Methodology of cfHPV-DNA Detection in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: We aim to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the different methodologies used in the detection of cell-free human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in HPV-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma detection using bivariate analysis methods.

Data Sources: Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus were queried using a broad search strategy to search for relevant studies.

Review Methods: Test characteristics were extracted from 33 studies following literature screening, and underwent analyses utilizing a bivariate approach.

Microvascular Free-Flap Head and Neck Reconstruction: The Utility of the Modified Frailty Five-Item Index.

Background:  Microvascular free tissue transfer is a common tool for the reconstruction of oncologic head and neck defects. Adequate preoperative assessment can aid in appropriate risk stratification and peri-operative optimization. The modified five-item frailty index (mFI-5) is a validated risk-assessment scale; however, its utility in head and neck free-flap reconstruction is unknown when compared with other common risk factors.

Oropharyngeal tumor cells induce COX-2 expression in peripheral blood monocytes by secretion of IL-1α.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPC) accounts for 3% of all cancers and greater than 1.5% of all cancer deaths in the United States, with marked treatment-associated morbidity in survivors. More than 80% of OPC is caused by HPV16.

A Mobile Patient-Facing App for Tracking Patient-Reported Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: Single-Arm Feasibility Study.

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) frequently experience disease-related symptoms and treatment adverse effects that impact their overall quality of life. Cancer-specific mobile health apps for patient-related outcomes allow patients to communicate with their clinicians and proactively track their symptoms, which have been shown to improve clinical management and disease outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of LogPAL, a novel iPhone-based mobile health app designed to help HNC survivors track and manage their posttreatment symptoms.

Improving post-CRT neck assessment in patients with HPV-associated OPSCC (Review).

The positive predictive value (PPV) of 12-week post-therapy FDG-PET/CT is low in patients with Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC) after treatment with definitive chemoradiation (CRT). Moreover, the diagnostic performance of post-CRT fine needle aspiration (FNA) in detecting persistent disease is unknown in this population. Given these important shortcomings in post-CRT treatment assessment, head and neck oncologists are limited in appropriately selecting patients for consolidative neck dissection, which results in over-treatment of a favorable risk population.

Impact of stereotactic body radiation therapy on geriatric assessment and management for older patients with head and neck cancer using G8.

Purpose: Management of head and neck cancers (HNC) in older adults is a common but challenging clinical scenario. We assess the impact of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) on survival utilizing the Geriatric-8 (G8) questionnaire.

Materials And Methods: 171 HNC patients, deemed medically unfit for definitive treatment, were treated with SBRT ± systemic therapy.

Identifying patterns of failure and secondary primary malignancies in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

To compare patterns and rates of recurrence in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma by human papilloma virus (HPV) status. Retrospective chart review of 155 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2012 and 2014 at a single center. Two-year recurrence-free survival was higher in patients with HPV-positive tumors compared with negative (85.

The use of 3D printing in shared decision making for a juvenile aggressive ossifying fibroma in a pediatric patient.

Juvenile aggressive ossifying fibromas (JAOF) are rare, typically benign pediatric tumors that are locally aggressive and have high recurrence rates. A 7-year old male presented with a palatal mass and a 3D printed model was created and used as a visual aide to highlight the importance of management in terms of functional, cosmetic, and disease-free outcomes with the family. The patient ultimately underwent successful enucleation with final pathology consistent with JAOF.

Management of the neck after definitive chemoradiation in patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer: An institutional experience.

Purpose: To investigate the multidisciplinary management of patients with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and an incomplete nodal response on restaging PET/CT after definitive chemoradiation (CRT).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients diagnosed with node-positive HPV-associated OPSCC from 2012 to 2017, who underwent definitive upfront CRT, and had an incomplete response on post-therapy PET/CT according to NCCN criteria. Post-CRT PET/CT results, management decisions, and clinical outcomes were recorded.

Outcomes of nonsurgical management of locally advanced carcinomas of the sinonasal cavity.

Objective: To determine the outcome of definitive concurrent chemoradiation with platinum for locally advanced sinonasal carcinomas.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Methods: Twenty-three nonsurgically and definitively treated patients diagnosed between July 1998 and February 2009 were analyzed.

Informed consent: do information pamphlets improve post-operative risk-recall in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy: prospective randomized control study.

Background: Informed consent consists of basic five elements: voluntarism, capacity, disclosure, understanding, and ultimate decision-making. Physician disclosure, patient understanding, and information retention are all essential in the doctor-patient relationship. This is inclusive of helping patients make and manage their decisions and expectations better and also to deal with any consequences and/or complications that arise.

Surgeon performed ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates of the thyroid: 1067 biopsies and learning curve in a teaching center.

Background: Surgeon performed ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates (UG-FNAs) reduce delay in diagnosis and allow for surgeon surveillance. We present the first report on a learning curve and impact of head and neck surgical trainees on adequacy rates.

Methods: Thyroid UG-FNA biopsies from 2009 to 2013 were reviewed retrospectively.

Up-front neck dissection followed by concurrent chemoradiation in patients with regionally advanced head and neck cancer.

Background: The appropriate management of the neck in patients with regionally advanced head and neck cancer remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze our institutional experience with up-front neck dissection followed by definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Fifty-five patients with radiographic evidence of large or necrotic lymph nodes underwent up-front neck dissection followed by definitive chemoradiation.

Factors predictive of severity of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible.

Background: An analysis of risk factors predictive of severe mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is needed to aid prophylaxis and management of this condition.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 46 patients diagnosed between June 2002 and March 2009: 93% had mandibular ORN, which was staged 0 to III (Store and Boysen). Patient, tumor, treatment-related, and other variables were analyzed for association with mandibular ORN severity.

Intrastriatal serotonin 5-HT2 receptors mediate dopamine D1-induced hyperlocomotion in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats.

Striatal dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) functions are altered following DA denervation. Previous research indicates that intrastriatal coadministration of D1 and 5-HT2 receptor agonists synergistically increase locomotor behavior in DA-depleted rats. In the present study, we examined whether striatal 5-HT2 mechanisms also account for supersensitive D1-mediated locomotor behavior following DA denervation.