Evofosfamide for the treatment of human papillomavirus-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Evofosfamide (TH-302) is a clinical-stage hypoxia-activated prodrug of a DNA-crosslinking nitrogen mustard that has potential utility for human papillomavirus (HPV) negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in which tumor hypoxia limits treatment outcome. We report the preclinical efficacy, target engagement, preliminary predictive biomarkers and initial clinical activity of evofosfamide for HPV-negative HNSCC. Evofosfamide was assessed in 22 genomically characterized cell lines and 7 cell line-derived xenograft (CDX), patient-derived xenograft (PDX), orthotopic, and syngeneic tumor models.

Management of retrosternal goiter: Retrospective study of 72 patients at two secondary care centers.

Objective: Data pertaining to the outcomes of retrosternal goiter surgeries performed at secondary care centers, where thoracic surgery expertise is not readily available, is infrequently reported. Careful patient selection is crucial to avoid an unexpected need for a sternotomy during surgery. We sought to evaluate the surgical management of patients with retrosternal goiters treated at two secondary care centers.

Parotid metastatic disease from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic role of facial nerve sacrifice, lateral temporal bone resection, immune status and P-stage.

Background: Recognized prognostic indicators for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck include facial nerve involvement, immune status, and "parotid" staging system (P-stage). We sought to examine the impact of lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) on prognosis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 160 patients with metastatic cutaneous SCC to the parotid.

Efficacy of neck dissection: are surgical volumes important?

Unlabelled: OBJECTIVES/HYPHOTHESIS: Surgical volumes have been shown in many fields to reflect expertise and to be associated with improved clinical outcomes. We sought to test similar hypotheses that neck dissection is a volume-sensitive procedure wherein the number of lymph nodes harvested and clinical outcomes are correlated with the number of neck dissections performed.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 375 neck dissections.

Acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: Auckland experience and literature review.

Acinic cell carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy of the salivary glands and as such it has been difficult to accurately delineate its natural history. The aim of this study is to assess the behaviour of acinic cell salivary cancer of the parotid gland presenting to a single head and neck surgical unit in Auckland. The study is a structured review of cases of acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland presenting from 2000 to 2006 to the Head and Neck Unit at Auckland Hospital, those identified from the pathology database and the Otobase head and neck database.

Prediction of pharyngocutaneous fistulas after laryngectomy.

Objective: To assess the predictive value of wound amylase as an indicator for pharyngocutaneous fistula development following laryngectomy for cancer.

Design And Setting: We conducted a prospective observational study at a tertiary referral center of 102 consecutive laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer patients undergoing laryngectomy with or without pharyngectomy.

Intervention: Data were collated on potential predictors of fistula formation compared with rate of development of clinical fistulas, all confirmed radiologically.

Effect of immunocompromise on metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the parotid and neck.

Background: Our aim was to examine the effect of a compromised immune state on the outcomes in patients treated for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with metastatic cutaneous SCC to the parotid and neck treated at Greenlane Hospital between 1992 and 2002 was conducted. Outcomes were compared between immune-competent and immunocompromised patients.

Pulmonary complications following major head and neck surgery with tracheostomy: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of prophylactic antibiotics.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that extended postoperative antibiotic cover would reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery with tracheostomy.

Design: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was carried out to determine the efficacy of an extended course (5 days) of intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in reducing the rate of atelectasis and pulmonary infections postoperatively. Other possible risk factors that might predispose to pulmonary complications were also evaluated.

Endovascular treatment of epistaxis.

Aim: Embolization of external carotid vessels in the treatment of intractable epistaxis is not well documented in Australasia. The aim of the present retrospective study was to audit our experience with the technique, and to compare it with other centres.

Methods: Retrospective review.

Comparison of the use of endoscopic and radiologic gastrostomy in a single head and neck cancer unit.

Background: Head and neck cancer patients frequently require gastrostomy feeding. Different insertion techniques have been described. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical results of percutaneous endoscopic and radiological gastrostomies in patients treated in a regional head and neck cancer unit.

Quality of life after parotid and temporal bone surgery for cancer.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to examine the quality of life (QL) of patients who received treatment for cancer of the parotid or temporal region, and to identify factors contributing to it. The relationships between clinician-based measures of treatment outcome and the patient-based counterparts were also evaluated.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 23 patients who had received either a temporal bone resection or a combination of parotidectomy and radiotherapy.