Introduction: The profile and outcomes of head and neck cancer throughout Australia has changed over the past decade. The aim of this study was to perform a population-based analysis of incidence, demographics, stage, treatments and outcomes of patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), with a particular focus on HPV-associated disease.
Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data within the Queensland Oncology Repository (QOR) and analysed by the Queensland Cancer Control Analysis Team.
Purpose Of Review: To review the impact of contemporary treatment strategies on salvage outcomes in patients with recurrent human papilloma virus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV + OPSCC).
Recent Findings: Secondary to HPV, changes in disease biology have impacted primary treatments and subsequent approaches to patients with recurrence. With treatment strategies more inclusive of upfront surgery, the characteristics of patients with recurrence HPV + OPSCC have been further redefined.
Background: Up to 30% of female infertility can be attributed to tubal abnormalities. Assessment of fallopian tube patency forms a component of the basic assessment of infertility. Tubal patency can be checked through hysterosalpingogram (HSG) under radiologic guidance with oil- or water-based contrast medium (OBCM or WBCM), or hystero-salpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy) under ultrasound guidance with WBCM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: The optimal approach for treatment deescalation in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs) is unknown.
Objective: To assess a primary radiotherapy (RT) approach vs a primary transoral surgical (TOS) approach in treatment deescalation for HPV-related OPSCC.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This international, multicenter, open-label parallel-group phase 2 randomized clinical trial was conducted at 9 tertiary academic cancer centers in Canada and Australia and enrolled patients with T1-T2N0-2 p16-positive OPSCC between February 13, 2018, and November 17, 2020.
Background: Lipiodol is an oil-based solution commonly used in hysterosalpingogram (HSG), but not hysterosalpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy). In women with unexplained infertility, evidence suggests that tubal flushing with Lipiodol results in improved fertility post-procedure. We propose that Lipiodol can be visualised under ultrasound similar to commonly used saline, and hence utilised for HyCoSy, allowing the benefit of an oil-based tubal flushing to occur with HyCoSy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patients with human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPC) have substantially better treatment response and overall survival (OS) than patients with HPV-negative disease. Treatment options for HPV+ OPC can involve either a primary radiotherapy (RT) approach (± concomitant chemotherapy) or a primary surgical approach (± adjuvant radiation) with transoral surgery (TOS). These two treatment paradigms have different spectrums of toxicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPilomatrixoma is a slowly growing benign tumor of the dermal hair cells. Metastatic disease is exceptionally rare. Pilomatrixoma can occur at any age, but most patients are older than 40 years at presentation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction. Intracranial extension of cholesteatoma is rare. This may occur de novo or recur some time later either contiguous with or separate to the site of the original cholesteatoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This paper presents a series of three patients who were identified as having partial thickness involvement of the laryngotracheal complex secondary to invasive, well-differentiated thyroid cancer. These patients were managed with full thickness window resection and reconstruction using a composite nasal septal graft.
Methods: A review of the Princess Alexandra Hospital database (comprising prospectively collated data) was undertaken to identify patients who had undergone full thickness tracheal resection and reconstruction using a composite nasal septal graft; demographic, operative technique and survival outcome data were collated.
Objective: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of contact endoscopy in evaluating oral and oropharyngeal mucosal lesions.
Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2011, 34 patients with lesions of the oral and oropharyngeal mucosa were enrolled in the study. Comparison between initial contact endoscopy results and 'gold standard' tissue biopsy was undertaken.
Background: An epidemic of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) has been reported worldwide largely due to oral infection with HPV type-16, which is responsible for approximately 90% of HPV-positive cases. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.
Methods: A retrospective search identified ninety-five patients diagnosed with OPSCC.
J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
February 2013
Due to significant differences in healthcare structure between the United States and Canada, there are unique barriers to adopting new medical technology in Canada. In this article, we describe our experience developing a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) program at Western University. Specifically, we outline the steps that were necessary to obtain institutional and multidisciplinary team approval, financial support, as well as surgeon and allied healthcare personnel training.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Provides an approach to osseous free flap selection for reconstruction of segmental mandible defects that takes into consideration general medical status of the patient and reconstruction requirements; demonstrates the complementary qualities of fibular and subscapular system free flaps; and describes the different surgical indications for lateral border scapular and scapular tip free flaps.
Objectives: To review our experience with osseous mandible reconstruction comparing the fibular and subscapular system free flaps, determine reconstruction-specific and general health variables that may differ between these patient groups, and present our approach to oromandibular reconstruction.
Design: Retrospective study.
We describe the presentation, management, and clinical outcome of a massive acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. The primary tumor and blood underwent exome sequencing which revealed deletions in CDKN2A as well as PPP1R13B, which induces p53. A damaging nonsynonymous mutation was noted in EP300, a histone acetylase which plays a role in cellular proliferation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Because of the significant toxicity of chemoradiation regimens, there has been a resurgence of interest in the primary surgical management of head and neck cancer and, in particular, the use of minimally invasive surgery. One such technique is transoral robotic surgery (TORS). We aim to discuss the potential role of TORS in patients requiring total laryngectomy (TL).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrimary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder in which the inappropriate elevation in serum parathyroid hormone level results in hypercalcemia. Most cases are caused by a single adenomatous parathyroid gland and less than 15% are caused by multiglandular disease. The incidence of PHPT appears to be increasing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground. Next-generation sequencing of cancers has identified important therapeutic targets and biomarkers. The goal of this pilot study was to compare the genetic changes in a human papillomavirus- (HPV-)positive and an HPV-negative head and neck tumor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the scapular tip free flap for mandibular reconstruction, describe the surgical approach, and highlight specific clinical applications.
Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing oromandibular reconstruction using a scapular tip free flap at the London Health Sciences Centre was undertaken. Patient demographics, surgical data, and early outcomes were collated.
Background: This article considers whether preoperative tracheostomy and primary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) contribute as independent risk factors to the development of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF), as well as discusses the significant factors related to the perioperative management of these patients.
Methods: Retrospective data were collected on 145 patients treated with total laryngectomy/pharyngolaryngectomy between January 2003 and July 2010 at the Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario, including whether preoperative tracheostomy or primary TEP was performed.
Results: One in four (25%) patients developed a postoperative PCF.
Background. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an emerging treatment option for the treatment of head and neck malignancies, particularly for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Preliminary studies have demonstrated excellent oncologic and functional outcomes that have led to a resurgence of interest in the primary surgical management of OPSCC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
April 2012
Background: Early-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma is managed with radiotherapy or endoscopic surgery. Although cure rates are high, radiation failures often require total laryngectomy for salvage. Biomarkers that can predict tumour radioresistance may be useful in modifying the treatment approach for individual patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine agreement between diagnoses and management plans made during an initial videoconference appointment and subsequent face-to-face consultations in paediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery. DESIGN AND SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A paediatric ENT clinic servicing patients from Bundaberg, Queensland, was conducted through the Centre for Online Health at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Brisbane. Between January 2004 and February 2006, 152 consultations with 97 patients were carried out.
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