Publications by authors named "Annemieke Van Zante"

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) (HPV+ SNSCC) is a recently recognized entity that accounts for up to one-third of SNSCC. Although at present these cancers are not routinely tested for HPV, the incidence is increasing and HPV+ SNSCC is associated with superior survival outcomes compared with HPV- SNSCC. Here, we present the case of a patient with HPV+ SNSCC treated with endoscopic resection followed by postoperative radiation and review the literature summarizing epidemiology and management of this disease, with emphasis on the importance of HPV testing in SNSCC.

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Drug development is systemically inefficient. Research and development costs for novel therapeutics average hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, with the overall likelihood of approval estimated to be as low as 6.7% for oncology drugs.

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Acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS) classically presents as an aggressive fungal infection that can spread beyond its origin in the sinuses in immunocompromised patients. Although there have been reports of AIFS in immunocompetent, non-diabetic patients, it is extremely rare and the true mechanism behind it is unknown. A thirty-eight year old immunocompetent, non-diabetic woman underwent bilateral ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps at a tertiary care center and post-operatively developed AIFS.

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Adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma (ALES) has traditionally been considered a variant of Ewing sarcoma because it generally harbors EWSR1::FLI1 fusions despite showing diffuse positivity for keratins and p40. However, it has become increasingly recognized that different tumors can have identical translocations, including shared fusions between carcinomas and sarcomas, raising questions as to whether ALES might represent a separate entity. Using methylation profiling, we further explored the relationship between Ewing sarcoma and ALES.

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Purpose: To evaluate changes in patient-reported quality of life (QOL) to inform treatment decisions for human papillomavirus-associated oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (HPV + OPSCC).

Materials And Methods: Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition cT0-T3 and cN0-N3 HPV + OPSCC treated with transoral robotic surgery to the primary site with neck dissection completed questionnaires prior to surgery and at three-months and one-year post-operatively. Questionnaires included four validated instruments: the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Head and Neck Module (HN35), and the Neck Dissection Impairment Index (NDII).

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Article Synopsis
  • A comprehensive genomic analysis was conducted on a large number of thyroid nodules (50,734 FNA samples) to identify molecular alterations and better understand their clinical significance, particularly in Bethesda categories III-VI.
  • The results showed that a majority (65.3%) of the samples tested negative for significant alterations, while a smaller proportion (33.9%) tested positive, revealing different mutation patterns in BCIII-IV and BCV-VI nodules, with BCV-VI showing more aggressive genetic changes.
  • The findings indicate that 68% of BCIII-IV nodules were negative, highlighting the potential to avoid unnecessary surgery, while BCV-VI nodules had more actionable mutations that could inform treatment decisions for patients.
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CD8 T cell responses are critical for anti-tumor immunity. While extensively profiled in the tumor microenvironment, recent studies in mice identified responses in lymph nodes (LNs) as essential; however, the role of LNs in human cancer patients remains unknown. We examined CD8 T cells in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, regional LNs, and blood using mass cytometry, single-cell genomics, and multiplexed ion beam imaging.

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Introduction: High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) status is critical in the diagnosis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, informing prognosis and choice of therapy. HR-HPV status additionally plays a key role in the evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin metastatic to cervical lymph nodes. Thus, HR-HPV testing of fine needle aspirate (FNA) specimens from the head and neck is invaluable for accurate diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment planning.

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Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is increasing in incidence and is often first diagnosed on a cytology fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimen of metastatic nodal disease of the neck. In the setting of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, HPV status defines the disease with HPV-associated tumors having better overall prognosis than those that are HPV negative. Furthermore, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the neck of unknown origin requires testing for HPV as a positive result suggests an oropharyngeal primary.

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Sinonasal malignancies constitute 3% of head and neck cancers, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) the most common histology. Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) are rare, with a subset showing neuroendocrine carcinoma and a non-neuroendocrine component. The pathogenesis of these combined tumors is largely unknown, and TP53 driver mutations may play a role.

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Importance: Understanding patient-specific risk of adverse histopathologic findings after primary surgery for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) may help guide patient consultations.

Objective: To determine the likelihood of adverse histopathologic features that may indicate adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy after primary surgery for HPV-positive OPSCC according to 2021 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study was performed at a single academic tertiary care center.

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Prior studies evaluating thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) have limited the calculation of risk of malignancy (ROM) to cytologic specimens with corresponding histologic specimens, and clinical follow-up for those patients who do not undergo immediate surgery has been largely disregarded. Moreover, there is marked variability in how researchers have approached thyroid FNAB statistical analyses. This study addresses the urgent need for information from a large cohort of patients with long-term clinical follow-up to more accurately determine the performance of thyroid FNAB and ROM for each diagnostic category.

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Introduction: This study aims to improve understanding of the cytopathology community's perspective regarding the value of rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) in clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: The American Society of Cytopathology membership was surveyed in 2019 to obtain subjective data on the cytopathology community's perceptions regarding ROSE. Comments were categorized by major themes and attitudes and analyzed by respondent's role in laboratory, practice size, and practice setting (Fisher's exact and χ tests).

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Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is the second most common malignancy of the salivary glands, accounting for ~ 1% of malignant tumors of the head and neck region and 10% of salivary gland neoplasms. Predicting the long-term outcomes of patients with ACC is still challenging, as reliable prognostic biomarkers are not available. Among salivary gland tumors, Myb overexpression is highly specific for ACC.

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Purpose: To compare the outcomes of Sinonasal Mucosal Melanomas (SNMM) treated with endoscopic and open resection.

Methods: A retrospective case review of 20 patients with SNMM treated surgically at UCSF. Kaplan-Meier analyses were calculated to determine outcome differences in endoscopic vs.

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The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma continues to increase. Accurate diagnosis of the HPV status of a tumor is vital, as HPV+ versus HPV- tumors represent two unique biological and clinical entities with different treatment strategies. High-risk HPV subtypes encode oncoproteins E6 and E7 that disrupt cellular senescence and ultimately drive tumorigenesis.

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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a principal driver for most oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs), where it is strongly associated with improved survival. HPV is much less frequently detected in squamous cell carcinomas arising in nonoropharyngeal sites (non-OPSCCs), and its pathogenic role and prognostic value in these tumors is unclear. We evaluated the clinicopathologic features of 52 non-OPSCCs considered HPV-positive based upon p16 immunohistochemistry and direct HPV detection using RNA in situ hybridization (ISH), DNA ISH, or real-time DNA polymerase chain reaction.

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Introduction: Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is a service provided by cytologists that helps ensure specimen adequacy and appropriate triage for ancillary testing. However, data on the current usage patterns across different practice settings have been lacking.

Materials And Methods: To obtain an accurate and timely assessment of the current state of practice of ROSE, a 14-question online survey was constructed by the Clinical Practice Committee of the American Society for Cytopathology.

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Background: Ectopic thyroid-secreting hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenomas are rare, with only 9 cases reported in the literature.

Case Description: We describe a case of an ectopic TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma located in the nasopharynx in a patient initially presenting with signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism that persisted despite treatment with antithyroid medications. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland was normal, although subsequent review by a neuroradiologist revealed a nodule attached to the posterior septum in the nasopharynx that was, in retrospect, seen on several other magnetic resonance imaging scans.

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Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site (HNSCCUP) is a diagnostic challenge. Identification of an ultraviolet (UV) light-related DNA damage signature using next-generation sequencing (NGS) can classify the primary site of origin as cutaneous.

Methods: A 62-year-old male was seen with 2 months of left neck swelling.

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We present a case of a 61-year-old man with history of prostate cancer and rising PSA levels referred for restaging. Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT identified 2 lung nodules with low and moderate PSMA uptake. Subsequent F-FDG PET/CT showed high hypermetabolism in the nodule with low PSMA uptake, and low hypermetabolism in the nodule with moderate PSMA uptake.

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Aims: Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) are the most common malignant neoplasms of salivary glands, but are uncommon in other sites. Salivary gland MEC are most frequently associated with CRTC1-MAML2 translocations. Exceedingly rare MEC of the breast demonstrate a basal-like and often triple (oestrogen and progesterone receptor, HER2)-negative immunophenotype, with a single case previously reported to show MAML2 rearrangement, although the fusion partner was not known.

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