Patient and Tumour Characteristics of Adult Head and Neck Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Head and neck soft tissue sarcomas (HNSTS) constitute a rare and heterogeneous cancer entity. Management remains a challenge due to the rarity and varied biological behaviour among various subtypes. This systematic review examines the characteristics of tumours and patients with HNSTS.

Comparison of clinical, radiological and morphological features including the distribution of HPV E6/E7 oncogenes in resection specimens of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) represents a distinct tumour entity in comparison to HPV-negative OPSCC. The clinical, radiological, morphological features and distribution of HPV E6/E7 mRNA were investigated in resected specimens of OPSCC.

Methods: We retrieved formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded whole section slides from 24 p16/HPV-DNA positive and 18 p16/HPV-DNA negative primary tumours and 16 corresponding metastases in patients with early-stage OPSCC who underwent planned curative or diagnostic primary transoral robotic surgery.

Correlation between HPV status at T and N sites of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Objectives: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is known to be associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and may potentially play a vital role in tumor metastasis. The purpose of this study was to correlate HPV status of cervical lymph node metastases with their respective primary OPSCC tumor.

Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples obtained from 34 patients with cervical lymph node metastases were analyzed with HPV 16 DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), p16 immunohistochemistry and HPV typing.

[Human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer].

The prevalence of oropharyngeal cancer is increasing in the Western world, and human papillomavirus (HPV) is believed to play a role in this development. Patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer differ significantly from patients with HPV-negative cancer. They may present solely with a small cervical metastasis and thus undergo an extensive diagnostic workup.

[Transmission of and infection with human papillomavirus in the oropharynx].

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer is rising in the Western world, but little is known about transmission of the infection and the premalignant phase of the disease. In this article there is an overview of current knowledge with focus on transmission of HPV and risk factors which may lead to persistent infection and eventually cancer. Furthermore, there is a discussion about issues concerning the ability to measure and detect infection and the premalignant stadium in the oropharyngeal tissue.

Primary transoral robotic surgery with concurrent neck dissection for early stage oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma implemented at a Danish head and neck cancer center: a phase II trial on feasibility and tumour margin status.

There is an increasing incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in the western world due to human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group guidelines, the current recommended treatment of patients with OPSCC in Denmark is primary radiation therapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy. This is the first study in Scandinavia from a head and neck cancer centre that aims to demonstrate the feasibility of performing primary transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and concurrent neck dissection for patients with early stage OPSCC.

The association between human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal squamous cell Carcinoma: Reviewed according to the Bradford Hill criteria for causality.

There is emerging evidence of the association between human papillomavirus and a subset of head and neck cancers. However, the role of human papillomavirus as a causal factor is still debated. This review addresses the association between human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using the Bradford Hill criteria.

Validation study of HPV DNA detection from stained FNA smears by polymerase chain reaction: Improving the diagnostic workup of patients with a tumor on the neck.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) often presents with cystic cervical metastasis and a small primary tumor localized in the palatine tonsils or base of the tongue, which is diagnostically challenging. Testing for HPV DNA in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smears from metastases may facilitate a targeted diagnostic workup for identifying the primary tumor. This study was designed to assess the ability to detect HPV DNA in FNA smears with polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

[Diagnosing neck mass in adults].

Doctors are frequently presented to patients with a neck mass, and the condition might cause diagnostic challenges. In younger adults, a neck mass can typically be explained by congenital, inflammatory or infectious causes. The highest probability of neoplasms is found in patients above 40 years of age.

Transoral robotic surgery for the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary.

Conclusion: The addition of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the diagnostic management of patients classified with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (SCCUP) is promising and appears to improve detection rates of the primary tumour. The approach presented in this first Scandinavian study could potentially minimize the radiation field to the pharyngeal axis in patients with identified primary tumours.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate whether bilateral lingual tonsillectomy performed with TORS is feasible, and whether it could improve the detection rates of primary tumours in patients diagnosed and classified as having SCCUP.

A high and increasing HPV prevalence in tonsillar cancers in Eastern Denmark, 2000-2010: the largest registry-based study to date.

The aim was to explore whether the incidence of tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) increased in Eastern Denmark, 2000-2010, and whether human papillomavirus (HPV) could explain the increase, and to assess the association of HPV prevalence with gender, age, and origin (i.e., the certainty of tonsillar tumor origin).

Characterization of miRNA expression in human degenerative lumbar disks.

Background Data: microRNAs (miRNAs) are short ∼22 nucleotide RNA sequences that regulate messengerRNA translation. miRNAs have shown to play a role in synthesis of inflammatory mediators. Since inflammation play a role in intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration, the objective was to isolate miRNA from human lumbar intervertebral disks and subsequently characterize the difference in miRNA expression between the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP).

The role of human papillomavirus in head and neck cancer.

Over the last 20 years, there has been increasing awareness of a subset of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC), i.e. HPV-positive HNSCC.

Erosive potential of saliva stimulating tablets with and without fluoride in irradiated head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Patients irradiated in the head and neck region often suffer from severe dry mouth and use acidic saliva stimulating products, which may cause erosion of teeth.

Purpose: To determine saliva stimulating effects and erosive potential (EP) of acidic saliva stimulating tablets (Xerodent) with and without fluoride in irradiated head and neck cancer patients.

Materials And Method: Nineteen irradiated patients (median age 57 years) sucked Xerodent tablets with and without fluoride.

[Photodynamic therapy for head and neck cancer].

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new treatment for head and neck cancer. The principle of the treatment is a photochemical reaction initiated by light activation of a photosensitizer, which causes the death of the exposed tissue. This article presents the modes of action of PDT and the techniques as well as the clinical procedure.

Changes from 1992 to 2002 in the pretreatment delay for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of larynx or pharynx: a Danish nationwide survey from DAHANCA.

In Denmark, a general impression of prolonged pretreatment delay for patients with head and neck cancer led to a nationwide study of time spans from symptom debut over first health care contact to start of treatment. Charts of consecutive new patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx, seen at the five Danish oncology centers in January-April 1992 and 2002, respectively, were reviewed. Of the 288 patients identified, definitive treatment was radiotherapy in 264 cases, surgery in one case.