Impact of extensive surgery in multidisciplinary approach of pterygopalatine/infratemporal fossa soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: To evaluate a strategy whereby extensive surgery ± external radiotherapy (RT) could improve local control in pterygopalatine/infratemporal fossa (PIF) sarcoma.

Procedure: Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of sarcoma involving the PIF and referred to our Institute from 1984 to 2009 were included in the analysis. Patients received multidrug chemotherapy and radiotherapy ± surgery, depending on the period of treatment.

Laryngeal preservation with induction chemotherapy for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: 10-year results of EORTC trial 24891.

Background: We report the 10-year results of the EORTC trial 24891 comparing a larynx-preservation approach to immediate surgery in hypopharynx and lateral epilarynx squamous cell carcinoma.

Material And Methods: Two hundred and two patients were randomized to either the surgical approach (total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy and neck dissection, followed by irradiation) or to the chemotherapy arm up to three cycles of induction chemotherapy (cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) day 1 + 5-FU 1000 mg/m(2) day 1-5) followed for complete responders by irradiation and otherwise by conventional treatment. The end points were overall survival [OS, noninferiority: hazard ratio (preservation/surgery) ≤ 1.

Hyperselective intra-arterial preoperative chemotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: preliminary results.

Objectives: To investigate radiological response and findings after Intra Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) for patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity.

Materials And Methods: Patients received 1-2 cycles of IAC. Radiological assessment was performed on day 7 and day 21 after each cycle using CT scan and MRI.

Sudden death after major head and neck surgery.

Purpose Of Review: This review will discuss the mortality after major ear, nose and throat surgery, particularly sudden death. It will also discuss the postoperative follow-up of patients.

Recent Findings: Sudden death is a rare event after major ear, nose and throat surgery, and occurs mainly during the first three postoperative days.

Functional results with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with circular near-total pharyngolaryngectomy and jejunal free-flap repair.

Background: Patients treated by a circular pharyngolaryngectomy for advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma have a poor prognosis and disappointing speech restoration.

Methods: Three carefully selected patients underwent a near-total laryngectomy circular pharyngectomy with jejunal free flap repair and dynamic tracheopharyngeal shunt for treatment of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma. They received induction chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy.