Agent Orange and head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the incidence of head and neck cancer in patients exposed to Agent Orange and related dioxins.

Methods: Studies were identified through CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus. Primary studies were identified through April 2023.

Preventing Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Ototoxicity is a known side effect of cisplatin chemotherapy. The efficacy of various medications used to prevent or reduce ototoxicity in adults receiving cisplatin has not been thoroughly described in the literature.

Data Sources: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and SCOPUS.

Pilot clinical trial of neoadjuvant toll-like receptor 7 agonist (Imiquimod) immunotherapy in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: There is no neoadjuvant immunotherapy for early-stage oral cancer patients. We report a single-arm, open-label, pilot clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of topical toll-like receptor-7 (TLR-7) agonist, imiquimod, utilized in a neoadjuvant setting in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: The primary endpoint is reduction in tumor cell counts assessed by quantitative multiplex immunofluorescence and the immune-related pathologic response.

Randomized Trial of Enhanced Versus Standard Navigation to Promote Timely Initiation of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines recommend initiating postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) within 6 weeks of surgery for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but delays affect 50% of patients, disproportionately burden minoritized groups, and contribute to worse oncologic outcomes. This trial evaluates the efficacy of Navigation for Disparities and Untimely Radiation thErapy (NDURE), an enhanced navigation-based intervention, relative to usual care (UC) patient navigation for starting timely PORT.

Methods: Adults with locally advanced HNSCC planning to undergo surgery and PORT were randomly assigned 1:1 to standard multidisciplinary head and neck oncology care and either NDURE, a multilevel navigation-based intervention to enhance key processes of care and overcome barriers to timely PORT, or UC, which consisted of standard patient navigation.

Disparities in Survival of Head and Neck Cancer in the Hispanic Population: Systematic-Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: The Hispanic health paradox (HHP), the observation that Hispanic people in the United States often experience better health outcomes than non-Hispanic people despite having worse prognostic factors, has not been evaluated for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a malignancy with marked racial disparities in outcomes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the HHP within the context of HNSCC.

Data Sources: CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus.

Comprehensive analysis of Burkholderia species head and neck infections: A systematic review.

Objective: To report the first systematic review and meta-analysis of Burkholderia species infections of the head and neck to facilitate understanding of the disease's demographics, mortality rate, comorbidities associated, symptoms, and antibiotic treatments utilized.

Data Sources: COCHRANE Library, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus.

Review Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using PRISMA reporting guidelines.

Eradication of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia with toll-like receptor 7 agonist (topical imiquimod): a case report.

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is an aggressive and distinct type of oral precancerous lesion characterized by warty surfaced white plaque diffusely involving oral mucosa. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. However, PVL has persistent and recurrent growth patterns, requiring multiple surgical procedures.

Early, precise, and safe clinical evaluation of the pharmacodynamic effects of novel agents in the intact human tumor microenvironment.

Drug development is systemically inefficient. Research and development costs for novel therapeutics average hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, with the overall likelihood of approval estimated to be as low as 6.7% for oncology drugs.

A Prospective Phase I/II Clinical Trial of High-Dose Proton Therapy for Chordomas and Chondrosarcomas.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of dose-escalated proton beam therapy for treating chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base and spine. Methods: A prospective cohort of 54 patients (42 with chordomas and 12 with chondrosarcomas) was enrolled between 2010 and 2018. The primary endpoints were feasibility and <20% rate of acute grade ≥3 toxicity, and secondary endpoints included cancer-specific outcomes and toxicities.

Sexual history of patients with human papillomavirus positive and negative oropharyngeal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Increased sexual activity is associated with higher human papillomavirus (HPV) rates; however, there is a lack of analysis comparing the sexual history of patients with HPV positive and HPV negative oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

Methods: In this meta-analysis, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched for articles that included patients with OPC and reported information regarding HPV status and either history of oral sex, number of sexual partners, or sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Results: A total of 11 studies were included with 3296 patients with OPC.

Nodal Metastasis in Surgically Treated Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Management of the neck in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is essential to oncologic control and survival. The rates of lymph node metastasis (LNM) vary based on oral cavity tumor site and stage and influence treatment decisions. The aim of this paper was to describe clinical LNM for different tumor subsites and stages of surgically managed OCSCC.

Exploring Olfactory Dysfunction as a Marker of Frailty and Postoperative Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is increasingly recognized as a robust marker of frailty and mortality. Despite broad recognition of frailty as a critical component of head and neck cancer (HNC) care, there is no standardized frailty assessment.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of OD and its association with frailty and postoperative outcomes in HNC.

Nodal metastasis in surgically treated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Management of the neck in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is essential to oncologic control and survival. We aim to describe patterns and rates of clinical/pathologic lymph node disease, elective neck dissection (END), and occult lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with surgically-managed LSCC.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) diagnosed with LSCC between January 2004 and December 2016 who underwent primary surgery.

Changes in otolaryngology application requirements and match outcomes: Are we doing any better?

Objectives: Otolaryngology-specific requirements were piloted to minimize applicant and program burdens. We investigated the impact of introducing and then removing these requirements on Match outcomes.

Methods: 2014-2021 National Resident Matching Program® data were examined.

Case report of a giant cell tumor of the carotid sheath.

Giant cell tumor of the soft tissue (GCTST) is a neoplasm with low malignant potential and typically affects the trunk and extremities. Herein, we present a case of a palpable right neck mass diagnosed as a GCTST of the carotid sheath in a 38-year-old woman. A review of the imaging characteristics as well as of the differential diagnoses of primary neoplasms of the carotid space is presented.

Determinants of Patient Refusal of Postoperative Radiation Therapy in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

 Although adjuvant radiotherapy may be indicated in patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) following primary surgery, some patients choose to forgo recommended postoperative radiation therapy (PORT). This study aimed to elucidate factors associated with patient refusal of recommended PORT in SNSCC and examine overall survival.  Retrospective analysis of patients with SNSCC treated with primary surgery from the National Cancer Database diagnosed between 2004 and 2016.

The Inconsistent Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients Treated for Head and Neck Cancer with Anti-EGFR Inhibitors: A Systematic Scoping Review.

In patients receiving treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), there is a correlation between quality of life (QoL) scores and treatment outcomes. Higher QoL scores have been associated with improved survival. Despite this, the assessment of QoL in clinical trials varies considerably.

Gender Differences Among Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstructive Surgeons.

Objective: To determine whether gender differences exist in the training history, practice patterns, and home lives of surgeons who perform microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Medical facilities that employ surgeons who practice head and neck microvascular reconstruction in the United States.

Association of Head and Neck Anatomic Zones with Microvascular Reconstruction Outcomes.

Head and neck free flap survival relies on adequate tissue perfusion from the external carotid artery (ECA), and vessel length is inversely proportional to blood flow rate. Investigate whether distance from the ECA (as a proxy for pedicle vessel length) predicts flap survival or complications. Retrospective review of free flaps performed at three academic centers from 9/2006 to 8/2021.

Use of the O-Z flap as an alternative to free tissue transfer for reconstruction of large scalp defects.

Objective: The reconstruction of large scalp defects poses both functional and cosmetic challenges. While free tissue transfer remains the standard for defects larger than 30 cm, prolonged anesthesia and postoperative complications remain significant limitations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of O-Z flaps for the reconstruction of large scalp defects and to describe the techniques employed.

Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trial Demographics.

The objective of our paper was to answer the following question: how do patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma OPSCC (Population) enrolled in clinical trials (Intervention), compared with national database reports of HPV-associated OPSCC patients (Comparison), present demographically (Outcome)? We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies pertaining to clinical trials of HPV-associated OPSCC and participant demographics in the United States. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 2 February 2022. Studies of overlapping participant cohorts and/or studies conducted outside of the United States were excluded.

Outcomes Among Patients With Mucosal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Importance: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) are now part of standard therapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) because of improved outcomes compared with chemotherapy in clinical trials. However, data on outcomes in patients with HNSCC in the general population who are treated with CPIs remain limited.

Objective: To assess response rates, survival outcomes, and associations with key clinical covariates in a large, contemporary cohort of patients with recurrent or metastatic mucosal HNSCC who were treated with CPIs with or without chemotherapy.