Tumor DNA-methylome derived epigenetic fingerprint identifies HPV-negative head and neck patients at risk for locoregional recurrence after postoperative radiochemotherapy.

Biomarkers with relevance for loco-regional therapy are needed in human papillomavirus negative aka HPV(-) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Based on the premise that DNA methylation pattern is highly conserved, we sought to develop a reliable and robust methylome-based classifier identifying HPV(-) HNSCC patients at risk for loco-regional recurrence (LR) and all-event progression after postoperative radiochemotherapy (PORT-C). The training cohort consisted of HPV-DNA negative HNSCC patients (n = 128) homogeneously treated with PORT-C in frame of the German Cancer Consortium-Radiation Oncology Group (DKTK-ROG) multicenter biomarker trial.

Is antibiotic prophylaxis expendable in parotid gland surgery? A retrospective analysis of surgical site infection rates.

Objectives: To evaluate the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) and associated risk factors after parotid gland surgery including the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Design: Retrospective single-centre clinical study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre for head and neck surgery.

Clivus chordomas: Heterogeneous tumor extension requires adapted surgical approaches.

Objective: Clivus chordomas are semi-malignant, but infiltratively growing tumors. Currently, a widely-accepted treatment concept encompasses maximal, but safe, surgical resection and radiotherapy. Caused by the size and the tumor extension, different surgical approaches, especially in recurrent cases, might be necessary.

[Prosthetic rehabilitation in the head and neck region].

Implant-retained craniofacial prostheses (or epitheses) made of silicone are state of the art for prosthetic rehabilitation of facial defects. With the modern extraoral implant systems, prostheses may be securely anchored to the bone regardless of size and location of the defect. Prerequisite for successful implantation is the classical atraumatic surgical technique with avoidance of any thermal trauma to the bone.

Factors influencing time-dependent decannulation after pediatric tracheostomy according to the Kaplan-Meier method.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences in decannulation rates and time to decannulation in children depending on the indication for tracheostomy, age, and maturity at birth.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review and prospective interview by questionnaire.

Methods: The medical records of 106 pediatric patients (age 0-18 years) tracheostomized between January 1 1999 and January 1 2019 were reviewed.

Tumor Control and Quality of Life in Skin Cancer Patients With Extensive Multilayered Nasal Defects.

Objectives: The reconstruction after nasal skin cancer (NSC) resection is often practiced differently. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of patient-, tumor- and management-related factors on the role of surgery and choice of reconstruction.

Methods: This was a monocentric retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with a NSC (squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma) and suffered from an extended defect after ablative surgery between 2003 and 2013.

Somatic mutations and promotor methylation of the ryanodine receptor 2 is a common event in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer.

Genomic sequencing projects unraveled the mutational landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and provided a comprehensive catalog of somatic mutations. However, the limited number of significant cancer-related genes obtained so far only partially explains the biological complexity of HNSCC and hampers the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We pursued a multiscale omics approach based on whole-exome sequencing, global DNA methylation and gene expression profiling data derived from tumor samples of the HIPO-HNC cohort (n = 87), and confirmed new findings with datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Long-term quality of life and sensory impact of great auricular nerve preservation in parotid surgery as measured with the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory-8.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate sensory dysfunction resulting from great auricular nerve (GAN) sacrifice versus preservation in parotid surgery for benign lesions and its imact on long-term health-related quality of life (QOL).

Design: Retrospective.

Setting/main Outcome Measures: Participants were divided into two groups (GAN and non-GAN), and both short-term (two postoperative weeks) and long-term (at least 5 years) QOL were assessed.

Auricular Prostheses in Microtia.

The progress made in the development of the silicones and percutaneous titanium implants allow for rehabilitation of patients with microtia with an inconspicuous auricular prosthesis. The art of making the prosthesis by the dedicated anaplastologist is the key for the success of this approach. Most patients with microtia desire camouflage.

Factors Influencing the Incidence of Severe Complications in Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstructions.

Background: Complications after head and neck free-flap reconstructions are detrimental and prolong hospital stay. In an effort to identify related variables in a tertiary regional head and neck unit, the microvascular reconstruction activity over the last 5 years was captured in a database along with patient-, provider-, and volume-outcome-related parameters.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study (level of evidence 3), a modified Clavien-Dindo classification, was used to assess severe complications.

Modified facelift incision for partial parotidectomy versus bayonet-shaped incision: a comparison using visual analog scale.

The aim of this study is to show differences between a modified facelift incision (MFI) for partial parotidectomy versus a bayonet-shaped incision (BSI). 24 patients presenting with a parotid tumor were surgically treated with a partial parotidectomy using a MFI. We generated a "matched pair control group" regarding age, tumor size and gender, who received a BSI.

The Role of Auricular Prostheses (Epitheses) in Ear Reconstruction.

The artwork of making the epithesis by the dedicated anaplastologist is the prerequisite of acceptance by the patient and the key for success of this approach. However, computer science is helping with virtual planning and rapid prototyping, and it is likely to revolutionize this process in the near future. One of the advantages of the auricular prostheses is that it can be manufactured as a mirrored replica of the opposite side (if normal or near normal).

Raster-scanned intensity-controlled carbon ion therapy for mucosal melanoma of the paranasal sinus.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of raster-scanned intensity-controlled carbon ion therapy (ICCT) in the treatment of mucosal melanoma of the paranasal sinus.

Methods: Patients received combined intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus carbon ion (C12). Records of 18 consecutive patients treated between 2009 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively regarding toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4), treatment response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST]), and control/survival rates.

High-LET radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck: 15 years' experience with raster-scanned carbon ion therapy.

Purpose: Locoregional control (LC) in malignant salivary gland tumors is dose-dependent, initial results with particle therapy were promising. We report our experience with raster-scanned, intensity-controlled carbon ion therapy (C12) and IMRT in 309 patients with pathologically confirmed adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck.

Patients And Methods: Treatment records of patients treated with C12 between 08/1998 and 05/2013 were evaluated regarding tumor stage, treatment, toxicity (CTCAE v3), LC, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

An EGF receptor targeting Ranpirnase-diabody fusion protein mediates potent antitumour activity in vitro and in vivo.

Cytotoxic ribonucleases such as the leopard frog derivative Ranpirnase (Onconase(®)) have emerged as a valuable new class of cancer therapeutics. Clinical trials employing single agent Ranpirnase in cancer patients have demonstrated significant clinical activity and surprisingly low immunogenicity. However, dose-limiting toxicity due to unspecific uptake of the RNase into non-cancerous cells is reached at relatively low concentrations of > 1 mg/m(2).

Generation of “LYmph Node Derived Antibody Libraries” (LYNDAL) for selecting fully human antibody fragments with therapeutic potential.

The development of efficient strategies for generating fully human monoclonal antibodies with unique functional properties that are exploitable for tailored therapeutic interventions remains a major challenge in the antibody technology field. Here, we present a methodology for recovering such antibodies from antigen-encountered human B cell repertoires. As the source for variable antibody genes, we cloned immunoglobulin G (IgG)-derived B cell repertoires from lymph nodes of 20 individuals undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer.

Assessment of peri- and postoperative complications and Karnofsky-performance status in head and neck cancer patients after radiation or chemoradiation that underwent surgery with regional or free-flap reconstruction for salvage, palliation, or to improve function.

Background: Surgery after (chemo)radiation (RCTX/RTX) is felt to be plagued with a high incidence of wound healing complications reported to be as high as 70%. The additional use of vascularized flaps may help to decrease this high rate of complications. Therefore, we examined within a retrospective single-institutional study the peri--and postoperative complications in patients who underwent surgery for salvage, palliation or functional rehabilitation after (chemo)radiation with regional and free flaps.