Comparison of surgical margins and adjuvant therapy for head and neck cancer by hospital type.

Background: Differences in patient populations and outcomes by hospital type are becoming increasingly relevant as health care systems shift to value-based care models. There is a paucity of literature on patient-level and hospital-level differences for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The objective of this study was to examine differences in patient characteristics, surgical margins, and adjuvant therapy patterns for surgically treated HNSCC across different hospital types.

Effect of distance of treatment center on survival for HPV-negative head and neck cancer patients.

Background: In rural states, travel burden for complex cancer care required for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) may affect patient survival, but its impact is unknown.

Methods: Patients with HPV-negative HNSCC were retrospectively identified from a statewide, population-based study. Euclidian distance from the home address to the treatment center was calculated for radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy.

A phase 2 study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus durvalumab in resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) are treated with surgery followed by adjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy or definitive chemoradiation, but recurrence rates are high. Immune checkpoint blockade improves survival in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC; however, the role of chemo-immunotherapy in the curative setting is not established.

Methods: This phase 2, single-arm, multicenter study evaluated neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy with carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel, and durvalumab in patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC.

Osseointegration and Bone Resorption of Scapula Tip Free Flaps in Mandibular Reconstruction.

Objectives: Bone resorption of more conventional vascularized bone grafts have been well described showing minimal resorption over time. Few studies have evaluated osseous union and bone resorption in scapula tip free flaps (STFF) in the reconstruction of mandibulectomy defects. We aimed to describe our series on STFF with respect to osseous union and bone resorption over time.

Diagnostic accuracy of FNA to determine HPV status in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose/objective(s): Accurate diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV) status in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) affects prognosis and can alter the treatment plan. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of FNA biopsies to determine malignancy and HPV status in OPSCC at our institution.

Methods: Pathology samples from consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed HPV-associated OPSCC who underwent FNA of a cervical lymph node during initial diagnostic work-up were retrospectively analyzed between November 2015 and August 2021.

Skull Base Regeneration During Treatment With Chemoradiation for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Background: Advanced cases of nasopharyngal carcinoma can present with skull base invasion. Treatment of these advanced cases with radiotherapy poses a challenge given proximity of tumor to critical neural structures as well as concern that a skull base defect and associated complications could develop with tumor regression.

Case Presentation: A 34-year-old male patient presented with a 7-cm nasopharyngeal tumor invading the skull base with destruction of the clivus and intracranial extension.

Evaluation of a 3D-Printed Transoral Robotic Surgery Simulator Utilizing Artificial Tissue.

Objectives/hypothesis: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) poses challenges for operators in training, with limited robot access on a platform requiring distinct surgical skills. Few simulators exist, and current virtual reality training modules exclude head and neck simulations. This study evaluates the construct validity for a novel low-cost TORS simulator.

Prognostic impact of socioeconomic status compared to overall stage for HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To estimate the relative prognostic ability of socioeconomic status (SES) compared to overall stage for HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Study (CHANCE). An empirical 4-category SES classification system was created. Cox proportional hazards models, survival gradients, Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and Harrell's C index were used to estimate the prognostic ability of SES compared to stage on overall survival (OS).

Clinical Outcomes of Patients With pT1-T2N0 Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes in a cohort of patients with early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with pT1-T2N0 (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] seventh edition) OTSCC treated from 2000 to 2018. Two-year actuarial rates of local regional control, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were calculated for the entire cohort and patients with/without adjuvant radiation.

Socioeconomic Status Drives Racial Disparities in HPV-negative Head and Neck Cancer Outcomes.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine drivers of the racial disparity in stage at diagnosis and overall survival (OS) between black and white patients with HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Data were examined from of a population-based HNSCC study in North Carolina.

Age and risk of recurrence in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review.

The incidence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma has been increasing in young patients (≤45 years) without a clear etiologic driver. It is unknown if younger patients have an increased risk of recurrence compared to older patients. A literature search was conducted through January 2020 using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Science Direct, and clinicaltrials.

Access to preventive care services and stage at diagnosis in head and neck cancer.

Background: Decreased access to preventive care services has been proposed as a mechanism for the association between low socioeconomic status (SES) and advanced stage at diagnosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with HNSCC in North Carolina between 2002 and 2006.

Results: A total of 1108 patients with HNSCC were included in the study.

Academic Affiliation and Surgical Volume Predict Survival in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Surgery.

Objective: To determine whether the academic affiliation or surgical volume affects the overall survival (OS) of human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients receiving surgery.

Methods: A retrospective study of 39 North Carolina Medical Centers was conducted. Treatment centers were classified as academic hospitals, community cancer centers, or community hospitals and were divided into thirds by volume.

Post-diagnosis aspirin use and survival in veterans with head and neck cancer.

Background: Our objective was to determine the effect of post-diagnosis aspirin use on survival in veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 584 veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated at the Washington DC VA Medical Center between 1995 and 2015. Charts were queried for clinical-pathologic data, aspirin prescriptions, and outcome.

Prescription and Usage Pattern of Opioids after Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery.

Objective: We seek to characterize the prescribing patterns of opioids, opioid consumption, and pain severity after thyroid and parathyroid surgery. We also aim to determine if a relationship exists between preoperative medication use and postoperative pain or opioid consumption.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

The Use of Tomosynthesis in the Global Study of Knee Subchondral Insufficiency Fractures.

Rationale And Objectives: Subchondral insufficiency fractures (SIF), previously termed spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee, are marked by a sudden onset of severe pain. Other than the size of the lesion, prediction for progression to joint replacement is difficult. The objective was to determine if quantitative analysis of bone texture using digital tomosynthesis imaging would be useful in predicting more rapid progression to joint replacement.

Normative data of incus and stapes displacement during middle ear surgery using laser Doppler vibrometry.

Objectives: To report normative data for incus and stapes motion using laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) during middle ear surgery and to discuss possible limitations of the procedure.

Study Design: Institutional review board-approved, retrospective study of data from patients undergoing the Envoy Esteem implantable device at 3 institutions.

Setting: Quaternary referral health system.