Sarcomas of the head and neck. Results from the treatment of 25 patients.

AIMS: Head and neck sarcomas comprise a heterogenous and biologically diverse group of rare neoplasms. In an effort to clarify some of the obscure clinical behavior of head and neck sarcomas, we present our experience and review the relevant literature. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with histologically proven head and neck sarcomas treated in a tertiary Hospital Department between 1992 and 2002. RESULTS: During this period, 25 patients with head and neck sarcomas were registered. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 144 months. Twenty-three patients were treated with surgery as the primary modality; 14 were treated by surgery alone. Clear margins were obtained in all of them and local control was achieved in 12/13. The 2- and 5-year survival rates for the entire group were 80 and 40%, respectively. Mean overall survival time of our patients was 62 months (median 52 months). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment remains the cornerstone of therapeutic management of head and neck sarcomas.     

Squamous cell skin carcinoma of the head and neck: results of treatment for advanced disease

Introduction

Advanced squamous cell skin carcinoma of the head & neck represents a therapeutic challenge and the purpose of the present study was to identify factors related to disease recurrence and survival.

Material and methods

Clinical case records of 104 patients were reviewed.

Results

Tumours were located in scalp (28%), nose (23%), cheek (19%), ear (17%) and eyelids (12%). Of the tumours, 57% were >2cm and lymph node metastases were present in 12%. Treatment administered was surgery (46%), radiotherapy (35%). Surgery + radiotherapy (16%) and chemo-radiotherapy (3%). Most relapses were local (23%). Positive margin was associated with lower recurrence (7% vs 37%; p=0.047). Mortality was associated with tumour size >4 cm (p=0.020); scalp, cheek and ear location (p=0.025); deep penetration (p=0.005); single-modality of treatment (p=0.021).

Conclusions

Patients with large tumours (>4 cm) located in scalp, cheek and ear together with deep penetration and with positive margins need to be treated aggressively.     

Prosthetic treatment and rehabilitation: Use in patients with cancer of the head and neck

Dental management of the patient with cancer, especially when the disease process involves the head and neck region, should be an integral part of the patient's overall treatment plan. By utilizing the team approach and detailed advance planning, stressing both immediate treatment to control the patient's disease and short- and long-term rehabilitation, the best possible treatment for each patient can be formulated with a minimum of posttreatment complications.If an institution is to make the commitment to treat patients with cancer, a comprehensive dental support program with a maxillofacial prosthodontist is a necessity. As the benefits of a dental department are recognized, the utilization of this service increases and the overall treatment and rehabilitation of the patient with cancer is improved.     

Teaching head and neck cancer patients coping strategies: results of a feasibility study

To test the feasibility of providing a psycho-educational intervention for people with head and neck (H&N) cancer. A prospective non-randomized design was used. Subjects were patients with H&N cancer. They were offered the Nucare coping strategies program in one of three formats: small group and one-to-one formats with therapists; and a home format, with material for home use, without a therapist. Outcomes measures (quality of life (QOL) and anxiety and depression) were collected at baseline and following the intervention. Analyses were performed using non-parametric statistics. Of 128 people invited to participate, 66 agreed, 59 completed the intervention and 50 had outcomes data. Following the intervention, there were significant improvements in physical and social functioning and global QOL, and reduced fatigue, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. These data suggest that the intervention may have some beneficial effects, although an appropriately designed study is required to confirm this.     

Unorthodox fractionation in the treatment of head and neck tumors.

A group of 95 patients with advanced squamous carcinomas of the head and neck area received split-course radiotherapy with palliative intent. The fractionation scheme comprised three separate courses, 2–3 weeks apart. During the first course, the patients received 800 rad on the first day and 400 rad on the second and third days. The second and third courses consisted of 2000 rad given in five treatments. Fields were smaller than those used in patients who are treated radically. The spinal cord and larynx were shielded whenever possible.Although meaningful palliation was observed in the majority of patients, the observed local control rate was low. Acute radiation related morbidity was mild to moderate in most cases. Late sequelae appear acceptable in a few long term survivors whose small number, however, precludes meaningul conclusions.Split-course irradiation using a large “priming” dose appears to be an effective means of palliation which can be achieved with a greatly reduced number of fractions and with acceptable treatment related morbidity. However, the advantage of this type of fractionation in achieving local tumor control could not be substantiated.     

Paragangliomas of the head and neck: diagnosis and treatment

Paragangliomas of the head and neck (HNP) represent rare tumors of neural crest origin. They are highly vascular neoplasms that are benign in the majority of cases. The site of origin defines the name given those tumors. In the head and neck, they most commonly occur at the carotid bifurcation, where they are referred to as carotid body tumors (CBT). Other common sites of origin are the jugular bulb (jugular paraganglioma; JP), the tympanic plexus on the promontory (tympanic paraganglioma; TP) and the vagal nerve (vagal paraganglioma; VP). Patients with cervical paragangliomas frequently present with a painless, slowly enlarging mass in the lateral neck. In many patients with TP and JP, tinnitus and hearing loss are early symptoms. JP patients often suffer from lower cranial nerve deficits. Evaluation by an imaging modality is necessary to establish the diagnosis. Imaging procedures frequently used include B-mode sonography with color-coded Doppler sonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital substraction angiography (DSA). Debate exists in the literature regarding the different treatment modalities for paragangliomas which include surgery, radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery. The role of preoperative angiography and embolization has also been a matter of discussion.The diagnostic work up and the different treatment options for patients with head and neck paragangliomas will be presented and discussed.     

Fast neutrons in the treatment of head and neck cancers: the results of a multi-centre randomly controlled trial

The results are presented of a multi-centre randomly controlled trial of fast neutron irradiation and mega-voltage X-rays in the treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. No significant difference was observed in local tumour control rates. Salvage surgery was performed in a similar number of patients in the two groups. Late morbidity was also similar in the two treatment groups. Patients in a subgroup with cancer of the larynx treated by photons had a significantly better survival than those in the neutron treated group.     

SBRT治疗头颈部肿瘤肺寡转移初步结果

目的 初步研究体部立体定向放疗(SBRT)治疗头颈部肿瘤肺寡转移的疗效和安全性。方法 回顾性分析2014-2019年间在浙江省肿瘤医院行SBRT治疗头颈部肿瘤肺寡转移患者24例,采用Kaplan-Meier法生存分析。结果 24例患者中鼻咽来源12例,非鼻咽来源12例,共34个肺转移病灶行SBRT治疗。中位随访时间19.5个月,SBRT后出现新发病灶者13例,其中9例出现在SBRT治疗1年内。1年实际局控率为95%;中位无进展生存期15.2个月,1、2年无进展生存率分别为59%、46%;肺转移后2、3年总生存率分别为71%、51%。单因素分析显示原发灶位于鼻咽和原发灶治疗后无瘤间期>1年者有生存优势。全组SBRT后均未观察到>3级放射性损伤,轻度放射性损伤发生率为13%。结论 SBRT治疗头颈部肿瘤肺寡转移初步显示安全有效,原发肿瘤来源于鼻咽者可能有更好的疗效。     

Induction chemotherapy in advanced head and neck tumors: results of two randomized trials.

From March 1983 to December 1989, 208 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were successively included into two randomized induction chemotherapy trials. The chemotherapy regimen of the first trial, which included 100 patients, consisted of two cycles of a combination of cisplatin, bleomycin, vindesine and mitomycin C; while that of the second trial, which included 108 patients, consisted of three cycles of a combination cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil by continuous infusion and vindesine. Local treatment was the same in the two trials: primary radiotherapy in all patients. The response was then evaluated; in the case of a poor response at 55 Grays surgery was performed; otherwise, radiotherapy was continued to full doses (possibly followed by salvage surgery). The tumor and lymph node responses to chemotherapy (complete and partial response) were higher in the second trial than in the first: 70% versus 50% for primary lesions, 47% versus 25% for lymph nodes. The toxicity of the two chemotherapy regimens was minimal. In the two trials, an initial major response to chemotherapy predicted subsequent efficacy of irradiation in 80% of the patients. The significance of the complete response at the end of the irradiation varies with the previous response to the chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 60 months with the first chemotherapy regimen and 30 months with the second, overall survival and disease-free interval were very similar in the two groups. The incidence of distant metastasis was significantly reduced (p less than 0.03) with chemotherapy. This trial suggests the need to test new chemotherapy protocols according to new schemes of treatment, with chemotherapy given concurrently with or following the completion of standard treatment by means of multicenter randomized trials.     

Brachytherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer

Brachytherapy is a therapeutic modality that may provide a significant improvement in the therapeutic ratio when appropriately applied, and hence, is an appealing treatment strategy for the head and neck. For several tumor sites in the head and neck, the use of a brachytherapy implant has been demonstrated to be effective and is optimally provided within a multidisciplinary team setting. This enables meticulous attention to technical and treatment-related factors that have been demonstrated to influence the therapeutic ratio for low-dose-rate implants. Recent technologic advances have enabled the study of promising high-dose-rate and pulsed-dose-rate afterloading brachytherapy techniques, in an attempt to expand the role of brachytherapy in the head and neck. These techniques minimize radiation exposure hazards while offering the physical and biologic advantages of brachytherapy. Issues pertinent to members of the brachytherapy team providing multidisciplinary care of the implanted head and neck patient are discussed.     

Cetuximab in the treatment of head and neck cancer

Approaches to the treatment of locally advanced and recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have been limited by their toxicity. Effective, better tolerated approaches are urgently required. Cetuximab is an immunoglobulin G₁ monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is commonly expressed in a number of solid tumors, including SCCHN, where it is associated with poor prognosis. Cetuximab is approved in 56 countries for use in the treatment of EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed on irinotecan-containing therapy and has recently received approval in Europe and the USA for use in the treatment of SCCHN. A randomized Phase III study has demonstrated that cetuximab plus radiotherapy can significantly improve locoregional control and prolong overall survival compared with radiotherapy alone. Cetuximab has also been confirmed to be effective as monotherapy in recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN that has progressed on platinum-containing therapy. Clinical studies have demonstrated that cetuximab is well tolerated and does not significantly increase the side effects associated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This article presents the rationale for EGFR inhibition in the management of head and neck cancers, and the preclinical and clinical evidence for the use of cetuximab in the treatment of SCCHN.     

Cetuximab in the treatment of head and neck cancer

Approaches to the treatment of locally advanced and recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have been limited by their toxicity. Effective, better tolerated approaches are urgently required. Cetuximab is an immunoglobulin G(1) monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is commonly expressed in a number of solid tumors, including SCCHN, where it is associated with poor prognosis. Cetuximab is approved in 56 countries for use in the treatment of EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed on irinotecan-containing therapy and has recently received approval in Europe and the USA for use in the treatment of SCCHN. A randomized Phase III study has demonstrated that cetuximab plus radiotherapy can significantly improve locoregional control and prolong overall survival compared with radiotherapy alone. Cetuximab has also been confirmed to be effective as monotherapy in recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN that has progressed on platinum-containing therapy. Clinical studies have demonstrated that cetuximab is well tolerated and does not significantly increase the side effects associated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This article presents the rationale for EGFR inhibition in the management of head and neck cancers, and the preclinical and clinical evidence for the use of cetuximab in the treatment of SCCHN.     

Ifosfamide in the treatment of head and neck cancer

Ifosfamide (IFO) has demonstrated activity in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell head and neck carcinoma with an overall response rate of 24-26%. Better results are reported for chemotherapy-naive patients; in heavily pretreated cases results are poor and toxicity unacceptable. Cisplatin-IFO combination in stage III-IV is probably more active than IFO alone (ORR = 60-72 vs. 50%) but is indicated in patients who desire aggressive treatment and are physically able to tolerate the drugs. The carboplatin-IFO scheme is better tolerated than the cisplatin-IFO regimen with superimposable clinical results (ORR = 69%; CR = 15%). Carboplatin-taxol-IFO is one of the most active regimens in recurrent (ORR = 59%; CR = 17%) and in locally advanced (ORR = 81%; CR = 31%) head and neck cancer. Its role in the multidisciplinary treatment of advanced head and neck cancer is under investigation. In recurrent/metastatic undifferentiated nasopharygeal carcinoma, IFO combinations have proven to be effective as first- and second-line treatment.     

Taxanes in the treatment of head and neck cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review presents new data on the role of paclitaxel and docetaxel in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Recently both agents have been tested in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, targeted drugs, and radiotherapy in in-vitro experiments and in the clinic as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic/recurrent and locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. RECENT FINDINGS: The combination of taxanes with standard or accelerated radiotherapy is feasible and induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation is active and feasible without excessive toxicity in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The use of low-dose fractionated radiotherapy shows promising in-vitro and clinical results and is further explored. SUMMARY: Both docetaxel and paclitaxel can be combined with chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy, but phase III studies are needed to prove the superiority of these approaches compared to standard treatment. The final results of the combination study of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil with or without docetaxel may change the standard chemotherapeutic regimen for induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.     

Follow-up of head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy.

Diverging opinions exist regarding follow-up studies post-radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. This report describes the efficacy of follow-up physical examinations, thyroid function tests and screening chest X-rays in post-radiotherapy patients in a practice analysis schema. This analysis suggests that physical examination and thyroid function testing remain valid parts of routine follow-up for head and neck cancer patients; chest X-rays appear less vital unless the patient's clinical situation warrants aggressive therapy of a second primary lung cancer.     

Rehabilitation problems of head and neck cancer patients.

Head and neck cancer and its treatment result in varying degrees of disability affecting various organ systems. Ideal treatment of such patients requires a unit capable of managing problems in the areas of: Reconstructive surgery, maxillofacial prosthodontia, dentistry, deglutition disorders, and psychological, social, and vocational rehabilitation. Provision of such facilities in an integrated manner will give the patient the optimal chance for rehabilitation from the complex disabilities occurring in head and neck cancer.     

New biological markers in the decision of treatment of head and neck cancer patients

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer type worldwide. Also the 5-year survival rate of less than 50 % seems to be lower than other cancer types. There are some reasons behind this high mortality rate; one of them is the lack of knowledge about the biology and genomic instability behind the carcinogenic processes. These biological features could condition the failure of frontline treatment, in which case rescue treatment should be used, representing an overtreatment for the patients. For years many biological factors have been tested as prognostic and predictive factors in relation to treatment with a modest success. To find appropriate tests which could be used in the context of the individualized treatment decision, we have reviewed new biological markers, not only in tumor tissue, but also in normal tissue from head and neck carcinoma patients.