Dual thyroid ectopia with submental thyroid excision using Sistrunk procedure: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Having two or more sites of simultaneous ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare phenomenon. Thyroid ectopia should be considered in congenital hypothyroidism where no eutopic thyroid gland is found.

Case Presentation: This case describes an incidental finding of dual ectopic thyroid tissue on computer tomography scan in an adult with known congenital hypothyroidism that was previously attributed to thyroid agenesis.

Important prognostic significance of lymph node density in patients with node positive oral tongue cancer.

Background: Lymph node density (LND) has been described as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly of the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of LND in patients with node positive oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC).

Methods: Patients with pathological node positive OTSCC were identified in a retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Prognostic Significance of Lymph Node Ratio in Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.

Background: The prognostic variables in patients with metastatic cutaneous nodal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are well documented; however, the relationship between lymph node ratio (LNR) and outcome is not well researched. LNR represents the ratio of positive lymph nodes to total excised lymph nodes. We analyzed the correlation between LNR and outcome in patients who have undergone surgery for metastatic cutaneous nodal SCC of the head and neck.

Ameloblastic Carcinoma.

Background: Ameloblastic carcinoma secondary type is an extremely rare and aggressive odontogenic neoplasm that exhibits histological features of malignancy in primary and metastatic sites. It arises through carcinomatous de-differentiation of a pre-existing ameloblastoma or odontogenic cyst, typically following repeated treatments and recurrences of the benign precursor neoplasm. Identification of an ameloblastic carcinoma, secondary type presenting with histologic features of malignant transformation from an earlier untreated benign lesion remains a rarity.

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma presenting as a parotid tumour: a case report and review of the literature.

Desmoplastic fibroblastomas (DFs) are rare fibrous soft tissue tumours that usually arise in subcutaneous tissue or skeletal muscle in a variety of anatomical sites. These lesions most frequently present as painless, slow-growing mobile masses. A case of DF is described in a 47-year-old man who presented with a painless right parotid mass of 2 months duration.

Prognostic significance of disease-free interval in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with nodal metastases.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the disease-free interval (DFI) between treatment of primary head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the development of regional metastases is an independent prognostic factor.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 229 patients with metastatic nodal head and neck cutaneous SCC, treated with curative intent by surgery ± adjuvant radiotherapy was conducted.

Results: After adjusting for the effect of nodal staging, extracapsular spread, involved margins, adjuvant radiotherapy, and immunosuppression, a short DFI (≤9 months vs >9 months) was a significant predictor of disease-related mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 3.

Early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the lip: the Australian experience and the benefits of radiotherapy in improving outcome in high-risk patients after resection.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of Australian patients treated for early lip cancer.

Methods: Data on 217 patients with T1 to T2 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip and treated with radical intent were analyzed.

Results: The addition of local adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with a close/positive margin was associated with a significant improvement in relapse-free survival (RFS; p = .

Relevance of the primary lesion in the prognosis of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: It remains unclear how primary tumor factors impact on prognosis in patients with nodal metastasis in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The purpose of this study was to assess whether primary tumor characteristics are independent prognostic factors.

Methods: Patients treated for metastatic cutaneous SCC from 1978 to 2010 were identified (n = 239).

Predictors of outcome in patients with metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma involving cervical lymph nodes: Improved survival with the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of surgery against surgery plus radiotherapy in patients with metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to cervical nodes.

Methods: We conducted a 28-year retrospective analysis of 122 patients whom were treated for metastatic cutaneous HNSCC involving the cervical nodes (levels I-V).

Results: After surgery alone, 11 patients (55%) developed recurrence compared with 23 patients (23%) after surgery plus radiotherapy.

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: the Immunosuppression, Treatment, Extranodal spread, and Margin status (ITEM) prognostic score to predict outcome and the need to improve survival.

Background: : The authors propose a prognostic score model using a prospective study of patients with regional metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Methods: : Two-hundred fifty patients were analyzed using a competing risks model to identify risk factors for survival. A risk score was obtained using the significant coefficients from the regression model, and cutoff points were determined that separated the score into 3 risk groups (low risk, moderate risk, and high risk).

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp.

Background: Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma arising from the scalp, although relatively uncommon, is associated with a poor outcome. Older men with a history of baldness and actinic scalp lesions are particularly at risk.

Methods: Between 1980 and 2005, 27 patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp were referred to the Head and Neck Cancer Service at Westmead Hospital, Sydney.

Merkel cell carcinoma: a review of management.

Purpose Of Review: Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon but aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine (small cell) carcinoma. The head and neck is a frequent site (50-60%) for presentation. The optimal treatment of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma remains debated with recent evidence adding support for a multimodality approach.

The need for a better prognostic staging system in patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose Of Review: A validated and universal staging system for metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that accurately describes its clinical behaviour is vital for prognostication and management. The current clinical staging system is not specific for the head and neck and makes no allowances for disease extent. The lack of an improved staging system prevents any meaningful research into improved treatment strategies in patients with head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Giant functioning parathyroid cyst presenting as a retrosternal goitre.

Parathyroid cysts are rare and even more rarely cause a neck mass resembling a goitre. Such large parathyroid cysts may involve the mediastinum, growing to a sufficient size to produce symptoms related to obstruction, and if functioning, primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid cysts should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses of anterior neck masses to allow for appropriate preoperative investigation to avoid unnecessary confusion at the time of operation.

Cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to parotid and cervical lymph nodes.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers occur at an epidemic rate in Australia and are increasing in incidence worldwide. In most patients, local treatment is curative. However, a subset of patients will be diagnosed with a high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and are defined as patients at increased risk of developing metastases to regional lymph nodes.

High-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: results from 266 treated patients with metastatic lymph node disease.

Background: Most patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the head and neck (HN) are at low-risk (<5%) of developing metastatic SCC to regional lymph nodes. However, patients with unfavorable clinicopathologic factors often are under appreciated by clinicians but remain at higher risk for developing metastatic lymph node disease and dying.

Methods: Patients were identified who had metastatic cSCC to lymph nodes (parotid and cervical) of the HN and who were treated within the context of a multidisciplinary HN cancer service between 1980 and 2005 at Westmead Hospital (Sydney, Australia).

Implications for clinical staging of metastatic cutaneous squamous carcinoma of the head and neck based on a multicenter study of treatment outcomes.

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is a common cancer that has the potential to metastasize to lymph nodes in the parotid gland and neck. Previous studies have highlighted limitations with the current TNM staging system for metastatic skin carcinoma. The aim of this study was to test a new staging system that may provide better discrimination between patient groups.

Merkel cell carcinoma: improved outcome with adjuvant radiotherapy.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. Patients remain at high risk of locoregional and distant relapse despite treatment. Most studies support the incorporation of locoregional adjuvant radiotherapy in reducing the risk of relapse.

Surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to lymph nodes: combined treatment should be considered best practice.

Objective: Patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may develop metastatic SCC to nodes in the head and neck. Recent data support best outcome with the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy. This study aims to present further supportive evidence.

Anterior tongue cancer and the incidence of cervical lymph node metastases with increasing tumour thickness: should elective treatment to the neck be standard practice in all patients?

Background: There is an increasing risk of cervical lymph node metastases as tumour thickness increases in patients with anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The role of elective neck treatment in early anterior tongue cancer in unclear.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with anterior tongue cancer and treated with glossectomy +/- neck dissection were identified.

Adjuvant locoregional radiotherapy as best practice in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: Australians have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is the most aggressive skin cancer reported, with a high propensity for relapse. The purpose of this study was to report the patterns of recurrence after initial treatment, the outcomes, and any predictors for survival.

Primary small cell undifferentiated (neuroendocrine) carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

Primary small cell undifferentiated (neuroendocrine) carcinomas of the paranasal sinuses are extremely uncommon neoplasms. This tumor was first reported in this site in 1965, and since then there have been only 61 documented cases in the literature. The median age at presentation is 53 years, with no gender predilection.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: dismal outcome despite current treatment approach.

Background: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) accounts for <5% of all thyroid malignancies and is one of the most aggressive malignancies known. Survival is limited to months and death is often caused by uncontrolled neck disease. There is evidence that multimodality treatment, incorporating surgery (Sx), external beam radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT), might enhance local control and improve survival.

Anterior tongue cancer: age is not a predictor of outcome and should not alter treatment.

Background: Mucosal head and neck cancers usually occur in older males after years of smoking and alcohol abuse. Despite this, approximately 5% of cases occur in young adults. The aetiology remains unclear and the anterior tongue is a prevalent site.

Cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes (nonparotid): a better outcome with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to report on the experience of treating cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metastatic to cervical (nonparotid) lymph nodes at the Head and Neck Unit, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with previously untreated metastatic cutaneous SCC to cervical lymph nodes (levels I-V) and treated with radiotherapy, surgery, or surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy were identified.