Thymidine phosphorylase mRNA level predicts survival of patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer.

Conclusion: The present study suggested that a high level of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) gene expression is significantly associated with favorable prognosis of patients treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. Further studies consisting of large series should be performed to confirm our present results.

Background: Expression levels of the thymidylate synthase (TS) and 5-FU metabolic enzymes including dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), TP, and orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT), are reported to be associated with sensitivity to 5-FU-based chemotherapy in several cancers.

Distribution and impact of lymph node metastases in oropharyngeal cancer.

Conclusions: In the treatment of oropharyngeal cancers, possible metastases to retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs) should be taken into account, especially in tumors arising in the lateral wall and/or posterior wall. Patients with multiple positive neck nodes must have intensified adjuvant therapy, especially when they have extracapsular spread (ECS).

Objective: To develop optimal treatment strategies for oropharyngeal cancers, we retrospectively analyzed the lymph node metastases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

High-speed digital imaging and electroglottography of tracheoesophageal phonation by Amatsu's method.

Background: Our previous findings have indicated that the thyropharyngeal muscles form a retropharyngeal prominence during alaryngeal phonation via the TE fistula. This prominence forms a so-called 'neoglottis', which is thought to function as the vibratory source. To better understand the mechanism of TE phonation, we analyzed the vibration of the neoglottis using electroglottography (EGG) and a high-speed digital imaging system.

Immunohistochemical study on distribution of mast cell phenotypes in human laryngeal mucosa: evidence for laryngeal type I allergy.

It is controversial whether or not type I allergic reactions can occur in the human laryngeal mucosa. To clarify this issue, we studied the distribution of mast cell phenotypes in the human laryngeal mucosa using the immunohistochemical staining method with antihuman tryptase and chymase antibodies. A large number of mast cells are present in the superficial layer of subepithelial connective tissue (SECT) of the epiglottis, arytenoid, and subglottis.

Submucous electrocautery following submucous resection of turbinate bone--a rationale of surgical treatment for allergic rhinitis.

Objective: Since the majority of the key elements such as trigeminal nerves, parasympathetic nerves, nasal glands, and blood vessels targeted by histamine and leukotrienes are found in the lamina propria of the nasal mucosa, its selective electrocautery has a rationale to improve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis with preservation of epithelial layer. To achieve the above goal, we performed the submucous electrocautery of the lamina propria (SECLP) following the submucous resection of the inferior turbinate bone (submucous turbinectomy: SMT). This paper discusses the efficacy of this procedure for the patients with persistent perennial allergic rhinitis.

Invasion of the skull base by carcinomas: histopathologically evidenced findings with CT and MRI.

The depth and extent of the invasion of the skull base by a tumor are the most critical information for successful en bloc resection of the tumor. The only means available for the evaluation of these factors are CT or MRI images. In order to clarify the ability of these imaging modes to delineate the invasion of the skull base, preoperative images of ten patients who underwent en bloc resection of skull base tumors at Kobe University Hospital were compared with the histopathological findings of the resected specimens.