Survival impact of sequential chemotherapy following pembrolizumab for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Pembrolizumab alone or combined with chemotherapy is the standard of care for first-line treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) with positive programmed death-ligand 1 combined positive scores. However, data on second-line chemotherapy following pembrolizumab are scarce.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted to determine the efficacies of pembrolizumab and pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatments and the efficacy of second-line chemotherapy for patients with R/M HNSCC who were refractory or intolerant to first-line treatment.

Safety and Efficacy of Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Against Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Background/aim: Although gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) prolongs survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC) compared with fluorouracil plus cisplatin, no study has evaluated the efficacy and safety of GC in nonendemic regions, including Japan, yet. Therefore, we assessed the safety and efficacy of GC in Japanese patients with R/M NPC.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with R/M NPC who received GC treatment at the Aichi Cancer Center Hospital from January 2017 to March 2020.

Expression of CD5 in salivary gland tumors: an ancillary marker for carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) of the major salivary gland.

Recently, cases of carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) occurring in major salivary glands have been identified. To assess the diagnostic value of CD5 immunohistochemistry in distinguishing salivary CASTLE from other types of salivary gland tumors, we evaluated CD5 expression in 109 salivary gland tumors, encompassing 23 different histological types, including salivary CASTLE. In addition, we reviewed 10 previously reported cases of salivary CASTLE.

Association Between 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake and Mutation Status of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Sinonasal Tract Cancer.

Background/aim: The Warburg effect of cancer has been applied to detect various carcinomas though the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT). 18F-FDG-PET/CT in lung cancer predicted the mutation status of epidermoid growth factor receptor (EGFR). This study aimed to investigate whether 18F-FDG uptake parameters were significantly related to EGFR mutation status in patients with sinonasal tract squamous cell carcinoma (STSCC).

A novel technique in transoral robotic surgery: A case report of rotating and switching technique.

Background: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for tongue base lesions located above the operative field is predominantly an upward procedure, which makes surgery difficult.

Methods: To illustrate our technique for this procedure, we report the case of an 82-year-old male with a p16-negative oropharyngeal carcinoma of the tongue base who underwent TORS. The field of view was turned upside down, and the operation switched the typical left- and right-arm functions.

Utilization of ultrasound in photoimmunotherapy for head and neck cancer: a case report.

Background: Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a new cancer treatment based on a different mechanism from conventional treatments that combines the administration of a photoabsorber and laser illumination. PIT has two characteristics: a high selectivity of target cells and the possibility of effects beyond the illuminated area. It is thus a potentially effective treatment for a wide variety of cancers.

Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer has a better prognosis than other head and neck cancers. However, rates of recurrence and metastasis are similar and the prognosis of recurrent or metastatic HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer is poor. Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a treatment involving administration of a photosensitizer (IRDye700DX) conjugated to a monoclonal antibody followed by activation with near-infrared light illumination.

Lymph Node Ratio in Head and Neck Cancer with Submental Flap Reconstruction.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the lymph node ratio (LNR) and survival results of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) reconstructed by a submental artery flap (SMAF) to limit tumor size. This study retrospectively recruited 49 patients with HNSCC who underwent both primary resection and neck dissection with SMAF reconstruction. The LNR was the ratio of the number of metastatic lymph nodes to the sum number of examined lymph nodes.

Metabolic Tumour Volume as a Predictor of Survival for Sinonasal Tract Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: High uptake of F18-fluorodeoxyglucose parameters for glucose metabolism is related to shorter survival in sinonasal tract cancer with various histological classifications. We investigated whether F18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake parameters are associated with survival outcomes for patients with only squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the sinonasal tract that are treated either with surgery or nonsurgery.

Methods: We retrospectively observed F18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake parameters on positron emission tomography with computed tomography for the primary tumour of SCC in 39 patients.

A novel procedure of secondary voice prosthesis insertion from the inside out: The modified Fukuhara method.

Objective: To present a new procedure for inserting a secondary voice prosthesis from the inside to the outside, which improves on the method previously reported by Fukuhara et al.

Methods: A flexible nasopharyngoscope was used to puncture pharynx (or transplanted jejunum) from the inside to the outside. In this method, it was possible to use the PROVOX® Vega Puncture Set as it is used for the placement of the voice prosthesis.

Lymph node ratio as a predictor for minor salivary gland cancer in head and neck.

Background: We investigate whether pathological continuous variables of lymph nodes were related with survival results of carcinomas of minor salivary gland carcinoma in head and neck.

Methods: Forty-four cases with minor salivary gland carcinoma who underwent both primary resection and neck dissection were retrospectively enrolled. The pathological continuous variables were evaluated by the number of positive lymph nodes, lymph node ratio, and log odds of positive lymph nodes.

Total lesion glycolysis as a predictor of clinical T3-4a laryngeal cancer with laryngectomy or nonlaryngectomy.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake parameter is related to survival outcomes for patients with clinical T3-T4a laryngeal cancer with various definitive treatments including total laryngectomy (TL). Parameters of 18F-FDG uptake in the primary tumors of 46 cases which were assessed by positron emission tomography with computed tomography were enrolled in the present observation study. Monovariate or multivariate survival analyses were performed with log-rank test or Cox regression model, with the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively.

The Utility of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Cervical Lymph Nodes after Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

: There is evidence or consensus on the use of 18F-2-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT) in evaluating the effects of treatment at 12 weeks after chemoradiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis. However, the use of imaging to evaluate the effects of treatment within 12 weeks after chemoradiotherapy is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of lymph nodes metastasis after chemoradiotherapy according to the criteria of the "Evaluation of the effects of treatment on metastatic cervical lymph nodes using ultrasonography", which evaluated lymph nodes metastasis based on size change and presence of degeneration.

Clinical impact of weekly paclitaxel plus cetuximab is comparable to the EXTREME regimen for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Until the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, the EXTREME regimen comprising platinum-based chemotherapy plus cetuximab was the standard of care for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). Recent reports suggest the usefulness of regimens including taxanes in combination with cetuximab as treatment options for R/M HNSCC patients with contraindications for platinum. However, comparisons of weekly paclitaxel plus cetuximab (wPTX-Cmab) to the EXTREME regimen are limited.

Treatment outcome and pattern of recurrence of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma with EGFR-mutation and human papillomavirus.

The objective of our study was to clarify the clinical features of EGFR-mutated sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) and human papilloma virus (HPV)-related SNSCC. Patients with SNSCC treated from April 2008 to June 2019 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. We examined EGFR mutation and HPV status for all patients.

Serum CD109 levels reflect the node metastasis status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Various biomarkers are being developed for the early diagnosis of cancer and for predicting its prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic significance of serum CD109 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: The serum CD109 levels in a total of 112 serum samples collected before and after surgery from 56 HNSCC patients were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Eosinophil prognostic scores for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab.

Although nivolumab, a programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, is a standard therapy for platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), no definitive biomarkers have been reported thus far. This study aimed to select promising prognostic markers in nivolumab therapy and to create a novel prognostic scoring system. In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed patients with R/M HNSCC who were treated with nivolumab from April 2017 to April 2019.

p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer with rare thyroid metastasis : A case report.

Thyroid metastasis is rarely diagnosed, and the treatment outcomes in p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients with rare thyroid metastasis have not been fully investigated. Here we describe the case of a patient with p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who was diagnosed with cT4 N2M1 with rare thyroid metastasis. The patient was a current smoker and was positive for human papillomavirus DNA, with disease progression at 49 days and death at 113 days after completion of cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Safety and Efficacy of Salvage Neck Dissection Following Carbon-ion Radiotherapy with Chemotherapy for a Patient with Mucosal Malignant Melanoma of Head and Neck.

Mucosal malignant melanoma of the head and neck is a rare diagnosis. The safety and efficacy of salvage neck dissection following carbon-ion radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy are not well described, and carbon-ion radiation protocols have not been fully developed. A 77 year old woman with crT0N1M0 mucosal melanoma of the head and neck achieved a complete response following initial treatment with carbon-ion radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy.

An examination of the cutoff value of the depth of invasion for prophylactic neck dissection in stage I/II tongue cancer.

In stage-I/stage-II oral tongue cancer, the cutoff value of depth of invasion (DOI) for prophylactic neck dissection is controversial. To examine the relationship between the DOI and the rate of occult lymph node metastasis. In addition, to examine the relationship between the DOI evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathological DOI.