Assessing Quality of Life among Radiation-Induced Hypopituitary Patients.

 Radiation-induced hypopituitarism (RIH) has long been recognized as one of the deleterious side effects of skull base radiation. This study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) among patients with RIH compared with radiated patients who did not develop hypopituitarism using the validated Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire (ASBQ).  This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study.

Comparing Individualized Survival Predictions From Random Survival Forests and Multistate Models in the Presence of Missing Data: A Case Study of Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Background: In recent years, interest in prognostic calculators for predicting patient health outcomes has grown with the popularity of personalized medicine. These calculators, which can inform treatment decisions, employ many different methods, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.

Methods: We present a comparison of a multistate model (MSM) and a random survival forest (RSF) through a case study of prognostic predictions for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Increased Nerve Density Adversely Affects Outcome in Oral Cancer.

Purpose: Perineural invasion (PNI) in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with poor survival. Because of the risk of recurrence, patients with PNI receive additional therapies after surgical resection. Mechanistic studies have shown that nerves in the tumor microenvironment promote aggressive tumor growth.

Prognostic value of CD103 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) combined positive score in recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: In an evolving era of immunotherapeutic options for persistent or recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), there is a need for improved biomarkers of treatment response and survival to inform optimal treatment selection and prognostication. Herein, our primary objective was to explore correlations between tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1 Combined Positive Score (CPS). Secondarily, we sought to explore their combined association with survival outcomes in patients with persistent or recurrent LSCC treated with salvage surgery.

Surgical Management of Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses: Analysis of Operative Indications, Settings, and Outcomes.

 The role of surgery in management of sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma (SNRMS) has traditionally been limited, owing to anatomic and technological challenges and the established role of systemic therapy. Herein, we report our institutional experience with surgical management of SNRMS, with a particular focus on operative approaches, extent and outcomes.  This study is a retrospective cohort study.

Spatial and Transcriptomic Analysis of Perineural Invasion in Oral Cancer.

Purpose: Perineural invasion (PNI), a common occurrence in oral squamous cell carcinomas, is associated with poor survival. Consequently, these tumors are treated aggressively. However, diagnostic criteria of PNI vary and its role as an independent predictor of prognosis has not been established.

Impact of Nodal Metastases in HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Background: The updated American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th Edition staging manual restructured nodal classification and staging by placing less prognostic emphasis on nodal metastases for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, there was no change for HPV-negative OPSCC. The purpose of our study is to examine the impact of nodal metastases on survival in HPV-negative OPSCC.

Understanding the impact of high-risk human papillomavirus on oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas in Taiwan: A retrospective cohort study.

Background And Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing globally. In Taiwan, HPV-positive OPSCC is obscured by tobacco, alcohol, and betel quid use. We investigated the role of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) in a large retrospective Taiwan OPSCC cohort.

Head and Neck Paragangliomas: Patterns of Otolaryngology Referrals for Genetic Testing Over 2 Decades.

Objective: A large proportion of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) arise in patients with a genetic predisposition due to pathogenic variants in succinate dehydrogenase () genes. Contemporary practice guidelines recommend consideration of referral for genetic testing for all patients with HNPGLs. We sought to assess adherence to these recommendations, factors associated with referral, and temporal trends in referral patterns by otolaryngologists over the past 2 decades.

Efficacy of axitinib in metastatic head and neck cancer with novel radiographic response criteria.

Background: There are limited treatment options for unresectable recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Vascular endothelial growth factor is of significant interest for targeted therapy in R/M HNSCC because of its central role in tumorigenesis and immunosuppression. Axitinib is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1 , VEGFR2, VEGFR3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, as well as c-kit and offers such an approach.

Sensory-Discriminative Three-Dimensional Body Pain Mobile App Measures Versus Traditional Pain Measurement With a Visual Analog Scale: Validation Study.

Background: To quantify pain severity in patients and the efficacy treatments, researchers and clinicians apply tools such as the traditional visual analog scale (VAS) that leads to inaccurate interpretation of the main sensory pain.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the pain measurements of a neuroscience-based 3D body pain mobile app called GeoPain.

Methods: Patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) were assessed using GeoPain measures in comparison to VAS and positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS), pain and mood scales, respectively.

Patient-reported financial toxicity and adverse medical consequences in head and neck cancer.

Objectives: Financial toxicity (FT) is a significant barrier to high-quality cancer care, and patients with head and neck cancer (HNCA) are particularly vulnerable given their need for intensive support, daily radiotherapy (RT), and management of long-term physical, functional, and psychosocial morbidities following treatment. We aim to identify predictors of FT and adverse consequences in HNCA following RT.

Materials And Methods: We performed a prospective survey study of patients with HNCA seen in follow-up at an academic comprehensive cancer center (CCC) or Veterans Affairs hospital between 05/2016 and 06/2018.

Soy Isoflavone Supplementation Increases Long Interspersed Nucleotide Element-1 (LINE-1) Methylation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Aim: Soy isoflavones have been suggested as epigenetic modulating agents with effects that could be important in carcinogenesis. Hypomethylation of LINE-1 has been associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) development from oral premalignant lesions and with poor prognosis. To determine if neoadjuvant soy isoflavone supplementation could modulate LINE-1 methylation in HNSCC, we undertook a clinical trial.

Implication of Fusobacterium necrophorum in recurrence of peritonsillar abscess.

Objective: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common infectious complication of pharyngeal infection managed by otolaryngologists and emergency room physicians. Streptococcus and Fusobacterium (e.g.

Predictors of intratonsillar versus peritonsillar abscess: A case-control series.

Objectives/hypothesis: An uncommon phenomenon in relation to the peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the intratonsillar abscess (ITA) or formation of an abscess within tonsillar parenchyma. This study sought to characterize our experience with diagnosis and management of ITAs in the context of the PTA patient population.

Study Design: Case-control series.

Individualized survival prediction for patients with oropharyngeal cancer in the human papillomavirus era.

Background: Accurate, individualized prognostication in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is vital for patient counseling and treatment decision making. With the emergence of human papillomavirus (HPV) as an important biomarker in OPSCC, calculators incorporating this variable have been developed. However, it is critical to characterize their accuracy prior to implementation.

Predictors of intratonsillar abscess versus peritonsillar abscess in the pediatric patient.

Objective: To determine the incidence of intratonsillar abscess (ITA) patients within the population of patients diagnosed with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and to further characterize the differences in symptomatology and successful treatment strategies between the two groups.

Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with PTA or ITA at our institution from 2000 to 2017. Descriptive and inferential statistics are reported, including univariate and multivariate analyses.

Prognostic Value of FDG-PET/CT Metabolic Parameters in Metastatic Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Purpose: There are no standardized prognostication algorithms for metastatic radioiodine-refractory (RAI-R) differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We hypothesize that [F]-FDG PET/CT may predict progression versus stability of disease based on quantitative analysis of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG).

Methods: Retrospective study of 62 patients with metastatic RAI-R DTC to determine clinical outcomes with median follow-up from initial diagnosis of 11.

Redefining Perineural Invasion: Integration of Biology With Clinical Outcome.

A diagnosis of perineural invasion (PNI), defined as cancer within or surrounding at least 33% of the nerve, leads to selection of aggressive treatment in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Recent mechanistic studies show that cancer and nerves interact prior to physical contact. The purpose of this study was to explore cancer-nerve interactions relative to clinical outcome.

Individualized outcome prognostication for patients with laryngeal cancer.

Background: Accurate prognostication is essential to the optimal management of laryngeal cancer. Predictive models have been developed to calculate the risk of oncologic outcomes, but extensive external validation of accuracy and reliability is necessary before implementing them into clinical practice.

Method: Four published prognostic calculators that predict 5-year overall survival for patients with laryngeal cancer were evaluated using patient information from a prospective epidemiology study cohort (n = 246; median follow-up, 60 months) with previously untreated, stage I through IVb laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Dopamine D2/D3 imbalance during migraine attack and allodynia in vivo.

Objective: To evaluate in vivo the dynamics of endogenous dopamine (DA) neurotransmission during migraine ictus with allodynia.

Methods: We examined 8 episodic migraineurs and 8 healthy controls (HC) using PET with [C]raclopride. The uptake measure of [C]raclopride, nondisplaceable binding potential (BP), would increase when there was a reduction in endogenous DA release.

Family history of cancer and head and neck cancer survival.

Objective: Patients with a family history of cancer may be genetically predisposed to carcinogenesis. This could affect risk of recurrence, second primary tumors, and overall outcomes after treatment of a primary cancer. We evaluated the association between family history of cancer and disease-specific survival in a cohort of patients with primary head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC).