Outcome of multidisciplinary treatment in laryngeal cancer. Retrospective study with 10-years follow-up

Background

In laryngeal cancer, multidisciplinary treatment improves the patient's quality of life and the possibility of preserving the larynx. Most cases occur in a locally advanced stage. The aim is to present the results according to the stage.

Method

A retrospective study which analyzed the clinical stage, type of primary treatment, outcomes, and survival were analyzed.

Results

451 patients were included. The median age was 66 years. The majority of the tumors presented in advanced stage (72%) and the most affected subsite was the glottis (84.5%). In the early stage the most frequent treatment was radiotherapy as the only treatment modality. In stages III and IVA, 65% were resectable. In stage IVB the management was non-surgical, with control in 26% of the cases. Survival at 10 years was related to the clinical stage: 81.7% for stage I and 0% for stages IVB and IVC.

Conclusions

Patients with laryngeal cancer should be treated according to the clinical stage, through a multidisciplinary approach. Long-term follow-up showed a worse prognosis for advanced clinical stages.

Utility and versatility of the supraclavicular artery island flap in head and neck reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

The supraclavicular island flap is a rotational pedicled flap and may have some advantages in head and neck reconstruction compared with free-tissue transfer when this kind of reconstruction is not affordable or recommended.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present our experience during the year 2016 in the application of the supraclavicular island flap in five cases as an alternative to microvascular reconstruction in several defects after resection of head and neck tumours. In two patients, the flap was used to close the surgical pharyngostoma after total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy. In one patient, it was used in lateral facial reconstruction after partial resection of the temporal bone. In one case, it was used to close a skin defect after total laryngectomy with prelaryngeal tissue extension. And in the last case to close a neck skin defect after primary closure of a pharyngo-cutaneous fistula. There were no flap complications, and the result was satisfactory in all cases.

RESULTS

The supraclavicular artery island flap is useful and versatile in head and neck reconstruction. Operating room time in aged patients or those with comorbidities will be reduced compared to free flaps. The surgical technique is relatively easy and can be used for skin and mucosal coverage.

CONCLUSION

The supraclavicular island flap could be a recommended option in head and neck reconstruction, its use seems to be increasing and provides a safe and time-saving option to free flaps in selected patients.

HSP-90 expression as a predictor of response to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

HSP-90 is an intracellular protein that protects the cell from environmental stress situations. The overexpression of HSP-90 isoforms could serve as a mechanism of resistance to radiotherapy for tumour cells. We studied this effect in a sample of head and neck tumours.

METHODS

We included 87 patients diagnosed with oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx tumours. We studied the expression of the HSP-90 isoforms by real-time PCR on pre-treatment biopsy samples. We analysed the relationship between HSP-90 expression levels and local relapse of the tumour with CRT decision trees.

RESULTS

The expression levels of the inducible citosolic isoform (HSP90AA) allowed the definition of 2 groups of patients with different rates of local relapse. The group with a low expression level showed a 2.9% local relapse rate, while the group with a high expression level showed a 38.2% rate. Survival curves showed differences in time to local relapse for both groups of patients. These differences did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy response was related to expression levels of HSP-90 in a sample of head and neck cancer patients. This result could prove useful in the selection of treatments for this group of patients.