CUP (SCC-CUPinit) were assessed and mean overall survival and disease-free survival of patients without primary tumor detection after an extended diagnostic workup, i.e. definitive SCC-CUP (SCC-CUPdef), were analyzed taking p16-status into account to derive therapeutic recommendations.85% (n=131/155) of patients with CUPinit, presented with SCC followed by adenocarcinoma metastases in 7% (n=10/155). In 41% (n=54/131) of patients with SCC-CUPinit, a primary tumor was identified after an extended diagnostic workup; the primary tumor detection rate was significantly higher in p16-positive compared to p16-negative cases (63% vs. 23%, p<0,001). PET imaging specificity was 73% for both sensitivity and specificity. SCC-CUPdef were primarily treated surgically with adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy. SCC-CUPdef patients with positive vs. negative p16-status had significantly longer overall survival (53 vs. 41 Monate, p=0,037), as well as patients with cN1- vs. cN3-status and M0- vs. M1-status.p16-status influences diagnosis and therapy response in patients with SCC-CUP: in p16-positive SCC-CUPinit, primary tumor detection rates were significantly higher than in p16-negative SCC-CUPinit. In patients with SCC-CUPdef, p16-positivity was associated with improved overall survival, albeit to an extent which does not justify therapy de-escalation.

Cancer Diaspora of Undifferentiated Cancer

Undifferentiated cancer is a rapidly progressing cancer with poor prognosis. Sometimes, it is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and its origin is difficult to detect. A very unusual cancer was revealed by autopsy. The patient was an 83-year-old survivor of colon cancer, melanoma, and laryngeal cancer. He had been under watchful course observation after survival from laryngeal cancer but suddenly died due to aspiration pneumonia. The autopsy revealed undifferentiated cancer infiltrated the entire body, which was misdiagnosed with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan and MRI. The origin of this cancer was a mystery even with vigorous pathological evaluation. The patient was told that his previous cancers were all healed; however, undifferentiated cancer progressed rapidly to the entire body, just like "cancer diaspora". This report highlights the limit of diagnostic imaging tools for aggressive cancer, sounding the alarm for clinicians to look beyond old presumptions.

Role of MR Imaging in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Routine and advanced MR imaging sequences are used for locoregional spread, nodal, and distant staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, aids treatment planning, predicts treatment response, differentiates recurrence for postradiation changes, and monitors patients after chemoradiotherapy.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Normal Thyroid Parenchyma and Incidental Diffuse Thyroid Disease: A Single-Center Study

Background: No previous studies have investigated the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis for detecting incidental diffuse thyroid disease (DTD). This study investigated MRI features of normal thyroid parenchyma and incidental DTD. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2017, 387 patients underwent neck MRI in our hospital due to tumor/nodal staging (n = 137), lymphadenopathy (n = 122), inflammatory neck lesion (n = 85), congenital neck lesion (n = 12), and patient request (n = 31). Among them, 375 patients were excluded because of a lack of appropriate histopathological data on the thyroid parenchyma. Results: Among the patients included, 10 had normal thyroid parenchyma, 1 had Hashimoto thyroiditis, and 1 had diffuse hyperplasia. The common MRI features of normal thyroid parenchyma include iso-/slightly high and homogeneous signal intensity on T1/T2-weighted images, normal anteroposterior diameter of the thyroid gland, smooth margin, and homogeneously increased enhancement as compared to adjacent muscle. Hashimoto thyroiditis exhibited high and inhomogeneous signal intensity on T2-weighted images, while diffuse hyperplasia revealed an increased anteroposterior diameter and lobulated margin of the thyroid gland, and inhomogeneous enhancement. Conclusions: MRI may be helpful for detection of incidental DTD.

Incidental head and neck (18)F-FDG uptake on PET/CT without corresponding morphological lesion: early predictor of cancer development?

PURPOSE

To retrospectively determine whether increased/asymmetric FDG uptake on PET without a correlating morphological lesion on fully diagnostic CT indicates the development of a head and neck malignancy.

METHODS

In 590 patients (mean age 55.4 +/- 13.3 years) without a head and neck malignancy/inflammation FDG uptake was measured at (a) Waldeyer's ring, (b) the oral floor, (c) the larynx, and (d) the thyroid gland, and rated as absent (group A), present (group B), symmetric (group B1) or asymmetric (group B2). Differences between groups A and B and between B1 and B2 were tested for significance with the U-test (p < 0.05). An average follow-up of about 2.5 years (mean 29.5 +/- 13.9 months) served as the reference period to determine whether patients developed a head and neck malignancy.

RESULTS

Of the 590 patients, 235 (40%) showed no evidence of enhanced FDG uptake in any investigated site, and 355 (60%) showed qualitatively elevated FDG uptake in at least one site. FDG uptake values (SUV(max), mean+/-SD) for Waldeyer's ring were 3.0 +/- 0.89 in group A (n = 326), 4.5 +/- 2.18 in group B (n = 264; p < 0.01), 5.4 +/- 3.35 in group B1 (n = 177), and 4.1 +/- 1.7 in group B2 (n = 87; p < 0.01). Values for the oral floor were 2.8 +/- 0.74 in group A (n = 362), 4.7 +/- 2.55 in group B (n = 228; p < 0.01), 4.4 +/- 3.39 in group B1 (n = 130), and 5.1 +/- 2.69 in group B2 (n = 98, p = 0.01). Values for the larynx were 2.8 +/- 0.76 in group A (n = 353), 4.2 +/- 2.05 in group B (n = 237; p < 0.01), 4.0 +/- 2.02 in group B1 (n = 165), and 4.6 +/- 2.8 in group B2 (n = 72; p = 0.027). Values for the thyroid were 2.4 +/- 0.63 in group A (n = 404), 3.0 +/- 1.01 in group B (n = 186; p < 0.01), 2.6 +/- 0.39 in group B1 (n = 130), and 4.0 +/- 1.24 in group B2 (n = 56; p < 0.01). One patient developed a palatine tonsil carcinoma (group B1, SUV(max) 3.2), and one patient developed an oral floor carcinoma (group B1, SUV(max) 3.7).

CONCLUSION

Elevated/asymmetric head and neck FDG accumulation without a correlating morphological lesion can frequently be found and does not predict cancer development. In populations in which goitre is endemic, FDG uptake by the thyroid is common and not associated with thyroid cancer.

Head and neck manifestations of distant carcinomas

Metastatic tumors to the head and neck from distant carcinomas are rare lesions that epitomize the "zebras." They represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians and health providers. These lesions usually rank low in the differential diagnosis list, but a history of cancer should prompt clinicians about the possibility of a metastatic lesion from a distant carcinoma. The presence of these lesions usually represents a poor prognosis. The surgeon's role in treating these lesions is to improve or maintain the patient's quality of life, taking into consideration the overall prognosis.