Redefining Candidates for Deintensification in Locoregionally Advanced P16+ Oropharyngeal Cancer Based on Relative Risk.

Purpose: Randomized trials have found that patients with locoregionally advanced p16+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) do not benefit from treatment deintensification, even among favorable risk groups. Although various methods have been used to identify candidates for treatment deintensification, the optimal approach is unknown.

Methods And Materials: We conducted a multi-institutional cohort study of 444 patients with previously untreated p16+ OPSCC undergoing definitive radiation therapy with or without systemic therapy between 2009 and 2022.

Prognostic Implications of Skin Invasion in Locally Advanced Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of histopathologic skin invasion on 2- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with primary surgery for locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).

Study Design: A retrospective case-control study was performed comparing previously untreated patients with pT4a OCSCC with and without skin invasion.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Treatment Tolerance of Cetuximab versus Alternative Chemotherapy Agents in Non-Cisplatin Candidates with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

Introduction: Standard of care for radiosensitization in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with high-dose cisplatin. The optimal chemoradiation regimen for patients medically unfit for cisplatin is unclear. We compared our experience with concurrent cetuximab (CTX) versus other cytotoxic non-cisplatin agents.

Sarcopenia and Treatment Toxicity in Older Adults Undergoing Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer: Identifying Factors to Predict Frailty.

This study was performed to identify treatment related toxicities in older adults undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer and nutritional and skeletal muscle measures that might identify frailty. Imaging analysis was done with the following skeletal muscle measurements: skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), and skeletal muscle gauge (SMG). Patients were dichotomized by age into younger (<70 years old, 221 patients) and older age groups (≥70 years old, 51 patients).

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase-2 (MK2) and its role in cell survival, inflammatory signaling, and migration in promoting cancer.

Cancer and the immune system share an intimate relationship. Chronic inflammation increases the risk of cancer occurrence and can also drive inflammatory mediators into the tumor microenvironment enhancing tumor growth and survival. The p38 MAPK pathway is activated both acutely and chronically by stress, inflammatory chemokines, chronic inflammatory conditions, and cancer.

What is the hold up?-Mixed-methods analysis of postoperative radiotherapy delay in head and neck cancer.

Background: Delays in postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) increase the risk for recurrence and mortality. The multifactorial nature of delays calls for an in-depth understanding of potential contributors from the patient's and provider's perspectives. We sought to identify causes of delays in adjuvant radiotherapy initiation for HNC.

The impact of sarcopenia on tolerance of radiation and outcome in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation.

Background And Purpose: Sarcopenia is a predictor of poor prognosis in cancer patients. One potential mechanism for worse outcomes in sarcopenic patients is worse tolerance to treatment; this has not been investigated with regard to radiation treatment. We reviewed our institutional experience of head and neck cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation and assessed outcomes with respect to sarcopenia.

Weekly cisplatin chemotherapy dosing versus triweekly chemotherapy with concurrent radiation for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Triweekly high-dose cisplatin (100 mg/m ) with concurrent radiation therapy is the current standard of care in the definitive or appropriate postoperative setting in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We compared triweekly 100 mg/m with alternative weekly 40 mg/m and weekly <40 mg/m cisplatin regimens.

Methods: From 2011 to 2016, 163 patients received concurrent cisplatin and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for locally advanced HNSCC.

Safety and efficacy of hypofractionated stereotactic body reirradiation in head and neck cancer: Long-term follow-up of a large series.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report long-term outcomes for a large cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who underwent stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) reirradiation.

Methods: From 2002 to 2011, 85 patients with previously irradiated HNSCC were treated with SBRT to 94 lesions. Some underwent surgery (29%), and many were treated with induction, concurrent, and/or adjuvant chemotherapy or biologic therapy (70%).

Risk factors for posttreatment edema in patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery for meningiomas.

Background: Peritumoral edema is a recognized complication following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Objective: To evaluate the risk of posttreatment peritumoral edema following SRS for intracranial meningiomas and determine predictive factors.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2008, 173 evaluable patients underwent CyberKnife or Gamma Knife SRS for meningiomas.

Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for reirradiation of head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an appealing treatment option after previous radiotherapy because of its precision, conformality, and reduced treatment duration. We report our experience with reirradiation using fractionated SRS for head-and-neck cancer.

Methods And Materials: From 2002 to 2008, 65 patients received SRS to the oropharynx (n = 13), hypopharynx (n = 8), nasopharynx (n = 7), paranasal sinus (n = 7), neck (n = 7), and other sites (n = 23).