The Potential of MET Immunoreactivity for Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: MET positivity is independently associated with survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Since MET is a known orchestrator of invasive tumor growth, we investigated its association with LNM in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). As it is recommended by the NCCN to use tumor depth of invasion (DOI) in making decisions on elective neck dissection (END), the results obtained for MET positivity were aligned with those for DOI > 4 mm.

Physicians' clinical prediction of survival in head and neck cancer patients in the palliative phase.

Background: The prognosis of patients with incurable head and neck cancer (HNC) is a relevant topic. The mean survival of these patients is 5 months but may vary from weeks to more than 3 years. Discussing the prognosis early in the disease trajectory enables patients to make well-considered end-of-life choices, and contributes to a better quality of life and death.

Survival of patients with head and neck cancer with metachronous multiple primary tumors is surprisingly favorable.

Background: The objectives of this study are to determine the incidence and survival rate of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with multiple primary tumors (MPT) in the HN-region, lung, or esophagus.

Methods: Patient and tumor specific data of 1372 patients with HNSCC were collected from both the national cancer registry and patient records to ensure high-quality double-checked data.

Results: The total incidence of MPTs in the HN-region, lung, and esophagus in patients with HNSCC was 11% (149/1372).

Elective neck treatment during salvage (pharyngo) laryngectomy.

Purpose: This study aimed at determining the importance of an elective neck dissection (END) in case of a cN0 laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma after (chemo) radiation.

Methods: Retrospective review was made of patients treated in a single tertiary center between 2002 and 2014. Influence of an END in case of a cN0 salvage laryngectomy on complications, recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival was assessed.

Contributing Determinants to Hearing Loss in Elderly Men and Women: Results from the Population-Based Rotterdam Study.

To contribute to a better understanding of the etiology in age-related hearing loss, we carried out a cross-sectional study of 3,315 participants (aged 52-99 years) in the Rotterdam Study, to analyze both low- and high-frequency hearing loss in men and women. Hearing thresholds with pure-tone audiometry were obtained, and other detailed information on a large number of possible determinants was collected. Hearing loss was associated with age, education, systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption (inverse correlation).

Hearing Loss Progresses Faster in Patients With Growing Intracanalicular Vestibular Schwannomas.

Objective: To determine whether certain patient and tumor characteristics influence the progression of hearing loss in vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center, Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Preliminary longitudinal results of neuropsychological education as first and sole intervention for new tinnitus patients.

Introduction: Tinnitus is a potentially aggravating symptom without curative treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been proved effective. It aims to learn to cope with tinnitus by reducing fearfull appraisal of tinnitus.

Prevalence of age-related hearing loss, including sex differences, in older adults in a large cohort study.

Objectives/hypothesis: To obtain actual status of age-related hearing loss in a general unscreened population of older Dutch adults and to investigate whether the prevalence or degree has changed over time.

Study Design: To investigate the prevalence and degree of hearing loss, we conducted a large prospective cohort study of older adults between February 2011 and July 2015.

Methods: Pure-tone air- and bone-conduction thresholds were measured for 4,743 participants.

Noncompliance to guidelines in head and neck cancer treatment; associated factors for both patient and physician.

Background: Decisions on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment are widely recognized as being difficult, due to high morbidity, often involving vital functions. Some patients may therefore decline standard, curative treatment. In addition doctors may propose alternative, nonstandard treatments.

High complication risk of salvage surgery after chemoradiation failures.

Conclusions: Although organ preservation can be achieved with chemoradiation protocols for laryngeal or pharyngeal cancers, salvage surgery is accompanied by high complication rates.

Objectives: To determine the rate of complications associated with salvage surgery after chemoradiation for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed of 24 patients treated with total laryngectomy combined with total or partial pharyngectomy between 1995 and 2004 who had previously been treated with chemoradiation.

Prognosis: a variable parameter: dynamic prognostic modeling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: In general, the estimated prognosis of patients with cancer is based on patient characteristics known at the time of diagnosis and presented as if a lifetime verdict. However, the prognosis of patients with cancer who survive the first critical years changes, along with the prognosis for those with local or regional recurrences or distant metastases.

Methods: This study concerns 2927 patients with a primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Cytology and histology have limited added value in prognostic models for salivary gland carcinomas.

Univariate analyses on malignant salivary gland tumors report a strong relation of histological subtypes and prognosis. However, multivariate analyses with sufficient patients and reflecting the broad spectrum of putative prognostic factors are rare. In order to study the prognostic value of cytology and histology in salivary carcinoma we performed multivariate analyses on 666 newly diagnosed patients.

A cognitive model of tinnitus and hyperacusis; a clinical tool for patient information, appeasement and assessment.

Tinnitus and hyperacusis are both aggravating audiological symptoms. Their underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, but the pathophysiology involves a central mechanism rather than a peripheral one. There is no curative treatment.

Phonological development in very-low-birthweight children: an exploratory study.

Aim: Very-low-birthweight (VLBW; birthweight<1500 g and/or gestational age <32 wks) children are at risk for speech problems. However, there are few studies on speech development in VLBW children at an early age. The aim of this study was to investigate phonological development in 2-year-old VLBW children.

The impact of ambient NO on online measurements of exhaled and nasal NO: the PIAMA study.

The guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) for standardized measurements of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) state that for online measurements the inhaled air should be free of NO. As it is not always possible to create an NO-free environment, inhalation through an NO-scrubber is used. To describe the relationship between ambient NO and measurements of fractional exhaled NO (FENO) and nasal NO (nNO) investigated according to the ATS-ERS guidelines in a large population of children.

Early exposure to solid foods and the development of eczema in children up to 4 years of age.

Early exposure to solid foods in infancy has been associated with the development of allergic diseases. However, scientific evidence for this is conflicting. The aim of this study was to examine the association between early exposure to solid foods in the infant's diet and the development of eczema up to 4 years of age.

Adenotonsillectomy and the development of overweight.

Objective: Studies among patients have shown accelerated weight gain after (adeno)tonsillectomy. Whether (adeno)tonsillectomy is also a risk factor for the development of overweight is unknown. We investigated the association between (adeno)tonsillectomy and the subsequent development of overweight in the general population.

The influence of parental educational level on the development of atopic sensitization, wheezing and eczema during the first year of life.

Several studies have investigated the association between socioeconomic status and the occurrence of allergies. Nevertheless, the results remain contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between parental education and the occurrence of atopic sensitization, recurrent wheezing and eczema during the first year of life, differentiating between atopic and non-atopic disorders based on specific serum IgE.

Bile acids identified in middle ear effusions of children with otitis media with effusion.

Objectives/hypothesis: Several studies have shown the presence of pepsin in the middle ear effusions of children with otitis media with effusion (OME). When gastric reflux is the cause, other noxious reflux products might be present. We therefore investigated the presence of bile acids in the middle ear effusions of children with OME.

A visual analog scale can assess the effect of surgical treatment in children with chronic otitis media with effusion.

Background: The OM-6 survey is a validated and multinationally accepted instrument to measure the treatment effect of otitis media in children. Routine use of the OM-6 in a busy general practice is not always possible and can lead to incomplete returned surveys. A simplified method is favoured when the aim is a continuous process of complete treatment-outcome-data collection.

The interobserver and test-retest variability of the dysphonia severity index.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the interobserver variability and the test-retest variability of the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), a multiparametric instrument to assess voice quality.

Methods: The DSI was measured in 30 nonsmoking volunteers without voice complaints or voice disorders by two speech pathologists. The subjects were measured on 3 different days, with an interval of 1 week.