Is Preoperative Chemoprophylaxis Safe for Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer?

Objective: To assess the safety of preoperative chemoprophylaxis (PEC) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing oncologic procedures.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary academic center.

Association of Core Biopsy With Extranodal Extension in Surgically Treated Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Importance: Extranodal extension (ENE) is an adverse feature in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and is an indication for adjuvant treatment escalation. Preoperative core needle biopsy (CNB) may cause lymph node capsule disruption related to ENE development; however, evidence regarding this association in OPSCC is lacking.

Objective: To assess whether preoperative nodal CNB is associated with presence of ENE in final pathology findings among patients with HPV-associated OPSCC targeted for primary surgical resection.