Treatment regimens for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a "real life" multicenter study of 2307 patients.

Objective: This retrospective multicenter study aimed to evaluate surgical versus conservative treatment in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer under real world conditions.

Methods: This study included 2307 patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal or laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in five German tertiary head and neck centers between 01/2004 and 12/2014. Overall, 783 patients with advanced SCC consecutively underwent laryng(opharyng)ectomy (L(P)E).

Management of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: Diagnostic consideration of sensitization to non-frequent pollen allergens.

Background: Diagnosis of pollen allergies is mainly based on test allergens for skin prick testing. In the minimum battery of test inhalant allergens recommended by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network 10 pollen allergens are included. Complementary other pollen allergens may need to be considered; however, respective awareness may not always be granted.

Mono-institutional retrospective cohort analysis of the insurance status dependent access to ENT-professionals and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: To access the influence of insurance status on time of diagnosis, quality of treatment and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: This mono-institutional retrospective cohort analysis included all HNSCC patients (n = 1,054) treated between 2001 and 2011, and subdivided the cohort according to the insurance status. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the Chi square and the unpaired student's t-test.

[Functional outcome after transmandibular resection and primary chemoradiation in advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome after transmandibular resection and reconstruction via a radial forearm flap (TMR+RFF) compared to primary chemoradiotherapy (pCRT) in advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods: The study compared 50 OPSCC patients treated with TMR+RFF to 50 OPSCC patients receiving pCRT. The time taken to swallow water served as the primary endpoint.

MRI- and CT-determined changes of dysphagia / aspiration-related structures (DARS) during and after radiotherapy.

Purpose: The concept of dysphagia/aspiration-related structures (DARS) was developed against the background of severe late side effects of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). DARS can be delineated on CT scans, but with a better morphological discrimination on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Swallowing function was analyzed by use of patient charts and prospective investigations and questionnaires.

Bilateral versus ipsilateral neck dissection in oral and oropharyngeal cancer with contralateral cN0 neck.

Objective: Contralateral elective neck dissection (cEND) in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OC/OPC) is still a matter of debate. The current study analyzed the outcome in OC/OPC patients with/without cEND.

Methods: OC/OPC patients (n = 471) were diagnosed with contralateral N0 after CT/MRI-scan combined with neck ultrasound.

"New" inhalant plant allergens.

Specific IgE measurements obtained from patients suffering from respiratory allergy (n = 952) show that, despite similar climatic conditions, there are clear regional differences in pollen sensitization between North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. The data on sensitization levels and pollen concentration was taken from the research and development project Ufoplan 3710 61 228 of the German Environment Agency for North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria (2011 - 2014). Most poly-sensitized patients have already shown sensitization, both in the form of cross-reactivity and species-specific sensitization, to "new" pollen allergens, such as Bermuda grass and olive tree.

Chemoradiation and local recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and the risk of carotid artery blowout.

Background: Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a rare but life-threatening complication of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Chemoradiation (CRT) may make CBS more likely, but so far no longitudinal analysis of different treatment strategies has been conducted.

Methods: In the present study, 1072 patients with HNSCC were divided into groups depending on whether they had experienced CBS.

Cancer clinical trials - Survey evaluating patient participation and acceptance in a university-based Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC).

Introduction: Prospective clinical trials are essential to translate new therapy concepts or rather any scientific development into the medical routine. Besides a sophisticated trial protocol, the success of clinical trials depends on patient recruitment and participation. Patient recruitment remains a challenge and depends on several factors.

Primary tumor-associated expression of CXCR4 predicts formation of local and systemic recurrency in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Despite modern treatment regimens, overall survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is less than 50% due to local and systemic disease recurrency. The current study aims to identify molecular markers in primary tumor specimens that predict the risk for local and systemic recurrency at the time of initial diagnosis.

Methods: The study included clinic-pathological data of 1,057 HNSCC.

Therapeutic implications of tumor free margins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: The resection status is one of the most important prognostic factors for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) concerning overall survival (OS) and recurrence free interval (RFI). To assess whether therapy concepts changed depending on different resection margins and extracapsular extension, OS and RFI data were set into clinical context.

Methods: All HNSCC patients who underwent head and neck surgery with/without adjuvant therapy (n=534) were selected over a ten-year period (2001-2011).

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of salivary glands: diagnostic pitfall with distinct immunohistochemical profile and molecular features.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a newly defined entity among salivary gland malignancies which has just been established in the 4 edition of the WHO classification of head and neck tumors. MASC (synonym: secretory carcinoma) are characterized by a specific rearangement of the gene locus. Here, we present a series of 3 MASC cases including clinical data with follow-up for up to 26 months.

Pharyngotomy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: functional and oncological aspects.

Background: Head and Neck Surgery constantly has to oppose non-invasive organ preservation methods and therefore should be evaluated especially with regard to clinical and functional outcome. We will discuss the role of pharyngotomy in the treatment of HNSCC.

Methods: Seventy-three patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity, oro-/hypopharynx and supraglottis underwent lateral/median pharyngotomy.

Bipolar dissection technique in parotid gland surgery.

Background: Parotid gland surgery (PGS) has to manage the balancing act between sufficient radicality and preservation of functional structures. While many studies evaluate post-therapeutic complication due to different extent of surgery, the current study introduces bipolar dissection (BP) being a fast and safe preparation technique.

Methods: Analysis of clinical parameters (age, sex, tumour entity, treatment modalities, facial nerve palsy, bleeding, saliva fistula and Frey's syndrome) of 319 consecutively included patients who underwent extracapsular dissection and superficial/total/radical parotidectomy.

Mobile Health in Oncology: A Patient Survey About App-Assisted Cancer Care.

Background: In the last decade, the health care sector has been enriched by numerous innovations such as apps and connected devices that assist users in weight reduction and diabetes management. However, only a few native apps in the oncological context exist, which support patients during treatment and aftercare.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze patients' acceptance regarding app use and to investigate the functions of an oncological app that are most required, and the primary reasons for patients to refuse app-assisted cancer care.

Do selective radiation dose escalation and tumour hypoxia status impact the loco-regional tumour control after radio-chemotherapy of head & neck tumours? The ESCALOX protocol.

Background: Standard of care primary treatment of carcinoma of locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer (LAHNSCC) consists of platinum-based concomitant chemo-irradiation. Despite progress in the treatment of LAHNSCC using modern radiotherapy techniques the outcome remains still poor. Using IMRT with SIB the escalation of total dose to the GTV is possible with the aim to improve clinical outcome.

Integration of high-risk human papillomavirus into cellular cancer-related genes in head and neck cancer cell lines.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer is generally associated with excellent response to therapy, but some HPV-positive tumors progress despite aggressive therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate viral oncogene expression and viral integration sites in HPV16- and HPV18-positive squamous cell carcinoma lines.

Methods: E6/E7 alternate transcripts were assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

[Stomal Cancer Recurrency, A Clinic-Pathological Consideration].

Analysis of pre-operative tracheostomy and circumjacent tumour free margins as risk factors in the development of stomal recurrent disease after (pharyngo)laryngectomy. 124 patients after (pharyngo)laryngectomy were analyzed for disease related data and tumour samples were analyzed for tumour free margins. The overall cohort was divided into patients with/withour pre-operative tracheostomy.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as Part of the Oncological Treatment: Survey about Patients' Attitude towards CAM in a University-Based Oncology Center in Germany.

Introduction: To understand if and which patients would be open-minded to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use parallel to their oncological treatment. Moreover, we sought to determine which methods are most accepted and which are the primary motivators to use CAM.

Methods: We developed and anonymously conducted a questionnaire for patients in the oncology center (TU Munich).

Fractionated vs. single-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with vestibular schwannoma : Hearing preservation and patients' self-reported outcome based on an established questionnaire.

Background: Stereotactic radiotherapy (RT) has been established as a valid treatment alternative in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS). There is ongoing controversy regarding the optimal fractionation. Hearing preservation may be the primary goal for patients with VS, followed by maintenance of quality of life (QoL).

Reduced volume SIB-IMRT/IGRT to head and neck cancer in elderly and frail patients: outcome and toxicity.

Background: Especially elderly and frail patients have a limited ability to compensate for side effects of a radical treatment of head and neck malignancies. Limiting the target volume to the macroscopic disease, without prophylactic nodal irradiation, might present a feasible approach for these patients. The present work therefore aims evaluating an IMRT/IGRT -SIB concept for safety and efficacy.

Potential health risk of allergenic pollen with climate change associated spreading capacity: Ragweed and olive sensitization in two German federal states.

Background: Global climate changes may influence the geographical spread of allergenic plants thus causing new allergen challenges.

Objective: Allergy patients from two German federal states were compared for their status quo sensitization to ragweed, an establishing allergen, olive, a non-established allergen, and the native allergens birch, mugwort, and ash.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2013, 476 adult allergy patients per region were recruited.

Outcome after pharyngeal reconstruction using pectoralis major and radial forearm flap after resection of pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

The objective of this study is to assess the outcome after pharyngeal reconstruction using pectoralis major and radial forearm flaps in pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas. 90 patients who underwent flap surgery due to oro/-hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas were compared with 404 patients without pharyngeal reconstruction. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the Chi-square, Fisher exact, and the unpaired student's t test.

[Current surgical and adjuvant therapy concepts of malignant tumors of the facial skin and the pinna].

Malignant tumors of the skin had been a rare entity 2 decades ago. Today they are spread rapidly worldwide. Malignant neoplasms of the skin, the largest human organ, may occur from all structures and layers.