Weight loss after head and neck cancer: A dynamic relationship with depressive symptoms.

Background: Weight loss and depressive symptoms are critical head and neck cancer outcomes, yet their relation over the illness course is unclear.

Methods: Associations between self-reported depressive symptoms and objective weight loss across the year after head and neck cancer diagnosis were examined using growth curve modeling techniques (n = 564).

Results: A reciprocal covariation pattern emerged-changes in depressive symptoms over time were associated with same-month changes in weight loss (t [1148] = 2.

Correlating thyroid cytology and histopathology: Implications for molecular testing.

Background: A gene expression classifier (GEC) has been advocated in management of some indeterminate nodules without surgery. We assessed the potential negative predictive value (NPV) of the GEC at our academic center.

Methods: Retrospectively, all cytologically indeterminate fine-needle aspirates (FNAs) diagnosed by University of Iowa cytopathologists over a 3-year period were identified.

Complex mandibular reconstruction after a partial mandibulectomy with a fibula free graft: a clinical report.

This report describes the surgical and prosthetic reconstruction of a partial mandibular resection due to an osteomyelitic variant with a free fibula microvascular graft, dental implant placement, and reconstruction with a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) partial fixed dental prosthesis. A team composed of a prosthodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and otolaryngologist was required to treat and restore the patient to near normal comfort and function.

Fear of recurrence impacts health-related quality of life and continued tobacco use in head and neck cancer survivors.

Objective: To examine the impact of fear of recurrence (FOR) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and tobacco use among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors.

Methods: A cross-sectional subset of patients (N = 138) from a large, prospective study of oncologic outcomes in HNC was assessed for FOR, in addition to the parent study's ongoing assessments of HRQOL and tobacco use. FOR was measured using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory and HNC-specific HRQOL was assessed with the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI).

Urinary iodine excretion after contrast computed tomography scan: implications for radioactive iodine use.

Importance: Patients who undergo radiographic studies with contrast receive an enormous bolus of iodine. This can delay subsequent use of radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy because the iodine can compete for uptake. There is a paucity of literature on the minimum interval between contrast administration and RAI therapy.

Upper aerodigestive tract cancer in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: incidence, stage, and outcome.

Objective: To compare incidence, stage, and survival of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers in patients with and without chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Design: Inception cohort.

Setting: National database.

Accuracy of fine-needle aspiration and imaging in the preoperative workup of salivary gland mass lesions treated surgically.

Objectives/hypothesis: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and imaging are commonly used in the preoperative assessment of salivary gland mass lesions. The goal of this retrospective study was to clarify the role of FNA and imaging in the workup of salivary gland masses.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Psychological factors associated with head and neck cancer treatment and survivorship: evidence and opportunities for behavioral medicine.

Individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) not only face a potentially life-threatening diagnosis but must endure treatment that often results in significant, highly visible disfigurement and disruptions of essential functioning, such as deficits or complications in eating, swallowing, breathing, and speech. Each year, approximately 650,000 new cases are diagnosed, making HNC the 6th most common type of cancer in the world. Despite this, however, HNC remains understudied in behavioral medicine.

Validation of a task-specific scoring system for a microvascular surgery simulation model.

Objective/hypothesis: Simulation models can help develop procedural skills outside the clinical setting while also providing a means for evaluation of trainees. Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) have been developed for several procedures. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the construct validity of an OSATS for microvascular anastomosis performed on a simulation model using chicken thigh vessels.

Influence of pretreatment social support on health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: results from a prospective study.

Background: Head and neck cancer and its treatment can have considerable impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The present study investigated whether social support, assessed before treatment, predicted HRQOL outcomes up to 12 months later in head and neck cancer survivors.

Methods: Using a prospective longitudinal design, patients (n = 364) were assessed on several clinical and psychosocial characteristics at diagnosis and then at 3- and 12-month follow-up appointments.

Long-term health-related quality of life in survivors of head and neck cancer.

Objective: To examine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reported by 5-year head and neck cancer survivors and factors that predicted these long-term scores.

Design: Prospective, observational outcomes study.

Setting: Tertiary care institution.

Association between severity of dysphagia and survival in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: This study examined risk factors for dysphagia, a common and serious condition in patients with head and neck cancer, and the association between severity of dysphagia and survival.

Methods: Chart reviews were performed on patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer between January 2001 and April 2003, who had dysphagia diagnoses or swallowing evaluations. Regression analyses determined factors associated with dysphagia and the association between observed survival and severity of dysphagia.

Factors associated with mortality in 2-year survivors of head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To determine conditional survival rates of 2-year survivors of head and neck cancer and to identify risk factors of increased mortality.

Design: Prospective, observational study conducted from September 1, 2001, through September 31, 2008.

Setting: Tertiary care institution.

Successful reconstruction of scalp and skull defects: lessons learned from a large series.

Objective: To provide a framework for the management of scalp and skull defects.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Two tertiary care hospitals.

Outcomes after the use of gastrostomy tubes in patients whose head and neck cancer was managed with radiation therapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of continued oral intake and duration of gastrostomy tube placement on posttreatment nutritional outcomes in patients being irradiated for head and neck cancer.

Methods: Factors associated with continued oral intake and its association with posttreatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Patients with no oral intake (39.

Health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: impact of pretreatment depressive symptoms.

Objective: Symptoms of depression are common in those with cancer. The authors investigated whether depressive symptoms assessed before the initiation of cancer treatment predicted diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at follow-up.

Design: As part of a large, prospective study of oncologic outcomes, 306 patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) were assessed on several clinical and psychosocial characteristics during a pretreatment clinic visit and then at 3- and 12-month follow-up appointments.

Adverse events associated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Objective: To assess toxicities, functional outcomes, and health-related quality of life associated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with head and neck cancer.

Design: Prospective and retrospective outcomes study.

Setting: Tertiary care institution.

Continued alcohol use in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: The effect of posttreatment alcohol consumption on health-related quality of life (QOL) and factors predicting overall QOL and continued alcohol consumption were examined in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: Self-reported alcohol use and abuse 1 year after diagnosis was analyzed.

Results: Although current drinkers (44.

The role of pain in head and neck cancer recurrence and survivorship.

Objective: To examine pain, a common symptom in patients with head and neck cancer, and its relationship to recurrence and survivorship.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: Tertiary care institution.

Clinical significance of postradiotherapy [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in management of head-and-neck cancer-a long-term outcome report.

Purpose: To determine the accuracy and prognostic significance of post-treatment [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma after radiotherapy (RT).

Methods And Materials: This was a retrospective study of 188 patients with head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma who had undergone FDG-PET within 12 months after completing RT. All living patients had >/=1 year of follow-up after FDG-PET.

First-year trends in self-reported general health predict survival in patients with head and neck cancer.

Objective: To demonstrate that first-year trends in a self-reported subjective general health assessment tool can provide prognostic information and help predict long-term survival in patients with head and neck cancer.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Facial nerve sacrifice and radiotherapy in parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of facial nerve sacrifice and postoperative radiotherapy on the outcome of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the parotid gland.

Study Design: Inception cohort.

Methods: Retrospective review of Department of Pathology, SNOMED database, and Tumor Registry including health-related quality of life data for the subset enrolled in the longitudinal Outcomes Assessment Project.