Transcervical ultrasonography is feasible to visualize and evaluate base of tongue cancers

Oral and periodontal manifestation related during human papilloma virus infections: Update on early prognostic factors

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is considered one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the cervix and head and neck. Manifestations of HPV infections can be manifold, ranging from asymptomatic infections to benign or potentially malignant lesions to intraepithelial neoplasms and invasive carcinomas. The heterogeneity of clinical manifestations from HPV infection depends on the interactions between the viral agent and the host, a direct consequence of the ability on the part of HPV is to remain silent and to evade and convey the action of the host immune system. The oral mucosa represents one of the tissues for which HPV has a distinct tropism and is frequently affected by infection. While much information is available on the role that HPV infection plays in the development of SCC in the oral cavity, there is less information on asymptomatic infections and benign HPV-induced oral lesions. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to analyze, in light of current knowledge, the early clinical and bio-humoral prognostic features related to the risk of HPV malignant transformation, focusing on subclinical conditions, benign lesions, and the correlation between oral infection and infection in other districts. The data show that the main risk associated with HPV infection is related to malignant transformation of lesions. Although HPV-driven OPSCC is associated with a better prognosis than non-HPV-driven OPSCC, primary prevention and early detection of the infection and affected genotype are essential to reduce the risk of malignant neoplastic complications and improve the prognosis.

Sexual history of patients with human papillomavirus positive and negative oropharyngeal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Increased sexual activity is associated with higher human papillomavirus (HPV) rates; however, there is a lack of analysis comparing the sexual history of patients with HPV positive and HPV negative oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

METHODS

In this meta-analysis, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched for articles that included patients with OPC and reported information regarding HPV status and either history of oral sex, number of sexual partners, or sexually transmitted infections (STI).

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies were included with 3296 patients with OPC. Patients with HPV positive OPC were more likely than patients with HPV negative OPC to report a history of oral sex (92%, 95% CI: 87.0-97.0 vs. 74.5%, 95% CI: 50.6-98.4, p < 0.0001), higher mean number of sexual partners (18.4 partners, 95% CI: 1.5-35.4 vs. 7.2 partners, 95% CI: 1.0-13.4, p < 0.0001), and more frequent history of STI (23.7%, 95% CI: 18.4-29.0 vs. 8.8%, 95% CI: 4.7-12.8, p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to patients with HPV negative OPC, our analysis shows a larger proportion of patients with HPV positive OPC had participated in oral sex, had a higher number of sexual partners, and had a higher proportion of STI history.

Ultrasonography use for tongue cancer management: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Tongue cancer is associated with debilitating diseases and poor prognostic outcomes. The use of imaging techniques like ultrasonography to assist in the clinical management of affected patients is desirable, but its reliability remains debatable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the importance of ultrasound use for the clinicopathological management of tongue cancer.

METHODS

A scoping review was carried out using specific search strategies in the following electronic databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Collected data included bibliographical information, study design, ultrasound equipment, the aim of the ultrasonography use, the timing of ultrasound use during oncological treatment (pre-, trans-, and/or post-operatively), and the advantages and disadvantages of the use of the ultrasound.

RESULTS

A total of 47 studies were included in this review after following the selection process. The majority of the studies investigated the use of ultrasound pre-operatively for the investigation of lymph node metastases or to determine the tumor thickness and depth of invasion. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasound to determine clinical lymph node metastases ranged from 47% to 87.2%, from 84.3% to 95.8%, and from 70% to 86.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity to determine the microscopic depth of invasion were 92.3% and from 70.6% to 82.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography seems to be a reliable imaging technique for the investigation of important prognostic parameters for tongue cancer, including depth of invasion and lymph node metastases.

Transoral Ultrasound in the Outpatient Clinic for the Diagnostic Work-Up of Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging modality for oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs), but it has difficulties distinguishing between small OPCs and unilateral tonsil hypertrophy. We hypothesized that surgeon-performed transoral ultrasound (US) could be used to accurately detect T-stage OPCs. We performed a single-center prospective diagnostic accuracy study including patients with suspected or biopsy-verified OPCs during outpatient appointments. All patients were offered transoral US and MRI. If transoral US could not be tolerated by the patient, transcervical US was performed. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of detecting OPCs with US compared to MRI, using histopathology as the reference standard. The secondary outcome was comparing the primary tumor diameters between US and MRI blinded to each other. Out of the 26 patients included in the study, 21 (81%) had OPCs. Transoral US could be performed in 21/21 and 1/5 patients with suspected palatine and lingual tonsil OPCs, respectively. Overall, US diagnostic accuracy was 92%, compared to 81% with MRI (p = 0.37). US and MRI had a high correlation between tumor diameters in the anteroposterior diameter (R = 0.80, p < 0.001), corresponding to the depth axis on US. In conclusion, this small study showed the promise and feasibility of transoral US to improve the initial clinical evaluations of patients with suspected OPCs.

How to prevent human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible of the increasing incidence rates of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in high-income countries. This significant epidemiological change requires several and diverse prevention strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

The cervical cancer prevention model is the paradigm of HPV-related cancer, and its success provides encouragement for the development of similar methods to prevent HPV-related OPSCC. However, there are some limitations that hinder its application in this disease. Here, we review the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of HPV-related OPSCC and discuss some directions for future research.

SUMMARY

The development of new and targeted strategies to prevent HPV-related OPSCC is needed since they could definitely have a direct impact on the reduction of morbidity and mortality of this disease.

Is 2045 the best we can do? Mitigating the HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer epidemic

INTRODUCTION

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) will be among the most common cancers in men by 2045 due to a rapid rise in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related OPC. Those who survive their cancer often suffer life-long treatment effects and early death. HPV vaccination could prevent virtually all HPV-related cancers but is not an effective preventive strategy for those already exposed. Without a dramatic increase in vaccine uptake in the U.S., HPV vaccination will have a negligible effect on OPC incidence through 2045 and no substantial impact until 2060. Additionally, targeted screening for earlier diagnosis may soon be feasible for those inadequately protected by vaccination.

AREAS COVERED

PubMed search for English-language articles related to incidence, screening, and prevention of HPV-related malignancies, focused on OPC in the U.S.

EXPERT OPINION

HPV-related OPC incidence will continue to increase for the foreseeable future with prophylactic vaccination offering no substantial public health impact for decades. Consequently, we must rapidly increase vaccination rates and develop screening methods to identify high-risk individuals. Such individuals would be eligible for potential preventive treatments and screening to diagnose early-stage HPV-related OPC allowing less morbid treatments. These methods will bridge the population into an era of decreasing incidence after vaccination takes effect.

Noninvasive Imaging Methods to Improve the Diagnosis of Oral Carcinoma and Its Precursors: State of the Art and Proposal of a Three-Step Diagnostic Process

Simple Summary

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 90–95% of malignant tumors of the lip and oral cavity and is associated with high mortality in the advanced stages. Early diagnosis is a challenge for oral pathologists and dentists, due to the ambiguous appearance of early OSCC, which is often misdiagnosed, mistreated, and associated with diagnostic delay. The gold standards for OSCC diagnosis are biopsy and histopathological assessment, but these procedures are invasive and time-consuming. Adjunctive noninvasive techniques allow the definition of the malignant features of a suspicious lesion in real time and noninvasively, thus improving the diagnostic procedure. The present review aimed to focus on some of the main promising noninvasive imaging techniques, to highlight their perspective adoption in a three-step diagnosis, which is idealistically faster and better, as well as enables the patient’s compliance.

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent form of cancer of lips and oral cavity, and its diagnostic delay, caused by misdiagnosis at the early stages, is responsible for high mortality ratios. Biopsy and histopathological assessment are the gold standards for OSCC diagnosis, but they are time-consuming, invasive, and do not always enable the patient’s compliance, mainly in cases of follow-up with the need for more biopsies. The use of adjunctive noninvasive imaging techniques improves the diagnostic approach, making it faster and better accepted by patients. The present review aims to focus on the most consolidated diagnostic techniques, such as vital staining and tissue autofluorescence, and to report the potential role of some of the most promising innovative techniques, such as narrow-band imaging, high-frequency ultrasounds, optical coherence tomography, and in vivo confocal microscopy. According to their contribution to OSCC diagnosis, an ideal three-step diagnostic procedure is proposed, to make the diagnostic path faster, better, and more accurate.

Diagnostic approaches to carcinoma of unknown primary of the head and neck

Squamous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes arising from an undetected primary tumour, termed carcinoma of unknown primary (SCCUP), is a well-recognized clinical presentation within head and neck oncology. SCCUP is a common presentation for patients with human papillomavirus-mediated oropharyngeal cancer (HPV + OPSCC), as patients with HPV + OPSCC often present with smaller primary tumours and early nodal metastasis. Meticulous work-up of the SCCUP patient is central to the management of these patients as identification of the primary site improves overall survival and allows for definitive oncologic resection or more focused radiation when indicated. This review summarizes the comprehensive diagnostic approach to the SCCUP patient, including history and physical examination, methods of biopsy of the cervical lymph node, imaging modalities and intraoperative methods to localize the unknown primary. Novel techniques such as transcervical ultrasound of the oropharynx, narrow band imaging and diagnostic transoral robotic surgery are also discussed.

Feasibility of In-office Fine-Needle Aspiration for Base of Tongue Tumors

We aim to demonstrate the feasibility of in-office transcervical ultrasound (TCUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of base of tongue (BOT) tumors in a single-institution. Retrospective chart review was performed and 3 patients met criteria, with BOT tumors ≥3 cm . Two patients had no cervical adenopathy, while FNA of a cervical lymph node was inconclusive in patient 3. Two patients had multiple medical comorbidities rendering them high risk for general anesthesia, and 1 patient had a BOT tumor obscuring visualization of the glottis, which would have precluded intubation and potentially required tracheostomy to proceed. All patients underwent successful in-office TCUS-guided FNA, with results showing squamous cell carcinoma. There were no related complications. In-office TCUS-guided FNA can be used for diagnosis of BOT lesions that are evident on ultrasound. This is beneficial in cases where general anesthesia is considered high risk. Additionally, 1 patient safely continued anticoagulation, and another was able to avoid tracheostomy. This technique is cost-effective as it avoids the expenses associated with operative intervention.

Transcervical sonography and human papillomavirus 16 E6 antibodies are sensitive for the detection of oropharyngeal cancer

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) E6 seropositivity is a promising early marker of human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC), yet more sensitive imaging modalities are needed before screening is considered. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of transcervical sonography (TCS) for detecting clinically apparent HPV-OPC in comparison with computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients with known or suspected HPV-OPC without prior treatment underwent oropharyngeal TCS and blood collection (for HPV multiplex serology testing). Eight standard sonographic images were collected; primary-site tumors were measured in 3 dimensions if identified. Each patient underwent a full diagnostic workup as part of standard clinical care. The pathologic details, HPV status, final staging, and imaging findings were abstracted from the medical record. The sensitivity of each imaging modality was compared with the final clinical diagnosis (the gold standard).

RESULTS

Twenty-four base of tongue cancers (47%), 22 tonsillar cancers (43%), and 2 unknown primary cancers (4%) were diagnosed; 3 patients (6%) had no tumors. All p16-tested patients were positive (n = 47). Primary-site tumors were correctly identified in 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 78.6%-96.7%) with TCS, in 69.4% (95% CI, 54.6%-81.7%) with CT, and in 83.3% (95% CI, 68.6%-93.0%) with PET/CT. TCS identified tumors in 10 of 14 cases missed by CT and recognized the absence of tumors in 3 cases for which CT or PET/CT was falsely positive. The smallest sonographically identified primary-site tumor was 0.5 cm in its greatest dimension; the average size was 2.3 cm. Among p16-positive patients, 76.1% (95% CI, 61.2%-87.4%) were seropositive for HPV-16 E6.

CONCLUSIONS

TCS and HPV-16 E6 antibodies are sensitive for the diagnosis of HPV-OPC.

HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer: a review on burden of the disease and opportunities for prevention and early detection

The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) related to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is rising, making it now the most common HPV-related malignancy in the United States. These tumors present differently than traditional mucosal head and neck cancers, and those affected often lack classic risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use. Currently, there are no approved approaches for prevention and early detection of disease, thus leading many patients to present with advanced cancers requiring intense surgical or nonsurgical therapies resulting in significant side effects and cost to the health-care system. In this review, we outline the evolving epidemiology of HPV-related OPC. We also summarize the available evidence corresponding to HPV-related OPC prevention, including efficacy and safety of the HPV vaccine in preventing oral HPV infections. Finally, we describe emerging techniques for identifying and screening those who may be at high risk for developing these tumors.

Five-year outcome of ultrasound-guided interstitial permanent 125I seeds implantation for local head and neck recurrent tumors: a single center retrospective study

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of interstitial permanent low-dose-rate ultrasound-guided ¹²⁵I seeds implantation of local head and neck recurrent tumors.

Material and methods

Sixty-four consecutive patients, with 81 lesions in total, underwent permanent implantation of ¹²⁵I seeds under ultrasound guidance. Post-operative dosimetry was performed for all patients. Follow-up period ranged 103.5 months (median, 14 months).

Results

Among the 81 lesions, the totally response rate was 80.2%, and 22 (27%) and 43 (53%) lesions showed complete and partial remission. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year tumor control rates were 75.2%, 73.0%, and 69.1%, respectively. The results for cervical lymph node recurrence were better than those for recurrence or residual disease of primary head and neck neoplasms, with 5-year local control rates of 72.7% and 39.9%, respectively. D₉₀ was an independent prognostic factor of the tumor control, and lesion recurrence location and time to tumor progression were prognostic factors of survival. As of the date of follow-up, 22 of 64 patients were still alive. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 57.4%, 31%, and 26.6%, respectively, with a median survival of 20 months. Grade 4 skin ulceration was seen in two patients; grade 1 or 2 skin reactions were seen in 11 patients (17%) who had received external beam radiotherapy before. Other severe complications were absent.

Conclusions

Interstitial permanent implantation of ¹²⁵I seeds under ultrasound guidance is feasible, efficacious, and safe for refractory head and neck metastasis or recurrence.

Ultrasonography of Cervical Lymph Nodes

Ultrasonography is an excellent method for imaging evaluation of cervical lymph nodes. This article provides an image-rich review of the sonographic manifestations of diseases involving the cervical lymph nodes, with an emphasis on the expected anatomic distribution of diseases.

Trends in Risks for Second Primary Cancers Associated With Index Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancers

IMPORTANCE

In the last 4 decades, survival among patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers has improved, while the incidence of these cancers has increased among younger cohorts. Among survivors of HPV-associated cancers, persistent HPV infection may remain a risk factor for preventable HPV-associated second primary cancers (HPV-SPCs).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the risk of HPV-SPCs among survivors of HPV-associated index cancers and to test the hypothesis that the HPV-SPC risk among these persons has increased over the last 4 decades.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective cohort study of 9 cancer registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was conducted to identify patients with HPV-associated (cervical, vaginal, vulvar, oropharyngeal, anal, and penile) cancers diagnosed from January 1, 1973, through December 31, 2014. The dates of analysis were July 1, 2017, to January 31, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The HPV-SPC risk was quantified by calculating standard incidence ratios (SIRs) and excess absolute risks (EARs) per 10 000 person-years at risk (PYR). The HPV-SPC risk by time was estimated using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

From 113 272 (73 085 female and 40 187 male) survivors of HPV-associated cancers, 1397 women and 1098 men developed HPV-SPCs. The SIRs for HPV-SPCs were 6.2 (95% CI, 5.9-6.6) among women and 15.8 (95% CI, 14.9-16.8) among men. The EARs were 18.2 per 10 000 PYR for women and 53.5 per 10 000 PYR for men. Among both women and men, those who had index oropharyngeal cancers had the highest HPV-SPC risk (SIR, 19.8 [95% CI, 18.4-21.4] and EAR, 80.6 per 10 000 PYR among women; SIR, 18.0 [95% CI, 16.9-19.1] and EAR, 61.5 per 10 000 PYR among men). Women who had index cervical cancers and men who had index anal cancers had the lowest HPV-SPC risk (SIR, 2.4 [95% CI, 2.2-2.7] and EAR, 4.5 per 10 000 PYR among women; SIR, 6.5 [95% CI, 4.7-8.8] and EAR, 18.5 per 10 000 PYR among men). Both women and men who had index HPV-associated cancers of any kind had a significantly higher risk of oropharyngeal HPV-SPCs. Over the last 4 decades, the risk of developing most types of HPV-SPCs after index cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers increased.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

According to this study, the HPV-SPC risk among survivors of HPV-associated cancers is significant, implying that persistent HPV infection at multiple sites may be associated with HPV-SPCs. These findings have the potential to inform surveillance recommendations for survivors of HPV-associated cancers.

Human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is now recognised as the principal cause of the increasing incidence rates of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in some parts of the world. The primary risk factor for developing HPV-related OPSCC is oral HPV-infection and the majority of oral HPV-infections are acquired by oral sex. Progression into an OPSCC includes persistent infection with evasion of immune response in the microenvironment, the activation of viral early genes (E6, E7) in basal epithelial cells, the deregulation of cell cycle and the accumulation of chromosomal instability. Patients affected by HPV-related OPSCC tend to be younger and have better outcomes. This observation has lead current research to evaluate treatment de-escalation options to reduce long-term associated morbidity. Moreover, a different molecular profile for HPV-related OPSCC has been described, opening new options for targeted therapy and immunotherapy approaches. This paper comprehensively reviews our accumulated knowledge regarding the role of HPV in OPSCC spanning from infection to cancer development, including its clinical diagnosis, management and preventive strategies.

Reader performance in the ultrasonographic evaluation of oropharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To examine reader performance in evaluating oropharyngeal anatomy on ultrasonography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultrasound images of the oropharynx comprising normal and malignant anatomic variants were organized into slideshows. Slideshows were administered to 6 readers blinded to participant tumor status and with varying experience reading oropharyngeal sonograms. A training slideshow oriented readers to images of the oropharynx with and without malignant lesions. Readers then evaluated images in a test slideshow for tumor presence and marked orthogonal long and short dimensions of the tumor. Results were analyzed for accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, inter-reader agreement, and measurement error relative to prospectively-identified reference measurements.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven percent of base of tongue (BOT) sonograms were identified correctly by a majority of readers. In identifying BOT tumors, median accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and Fleiss's kappa were 79%, 73%, 85%, and 0.51, respectively. Median measurement error in the long and short axes for BOT tumors was -2.6% (range: -40% to 29%) and -2.6% (range: -56% to 156%), respectively. Eighty-four percent of palatine tonsil sonograms were identified correctly by a majority of readers. In identifying tonsil tumors, median accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and Fleiss's kappa were 77%, 74%, 78%, and 0.41, respectively. Median measurement error in the long and short axes for tonsil tumors was 3.8% (range: -45% to 32%) and -6.5% (range: -83% to 42%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, US has clinically useful sensitivity for identification of oropharyngeal carcinoma among readers of diverse clinical backgrounds and experience. US may be useful for the evaluation of features such as tumor dimensions.

Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of human papillomavirus-driven head and neck cancers

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) represent an increasing proportion of head and neck cancers that could become, in the next few decades, a public health problem in certain western countries. This significant epidemiological change strongly calls for preventive measures. Prophylactic HPV vaccination and screening programmes for early identification and treatment of premalignant lesions are currently being used to reduce the incidence of uterine cervical cancer, which is the paradigm of HPV-driven malignancy. These strategies have proven to be efficient as the incidence of cervical cancer has dramatically dropped since the 1960s in most countries where they are properly applied. The success of cervical cancer prevention encourages the development of similar approaches to prevent HPV-driven OPCs. However, a number of important limitations impede their application to HPV-driven OPCs, and the development of innovative and specific strategies dedicated to this disease are urgently needed. This article provides an overview on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of HPV-driven OPC and discusses some directions for future research.

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Biopsy for Diagnosis of Advanced-Stage Malignancies of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract

Objective

Traditionally, direct laryngoscopy confirms stage and tissue diagnosis prior to treatment planning. Patients who are frail or have tenuous airway anatomy may incur risks while undergoing anesthesia. Further, direct laryngoscopy is scheduled after initial examination, introducing diagnosis delay. This study investigates the impact of ultrasound examination with guided needle biopsy compared with traditional operative biopsy.

Study Design

Case series.

Setting

Tertiary head and neck clinic.

Subjects and Methods

The records of patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Memphis and Regional One Health who had supraglottic, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancer that was diagnosed by ultrasound needle biopsy were reviewed from 2011 to 2016. Demographics, stage, biopsy results, and treatment were abstracted.

Results

Seventeen patients who underwent ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the primary site were included. Average age was 63 years old, and 65% of patients were stage T4 (11/17). Needle biopsy yielded malignant cells in 76% (13/17). Eleven patients were included in subsequent analysis because 6 patients underwent needle biopsy only. Fisher exact test showed no difference between the 2 methods (P = .27). Sensitivity was 86% and specificity was 100%. Seven patients had a median potential delay in diagnosis of 10 days.

Conclusions

Ultrasound can be used effectively to obtain a tissue diagnosis, circumventing an operative biopsy. Moreover, ultrasound may provide additional imaging details to support accurate staging. This strategy may prove worthwhile to cut costs and reduce delay to staging, reduce risk for those with contraindications to anesthesia, and increase staging accuracy via enhanced imaging details.

Ultrasound-Guided Transcutaneous Needle Biopsy of the Base of the Tongue and Floor of the Mouth From a Submental Approach

Limited data exist regarding the feasibility of ultrasound-guided transcutaneous biopsy of the base of the tongue and floor of the mouth. This retrospective study reviewed 8 cases with lesions in the base of the tongue or floor of the mouth that were biopsied by fine-needle aspiration. Core biopsy was also needed in 1 case. All biopsies were technically successful, and all yielded squamous cell carcinoma. One biopsy yielded a false-positive result, as subsequent resection yielded high-grade dysplasia with no invasion. The other biopsy results were considered true-positive based on subsequent pathologic examinations (2 cases) or clinical/imaging follow-up (5 cases). There were no significant complications associated with the biopsies.

Visualization of the Oropharynx With Transcervical Ultrasound

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this article are to illustrate the sonographic appearance of the oropharynx and to discuss the potential role of ultrasound in evaluation of the oropharynx.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound is not currently used in the standard clinical evaluation of the oropharynx, but it is a promising imaging modality for evaluating the base of the tongue and the palatine tonsils. Ultrasound is comparable and complementary to CT and MRI, which have recognized limitations.

Epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now established as the principal cause of an increase in incidence of a subset of head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNCs) in numerous geographic regions around the world. Further study of the epidemiology of HPV-positive HNC will be critical to the development and implementation of public health interventions to reverse these global incidence trends. Here, recent data are reviewed to provide insight into several topics, including incidence trends and projections for HPV-positive HNC; the worldwide HPV-attributable fraction; sex disparities in cancer risk; the epidemiology of oral HPV infection; the latency period between infection and cancer; the potential impact of prophylactic HPV vaccination; and prospects for secondary prevention through screening for oral HPV infection or seroreactivity to viral antigens. The identification of a single necessary cause for any cancer provides a rare and perhaps extraordinary opportunity for cancer prevention.

Evaluation of Tongue Cancer Using High-Resolution Sonography: Comparison With Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of sonography in assessing tongue cancer compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

A randomized prospective study was performed on 40 cases of tongue cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging and sonography of the tongue were performed, tumor spreading to particular sites was recorded in all cases. Sonographic and MRI findings were correlated with histopathologic findings in 18 operable cases. In 22 inoperable cases, sonography was compared only with MRI.

RESULTS

In operable patients, sonography achieved sensitivity of 61.1%, whereas MRI achieved sensitivity of 94.4%. The difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The results for detection of individual site involvement on sonography and MRI were as follows: intrinsic muscles only, 0 and 6, respectively; tongue base, 5 and 5; genioglossus muscle, 34 and 34; mylohyoid muscle, 9 and 8; sublingual space, 12 and 14; sublingual neurovascular bundle, 12 and 12; submandibular gland, 3 and 3; spread across the lingual septum, 17 and 17; and alveolar involvement, 0 and 1. There was no significant difference (P> .05) between sonography and MRI in detecting involvement of the above-mentioned sites except for cases with only intrinsic muscles and alveolar involvement. Tumors involving intrinsic tongue muscles only were not visualized on sonography. They all underwent surgery, resulting in reduced sensitivity of sonography in operable cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though small tumors were difficult to visualize, sonography can play an important role in assessment of tumor extension in large growths, especially when MRI is unavailable, contraindicated, or unaffordable, and for posttreatment follow-up.

The Impact of Tonsillectomy upon the Risk of Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Prognosis in the Danish Cancer Registry

The incidence of oropharyngeal carcinoma, involving palatine and lingual tonsils, is increasing globally. This significant rise is driven by human papillomavirus. Whether palatine tonsillectomy affects risk of diagnosis with oropharyngeal carcinoma is unknown. The association between tonsillectomy and incidence of oropharyngeal carcinoma was explored in the Danish Cancer Registry. The association between tonsillectomy and oropharyngeal carcinoma was analyzed by time since first registration of tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy was a time-dependent variable. Individuals were censored for death, emigration, or tonsillectomy within incident year of diagnosis. Incidence rate ratios (RR) were estimated by Poisson regression models and adjusted for confounders. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were compared by the log-rank test, and HRs were estimated by Cox proportional hazards models. From 1977 to 2012, the incidence of tonsillectomies significantly decreased, whereas the incidence of oropharyngeal carcinoma significantly increased. Tonsillectomy was not associated with risk of oropharyngeal carcinoma or malignancies of other anatomic sites, including base of tongue. However, tonsillectomy significantly reduced risk of diagnosis with tonsil carcinoma [RR, 0.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22-0.70]. The risk of diagnosis with tonsil carcinoma at age <60 years was significantly decreased (RRadj, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.06-0.41) after tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy within 1 year of diagnosis with tonsil carcinoma was associated with significantly improved overall survival (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38-0.74). In conclusion, remote history of tonsillectomy reduces the risk of diagnosis with tonsil carcinoma. These data inform risk and benefit of tonsillectomy, a common procedure and design of secondary prevention trials.

The use of ultrasound in the search for the primary site of unknown primary head and neck squamous cell cancers

BACKGROUND

Although human papillomavirus detection in cervical lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCC) of unknown primary site (UP) is indicative of a primary tumor of the oropharynx (OP), localization can remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated ultrasonography (US) for the identification of the primary tumor.

METHODS

Eligible cases had HNSCC of UP after evaluation by a head and neck surgical oncologist. Controls were healthy volunteers. Transcervical and intraoral ultrasonography was performed by a standard protocol using convex (3.75-6.0 MHz and 5-7.5 MHz) transducers. US findings were compared with operative examination (exam under anesthesia, direct laryngoscopy) and biopsies. The primary outcome of interest was the presence or absence of a lesion on US.

RESULTS

10 cases and 20 controls were enrolled. PET/CT scans were negative/nonspecific (9), or suspicious (1) for a primary lesion. On US, predominantly hypoechoic (9 of 10) lesions were visualized consistent with base of tongue (n=7) or tonsil (n=3) primary tumors. On operative examination, 5 of 10 were appreciated. Two additional primaries were confirmed with biopsies "directed" by preoperative US. This represents an overall diagnostic rate of 70%, which is 20% higher than our detection rate for 2008-2010. The three cases in which a suspicious lesion was visualized on US, yet remained UP despite further interventions, could represent false positives, misclassification or operator variability. No lesions were suspected among the controls.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound has promise for detection of UPs of the OP and therefore warrants further investigation.