Initial staging examinations for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: are they appropriate?

Objectives: The presence of distant metastases affects the therapeutic regime in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This study evaluated the necessity to undertake bone scanning, chest computed tomography and abdominal ultrasonography in patients presenting with primary advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis, university setting.

Cystic lymphangioma of the neck in adults: a report of three cases.

Lymphangiomas are uncommon lesions of lymphatic channels that are often present at birth and diagnosed mostly (90%) before the age of two years. Lymphangiomas occur exceedingly rarely in adults and few cases are described in the literature. The treatment of choice is complete surgical removal; however, the tumor tends to spread along vital structures therefore sometimes inductive complete surgical removal is impossible.

Resection of accessory parotid gland tumors through a peroral approach with facial nerve monitoring.

Accessory parotid glands are an anatomic variation. Pathologic alterations, which occur in these tissues, are related to those found in the parotid gland. At this time, first-line therapy consists of total resection.

Modified radical neck dissection and minimal invasive tumor surgery in the middle of split course of concomitant chemoradiotherapy of advanced HNSCC.

Objective: The effectiveness of modified radical neck dissection with concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with N2/3 advanced head and neck cancer was evaluated.

Study Design And Setting: Retrospective study of 35 patients treated at the University Hospital, Medical University, Innsbruck. The treatment consisted of a split course radiation up to 70 Gy with concomitant chemotherapy with Mytomicin C and 5-fluorouracil.

Maturation of dendritic cells in the presence of living, apoptotic and necrotic tumour cells derived from squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

Dendritic cells (DC) have been recently used as vaccines for stimulation of tumour-specific immunity in various types of cancer. Since data about interactions of DC with tumour cells derived from head and neck cancer are not available, in our study we investigated the effects of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines on the maturation of DC. We found that immature DC efficiently internalise necrotic cells, but not living and apoptotic tumour cells.

Pharmacodiagnostic value of the HER family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Two protooncogene products, EGFR (Her-1, c-erbB-1) and HER2 (Her-2/neu, c-erbB-2), have been reported to be frequently overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In order to identify patients who may benefit from targeted cancer treatment for these two molecules, we determined the expression status of EGFR and HER2 in 129 HNSCC tumor specimens. Two pharmacodiagnostic kits (EGFR pharmDx and HercepTest) were used to identify HNSCC tumors that overexpress EGFR or HER2.

Immunosuppressive effects of soluble factors secreted by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma on dendritic cells and T lymphocytes.

Recent observations suggest that the inability of the immune system to mount an effective immune response against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) could be a result of the immunosuppression mediated through soluble factors that are secreted by tumour cells. Therefore, we investigated the effects of conditioned medium obtained from cultures of HNSCC cell lines (HNSCC-CM) on the function of dendritic cells (DC) and T cell immune response. In our study, we could not observe any inhibitory effect of HNSCC-CM on the maturation and the cytokine secretion pattern of DC.

Learning curve for translaryngeal tracheotomy in head and neck surgery.

Objectives: Translaryngeal tracheotomy (TLT) is a widely accepted procedure in intensive-care units for its simplicity of execution, low morbidity, rapid wound closure after cannula removal, good esthetic results, and lack of long-term sequelae. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and use of adopting TLT in patients with cancer undergoing major head and neck surgery.

Study Design: Prospective analysis of learning curve and incidence of complications in 41 patients with cancer who underwent TLT at the Division of Head and Neck Surgery of the European Institute of Oncology from November 1997 to June 1999.

Papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct remnants: presentation of four cases and decision procedure for prophylactic thyroid gland dissection.

Papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct remnants is a rare and usually unexpected finding. It is controversial whether or not prophylactic thyroid gland dissection is necessary in such circumstances. We present our experience of four cases.

Surfing prognostic factors in head and neck cancer at the millennium.

The ability to reliably predict cancer outcome could tailor therapy to the aggressiveness of the tumour to achieve the best results in terms of loco-regional control, overall survival and quality of life. Retrospective and prospective clinical trials involving large series of patients have validated some predictive clinical and pathological factors, whereas the utility of many other prognostic factors has not been established. This has led to some confusion in clinical practice.

Possible participation of EDRF-NO in the hormonal regulation of bone blood flow in rats.

An increase in bone blood flow (BBF) was observed in rats after castration whereas a decrease in BBF occurred after oestradiol or testosterone. The possible participation of prostaglandins in these changes was demonstrated. The present results show that the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, i.

[DHEA: another hormonal modulator of bone blood flow in rats].

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid with important effects on the bone tissue. We tried to check up if it influenced also the bone blood flow (similarly as estradiol and testosterone). We administered DHEA (Sigma) dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide s.

[The role of EDRF-NO in the regulation of bone blood flow in rats: inhibition with L-NAME].

EDRF-NO probably participates-besides the prostaglandins [3, 4]-in local circulatory changes in the bones of female rats with modified level of sex hormones; we could demonstrate it indirectly using methylene blue as a blocking agent [5]. In this paper, we present corresponding results of two experiments with NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as a substance blocking the production of endothelium derived relaxing factor, i.e.

[Further evidence of the role of prostaglandin on the effects of hormones on blood circulation in bones].

In a short communication we demonstrated the inhibitory affect of acetylosalicylic acid (ASA) on the increased bone blood flow and 45Ca and 3H-proline incorporation in oophorectomized (OOX) female rats. This finding suggested probable participation of prostaglandin. The aim of the present work was to confirm and extend the initial observation and to find out, whether the administration of ASA did not affect also the decrease in the bone blood flow after the administration of estradiol benzoate (EB).

Inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone on the blood flow and 45Ca and 3H-proline incorporation into bones of female rats.

We studied the effects of hydrocortisone as a possible regulatory factor of bone blood flow and metabolism. Local bone blood flow in the tibia, distal femur, lumbar vertebra and some soft tissues (using 85Sr-microspheres), as well as 45Ca and 3H-proline incorporation into the tibia, bone density and ash weight per ml of the tibia were measured in sham-operated and oophorectomized female rats in which the influence of hydrocortisone administration (0.004% diet for 5 weeks) was followed.

[A decrease in blood flow and incorporation of 45Ca and 3H-proline in the bones in pregnant female rats].

In the experiments on rats, the bone blood flow may be influenced by the deficiency as well by the administration of sex hormones. The aim of this work was to investigate the bone circulation (determined by means of 85Sr-microspheres, experiment A and B) and the incorporation of 45Ca and 3H-proline into the tibia (experiment C) in the last stage of pregnancy (from 18 to 21 days), i.e.

Blood flow and mineral content of the tibia of female and male rats: changes following castration and/or administration of estradiol or testosterone.

We studied changes in the local circulation and mineralization of the rat tibia under different experimental conditions. Four experiments were performed on a total of 155 female and male rats: after oophorectomy (OOX) or orchidectomy (ORX), after the administration of estradiol benzoate (EB, Agofollin Depot, 1 mg/rat once a week or 5 mg/kg body weight once every 5 days for 4 weeks), or after the administration of testosterone (T, Agovirin Depot, 25 mg/kg body weight once every 5 days for 4 weeks). We estimated 85Sr-microsphere uptake and blood flow in the tibia, density of the tibia, and ash weight per bone volume unit.

Relationships between local circulatory changes in the tibia and kidney of male and female rats after castration and administration of estradiol or testosterone.

The effects of castration and of the four weeks' administration of estradiol or testosterone on the blood circulation in the tibia and the kidney (expressed as the 85Sr-microsphere uptake values, which are not influenced by simultaneous changes in cardiac output) were studied in four experiments on a total of 147 rats (68 females, 79 males), relative weights being noted at the same time. 85Sr-microsphere uptake in the tibia rose markedly after castration in both males and females, fell after estradiol benzoate in intact females and intact and orchidectomized males and also fell after testosterone in intact and oophorectomized females and orchidectomized males. 85Sr-microsphere uptake in the kidney rose after castration only in males in experiments B; it fell after estradiol in orchidectomized males and fell after testosterone in intact females and males and in orchidectomized males.

[The effect of estradiol, norethisterone and testosterone on regional circulation and relative weight of the testes, ovaries and uterus in rats].

In nine experiments of 188 rats (85 males and 103 females), relative weight and local blood flow (with 85Sr-microspheres) was estimated in testes, ovaries and uterus after the administration of estradiol benzoate (Agofollin Depot 1 mg per rat or 5 mg per kg s.c. in time intervals of 3 to 7 days), norethisterone (Norethisterone tablets 0.

Possible participation of prostaglandins in the increase in the bone blood flow in oophorectomized female rats.

The aim of this study was to verify the possible role of prostaglandin (PG) in the increase in the bone blood flow of female rats after oophorectomy (OOX). In two experiments we determined blood flow in the tibia and distal femur (85Sr-microspheres) and 24-h incorporation of 45Ca and 3H-proline. Acetylosalicyclic acid (ASA, 0.

[Local blood circulation, uptake of 45Ca, 85Sr and 3H-proline and mineral levels in the tibia of female rats: comparison and changes after administration of estradiol].

After six weeks' administration of estradiol benzoate (Agofollin Depot, 1 mg s.c. once a week) we determined in the first part of 70 days old female rats the uptake of 85Sr-microspheres and local blood flow in the tibia, in the second part 24 hours' incorporation of 45Ca and 3H-proline and in the third part 2 hours' uptake of 85Sr, bone density and ash weight related to 1 ml of bone volume.

[Local blood circulation and bone mineral content in the bones of rats: the effect of castration, estradiol and testosterone in male and female rats].

Four experiments on 76 female and 79 male rats were performed in which we followed up the effect of four weeks' administration of estradiol benzoate (Agofollin Depot 1 mg per rat once a week or 5 mg per kg once every 5 days s. c.) and testosterone isobutyrate (Agovirin Depot 25 mg per kg once every 5 days s.

[Hydrocortisone decreases blood flow in bones in sham-operated and oophorectomized female rats].

In an experiment on 38 75-day-old female rats--sham-operated or oophorectomized (OOX)--the authors assessed the effect of hydrocortisone administration (0.01% in the diet for four weeks) on the blood flow in the tibia and distal end of the femur (uptake of 85Sr microparticles). In the tibia they assessed also the density (according to the Archimed principle) and the weight of ashes per volume unit of bone.

Further findings on the inhibitory effect of estradiol benzoate on the circulation and on 45Ca and 3H-proline incorporation in rat bones.

Various aspects of the effect of estradiol benzoate (EB, Agofollin Depot, Czechoslovakia, usually in a s.c. dose of 5 mg/kg body weight once a week), on the local circulation (the uptake of 85Sr-microspheres), the incorporation of 45Ca and 3H-proline, bone density and ash weight related to bone volume were studied in six experiments in the tibia and distal femur of 224 rats.

Different effects of oestradiol benzoate and norethisterone on the blood flow and mineral content in rat bones.

In three experiments (2 on females, 1 on males), we determined the blood flow in the tibia and the distal part of the femur, together with cardiac output (by means of 85Sr-microspheres), tibial bone density and tibial ash weight related to bone volume. We found that 1) the bone blood flow always fell significantly after oestradiol benzoate, 2) no change occurred after norethisterone in doses corresponding to those of oestradiol benzoate, but the blood flow showed a tendency to fall after doses one order higher (it decreased significantly in one case only), 3) the density of the tibia and tibial ash weight related to bone volume rose nonsignificantly after oestradiol benzoate, but fell (mostly statistically significantly) after norethisterone. The lowering of the bone mineral indexes in rat bones after norethisterone is a surprising and potentially significant finding requiring further verification.