Ultrasound-Enhanced Fine-Needle Biopsy Improves Yield in Human Epithelial and Lymphoid Tissue.

Objective: Needle biopsy is a common technique used to obtain cell and tissue samples for diagnostics. Currently, two biopsy methods are widely used: (i) fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and (ii) core needle biopsy (CNB). However, these methods have limitations.

Clinical decision making when cytology indicates a Warthin tumor.

Warthin tumor (WT) is a benign tumor usually affecting the parotid gland. The main diagnostic tool remains ultrasound combined with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). This study aims to examine how reliably FNAC indicates WT for clinical decision making regarding surgical versus conservative management.

IGSF3 tissue expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: a novel tool for prognosis assessment in HPV-related and HPV-unrelated disease.

Biomarkers are not broadly used in the management of head and neck cancers (HNCs). Biomarkers have been beneficial in the management of other cancers, however, not in HNCs. Therefore, we observed the immunopositivity of a novel biomarker called immunoglobulin superfamily member 3 (IGSF3) in tumor tissues in HPV-related and HPV-unrelated OPSCC.

Liprin-α1 Expression in Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Associates with Improved Survival in Patients with HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Liprin-α1 is a scaffold protein involved in cell adhesion, motility, and invasion in malignancies. Liprin-α1 inhibits the expression of metastatic suppressor CD82 in cancers such as oral carcinoma, and the expression of these proteins has been known to correlate negatively. The role of these proteins has not been previously studied in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck cancers.

Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo personalized cancer treatment assays for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer with a high heterogeneity and few approved treatments. OSCC is one of the least explored areas for precision oncology. In this study, we aimed to test the reliability of our three established rapid cancer systemic treatment-testing assays: human tumour-derived matrix (Myogel)-coated well-plates, zebrafish xenografts, and 3D microfluidic chips.

Human papillomavirus self-sampling with mRNA testing benefits routine screening.

High risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) based screening provides the possibility of vaginal self-sampling as a tool to increase screening attendance. In order to evaluate the impact and feasibility of opt-in self-sampling in the Finnish setting, we invited a randomized population of 5350 women not attending screening after age group invitation or after reminder, to attend HPV self-sampling-based screening in the autumn of 2018 in Helsinki. Out of those, 1282 (24.

IgG4-positive plasma cells in nonspecific sialadenitis and sialolithiasis.

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis is commonly regarded as a manifestation of IgG4-related disease. We previously found that a high IgG4 expression or IgG4-related disease could accompany nonspecific sialadenitis, whereas chronic sclerosing sialadenitis was not directly associated with IgG4-related disease. Our previous findings lead us to hypothesize that these inflammatory conditions of the submandibular gland signify a continuous progression of disease rather than different disease entities.

Ear canal and middle-ear tumors: a single-institution series of 87 patients.

Background: Ear canal and middle ear tumors are rare and exhibit variability in histology and clinical manifestation. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice, but individualized approach is needed to preserve function when possible.

Aims/objectives: To review the management and outcome of ear canal and middle ear tumors at an academic referral center.

Challenging Management of Plexiform Schwannoma and Plexiform Neurofibroma.

Plexiform variants of neurofibromas and schwannomas are rare and typically arise in superficial soft tissues in the head and neck region. The treatment of these tumors is challenging and no generally accepted guidelines exist for their optimal management. The purpose of this study was to review the management and longterm prognosis of head and neck plexiform neurofibromas and schwannomas at 2 tertiary care academic hospitals in Finland over a 31-year period.

Pretreatment tumor sampling and prognostic factors in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma of the head and neck.

Background: Insufficient preoperative work-up and consequent intralesional or marginal resection of soft-tissue sarcomas of the head and neck (STSHNs) is common.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised 63 patients with STSHN treated at the Helsinki University Hospital between 2005 and 2017. We assessed the effect of pretreatment tumor sampling on surgical margin status and need for supplemental surgery, as well as prognostic factors and survival.

Preoperative evaluation and treatment consideration of parotid gland tumors.

Background: The nature of parotid tumors often remains unknown preoperatively and final histopathology may reveal unexpected malignancy. Still, the use of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and imaging varies in the management of these tumors.

Methods: We evaluated the preoperative examinations and management of all 195 parotid gland tumors diagnosed within our catchment area of 1.

Sclerosing sialadenitis of the submandibular gland is rarely an immunoglobulin G4-related disease in the Finnish population.

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis may represent one of many manifestations of an immunoglobulin G4-related disease. However, existing studies typically consist of small patient cohorts rarely conducted in Western populations. The clinical behavior of chronic sclerosing sialadenitis, including follow-up data, warrants further study.

High levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the serum are associated with poor prognosis in HPV-negative squamous cell oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: An emerging subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) is caused by HPV. HPV-positive OPSCC has a better prognosis than HPV-negative OPSCC, but other prognostic markers for these two different diseases are scarce. Our aim was to evaluate serum levels and tumor expression of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and to assess their prognostic role in HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC.

In situ hybridization for high-risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA is a superior method for detecting transcriptionally active HPV in oropharyngeal cancer.

Current human papillomavirus (HPV) detection methods in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have varying sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to compare different HPV-detection methods against the test used in clinical practice, ie, p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and to evaluate whether another HPV-detection test additional to p16 IHC would be worthwhile in OPSCC specimens. The study cohort comprised 357 consecutive OPSCC patients during two time periods: 2000-2009 and 2012-2016.

Tumor volume as a prognostic marker in p16-positive and p16-negative oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of primary gross tumor volume (pGTV) and nodal gross tumor volume (nGTV) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and the difference in their role between human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative patients.

Methods: The patient cohort consists of 91 OPSCC patients treated with definitive radiochemotherapy or radiotherapy using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). All patients had a minimum follow-up of 31 months.

Presenting symptoms and clinical findings in HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Objectives: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is divided in two different disease entities depending on HPV involvement. We investigated differences in presenting symptoms and clinical findings in patients with HPV-positive and -negative OPSCC tumors.

Methods: Altogether 118 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary OPSCC between 2012 and 2014 at the Helsinki University Hospital were included.

Submandibular gland cancer: Specific features and treatment considerations.

Background: In the absence of unified treatment protocol, we evaluated the management and outcomes of submandibular gland cancers in an unselected patient series.

Methods: We included all patients with resected submandibular gland cancer treated at the Helsinki University Hospital from 2000 to 2010 with a 5-year minimum follow-up.

Results: Twenty-five patients with cancer represented 30% of submandibular gland neoplasms, and most were adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs; 56%).

WRAP53β, survivin and p16INK4a expression as potential predictors of radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy response in T2N0-T3N0 glottic laryngeal cancer.

The current treatment recommendation for T2-3N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the Nordic countries comprises of radiotherapy (RT) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Tumor radiosensitivity varies and another option is primary surgical treatment, which underlines the need for predictive markers in this patient population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation of the proteins WRAP53β, survivin and p16INK4a to RT/CRT response and ultimate outcome of patients with T2-T3N0 glottic SCC.

Preoperative evaluation and surgical planning of submandibular gland tumors.

Background: Roughly half of submandibular gland neoplasms are malignant. Because preoperative information on the nature of these tumors remains limited, both preoperative evaluation and assessment of the extent of primary surgery warrant guidelines that are more accurate.

Methods: We evaluated the preoperative examinations and management of all submandibular gland neoplasms treated surgically at the Helsinki University Hospital between 2000 and 2010.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Management of Temporal Bone Giant Cell Tumor.

 Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are rare osseous tumors that rarely appear in the skull.  We review the clinical course of a 28-year-old previously healthy woman with a complicated GCT.  The reviewed patient presented with a middle cranial fossa tumor acutely complicated by reactive mastoiditis.

[Neck lump--fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimen in diagnostics and planning of therapy].

In elucidating the cause of a non-tender neck lump, the age of the patient, location and finding on palpation of lumps, and clinical examination of ear, nose and throat disorders and possible other findings are crucial. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimen, most commonly obtained in connection with ultrasonic imaging, is a key method in diagnosing lumps of the neck and salivary gland region that are obviously noninflammatory. Ultrasonic imaging combined with a cytological specimen is primary in the case of otherwise normal clinical examination.

Identification and validation of human papillomavirus encoded microRNAs.

We report here identification and validation of the first papillomavirus encoded microRNAs expressed in human cervical lesions and cell lines. We established small RNA libraries from ten human papillomavirus associated cervical lesions including cancer and two human papillomavirus harboring cell lines. These libraries were sequenced using SOLiD 4 technology.

Detection rates of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions within one screening round of primary human papillomavirus DNA testing: prospective randomised trial in Finland.

Objective: To compare the detection rates of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions by human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing and by conventional cytology screening.

Design: Prospective randomised trial. Two cohorts were followed over one screening round of five years, screened initially by primary HPV DNA testing or by primary Pap test.

The HPV test has similar sensitivity but more overdiagnosis than the Pap test--a randomised health services study on cervical cancer screening in Finland.

We compared test sensitivity (in terms of prevented cancers) and overdiagnosis (in terms of non-progressive pre-invasive lesions) between the human papillomavirus test (HPV test, Hybrid Capture 2) and the traditional Pap test in routine screening for cervical cancer. The design was a randomised (1:1) health services study in Finland with intake between 2003 and 2007. We estimated sensitivity by the incidence method within one screening round.