Risk-Stratification using the 40-Gene Expression Profile (40-GEP) Test Identifies Patients with Node Negative Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) at Higher Risk of Metastasis Who May Benefit from Adjuvant Radiation Therapy (ART)

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

ART is a standard treatment used to reduce the risk of metastasis and recurrence in moderate‒to‒high-risk cSCC patients. Indications for ART have been largely based on pathologic risk factors and informed by staging systems, and while radiation oncologists generally designate a >10% risk threshold for usage of ART, there is no consensus on which groups of tumors may benefit from ART. The 40-GEP test has been independently validated to predict a cSCC patient's risk for regional/distant metastasis in patients with one or more high-risk clinicopathologic factors and reports three biologic risk groups: Class 1 (low, ∼7%), Class 2A (moderate, 20-25%), and Class 2B (high risk, >50%) for metastasis. This study aims to evaluate whether a biomarker informed risk stratification approach using a 40-GEP result could refine the ability to select patients with node negative cSCC at higher risk of metastasis who are most likely to benefit from ART.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this retrospective study, all patients had primary cSCC tissue with verified clinicopathologic information of tumors with one or more high-risk factors, met clinical testing criteria, were comprehensively staged, and had outcomes data (n = 954). Patients with node positive disease, or those with nodal failure within 3 months of diagnosis were excluded (n = 19). From the n = 935, an intermediate risk population wherein ART is often considered was defined as Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) ≥T2a (n = 489). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to assess metastasis free survival (MFS). Univariate Cox regression compared metastasis rates between 40-GEP results.

RESULTS

The 3-year MFS rate for this eligible for ART cohort was 82.4% The 40-GEP demonstrated statistically significant risk stratification with MFS rates of 92.4%, 76.1% and 59.4% for Class 1, Class 2A and Class 2B, respectively (p<0.0001). Cox regression was significant for Class 2A and 2B compared to Class 1, with a 3.2-fold and 6.4-fold increase in metastasis, respectively (p<0.0001). 64% (59/92) of all metastases received a Class 2A result, and 44% (14/32) of Class 2B patients metastasized. 46% (223/489) of the cohort received a Class 1 result. Of patients staged BWH T1 (n = 446), those with a Class 2A and 2B had an 88.7% and 66.7% MFS rate, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Within this eligible for ART population, patients with Class 2A or 2B 40-GEP results have inferior rates of MFS, while Class 1 patients have <10% risk of metastasis. Nearly half of this population received a 40-GEP Class 1 result and could be considered for treatment de-intensification trials. Conversely, patients with low-risk BWH T1 stage, who are traditionally not considered for ART, that received a Class 2A or 2B (>10% risk of metastasis) could be considered for adjuvant therapy.

1558 Epiglottic Abscess: A Rare Complication of Adult Epiglottitis

This report summarises a case of a 23-year-old female who was found to have an epiglottic abscess, an unusual complication of epiglottitis not commonly reported in the literature. Despite the reduced incidence of childhood epiglottitis following widespread Haemophilus Influenzae vaccination, the adult incidence is nonetheless increasing, which would lead to expected higher numbers of resultant complications.

Abscess formation should form part of the differential diagnosis when epiglottitis fails to adequately respond to medical management. In these cases, cross-sectional imaging is often required in order to guide surgical management. This involves endoscopic transoral incision and drainage under general anaesthesia, which here brought rapid resolution. Perioperative support of the anaesthetic team is vital: if endotracheal intubation is not possible, a surgical tracheostomy may be required.

We reaffirm that endoscopic examination by experienced personnel is appropriate in the initial and ongoing investigation of supraglottic laryngeal infections in order to make a diagnosis and evaluate an airway in stable patients. Such patients must be managed on a ward with airway trained nursing staff and an escalation plan in case of airway compromise. In patients that present in airway obstruction, airway stabilization, with early input from ENT surgeons and anaesthetists, is the priority.

Improving quality of life through the routine use of the patient concerns inventory for head and neck cancer patients: main results of a cluster preference randomised controlled trial

PURPOSE

The patient concerns inventory (PCI) is a prompt list allowing head and neck cancer (HNC) patients to discuss issues that otherwise might be overlooked. This trial evaluated the effectiveness of using the PCI at routine outpatient clinics for one year after treatment on health-related QOL (HRQOL).

METHODS

A pragmatic cluster preference randomised control trial with 15 consultants, 8 'using' and 7 'not using' the PCI intervention. Patients treated with curative intent (all sites, disease stages, treatments) were eligible.

RESULTS

Consultants saw a median (inter-quartile range) 16 (13-26) patients, with 140 PCI and 148 control patients. Of the pre-specified outcomes, the 12-month results for the mean University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOLv4) social-emotional subscale score suggested a small clinical effect of intervention of 4.6 units (95% CI 0.2, 9.0), p = 0.04 after full adjustment for pre-stated case-mix. Results for UW-QOLv4 overall quality of life being less than good at 12 months (primary outcome) also favoured the PCI with a risk ratio of 0.83 (95% CI 0.66, 1.06) and absolute risk 4.8% (- 2.9%, 12.9%) but without achieving statistical significance. Other non-a-priori analyses, including all 12 UWQOL domains and at consultant level also suggested better HRQOL with PCI. Consultation times were unaffected and the number of items selected decreased over time.

CONCLUSION

This novel trial supports the integration of the PCI approach into routine consultations as a simple low-cost means of benefiting HNC patients. It adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the use of patient prompt lists more generally.

'Hiding their troubles': a qualitative exploration of suicide in Bhutanese refugees in the USA

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a major global health concern. Bhutanese refugees resettled in the USA are disproportionately affected by suicide, yet little research has been conducted to identify factors contributing to this vulnerability. This study aims to investigate the issue of suicide of Bhutanese refugee communities via an in-depth qualitative, social-ecological approach.

METHODS

Focus groups were conducted with 83 Bhutanese refugees (adults and children), to explore the perceived causes, and risk and protective factors for suicide, at individual, family, community, and societal levels. Audio recordings were translated and transcribed, and inductive thematic analysis conducted.

RESULTS

Themes identified can be situated across all levels of the social-ecological model. Individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are only fully understood when considering past experiences, and stressors at other levels of an individual's social ecology. Shifting dynamics and conflict within the family are pervasive and challenging. Within the community, there is a high prevalence of suicide, yet major barriers to communicating with others about distress and suicidality. At the societal level, difficulties relating to acculturation, citizenship, employment and finances, language, and literacy are influential. Two themes cut across several levels of the ecosystem: loss; and isolation, exclusion, and loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

This study extends on existing research and highlights the necessity for future intervention models of suicide to move beyond an individual focus, and consider factors at all levels of refugees' social-ecology. Simply focusing treatment at the individual level is not sufficient. Researchers and practitioners should strive for community-driven, culturally relevant, socio-ecological approaches for prevention and treatment.

Effects of intrathecal fentanyl as an adjunct to hyperbaric bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for elective caesarean section

Hyperbaric bupivacaine is the most common drug used in spinal anesthesia for caesarean section. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of adding fentanyl to intrathecal bupivacaine on the onset and duration of spinal anesthesia and its effect on mother and neonate. Seventy healthy parturients with singleton pregnancy scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomly allocated to receive subarachnoid block with 0.5% bupivacaine heavy 2.4 ml (Group A) or fentanyl 20 microgram (0.4 ml) added to 0.5% bupivacaine heavy 2 ml (Group B). Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, along with characteristics of spinal block were assessed throughout the surgery and in the postoperative ward until the patient requested for analgesia. It was found that duration of sensory block was prolonged in fentanyl group (p < 0.05). Duration of complete analgesia (97 ± 8.23 minutes vs 153 ± 7 minutes; p value = 0.00) and effective analgesia (134 ± 5.6 minutes vs 164 ± 9; p value = 0.00) were also found to be prolonged in Group B. There was not much difference in the occurrence of side effects in both the groups. Addition of fentanyl to intrathecal bupivacaine for cesarean section increases the duration of postoperative analgesia without increasing maternal or neonatal side effects.

Is unilateral tonsillar enlargement alone an indication for tonsillectomy?

Introduction: Unilateral tonsillar enlargement is often seen in the out-patient setting. Frequently, these patients are listed for tonsillectomy for the purpose of ruling out malignant histology. This study aims to determine the necessity for tonsillectomy.

Method: This retrospective case-note review looks at all the tonsillectomies performed for histological examination at our institution over a five year period, and analyses the histological findings in those with unilateral tonsillar enlargement (UTE) alone, and those with UTE with other clinical features (history of chronic pain, dysphagia, the presence of tonsillar or peritonsillar mucosal abnormality, those with cervical lymphadenopathy). All patients who underwent tonsillectomy for the purpose of histological examination from 1 June 1998 to 30 May 2003 were identified and their notes reviewed. Exclusion criteria included cases where there were no pre-operative out-patient notes, those patients where the specimens had been sent from other hospitals, those patients who had malignancy already diagnosed, and those cases where tonsillectomy had been performed by other surgical specialties (e.g. maxillofacial, plastics). There were 1475 tonsillectomies, of which 181 performed over this period were sent for histological analysis. After excluding those patients that did not meet our criteria, we were left with 53 patients who had UTE. The primary outcome measure was the rate of malignancy in the two groups.

Results: Of these, 33 had UTE alone, 20 had associated clinical features. In the former group, none of the patients were found to have malignancy. In the latter, nine (45 per cent) had a malignancy. Fisher's exact test was used to test for differences between the UTE alone group versus the UTE plus other features group (p<0.001).

Discussion: The prevalence of malignancy in tonsils which exhibit asymmetry with no other clinical features is very low; in our study it was zero. However, other studies have found a small percentage representing underlying malignancy. In view of this, we feel that a ‘watch and wait’ policy is initially more appropriate, and if symptoms or signs are progressive, tonsillectomy should then be advised.

Continuous versus Intermittent Bolus Epidural Anaesthesia in Elderly Surgical Patients

A prospective study of 70 elderly conventionally continuously randomized patients was done to compare thehaemodynamic changes produced during continuous infusion versus intermittent bolus epidural anaesthesia.The hemodynamic parameters (Blood pressure, Heart rate) were slightly changed in continuous infusiongroup but there was no significant difference compared with baseline value (p>0.05). Whereas, In bolusgroup, the hemodynamic parameters differed significantly compared with baseline values and the patientsin group I. So conclusion of better hemodynamic stability in continuous infusion epidural anaesthesia thanthat in intermittent bolus epidural method in elderly is reached.Key Words: Epidural anaesthesia, haemodynamic, intermittent bolus, continuous infusion.