Unique Patterns of Distant Metastases in HPV-Positive Head and Neck Cancer

Management of head and neck carcinomas with synchronous or metachronous oligometastatic disease: Role of locoregional radiotherapy and metastasis-directed radiotherapy

Head and neck carcinomas are initially metastatic in about 15% of cases. Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the multimodal strategy at the locoregional phase. In patients with head and neck cancer, often heavily pretreated and with comorbidities, who relapse locoregionally or at distant sites, radiotherapy has also become increasingly important at the metastatic phase. Data on the optimal sequence of systemic treatments and metastasis-directed treatments including stereotactic irradiation are still lacking. Several randomized head and neck trials have been initiated that should provide important answers, including one recent GORTEC trial.

Association of follow-up imaging frequency with temporal incidence and patterns of distant failure following (chemo) radiotherapy for HPV related oropharyngeal cancer

OBJECTIVES

Emerging data supports radical intent therapy for oligometastatic (OM) relapsed human papilloma virus (HPV+) related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). We assess the association of follow-up imaging frequency amongst HPV + OPC, with temporal and spatial patterns of distant relapse, to inform rationalisation of routine post-treatment imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective single centre cohort study was carried out of consecutive HPV + OPC patients treated with radical intent (chemo)radiotherapy ((CT)RT) between 2011 and 2019. OM state was defined as ≤ 5 metastasis, none larger than 3 cm (OMs) or, if interval from last negative surveillance imaging > 6-months, then ≤ 10 metastasis, none larger than 5 cm, (OMp). Patients not meeting OMs / OMp criteria were deemed to have incurable diffuse metastatic disease (DMdiffuse).

RESULTS

793 HPV-OPC patients were identified with median follow-up 3.15years (range 0.2-8.9). 52 (6.6 %) patients had radiologically identified DM at first failure and were considered for analysis. The median time to recurrence was 15.1 months (range: 2.6-63 months). 87 % of distant metastasis (DM) occurred in the first two years after treatment. Twenty-seven (52 %) patients had OM (OMs or OMp) at time of failure, with 31 % having OMs. The median time from completion of treatment to diagnosis of DMdiffuse vs OM was 22.2 months (range: 2.6-63.1 months) vs 11.6 months (range: 3.5-32.5 months). The probability of being diagnosed with OM vs DMdiffuse increased with reducing interval from last negative surveillance scan to imaging identifying DM (≤6 months 88.9 %, 7-12 months 71.4 %, 13-24 months 35 %, > 24 months 22.2 %).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that a reduced interval between last negative imaging and subsequent radiological diagnosis of DM is associated with increased likelihood of identification of OM disease. Consideration of increased frequency of surveillance imaging during the first two years of follow up is supported, particularly for patients at high risk of distant failure.

Detection of the high-risk factors for synchronous bone metastasis in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To analyze the risk factors for synchronous bone metastases (BM) in patients with tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas.

METHODS

Tonsillar carcinomas patients were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2013. We examined the association between risk factors and synchronous BM using Chi-squared tests. Predictors of survival rates were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 5752 patients were analyzed, which including 35 patients (0.6%) with synchronous BM, and 5717 patients without synchronous BM (99.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Caucasian, lower T or N classification were associated with a significantly lower risk of BM (P < 0.05, respectively). Elderly not married non-Caucasian patients with highly differentiated disease, higher T or N classification, multiple sites of metastases and no surgical therapy to primary tumor were more likely to reduce life expectancy.

CONCLUSIONS

By analyzing data from a large cohort, Caucasian, lower T or N classification were associated with a significantly lower risk of BM. Elderly not married non-Caucasian patients with highly differentiated disease, higher T or N classification, multiple sites of metastases and no surgical therapy to primary tumor were more likely to reduce life expectancy. More accurate assessments of BM will be imperative for early diagnosis and treatment in non-Caucasian tonsillar carcinoma patients who harbored with higher T or N classification.

Patterns of recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to inform personalized surveillance protocols

BACKGROUND

Development of evidence-based post-treatment surveillance guidelines in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) is limited by comprehensive documentation of patterns of recurrence and metastatic spread.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with R/M HNSCC at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center between 1998- 2019 was performed (n = 447). Univariate and multivariate analysis identified patterns of recurrence and predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Median overall survival (mOS) improved over time (6.7 months in 1998-2007 to 11.8 months in 2008-2019, p = .006). Predictors of worse mOS included human papillomavirus (HPV) negativity (hazard ratio [HR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-2.6), high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (HR, 2.1 [1.4-3.0], disease-free interval (DFI) ≤6 months (HR, 1.4 [1.02-2.0]), and poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, ≥2; HR, 1.91.1-3.4). In this cohort, 50.6% of recurrences occurred within 6 months of treatment completion, 72.5% occurred within 1 year, and 88.6% occurred within 2 years. Metachronous distant metastases were more likely to occur in patients with HPV-positive disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.3 [1.4-4.0]), DFI >6 months (OR, 2.4 [1.5-4.0]), and body mass index ≥30 (OR, 2.3 [1.1-4.8]). Oligometastatic disease treated with local ablative therapy was associated with improved survival over polymetastatic disease (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.55).

CONCLUSION

These data regarding patterns of distant metastasis in HNSCC support the clinical utility of early detection of recurrence. Patterns of recurrence in this population can be used to inform individualized surveillance programs as well as to risk-stratify eligible patients for clinical trials.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

After treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), patients are at risk of recurrence at prior sites of disease or at distant sites in the body. This study includes a large group of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNC and examines factors associated with survival outcomes and recurrence patterns. Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive HNC have good survival outcomes, but if they recur, this may be in distant regions of the body and may occur later than HPV-negative patients. These data argue for personalized follow-up schedules for patients with HNC, perhaps incorporating imaging studies or novel blood tests.

Intrathyroidal metastasis of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma masquerading as a primary thyroid tumor

Intrathyroidal metastasis of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma is rare. To date, only six cases have been reported in the literature. This case was unusual and presented with thyromegaly before the diagnosis of the primary tumor. A 55-year-old male patient was suspected to have a primary thyroid tumor with nodal metastasis. The thyroid gland was diffusely enlarged, with no discernible mass. Histologically, the thyroid parenchyma revealed extensive endolymphatic tumor emboli, which were positive for p40 and p16 in a background of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed hypermetabolic activity in the right tonsillar region. Tonsillar biopsy revealed human papillomavirus-positive squamous cell carcinoma. The present case is the first reported case of intrathyroidal metastasis of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma with an initial clinical presentation of thyroid enlargement before the primary tumor of tonsillar cancer was diagnosed.

Survival Outcomes of Complete Pulmonary Metastasectomy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Purpose

Metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is relatively poor; however, depending on the selected cases, pulmonary metastasectomy can be a practical therapeutic option. This study aimed to identify the outcomes of complete metastasectomy based on each primary site and to investigate unfavorable prognostic factors.

Patients and Methods

We used the database from the Metastatic Lung Tumour Study Group of Japan. Between November 1980 and April 2017, 231 patients were deemed eligible. According to anatomy and the current epidemiology of HNSCC, the patients were divided into three groups: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and salivary gland (n = 40, Group 1), oral cavity, tongue, and paranasal sinuses (n = 69, Group 2), and larynx and hypopharynx (n = 122, Group 3).

Results

The 5-year overall survival after complete pulmonary metastasectomy was 58.5%, 25.0%, and 46.9% in G1, 2, and 3, respectively (p < 0.01). Multivariate analyses revealed unfavourable prognostic factors to be G2, and pathological maximum diameter was >20 mm. Therefore, on dividing group 1 and 3 with or without diameter, the 5-year overall survival was significantly worse in HNSCC with a diameter >20 mm (n = 74) than that in the remnant (n = 88; 61.9% vs 35.5%; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

According to the multi-institutional Japanese data, pulmonary metastasectomy from HNSCC indicates a potential survival benefit. Oral cavity, tongue, and paranasal sinuses cancer, and tumour size (>20 mm) were poor prognostic factors for pulmonary metastasectomy from head and neck cancer.

Dynamic changes of hematological indices in oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Hematological indices assist in predicting clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To explore changes of hematological indices on oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients received radiotherapy and their association with survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), albumin (Alb), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at baseline, 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months follow-up were retrospectively collected. The trajectory of indices was described. A linear model with random effects was to describe indices' changing rate and trend. Univariable Cox analysis was to assess the correlation between indices and survival.

RESULTS

Of the 85 patients, WBC and ALC dropped during acute phase and gradually recovered, while NLR and PLR increased during acute phase and subsequently declined (all p < .01). Higher absolute value of nutritional indices (Alb and Hb) was associated with better prognosis (p < .05). In contrast, patients with higher absolute value or upward trend of inflammatory indices (ANC, Plt, NLR and PLR) had worse survival (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

The short- and long-term changes of indices differed in OPSCC patients received radiotherapy, and absolute values and dynamic changes of indices had the potential to be prognostic factors.

Imaging of human papilloma virus associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on diagnosis, prognostication, and response assessment

The clinical behaviour and outcomes of patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) may be dichotomised according to their association with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Patients with HPV-associated disease (HPV+OPC) have a distinct demographic profile, clinical phenotype and demonstrate considerably better responses to chemoradiotherapy. This has led to a reappraisal of staging and treatment strategies for HPV+OPC, which are underpinned by radiological data. Structural modalities, such as CT and MRI can provide accurate staging information. These can be combined with ultrasound-guided tissue sampling and functional techniques (such as diffusion-weighted MRI and 18F-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT) to monitor response to treatment, derive prognostic information, and to identify individuals who might benefit from intensification or deintensification strategies. Furthermore, advanced MRI techniques, such as intravoxel incoherent motion and perfusion MRI as well as application of artificial intelligence and radiomic techniques, have shown promise in treatment response monitoring and prognostication. The following review will consider the contemporary role and knowledge on imaging in HPV+OPC.

Analysis of the interactions between small pulmonary nodules, clinical factors and the risk of malignancy in the chest following diagnosis of head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate radiological and clinical factors which predict malignancy in indeterminate pulmonary nodules in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

METHODS

Prospective data was collected in 424 patients who were reviewed in the NHS Lothian HNC multi-disciplinary meeting from May 2016 to May 2018. Staging and follow up CT chest imaging was reviewed to identify and assess pulmonary nodules in all patients.

RESULTS

61.8% of patients had at least one pulmonary nodule at staging CT. In total 25 patients developed malignancy in the chest. Metastatic disease in the chest was significantly associated with unknown or negative p16 status (p<0.0005). Pleural indentation and spiculation were associated with indeterminate nodules, subsequently being shown to represent metastatic disease (p>0.0005 and p=0.046 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Negative or unknown p16 status was associated with an increased propensity to develop metastatic disease in the chest in patients with HNC.

The Impact of Smoking, Alcohol Use, Recurrent Disease, and Age on the Development of Neck Fibrosis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Following Radiation Therapy

There is a paucity of information regarding the demographic factors associated with the development of neck fibrosis in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients following radiotherapy. A retrospective review of all patients being treated for HNC at a tertiary care center between 2013 and 2017 was performed. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to identify differences in incidence and grade of fibrosis, respectively, between populations. A total of 90 patients aged 19 to 99 years were included. Factors associated with an increased incidence of fibrosis included smoking during radiotherapy (p < 0.001), alcohol use (p = 0.026), recurrent disease (p = 0.042), and age less than 60 (p < 0.001) on univariate analysis. Factors associated with increased grade of fibrosis in HNC patients included recurrent HNC (p = 0.033), alcohol use (p = 0.013), patient age younger than 60 years (p = 0.018), smoking during radiotherapy (p < 0.001), and non-Caucasian race (p = 0.012). Identification and intervention directed at patients that possess risk factors associated with fibrosis prior to treatment has the potential to improve the long-term quality of life for HNC patients.

Oligometastases in head and neck carcinoma and their impact on management

Historically, patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with distant metastases were regarded as palliative. Oligometastasis (OM) refers to patients with a limited number of distant metastatic deposits. Treatment of patients with OMs has been reported in patients with lung, colon, breast, prostate and brain malignancies. Selected patients with oligometastatic HNSCC have a higher probability of durable disease control and cure and these patients should be treated aggressively. Treatment options for patients with HNSCC OMs include single or combinations of the three arms of cancer treatment, that is surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy/immunotherapy. To date, there are limited studies reporting the management of OM with head and neck malignancy. This review will give insights into the management of OMs in HNSCC.

Prevalence and prognosis of synchronous distant metastatic tonsil squamous cell carcinomas

BACKGROUND

To analyze the prevalence proportions and prognostic factors of synchronous distant metastases in patients with tonsil squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC).

METHODS

TSCC patients were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2014. We examined the association between clinical manifestations and distant metastases using Chi-squared tests. Predictors of 5-year survival were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 6193 patients were analyzed and lung was the most common site of distant metastases. Poorly/undifferentiated differentiation was found to be significantly correlated with lung metastasis (p=0.033) and liver and bone metastases were associated with African American (p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). A higher T classification was associated with higher prevalence of lung, liver, bone and brain metastasis (p=0.000, p=0.000, p=0.000 and p=0.007, respectively). The same results were found in N classification in lung, liver, and bone metastasis (p=0.000, p=0.000, and p=0.000, respectively). Worse prognosis was associated with older age, Blacks, lower grade, higher T and N classification, no surgery therapy and more metastatic sites.

CONCLUSION

Lung was the most frequent lesion of synchronous distant metastases and liver and bone metastases were associated with African American. Higher T and N classification were independent prognostic parameters for higher prevalence of lung, bone, liver and brain metastasis. Worse prognosis was associated with older age, African Americans, lower grade, higher T and N classification, no surgery therapy and more metastatic sites.