Treatment regimens for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a "real life" multicenter study of 2307 patients.

Objective: This retrospective multicenter study aimed to evaluate surgical versus conservative treatment in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer under real world conditions.

Methods: This study included 2307 patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal or laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in five German tertiary head and neck centers between 01/2004 and 12/2014. Overall, 783 patients with advanced SCC consecutively underwent laryng(opharyng)ectomy (L(P)E).

Management of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: Diagnostic consideration of sensitization to non-frequent pollen allergens.

Background: Diagnosis of pollen allergies is mainly based on test allergens for skin prick testing. In the minimum battery of test inhalant allergens recommended by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network 10 pollen allergens are included. Complementary other pollen allergens may need to be considered; however, respective awareness may not always be granted.

Mono-institutional retrospective cohort analysis of the insurance status dependent access to ENT-professionals and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: To access the influence of insurance status on time of diagnosis, quality of treatment and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: This mono-institutional retrospective cohort analysis included all HNSCC patients (n = 1,054) treated between 2001 and 2011, and subdivided the cohort according to the insurance status. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the Chi square and the unpaired student's t-test.

[Functional outcome after transmandibular resection and primary chemoradiation in advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome after transmandibular resection and reconstruction via a radial forearm flap (TMR+RFF) compared to primary chemoradiotherapy (pCRT) in advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods: The study compared 50 OPSCC patients treated with TMR+RFF to 50 OPSCC patients receiving pCRT. The time taken to swallow water served as the primary endpoint.

MRI- and CT-determined changes of dysphagia / aspiration-related structures (DARS) during and after radiotherapy.

Purpose: The concept of dysphagia/aspiration-related structures (DARS) was developed against the background of severe late side effects of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). DARS can be delineated on CT scans, but with a better morphological discrimination on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Swallowing function was analyzed by use of patient charts and prospective investigations and questionnaires.