Head and neck cancer surgery in the elderly

BACKGROUND: The literature on management of advanced head and neck cancer in the elderly is limited. Diagnostic and treatment decisions may be implicated by advanced age itself. METHOD: Treatment outcomes of head and neck cancer in elderly patients were reviewed in the literature. The results should serve as a basis for an individualized treatment strategy. RESULTS: A comparison of data shows that chronologic age alone should not be a contraindication to adequate oncologic surgery. An aggressive approach to head and neck cancer management with curative intention can be also considered in high aged patients with advanced cancer. Surgical therapy of head and neck cancer can be as effective in elderly patients as in younger patients without a significant increase in mortality and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Head and neck cancer patients of all age groups should have a treatment of equal quality regardless of whether the expected outcome is cure or palliation.     

Head and neck oncological surgery and pearls in the elderly

Objective: To review special considerations of treating head and neck cancer in the elderly population.Finding: The number of adults aged 65 years and older projected to reach 90 million by 2050. The fastest growing age group, adults 85 years and older, is projected to triple by 2060. Determining the optimal treatment plan for elderly patients can be difficult for numerous reasons, including multiple medical co-morbidities, mental and physical disabilities, polypharmacy, cognitive state, social isolation, and lack of family support. Unfortunately, elderly patients frequently receive substandard care, while the literature suggests that age alone should not preclude an aggressive surgical approach or the avoidance of cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy.Conclusion: The elderly population undoubtedly represents a complex patient population due to numerous reasons. However, if there are no prohibitive medical co-morbidities, and the patient is not significantly frail, then elderly patients should receive the standard of care if able.     

Head and neck endocrine surgery in children: 1997 and 2000

OBJECTIVES: To characterize children undergoing parathyroid, thyroid, and thyroglossal duct cyst surgery in 1997 and 2000 using a nationally representative discharge database to determine whether rates and outcomes of these surgical treatments vary by age, sex, and health care system attributes. DATA SOURCE: The 1997 and 2000 Kids' Inpatient Database, available through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. STUDY SELECTION: All patients 18 years and younger undergoing head and neck endocrine (HNE) procedures were included. DATA EXTRACTION: The sampling scheme of this database allowed for calculation of national and regional estimates using Stata 7.0. DATA SYNTHESIS: An estimated 2077 and 1871 inpatient pediatric HNE procedures were performed nationally in 1997 and 2000, respectively. Most were performed at general (nonpediatric) teaching hospitals. There were an estimated 1102 thyroglossal duct cyst excisions, making this the most common HNE procedure and diagnosis. Thyroid lobectomy was the second most common HNE surgical treatment. Thyroid malignant neoplasm (usually treated by total thyroidectomy) was the second most common diagnosis. Neck dissections were performed in 32% of patients with thyroid malignant neoplasm. These HNE procedures accounted for more than 28 million dollars in hospital charges in 1997 and nearly 38 million dollars in 2000. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment trends for pediatric HNE procedures remained stable between 1997 and 2000. Thyroglossal duct cyst excision and thyroid lobectomy are the most common procedures. There were regional differences in the rates of most HNE surgical treatments. In addition, hospital charges increased between 1997 and 2000.     

Head and neck surgery in the elderly: a maturing problem

The number of elderly patients requiring oncologic head and neck surgery is increasing as this proportion of the population continues to grow. To establish the specific problems and relative risks, 100 patients, 70 years of age and over have been examined to determine post-operative mortality and morbidity. Results do not show these to be significantly increased in the elderly and support an aggressive approach to head and neck cancer management in these patients.     

Head and neck osteosarcoma

Objective

The objective of the study was to discuss the optimal management and treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck osteosarcomas.

Study Design

Review article.

Methods

Review of the pertinent literature.

Results

Osteosarcomas account for approximately 1% or less of all head and neck cancers. The vast majority occur in the mandible and maxilla. The median age is in the fourth decade, with a wide range. They are more likely to recur locally after treatment and distant metastases are observed less often than with the more common osteosarcomas arising in the long bones. The optimal treatment is complete resection. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is ill-defined. The vast majority of recurrences are observed within 5 years. The 5-year disease-specific and overall survival rates are approximately 60% to 70%.

Conclusions

Osteosarcoma of the head and neck is a rare entity that occurs primarily in the mandible and maxilla. The optimal treatment is surgery. Adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered for those with close or positive margins. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is ill-defined. The likelihood of cure is approximately 60% to 70%.     

Head and neck cancers manifested as deep neck infection

The incidence of head and neck cancers in patients with an initial presentation of deep neck infection is unclear and may be underestimated. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the incidence of head and neck cancers initially manifested as deep neck infection. Also, the possible risk factors and pathophysiology are discussed. This study was a retrospective medical chart review in a tertiary referral center. A total of 81 consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of deep neck infection over a 46-month period were analyzed. The demographic data, physical examinations, laboratory findings, radiographic studies, and pathology report were analyzed. Among the 81 deep neck infection patients, head and neck cancers were histologically demonstrated in four patients (4.9%) with the initial symptom of a painful neck mass. The incidence of head and neck cancer initially manifested as deep neck infection was found to increase in patients aged over 40 years (6.7%; 3/45 vs. 2.8%; 1/36). A detailed history of all patients with deep neck infection should be taken. Furthermore, endoscopic examination, thyroid examination and routine pathological examination should be performed, especially in those aged over 40. Also, careful explanation to the patient and his/her family about the possibility of underlying head and neck cancer (incidence 1–5%) may be needed. If the neck swelling diminishes, but does not disappear completely after full course of antibiotics, repeated fine needle aspiration, endoscopy, or image study should be considered.     

Head and neck hemangiomas of infancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor in infancy, affecting approximately 10% of infants. More than half of hemangiomas involve the head and neck. Increased understanding of hemangiomas has come about from identification of immunohistochemical markers, developmental defects associated with certain hemangiomas, and morphologic and classification schemes (focal versus segmental). RECENT FINDINGS: Immunohistochemical markers have been identified which are specific to hemangiomas in all phases of development and involution. Morphologic subtypes and anatomic locations have been identified that place an infant at higher risk for complications from the hemangioma. Hemangiomas associated with other developmental anomalies have been identified, which help guide the treating physician to tease out which infants will need more complete systemic investigations or imaging. Importantly for surgeons, studies have continued to identify which lesions may benefit from early intervention, either surgical or medical. SUMMARY: While full understanding of the mechanisms that turn on and turn off hemangiomas of infancy is not complete, progress has been made in identification of markers, subtypes at increased risk for complications, and in treatment. With continued work in these areas, we have increased knowledge of treatment options, optimal timing of surgical intervention, and ultimately, preventive options.     

Head and neck manifestations of tularemia

Tularemia is a relatively uncommon infectious cause of cervical lymphadenopathy. The records were studied of 81 patients hospitalized in western Arkansas with the diagnosis of tularemia over the period of 1970 to 1980. Fourteen cases (17%) had symptoms or findings referable to the head and neck at some time during the disease. Delay in treatment was prolonged in some cases by failure to consider tularemia as a possible diagnosis. The pertinent epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and treatment are briefly reviewed.