Choice of surgery in intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal tract: a long-term comparative study.

Purpose: Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) is a rare sinonasal malignancy. Curative treatment requires multidisciplinary approach, with surgical options consist of the endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) and external surgery (EXTS). Here, we provide the post-operative and survival results from a single-center long-term follow-up.

Direct co-registration of [F]FDG uptake and histopathology in surgically excised malignancies of the head and neck: a feasibility study.

Purpose: Recent technical advancements in PET imaging have improved sensitivity and spatial resolution. Consequently, clinical nuclear medicine will be confronted with PET images on a previously unfamiliar resolution. To better understand [F]FDG distribution at submillimetric scale, a direct correlation of radionuclide-imaging and histopathology is required.

Concordance, Correlation, and Clinical Impact of Standardized PD-L1 and TIL Scoring in SCCHN.

Background: The clinical significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has been thoroughly researched in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). To address the impact of intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity in these biomarkers, we explored the concordance of PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) and stromal TILs in different paired tissue sample types, while evaluating their internal relationship and prognostic impact.

Methods: A total of 165 tissue blocks from 80 SCCHN patients were reviewed for TILs and PD-L1 CPS.

High-Resolution F-FDG PET/CT for Assessing Three-Dimensional Intraoperative Margins Status in Malignancies of the Head and Neck, a Proof-of-Concept.

The surgical treatment of head and neck malignancies relies on the complete removal of tumoral tissue, while inadequate margins necessitate the use of adjuvant therapy. However, most positive margins are identified postoperatively as deep margins, and intraoperative identification of the deep positive margins could help achieve adequate surgical margins and decrease adjuvant therapies. To improve deep-margin identification, we investigated whether the use of high-resolution preclinical PET and CT could increase certainty about the surgical margins in three dimensions.

An open-label, nonrandomized, phase Ib feasibility study of cusatuzumab in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

CD70 is expressed in up to 80% of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cases. Cusatuzumab is a humanized anti-CD70 monoclonal antibody, with dual action mechanisms: induction of cytotoxicity against CD70 tumor cells and reduction in CD70-CD27 signaling mediated immune evasion. The aim of this study was to assess the safety, pharmacokinetic profile, immunogenicity, pharmacodynamic profile, and preliminary activity of cusatuzumab in advanced NPC.

Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in oropharyngeal carcinoma: prognostic value and evaluation of a standardised method.

Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been described as a biomarker for the host immune response against the tumour with prognostic properties. The International Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers Working Group (IBWG) proposed a standardised method for quantifying TILs in solid tumours to improve consistent and reproducible scoring. In this study, the methodology was tested in a retrospective population of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Verrucous hyperplasia and verrucous carcinoma in head and neck: use and benefit of methotrexate.

: Verrucous hyperplasia (VH) and verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the head and neck are two (pre)malignant entities that are slowly progressive with low tendency to metastasize. However, they can reduce the patient's Quality of Life (QoL) and may even transform into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). As they are typically approached by surgical resection, some patients do not qualify for surgery.

Improved survival in patients with head and neck cancer treated in higher volume centres: A population-based study in Belgium.

Objectives: The study investigated the association between hospital volume and observed survival of patients with a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: Overall, 9245 patients diagnosed with HNSCC between 2009 and 2014, were identified in the population-based Belgian Cancer Registry. This database was coupled with other databases providing information on diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, vital status, and comorbidities.

Very late xerostomia, dysphagia, and neck fibrosis after head and neck radiotherapy.

Background: Acute and late toxicity after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) impacts on patient quality of life; yet, very late toxicity data remain scarce. This study assessed dysphagia, xerostomia, and neck fibrosis 3-8 years after IMRT.

Methods: A retrospective analysis using generalized estimated equations was performed on 60 patients with HNC treated with fractionated IMRT between 2000 and 2015 who had a follow-up ≥8 years.

Quality of life of patients with a colonic interposition postoesophagectomy.

Objectives: After oesophagectomy, stomach grafts are most frequently used to restore intestinal continuity. Less frequently, a colonic graft is used. There is quite a large body of literature addressing the functional outcome after gastric pull-up, but little is known about the functional results of colonic interposition (CI).

Importance of choice of materials and methods in PD-L1 and TIL assessment in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims: A great deal of research is being conducted into PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as predictive or prognostic biomarkers for immunotherapy, although several practical issues exist concerning their assessment. The aim of this research was therefore to assess the importance of choice of materials and methods in PD-L1 and TILs scoring in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods And Results: IHC for PD-L1 (SP142 and 22C3 clone) and TILs subtyping was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue slides (biopsy, resection and/or lymph nodes specimens) of 99 patients with OSCC.

Tumor PD-L1 status and CD8 tumor-infiltrating T cells: markers of improved prognosis in oropharyngeal cancer.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of PD-L1 in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Its relation with clinicopathological variables, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and survival was also determined.

Results: Positive PD-L1 status for the SP142 clone related with improved overall survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Late mucosal ulcers in dose-escalated adaptive dose-painting treatments for head-and-neck cancer.

Background: To identify predictive factors for the development of late grade 4 mucosal ulcers in adaptive dose-escalated treatments for head-and-neck cancer.

Material And Methods: Patient data of four dose-escalated three-phase adaptive dose-painting by numbers (DPBN) clinical trials were analyzed in this study. Correlations between the development of late grade 4 ulcers and factors related with the treatment, disease characteristics and the patient were investigated.

Long-term outcome of F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-guided dose painting for head and neck cancer: Matched case-control study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the long-term outcome of F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ( F-FDG-PET)-guided dose painting for head and neck cancer in comparison to conventional intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in a matched case-control study.

Methods: Seventy-two patients with nonmetastatic head and neck cancer treated with dose painting were compared with 72 control patients matched on tumor site and T classification. Either F-FDG-PET-guided dose painting by contour (DPBC) or voxel intensity-based dose painting by number (DPBN) was performed; control patients underwent standard IMRT.

Upfront vs. no upfront neck dissection in primary head and neck cancer radio(chemo)therapy: Tumor control and late toxicity.

Purpose/objective: The benefit of upfront neck dissection (ND) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with primary (chemo-) radiotherapy (R(C)T) is debated. Therefore, we retrospectively compared disease control and toxicity between patients who were treated with and without upfront ND followed by R(C)T.

Material/methods: Two-hundred sixty-four consecutive patients with HNSCC without distant metastases at diagnosis and with lymph node stage N2-N3 were included in 2 centers.

Distant metastases in head and neck cancer.

Background: Most trials in head and neck cancer emphasize locoregional control, as this is the main pattern of therapy failure. However, up to 15% of patients develop distant metastases. The purpose of this study was to present the investigated factors associated with distant metastasis in a single-center patient cohort.

Prognostic markers in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: focus on CD70 and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes.

We evaluated the expression of CD70 as biomarker for prognosis in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We also examined the prognostic value of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in our study cohort. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue originating from the oropharynx of 78 patients was immunohistochemically stained for CD70, CD3, CD8 and FoxP3.

CD70 Expression and Its Correlation with Clinicopathological Variables in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.

Objective: Over the last decade, efforts have been made to get a better understanding of the tumor microenvironment and the role of the immune system in it. New insights into the CD27/CD70 signaling pathway point towards a role in tumor immunology, making CD70 an attractive target for immunotherapy. Here, we evaluate CD70 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Secondary Voice Restoration After Laryngotracheal Separation (LTS) for Dysphagia with Intractable Aspiration.

Intractable aspiration is a serious, often life-threatening condition due to its potential impact on pulmonary function. Aspiration requires therapeutic measures, starting with conservative management but often necessitating surgical treatment. The basic surgical principle is to separate the alimentary and respiratory tracts through a variety of procedures which, unfortunately, nearly all result in the loss of phonation, with the exception of total laryngectomy (TL) which includes the placement of an indwelling voice prosthesis.

A let-7 microRNA polymorphism in the KRAS 3'-UTR is prognostic in oropharyngeal cancer.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms in miRNA sequences, miRNA target genes and miRNA processing genes as additional biomarkers to HPV for prognosis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients. Secondarily, the prevalence of HPV-associated OPSCC in a European cohort was mapped.

Methods: OPSCC patients (n=122) were genotyped for ten genetic polymorphisms in pre-miRNAs (pre-mir-146a, pre-mir-196a2), in miRNA biosynthesis genes (Drosha, XPO5) and in miRNA target genes (KRAS, SMC1B).

High-dose reirradiation with intensity-modulated radiotherapy for recurrent head-and-neck cancer: disease control, survival and toxicity.

Purpose: To evaluate disease control, survival and severe late toxicity after high-dose fractionated reirradiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for recurrent head-and-neck cancer.

Materials And Methods: Sixty consecutive patients were reirradiated with IMRT between 1997 and 2011. The median prescribed dose was 70 Gy in 35 daily fractions until 2004 and 69.

Epiglottitis and related complications in adults. Case reports and review of the literature.

Since the introduction of Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccinations in child immunisation programmes, a significant decline in the incidence of epiglottitis has been observed among children. However, recent studies show an increase in the incidence of adult epiglottitis without any identifiable predominant causative pathogen. Adult disease is known to have a slightly more protracted course.