A cost-utility analysis comparing CT surveillance, PET-CT surveillance, and planned postradiation neck dissection for advanced nodal HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: The cost utility of image-guided surveillance using computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT to planned postradiation neck dissection (PRND) was compared for the management of advanced nodal human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer following chemoradiation.

Methods: A universal payer perspective was adopted. A Markov model was designed to simulate four treatment approaches with 3-month cycles over a lifetime horizon: 1) CT surveillance, 2) standard PET-CT surveillance, 3) a novel PET-CT approach with repeat PET at 6 months postchemoradiation for equivocal responders, and 4) PRND.

Concurrent cisplatin or cetuximab with radiotherapy for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer: Medical resource use, costs, and quality-adjusted survival from the De-ESCALaTE HPV trial.

Background: The De-ESCALaTE HPV trial confirmed the dominance of cisplatin over cetuximab for tumour control in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Here, we present the analysis of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), resource use, and health care costs in the trial, as well as complete 2-year survival and recurrence.

Materials And Methods: Resource use and HRQoL data were collected at intervals from the baseline to 24 months post treatment (PT).

Postoperative hypocalcemia--the difference a definition makes.

Background: Review of the literature reveals considerable variability in the definitions and criteria used for reporting postoperative hypocalcemia. The lack of standardization prevents a meaningful comparison of results and performance locally with the national standard. It also prevents the pooling of data when performing meta-analysis, and may affect the comparison of research results.

Treatment and follow-up of oral dysplasia - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to inform an evidence-based management policy for oral dysplastic lesions.

Methods: Systematic review was performed with meta-analysis. Studies reporting follow-up of patients with histologically confirmed oral dysplasia were included.

A second national survey of health-related quality of life questionnaires in head and neck oncology.

Introduction: With an increasing number of publications on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following head and neck cancer, the recognition of a number of well-validated questionnaires and a growing awareness of the potential role of HRQOL in practice, it was our aim to repeat the survey of 2002 reported in the Annals to see how practice changed.

Materials And Methods: A postal survey of members of the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists was undertaken in January 2006 with reminders sent in February, March and April.

Results: The response was 50% (106 of 210) of which 53% were using or had used HRQOL questionnaires.

Will measuring quality of life in head and neck cancer alter individuals' treatment?

Purpose Of Review: To examine the ways in which quality of life assessment has been and can be used in the future to benefit patient care.

Recent Findings: Quality of life has to date been used as an outcome measure, mainly in a research setting when comparing two interventions. This has led to a better understanding of quality of life changes during the patient journey, enabling better information provision to patients.

Does quality of life predict long-term survival in patients with head and neck cancer?

Objective: To assess whether pretreatment and posttreatment quality of life (QOL) is associated with long-term survival in patients with head and neck cancer.

Design: Ten-year follow-up of an inception cohort.

Setting: Regional tertiary referral center.

Fungal laryngitis in immunocompetent patients.

The diagnosis of fungal laryngitis is often overlooked in systemically immunocompetent patients because it is commonly considered a disease of the immunocompromised, and because it often mimics, clinically and histologically, more common and more serious conditions e.g. leukoplakia.