Prognostic significance of time trends in treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To analyze the impact of demographic, clinical, and management variables on time to treatment initiation (TTI) and overall survival (OS).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer from 2018 to 2020 were reviewed. Univariate linear and Cox-regressions identified predictors of TTI and OS. Kaplan Meier (KM) curves assessed the difference in survival by diagnostic year and TTI.

RESULTS

381 patients met eligibility criteria. Median TTI was 35.0 days (IQR: 25.0-49.0). Only 10.8 % of all patients reported any treatment delay, with TTI exceeding 90 days found in 3.7 % of patients. TTI increased with African American race (p = 0.02), ED referrals (p = 0.02), and direct admission status (p = 0.01). When compared to treatment with surgery alone, TTI was shorter in patients undergoing surgery with adjuvant radiation (p = 0.02), adjuvant chemoradiation (p = 0.04), and salvage surgery (p = 0.04). Univariate Cox-regressions found smoking (p = 0.01), direct admission status (p = 0.02), increased duration of symptoms (p = 0.02), placement of PEG tubes (p < 0.01) and tracheostomies (p < 0.01), combination treatment (p < 0.01), and surgery with adjuvant chemoradiation treatment (p = 0.01) to increase mortality risk. Disease characteristics, including tumor size (p < 0.01), presence of nodal disease (p = 0.02), and late-stage disease (p < 0.01), increased mortality risk. TTI and diagnostic year did not impact survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis determined several demographic, referral, and treatment factors impacted TTI. However, increased TTI did not impact survival. Characteristics consistent with advanced disease worsened OS. Despite the pandemic burden, patients diagnosed in 2020 showed no difference in short-term survival compared to prior years.

Loss to Follow-up in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reporting and rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU) in head and neck cancer (HNC) randomized controlled trials based in the United States.

DATA SOURCES

Pubmed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus databases.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review of titles in Pubmed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library was performed. Inclusion criteria were US-based randomized controlled trials focused on the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of HNC. Retrospective analyses and pilot studies were excluded. The mean age, patients randomized, publication details, trial sites, funding, and LTFU data were recorded. Reporting of participants through each stage of the trial was documented. Binary logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations between study characteristics and reporting LTFU.

RESULTS

A total of 3255 titles were reviewed. Of these, 128 studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. A total of 22,016 patients were randomized. The mean age of participants was 58.6 years. Overall, 35 studies (27.3%) reported LTFU, and the mean LTFU rate was 4.37%. With the exception of 2 statistical outliers, study characteristics including publication year, number of trial sites, journal discipline, funding source, and intervention type did not predict the odds of reporting LTFU. Compared to 95% of trials reporting participants at eligibility and 100% reporting randomization, only 47% and 57% reported on withdrawal and details of the analysis, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The majority of clinical trials in HNC in the United States do not report LTFU, which inhibits the evaluation of attrition bias that may impact the interpretation of significant findings. Standardized reporting is needed to evaluate the generalizability of trial results to clinical practice.

Incidence and medical complications of COVID-19 in the total laryngectomy population: A population-based study

OBJECTIVES

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers treated with total laryngectomy (TL) may provide a unique avenue for COVID-19 to infect cancer patients. The objective of this investigation was to identify incidence of COVID-19 infection and potential complications in TL patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data was extracted from TriNetX COVID-19 research network from from 2019 to 2021 and ICD-10 codes were utilized to query for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, and outcomes of interest. Cohorts were propensity score-matched based on demographics and co-morbidities.

RESULTS

A query of active patients in TriNetX from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 identified 36,414 patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer out of the 50,474,648 active patients in the database. The overall COVID-19 incidence in the non-laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer population was 10.8% compared to 18.8% (p < 0.001) in the laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer group. Those who underwent TL had a statistically significant increased incidence of acquiring COVID-19 (24.0%) when compared to those without TL (17.7%) (p < 0.001). TL patients with COVID-19 had a higher risk of developing pneumonia RR (risk ratio) 1.80 (1.43, 2.26), death 1.74 (1.41, 2.14), ARDS 2.42 (1.16, 5.05), sepsis 1.77 (1.37, 2.29), shock 2.81 (1.88, 4.18), respiratory failure 2.34 (1.90, 2.88), and malnutrition 2.46 (2.01, 3.01) when matched with those COVID-19 positive cancer patients without TL.

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients had a higher rate of acquiring COVID-19 than patients without these cancers. TL patients have a higher rate of COVID-19 compared to those without TL and may be at a higher risk for sequalae of COVID-19.

Job market in head and neck surgery: A survey and analysis of recent fellowship graduates

OBJECTIVE

Recent years have seen increase in individuals pursuing postgraduate fellowships in head and neck (HN) surgery. This has presented concerns about insufficient jobs where graduates can apply their scope of specialized training.

METHODS

Data was collected in two manners- a survey and a manual online search of American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) fellowship graduates. A 25-question survey was sent in 2021 to approximately 400 HN fellows who graduated between 2010 and 2020. The AHNS list of graduates from the same years were searched online to collect information including gender, graduation year, fellowship training, and current job practice.

RESULTS

Of the 78 survey responses, 64.1 % were male and 34.6 % female. 96.2 % reported ablative, 84.6 % microvascular, and 82.1 % TORS training. Mean number of interviews was 4 with most interviewing during the 3rd quarter (January to March). Majority reported being in academic and university-based practices (79.6 %). Online search was done on 393 graduates. Since 2010 the number of graduates almost doubled. There was a statistically significant increase in females by year (p = 0.022). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.022) in graduates with additional fellowship training from that of their AHNS fellowship. There was also a statistically significant increase in graduates being in academic practices (p = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Despite growing numbers, there appears to be more graduates entering an academic practice, although the definition of an academic HN practice may be evolving. These results provide guidance on how to approach the job search in a select market.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Occult nodal metastasis in major salivary gland malignancy: An update from the National Cancer Database

OBJECTIVES

Malignant salivary gland tumors are rare neoplasms that are vastly heterogenous in their histological patterns and clinical behaviors. As a consequence, studies have lacked the robust sample sizes needed to define treatment strategies. In this study, we used the National Cancer Database to identify the incidence of occult nodal metastasis and effect on overall survival for the most common malignant salivary gland subtypes. A retrospective review of patients in the National Cancer Database with primary site malignancies of major salivary glands between 2004 and 2016 was performed. Subjects included in the study underwent surgical treatment with and without adjuvant radiation and had complete information on TNM pathological stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

8,689 patients with primary malignant salivary gland cancer were analyzed. The sample was stratified by histologic subtype. Univariate analysis of lymph node metastasis of the whole cohort showed a higher risk of death (p < 0.001), when compared to those without. Also when comparing occult vs evident metastasis, the risk of death was higher for the latter (p < 0.001).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Occult cervical lymph node metastasis ranged from 14.9% to 35.8% in malignant salivary gland cancers, depending on histological subtype. Occult nodal metastasis was a poor prognostic factor with significantly worse overall survival.

Impact of intraoperative ischemia time on acute complications of head and neck microvascular free tissue transfer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the relationship between intraoperative ischemia time with acute microvascular free tissue transfer (MFTT) complications in head and neck reconstruction.

METHODS

A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines was performed. Inclusion encompassed all available studies published and indexed using PubMed, Medline, and Embase. Meta-analyses were performed using the Cochrane Review Manager tool. Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS), the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, and the NIH Study Quality Assessment Tool for non-randomized prospective studies.

RESULTS

A total of 430 citations were reviewed. 25 were included in our overall qualitative analysis, and 14 for meta-analysis. When comparing ischemia times for flaps with and without complications, no significant difference was observed (p = 0.98). Additionally, in a separate cohort, no significant effect was realized when correlating ischemia time to overall rates and total complications.

CONCLUSION

Ischemia time was not significantly different between those with and without acute flap complications.

Occult nodal metastasis in major salivary gland malignancy: An update from the National Cancer Database

OBJECTIVES

Malignant salivary gland tumors are rare neoplasms that are vastly heterogenous in their histological patterns and clinical behaviors. As a consequence, studies have lacked the robust sample sizes needed to define treatment strategies. In this study, we used the National Cancer Database to identify the incidence of occult nodal metastasis and effect on overall survival for the most common malignant salivary gland subtypes. A retrospective review of patients in the National Cancer Database with primary site malignancies of major salivary glands between 2004 and 2016 was performed. Subjects included in the study underwent surgical treatment with and without adjuvant radiation and had complete information on TNM pathological stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

8,689 patients with primary malignant salivary gland cancer were analyzed. The sample was stratified by histologic subtype. Univariate analysis of lymph node metastasis of the whole cohort showed a higher risk of death (p < 0.001), when compared to those without. Also when comparing occult vs evident metastasis, the risk of death was higher for the latter (p < 0.001).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Occult cervical lymph node metastasis ranged from 14.9% to 35.8% in malignant salivary gland cancers, depending on histological subtype. Occult nodal metastasis was a poor prognostic factor with significantly worse overall survival.

Cancellous Tibial Bone Graft for Malunion after Mandibular Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

While nonunion after mandibular reconstruction for head and neck surgery is rare, literature exploring management is scarce. Our primary objective was to determine success rates of tibial bone graft (TBG) in achieving mandibular union. Secondary objectives include determining factors that contribute to failure of TBG.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective Chart Review.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018. Patients who underwent a mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy with osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction were identified. Patients who were pursuing dental rehabilitation, subsequently diagnosed with mandibular nonunion and received a cancellous TBG were assessed.

RESULTS

The 15 patients meeting inclusion criteria were mostly male (67%), white (87%), and nonsmokers (67%) with a median age of 64 (IQR = 60-73). Successful union occurred in 13 of 18 (72%) TBGs and the majority (63%) had a partial union documented at the time of surgery. Five patients (83%) who initially had a mandibulotomy achieved union compared to 78% of those with osteocutaneous reconstruction (P = 1.0). Postoperative radiation did not affect rates of union: 80% for both (P = 1.0). Patients with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) achieved union in 67% of cases compared to 75% of cases who did not have ORN (P = .86). There were similar rates of union for those who required perioperative antibiotics for infection and those without infection (67% vs. 75%, P = .86). Dental rehabilitation was achieved in 55% of patients, most commonly dentures.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that TBG can be used to achieve union for patients with malunion after head and neck cancer reconstruction. We show its successful use within the reconstructive algorithm for patients regardless of postoperative radiation for very small defects.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 131:1291-1296, 2021.

Use of concurrent chemoradiation in advanced staged (T4) laryngeal cancer

HYPOTHESIS

Patients with advanced laryngeal cancer sometimes desire organ preservation protocols even if it portends a worse outcome.

BACKGROUND

To assess outcomes of patients with T4 laryngeal cancer treated with chemoradiation therapy.

METHODS

Case series with chart review at a tertiary university hospital. Twenty-four patients with T4 laryngeal cancer all declined total laryngectomy with adjuvant radiation as the primary treatment modality and alternatively received concurrent chemoradiation therapy. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were rates of tracheotomy dependence, gastric tube dependence, and need for salvage laryngectomy.

RESULTS

All patients had T4 laryngeal disease, 71% had cartilage invasion and 59% had regional metastasis to the neck. Kaplan-Meier analysis determined 2-year and 5-year overall survival to be 64% and 59% respectively. The locoregional recurrence rate was 25%. The distant metastasis rate was 21%. The rate of salvage laryngectomy was 17%, which occurred at a mean of 56.5months after the original diagnosis. The rate of tracheotomy dependence was 33% while gastric tube dependence was 25%.

CONCLUSION

Advanced T4 laryngeal cancer, particularly with cartilage invasion, remains a surgical disease best treated with total laryngectomy and adjuvant radiation. This data may help guide patients and practitioners considering concurrent chemoradiation therapy for definitive treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer.

Contemporary management of carotid blowout syndrome utilizing endovascular techniques

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To illustrate complex interdisciplinary decision making and the utility of modern endovascular techniques in the management of patients with carotid blowout syndrome (CBS).

STUDY DESIGNS

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

Patients treated with endovascular strategies and/or surgical modalities were included. Control of hemorrhage, neurological, and survival outcomes were studied.

RESULTS

Between 2004 and 2014, 33 patients had 38 hemorrhagic events related to head and neck cancer that were managed with endovascular means. Of these, 23 were localized to the external carotid artery (ECA) branches and five localized to the ECA main trunk; nine were related to the common carotid artery (CCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA), and one event was related to the innominate artery. Seven events related to the CCA/ICA or innominate artery were managed with endovascular sacrifice, whereas three cases were managed with a flow-preserving approach (covered stent). Only one patient developed permanent hemiparesis. In two of the three cases where the flow-preserving approach was used, the covered stent eventually became exposed via the overlying soft tissue defect, and definitive management using carotid revascularization or resection was employed to prevent further hemorrhage. In cases of soft tissue necrosis, vascularized tissues were used to cover the great vessels as applicable.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of modern endovascular approaches for management of acute CBS yields optimal results and should be employed in a coordinated manner by the head and neck surgeon and the neurointerventionalist.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:383-390, 2017.

Laryngotracheal reconstruction with a prefabricated fasciocutaneous free flap for recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Prefabricated composite free flaps have been described as a technique for reconstruction of laryngotracheal defects.

METHODS

We present a 74-year-old woman with recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who was initially treated with thyroidectomy, tracheal resection, and subsequent vocal cord medialization. The patient's recurrent disease was treated with partial laryngectomy and reconstruction using a prefabricated composite free flap. A 2-stage procedure was performed using conchal cartilage to create a prefabricated radial forearm free flap.

RESULTS

The patient's airway was successfully reconstructed with preservation of speech and swallow function.

CONCLUSION

This case provides further evidence supporting the use of prefabricated free flaps in airway reconstruction and the ability to obtain successful outcomes in a patient with multiple prior surgeries in the operative field and requiring adjuvant external beam radiation therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2512-E2514, 2016.

Use of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation in the management of cervical necrotizing fasciitis

BACKGROUND

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive infection that can be rapidly fatal if aggressive therapies are not initiated early. Negative pressure wound therapy has been established as an effective tool in promoting wound healing, but its use in the acutely infected wound has been avoided because it limits frequent irrigations and standard dressing changes.

METHODS

We discuss a novel application of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation in an immunocompromised patient with extensive cervical necrotizing fasciitis.

RESULTS

The negative pressure wound therapy with instillation provided pain relief by minimizing the frequency of dressing changes, increased the speed of healing, helped to control infection, and facilitated the development of a healthy wound bed sufficient for reconstruction with a split thickness skin graft.

CONCLUSION

The role of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation continues to expand and can be used in the management of both acute and chronic wounds in the head and neck.

Foreign body impaction of the vertebral canal

Foreign body impactions in the aerodigestive tract are common, but have the potential for serious complications. A foreign body may disrupt the mucosal lining and migrate regionally thereby risking impingement or injury to critical neurovascular structures in the cervical region. It is important to recognize potential complications that may arise from luminal compromise. In such cases, expeditious surgical treatment is warranted.

Subcutaneous emphysema after otologic surgery: a case report

Subcutaneous emphysema of the head and neck after otologic surgery is exceedingly rare. The mechanism relates to the intimate relationship of the temporomandibular joint to the external auditory canal. We present a rare case of subcutaneous emphysema after otologic surgery for ear disease. An astute clinical index of suspicion coupled with prompt treatment can help minimize morbidity and improve patient outcomes.

Double bilobed radial forearm free flap for anterior tongue and floor-of-mouth reconstruction

We describe what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first use of a double bilobed radial forearm free flap in reconstructive surgery of the tongue and floor of the mouth following bilateral tumor resection. Our patient was a 78-year-old man who had experienced tumor recurrence in the anterior floor of the mouth after previous resection and radiotherapy. Eleven weeks postoperatively, the patient could extend his tongue to his hard palate and past his mandibular alveolus anteriorly. Within 6 months, he was able to tolerate an oral diet of soft food and exhibited understandable speech quality. Although the use of a single bilobed radial forearm flap is widely used after hemiglossectomy, our double bilobed modification extends this technique to anterior tongue and floor-of-mouth defects. This technique provides adequate bulk while allowing for depth of a ventral sulcus that will minimize tethering of the tongue and reduce oral incompetence. We recommend that this technique be included in the armamentarium of any reconstructive head and neck cancer surgeon.

Double Bilobed Radial Forearm Free Flap for Anterior Tongue and Floor-of-Mouth Reconstruction

We describe what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first use of a double bilobed radial forearm free flap in reconstructive surgery of the tongue and floor of the mouth following bilateral tumor resection. Our patient was a 78-year-old man who had experienced tumor recurrence in the anterior floor of the mouth after previous resection and radiotherapy. Eleven weeks postoperatively, the patient could extend his tongue to his hard palate and past his mandibular alveolus anteriorly. Within 6 months, he was able to tolerate an oral diet of soft food and exhibited understandable speech quality. Although the use of a single bilobed radial forearm flap is widely used after hemiglossectomy, our double bilobed modification extends this technique to anterior tongue and floor-of-mouth defects. This technique provides adequate bulk while allowing for depth of a ventral sulcus that will minimize tethering of the tongue and reduce oral incompetence. We recommend that this technique be included in the armamentarium of any reconstructive head and neck cancer surgeon.

Comparison of functional and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with and without palatomaxillary reconstruction: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Orodental rehabilitation of hemipalatomaxillectomy defects can be accomplished by using a prosthetic obturator or a vascularized bone-containing free flap. Whereas prosthetic obturation offers several advantages, including the opportunity for immediate dental restoration without the need for further surgery, vascularized bone grafts provide permanent closure of the oronasal communication and bone sufficient for the placement of osseointegrated implants.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the functional and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in patients rehabilitated with a prosthetic obturator with defect-matched patients who underwent reconstruction with a vascularized bone-containing free flap.

METHODS

Four hemipalatomaxillectomy patients rehabilitated with a tissue-borne prosthetic obturator were compared with 4 defect-matched hemipalatomaxillectomy patients who underwent reconstruction with a vascularized bone-containing free flap. All of the patients were objectively assessed for speech, mastication, and QOL. Functional status was assessed by mastication testing, voice analysis, and nasorhinometry. Swallowing-related QOL was assessed using a patient-reported, validated swallowing QOL questionnaire, and donor site morbidity was assessed using upper extremity and lower extremity questionnaires.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent reconstruction with a vascularized bone-containing free flap achieved higher mastication and speech assessment scores with less oronasal reflux than defect-matched patients rehabilitated with a prosthetic obturator. Swallowing QOL and donor site assessments demonstrated that compared with their prosthetic counterparts, reconstruction patients enjoyed a better QOL without incurring significant donor site morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Although palatomaxillary reconstruction with vascularized bone-containing free flaps requires a second operative site, this method of orodental rehabilitation of the hemipalatomaxillectomy defect can achieve superior functional and QOL outcomes relative to defect-matched patients rehabilitated with a prosthetic obturator.

Relationship of endotoxin to tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta in children with otitis media with effusion

Sixty-five middle ear effusions and paired sera from 41 children with chronic otitis media with effusion were assayed for endotoxin and for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in order to establish whether a correlation exists between the concentrations of endotoxin and of these cytokines. Endotoxin concentration was determined by means of a chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate assay, and the cytokine concentration by means of a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Forty percent of the effusions had detectable levels of endotoxin, with a mean concentration of 2.9 +/- 7.8 endotoxin units per milligram of total protein. The mean concentration of TNF-alpha was 1.24 +/- 3.1 pg/mg total protein, and that of IL-1 beta was 18.79 pg/mg total protein. A strong, statistically significant correlation exists between the concentrations of endotoxin and TNF-alpha (r = .89) and IL-1 beta (r = .72). The data indicate that endotoxin may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media with effusion by stimulating the sustained production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta in the middle ear.