Prophylactic Versus Reactive Megestrol Acetate Use for Critical Body Weight Loss in Patients with Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

This study compared the effects of megestrol acetate (MA) prophylactic (p-MA) versus reactive (r-MA) use for critical body-weight loss (>5% from baseline) during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with advanced pharyngolaryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PLSCC). Patients receiving CCRT alone in two phase-II trials were included for analyses. Both the p-MA and r-MA cohorts received the same treatment protocol at the same institution, and the critical body-weight loss, survival, and adverse event profiles were compared.

Postoperative radiotherapy versus surgery alone in pN1 oral cavity cancer patients: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the potential benefits of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients with pN1 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: A literature search through major databases was conducted until January 2023. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) or risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of different survival outcomes were extracted and pooled.

Utility of CT Radiomics and Delta Radiomics for Survival Evaluation in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

Background: A high incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been observed in Southeast Asia compared to other parts of the world. Radiomics is a computational tool to predict outcomes and may be used as a prognostic biomarker for advanced NPC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Recently, radiomic analysis of the peripheral tumor microenvironment (TME), which is the region surrounding the gross tumor volume (GTV), has shown prognostic usefulness.

Prognostic value of interim CT-based peritumoral and intratumoral radiomics in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of peritumoral and intratumoral computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics during the course of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer (LHC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 92 eligible patients were 1:1 randomly assigned into training and validation cohorts. Pre-RT and mid-RT radiomic features were extracted from pre-treatment and interim CT.

Carotid arterial blowout after organ preserving chemoradiation therapy in hypopharyngeal cancer.

Laryngeal preserving concurrent chemoradiation has been advocated for hypopharyngeal cancers. The use of radiotherapy (RT) in the larynx could lead to increased rates of radionecrosis. In this study, we investigated a rare but disastrous complication, carotid blow-out syndrome (CBS), related with the persistent radionecrosis.

Maintenance tegafur-plus-uracil after adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy may improve outcome for resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma with extranodal extension.

Objectives: To evaluate whether tegafur-uracil maintenance (UFTm) following postoperation adjuvant cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) may reduce distant metastasis in patients with resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with pathologic extranodal extension (pENE+).

Methods: A retrospective comparison was conducted between two cohorts of patients with resected pENE+ OSCC who completed adjuvant CCRT between March 2015 and December 2017, including one cohort of a phase II trial using UFTm and a trial-eligible but off-protocol cohort without using UFTm (non-UFTm) after their adjuvant CCRT. The UFTm trial enrolled patients without relapse within 2 months after the end of adjuvant CCRT and administered UFT 400 mg/day for 1 year.

Adequacy of Disease Control by Supraomohyoid Neck Dissection in cT1/T2 Tongue Cancer.

Background: Patients affected by oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) underwent a supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) or modified radical neck dissection (mRND) according to the clinical nodal status (cN0 vs. cN+). We investigate whether the type of neck dissection affects survival with the presence of extranodal extension (ENE) and multiple nodal metastases (MNM).

Proton beam radiotherapy combined with anti-PD1/PDL1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Anti-Programmed cell Death protein 1 (Anti-PD1) or Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL1) immune checkpoint inhibitors provide treatment options for advanced HCC patients with low response rates. Combination therapy is becoming a major issue to improve the unmet need. Proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) could effectively control the local tumor with a low-risk injury to peripheral liver parenchyma.

Prognostic value of radiologic extranodal extension in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer treated with primary chemoradiation.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of radiologic extranodal extension (rENE) in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) treated with primary chemoradiation.

Materials And Methods: Cancer registry data were reviewed from 2005 to 2014. Inclusion criteria included HPC, clinical N1-3 disease (AJCC staging system, 7th edition), and receiving radiotherapy.

Prognostic significance of the preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma treated with curative surgery and adjuvant therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the prognostic value of the preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OC-SCC) treated with curative surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with OC-SCC who received surgery and postoperative adjuvant RT/CCRT between January 2005 and December 2012. Blood samples were drawn in the 2 weeks preceding surgery.

Prognostic significance of dynamic changes in lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy: results from a large cohort study.

Background And Purpose: We sought to investigate whether dynamic changes in lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) occurring during the course of radiotherapy (RT) may have prognostic value in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with HNC who underwent RT at our center between 2005 and 2013. Generalized estimating equations were used to longitudinally assess changes in LMR through the course of RT.

Clinical Significance of Vulnerability Assessment in Patients with Primary Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Definitive Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify vulnerable patients with head and neck cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) who are susceptible to higher treatment-related adverse effects and have poorer treatment tolerance. This study also aimed to determine whether comprehensive geriatric assessment, developed in the geriatric population, can predict vulnerability to treatment-related adverse events and survival even in nongeriatric patients with head and neck cancer, as well as the prevalence of vulnerability and its effect on toxicities and survival among these patients.

Methods And Materials: This prospective cohort study examined 461 patients with primary head and neck cancer who underwent definitive CCRT during 2016 to 2017 at 3 medical centers across Taiwan.

The change in circulating tumor cells before and during concurrent chemoradiotherapy is associated with survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the role of baseline circulating tumor cells (CTCs) before and during concurrent chemoradiotherapy and attempted to determine the impacts of CTCs on the outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: CTCs were detected using a negative selection strategy and flow cytometry protocol.

Results: We observed a significant correlation between baseline CTCs and staging (P = 0.

Predictors of Radiation-Induced Liver Disease in Eastern and Western Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Proton Beam Therapy.

Purpose: To identify predictors of radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with proton beam therapy (PBT).

Methods: This multicenter study included 136 patients with HCC (eastern, n = 102; western, n = 34) without evidence of intrahepatic tumor progression after PBT. The RILD was defined as ascites with alkaline-phosphatase abnormality, grade ≥3 hepatic toxicity, or Child-Pugh score worsening by ≥2 within 4 months after PBT completion.

Interleukin 17 and peripheral IL-17-expressing T cells are negatively correlated with the overall survival of head and neck cancer patients.

The presence and clinical significance of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-17-expressing cells have recently been studied in several types of cancer, but their correlation to tumor development remains controversial. Additionally, the contribution of peripheral IL-17-expressing cells to head and neck cancer (HNC) progression is still poorly understood. We collected peripheral blood from healthy donors and HNC patients to isolate PBMCs.

Familial aggregation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan.

Background: The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is higher in Chinese than in Caucasian populations. Genetic, viral, and lifestyle factors may explain these ethnic differences in the incidence of NPC. In the present study, we examined the familial aggregation, heritability, and relative risks (RRs) of NPC using a nationwide database in Taiwan.

Human Papillomavirus Infections are Common and Predict Mortality in a Retrospective Cohort Study of Taiwanese Patients With Oral Cavity Cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are deemed to play a role in the pathogenesis of oral cavity cancer (OCC). However, their exact prevalence and clinical significance remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the prevalence and prognostic value of HPV infections in a large sample of Taiwanese OCC patients.

Human papillomavirus 16/18 E7 viral loads predict distant metastasis in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) seem to be related to distant metastasis (DM) in advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether high-risk HPV viral load may predict DM among OSCC patients and stratify patients for risk-adapted treatment.

Study Design: Viral loads of E7 oncogenes for HPV 16/18 were measured by quantitative PCR tests in paraffin-embedded lesional specimens from 312 OSCC of which the HPV genotypes had been determined previously.

PET/CT and 3-T whole-body MRI in the detection of malignancy in treated oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: We performed a prospective comparison of the diagnostic capability of integrated fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) (PET/CT), 3-T whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and their combination in detecting malignancy in treated oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OHSCC).

Methods: Seventy-nine OHSCC patients at a high risk of residual disease or suspected to have recurrence after the completion of chemoradiation were included in the study. All patients underwent PET/CT and WB-MRI within 10 days of each other.

Predictors of carotid artery stenosis after radiotherapy for head and neck cancers.

Objective: To study the prevalence of and risk factors associated with carotid artery stenosis (CAS) after radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer.

Design Of Study: Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Patients recruited from a hospital Radiation-Oncology department.

Biweekly paclitaxel, cisplatin, tegafur, and leucovorin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: The goal of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel, cisplatin (P), tegafur (T), and leucovorin (L) as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) for patients with advanced, unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Methods: From November 1999 to January 2001, 21 consecutive patients (Stage IV, 100%; T4, 86%; and N3, 41%) were treated with paclitaxel-PTL (Day 1: paclitaxel, 120 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion for 3 hours; Day 1: P, 50 mg/m(2); T, 800 mg; and L, 60 mg orally daily over a 14-day cycle). Evaluation after three cycles led to CT termination if primary tumor responses were less than partial responses.

Telomerase as an independent prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Telomerase activity has been found to be associated with many cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We examined the association of telomerase activity with the clinical outcome of patients with HNSCC.

Methods: A PCR-based enzyme immunoassay method was used to measure telomerase activity in 217 matched (grossly normal and cancerous) tissues from patients with HNSCC.

Radiotherapy to primary CNS germinoma: how large an irradiated volume is justified for tumor control?

Between 1990 and 1999, there were 30 primary central nervous system (CNS) germinoma patients who received radiotherapy (RT) as treatment. Of these, 23 are male and 7 are female patients, with a median age of 16 years. The treatment field of RT included whole neuraxis in 10, whole brain in 8 and local tumor site in 12 patients; the median dose delivered to the whole neuraxis being 3060 cGy, with 3060 cGy to the whole brain and 5040 cGy to the tumor site.

Cisplatin, tegafur, and leucovorin: a moderately effective and minimally toxic outpatient neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin, tegafur, and leucovorin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) for patients with advanced, nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods: Patients with SCCHN according to World Health Organization (WHO) performance status of 2 or less and adequate organ function were enrolled. The CT regimen (PTL) was 50 mg/m(2) cisplatin (P) on Day 1, 800 mg per day oral tegafur (T), and 60 mg per day oral leucovorin (L) for 14 days.