Satellite and In-Transit Metastatic Disease in Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Retrospective Review of Disease Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes.

Background: Satellitosis and in-transit metastases (SITM) are uncommon in cutaneous melanoma and are associated with poor prognosis. However, the disease- and treatment-specific variables that predict outcomes among patients with SITM are poorly defined.

Objective: To identify factors that predict prognosis among patients with SITM.

A retrospective analysis of the role of adjuvant radiotherapy in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma.

Melanoma is a significant clinical problem, with rising rates of incidence. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in the control of locoregionally advanced cutaneous melanoma is controversial.

Current practices in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

Background: There has been recent investigation into the incidence of venous thromboembolism in otolaryngology, but the current utilization of venous thromboembolic (VTE) prophylaxis among practicing otolaryngologists remains largely unknown.

Methods: A survey of 26 questions was emailed to 4376 otolaryngologists.

Results: A total of 4376 surveys were sent and 676 were returned for a response rate of 15.

HRAS mutations and resistance to the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify mechanisms of innate resistance to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, erlotinib, in a panel of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. Specifically, we analyzed the role of HRAS mutations in erlotinib resistance.

Methods: Erlotinib sensitivity was determined by methyl thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assays.

Incidence of venous thromboembolism in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

Objective: To examine the incidence of venous thromboembolic disease in the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OTO-HNS) patient population.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Review of medical records for all patients undergoing a surgical procedure during fiscal years 2008 to 2011 (July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2011) at an academic tertiary care medical center.

Intervention: A total of 59 884 total surgical procedures among all the surgical services.

Plasma lipid profiling across species for the identification of optimal animal models of human dyslipidemia.

In an attempt to understand the applicability of various animal models to dyslipidemia in humans and to identify improved preclinical models for target discovery and validation for dyslipidemia, we measured comprehensive plasma lipid profiles in 24 models. These included five mouse strains, six other nonprimate species, and four nonhuman primate (NHP) species, and both healthy animals and animals with metabolic disorders. Dyslipidemic humans were assessed by the same measures.

Nonsurgical management of oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancer: the Fox Chase Cancer Center experience.

Background: Oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancer treatment has changed at our institution, but survival outcomes have not been evaluated.

Methods: We approached the evaluation by a retrospective single-institution cohort study.

Results: Review of 180 patient records from 1993 to 2004 revealed that the number of patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated nearly doubled, whereas the number of patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers declined (p = .

Technical refinement of ultrasound-guided transoral resection of parapharyngeal/retropharyngeal thyroid carcinoma metastases.

Background: The transoral approach to the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal space (PPS/RPS) for the management of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) has been previously described in other articles. However, limited exposure with this approach can be a challenge.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 6 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided transoral excision of PPS/RPS WDTC metastases from October 2003 to March 2009 in a cancer center setting.

Targeted molecular therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor vandetanib in a mouse model.

Background: We investigated the effects of vandetanib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), alone and in combination with paclitaxel in an orthotopic mouse model of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: The in vitro effects of vandetanib (ZACTIMA) were assessed in 2 HNSCC cell lines on cell growth, apoptosis, receptor and downstream signaling molecule expression, and phosphorylation levels. We assessed in vivo effects of vandetanib and/or paclitaxel by measuring tumor cell apoptosis, endothelial cell apoptosis, microvessel density, tumor size, and animal survival.

Postradiotherapy neck dissection for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: pattern of pathologic residual carcinoma and prognosis.

Background: For patients with head and neck cancer who were treated using primary radiotherapeutic approaches, the pattern of pathologic residual carcinoma in the neck dissection specimen and its effect on clinical outcome remains unknown.

Methods: Medical records of 65 patients who underwent 71 neck dissections a median 7 weeks after radiotherapy were reviewed. Median follow-up was 33 months.

Mutation of p53 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma correlates with Bcl-2 expression and increased susceptibility to cisplatin-induced apoptosis.

Background: The p53 protein, a well-known tumor suppressor that functions primarily as a transcription factor, initiates cell cycle arrest and apoptosis after genotoxic stress. The antiapoptotic regulator Bcl-2 is a downstream modulator of p53-induced apoptosis. Loss of function of the p53 tumor suppressor through mutation is an important event that contributes to cellular transformation.

Targeted inhibition of Stat3 with a decoy oligonucleotide abrogates head and neck cancer cell growth.

The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is constitutively activated in a variety of cancers including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Previous investigations have demonstrated that activated Stat3 contributes to a loss of growth control and transformation. To investigate the therapeutic potential of blocking Stat3 in cancer cells, we developed a transcription factor decoy to selectively abrogate activated Stat3.