Post-irradiation malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the larynx: A case report with an unusual metastatic spread pattern

We report a case of a laryngeal malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) that showed an uncommon clinical behavior. This tumor occurred in a 70-year-old male patient 5 years after radiation treatment for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and unusual metastases were spread unusually to the pleural cavity.The interval between the end of radiotherapy and the onset of MFH can be justified by the development of laryngeal stenosis by fibrotic tissue as a late complication of radiotherapy.Laryngeal fibrosis after radiotherapy probably triggered the MFH.Neither computed tomography nor magnetic resonance imaging differentiate between fibrotic tissue and MFH, and only repeated biopsy was definitive to give us the correct diagnosis.     

Spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx with a verrucous carcinoma component: combined carcinoma of larynx

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common neoplasm of the larynx. There are three variants of SCC. Each variant presents distinctive biologic behaviors and clinical courses. Therefore reaching the exact diagnosis and distinguishing the variants is fateful. We describe a case of spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx with a verrucous carcinoma component. To our knowledge, this entity has never been documented before.     

Reduced E-cadherin expression is associated with lymph node metastases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the expression of E-cadherin and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods

Sixty-four patients who had previously undergone complete resection of tumor for LSCC were studied retrospectively. The level of E-cadherin expression in tumor tissues and paired nontumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

The expression of E-cadherin in tumor tissues was significantly lower than nontumor tissues (P < 0.001). Reduced E-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates showed a significant correlation between E-cadherin expression and patient survival rate (log-rank P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis confirmed that lymph node metastases (P = 0.001) and tumor stage (P = 0.013) were statistically significant, independent predictor of prognosis.

Conclusion

Expression of E-cadherin is an independent predictor of lymph node metastases in LSCC. However, it does not appear to be a better prognostic predictor than other established markers in LSCC.     

Urinary bladder metastasis--an unusual presentation of distant spread from a primary pyriform sinus cancer: a case report

Hypopharyngeal cancers have a high propensity to distant metastasis. However, metastasis to the urinary bladder as an initial presentation of distant spread has not been reported in literature. We present a report of a patient with a treated and controlled pyriform sinus cancer who presented with complaints of dysuria, 8 months after completion of treatment. Cystoscopy revealed a bladder mass and biopsy confirmed it to be a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. On further investigation, the patient was found to have disseminated disease for which chemotherapy was instituted. A relevant review of literature is also presented.     

Regional metastases in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma: pattern of spread

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the pattern of spread of WDTC to regional lymph nodes, in patients who presented with clinically positive nodes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2001 and December 2006, a total of 27 consecutive patients (12 males, 15 females) with clinical evidence of cervical metastasis of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) underwent 28 neck dissections (ND) with a mean follow-up 33.7 months. Papillary carcinoma was found in 24 patients and follicular carcinoma in 3.All neck dissection specimens were separated during surgery into levels, and analysis was done with respect to the levels of the neck.Clinical and demographic parameters were correlated to the pathologic parameters, including number of pathologic nodes, size of tumor, and the patient's age, with univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean number of pathologic nodes in ND specimen was 6.7. The predominant site of metastasis was level VI (95%), followed by level III (68%), level IV (57%), and level II (54%). Metastases above the XI nerve were found in 7% of the patients. Level V showed 20% of nodal metastasis. A correlation was found between size of primary tumor and number of positive pathologic lymph nodes (P = .02) and an inverse correlation between the age of the patient and the number of pathologic nodes (P = .043). CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of metastatic disease in levels II through VI supports the recommendation for posterolateral and anterior ND in patients with WDTC and clinically positive nodes. The correlation between tumor size, the age of the patient, and the number of positive nodes is an interesting finding that warrants further study.     

11例头颈部肉瘤样癌临床分析

目的探讨头颈部肉瘤样癌的临床与病理学特点,以提高对肉瘤样癌的诊断、治疗及判断其预后的认识。方法回顾性分析2005年8月～2011年4月经手术治疗的11例头颈部肉瘤样癌患者的临床资料及诊疗过程。结果 11例患者,其中发生于喉部2例、下咽部5例、鼻窦2例、舌根部1例、颞部1例。所有患者均经相应的术式及对症支持治疗后随访7～55个月,平均随访15.5个月。其中5例存活、3例死亡、3例失访。5例存活患者中2例患者出现可疑肺、颈椎转移。结论肉瘤样癌有其特殊的生物学行为及病理学特点,确诊依赖于免疫组化;对无远处转移的肉瘤样癌首选手术切除治疗,放疗是术后重要的辅助手段。     

Management of contralateral N0 neck in pyriform sinus carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The hypopharynx has a rich lymphatic network that places patients with tumors of the hypopharynx at high risk for early dissemination of the disease into the cervical lymphatics. Therefore, ipsilateral elective neck dissection of clinically N0 neck in lateralized lesions of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) is widely accepted as a standard treatment. However, the management of the contralateral N0 neck is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis in pyriform sinus SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 43 patients with N0 to 3 pyriform sinus SCC with contralateral clinically node-negative necks who had also received contralateral elective neck dissections from 1994 to 2003. Surgical treatment was followed by postoperative radiotherapy in 41 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 135 months (mean, 40 months). The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to calculate the disease-specific survival rates and prognostic significance of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Contralateral occult lymph node metastases occurred in 16% (seven of 43) of the subjects. Twenty-six percent of the 27 subjects with clinically node-positive ipsilateral neck developed contralateral occult lymph node metastases, whereas 0% of the 16 subjects with N0 ipsilateral necks (P=.035) developed the disease. Moreover, in cases with primary site extension across the midline, the rate of contralateral occult neck metastasis was significantly higher (P=.010). However, there were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, early versus advanced T stage, number of ipsilateral positive nodes, lymph nodes with extracapsular spread, primary subsite of medial versus lateral pyriform sinus, pyriform sinus apex involvement, and growth type. Patients with no evidence of contralateral nodal cancer had significantly improved disease-specific survival over patients with any pathologically positive nodes (5-year disease-specific survival rate, 66% vs. 33%, P<.05). CONCLUSION: The patients with pyriform sinus SCC with clinically ipsilateral N+ neck and/or extension across the midline are at greater risk for contralateral occult neck metastases. Furthermore, patients who present with a contralateral metastatic neck have a worse prognosis than those staged as N0. Therefore, we advocate bilateral neck treatment in patients with pyriform sinus SCC with clinically ipsilateral node metastases and/or extension across the midline.     

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the parotid gland with apparent metastasis of epidermoid elements to cervical lymph nodes

A case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the parotid gland is described in a 47-year-old male. Despite radical surgery and postoperative chemoradiation therapy, a distant metastasis occurred 1 month after treatment. The primary site was composed of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma intermingled with spindle-shaped malignant mesenchymal cells. Immunohistochemical studies showed that keratin was present in both epithelial cells and spindle cells, whereas vimentin was present in spindle cells and absent in epithelial cells. Two lymph nodes were metastasized by the epidermoid component. The origin of the sarcomatoid component and the differential diagnosis from malignant mixed tumours are discussed.     

Combined small cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx

We report an extremely rare case of combined small cell carcinoma (combined SmCC) of the hypopharynx. A 73-year-old male presented with multiple left neck swellings for 1 month. A tumorous lesion was found in the left pyriform sinus, and biopsy revealed that the lesion was squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). Surgery was performed and pathological examination led to a diagnosis as combined SmCC, composed of SqCC and small cell carcinoma (SmCC). One month after surgery, a contrast-CT indicated metastases to the cervical lymph node (LN), mediastinum and liver. We performed 5 courses of chemotherapy with the use of cisplatin (CDDP) and irinotecan (CPT-11). The patient temporarily showed a favorable response to the chemotherapy; however, eventually he died of regrowth of the tumor. Combined SmCC is a disease with a poor prognosis. Although biopsy sometimes fails to detect the SmCC component, intensive diagnosis and treatment are necessary.     

Small cell carcinoma of the larynx: imaging findings

Small cell carcinoma of the larynx is an uncommon epithelial tumor, which is the most aggressive subtype of neuroendocrine carcinomas. Because of its nonspecific clinical and radiological manifestations, the diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the larynx is essentially based on the light microscopic examination aided by electron microscopy or immunohistochemical staining. We report a case of supraglottic small cell carcinoma accompanied by large bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis ocurring in a 70-year-old man. On CT scans, no area of low attenuation indicating necrosis was demonstrated within such large metastatic lymph nodes. We suggest that small cell carcinoma of the larynx should be included in the diagnostic considerations when a laryngeal mass is accompanied by large cervical lymph nodes without necrosis shown by CT.     

Results of an organ preservation protocol with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced pyriform sinus carcinoma

An alternative to the classical treatment for locally advanced (T3-T4 stage) pyriform sinus carcinoma with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy is to begin treatment with induction chemotherapy in an organ preservation approach. In patients with complete clinical response, this treatment is followed by radiotherapy; in non-complete responders, it is followed by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate such treatment in a cohort of 78 patients with locally advanced pyriform sinus carcinoma treated at a single institution between 1985 and 1997. In all patients, induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluoruracil was carried out. Two patients died as a consequence of complications associated with chemotherapy treatment. Of the 76 patients who completed treatment, 23 (30%) achieved a complete response at the primary site, 38 (50%) attained a partial response, and 15 patients (20%) had a stabilization-progression. The 5-year adjusted survival of patients treated with radiotherapy alone was 57% and, in patients treated with surgery, 51%. There were no significant differences in survival related to the subsequent treatment used (P > 0.05). The larynx was preserved in 14 of the 23 patients (61%) who completed treatment with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The frequency of organ preservation for the group of 78 patients who began treatment with induction chemotherapy was 18%. Received: 20 October 2000 / Accepted: 28 June 2001     

Verrucous squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations

The clinical findings, histopathology, management and outcome of 31 patients with verrucous squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (VSCC) are discussed. Laryngeal VSCC is a rare, highly differentiated variant of SCC and has specific morphological features and clinical behavior. A close liaison between the laryngologist and pathologist is needed to formulate a correct diagnosis, because this tumor appears to be malignant clinically and histologically benign. A low-power magnification of multiple large specimens, including the deep margins of the lesion, is required in order to differentiate VSCC from keratosis, verruca vulgaris or SCC with verrucous appearance, and to detect underlying microscopic foci of invasive SCC within or adjacent to a verrucous carcinoma. Long-lasting hoarseness was the most common symptom as the glottic region was the most common site of VSCC. Presumed clinically positive N1 lymph nodes were observed in the necks of 7 patients, but none had metastatic disease on histopathological study. Surgery alone was the most effective form of treatment, as it allowed a good outcome of all treated patients. Surgery plus radiotherapy was associated with an early recurrence and a poor outcome in 2 of 7 patients treated. The generally benign behavior of VSCC allows for conservative surgery, with complete endoscopic resection using the carbon dioxide laser representing a more conservative surgical approach. Neck dissection is not indicated due to the non-metastatic behavior of this tumor.     

Nasal tip metastasis: an unusual site and mode of spread in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most aggressive and lethal form of thyroid malignancy which is difficult to treat. At the time of diagnosis, majority of patients have distant metastases most commonly in lung, bone, and liver. However nasal tip metastasis is not reported in literature. Implantation of malignant cells on nasal tip is also unknown. We hereby report an interesting and unusual mechanism for nasal tip metastasis in a patient with ATC.     

A systematic review and Number Needed to Treat analysis to guide the management of the neck in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Objectives

To systematically review the literature to identify studies from which it is possible to perform a Number Needed to Treat (NNT) analysis to identify, in a more clinically intuitive manner, neck node levels for which treatment is essential in the N0 and N+ neck with respect to the primary site of tumour.

Methods

Systematic literature review using a defined search strategy; data extraction from studies meeting the inclusion criteria; calculation of NNT for individual neck node levels with respect to primary site.

Results

A total of 6169 articles were identified from searches of Embase, Medline, The Cochrane library of randomised control trials, conference proceedings and the bibliographies of retrieved papers. Titles and abstracts were screened; from these, 219 studies were retrieved for detailed review. One hundred and ninety six papers were excluded and 23 studies were included in the final analysis. Following review of the data from these studies, and accepting a NNT cut-off of 5 we confirmed that the following lymph node levels should be treated:

•  

  N0 neck: oral cavity levels II; larynx levels VI; oropharynx levels IIA; hypopharynx levels VI.

•  

  N+ neck: oral cavity insufficient data; larynx levels IIA − IV + VI; oropharynx levels IIA − III; hypopharynx levels IIA, IIB − IV + VI.

Conclusions

NNT is a clinically intuitive parameter to guide appropriate lymph node level treatment in patients presenting with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.     

声门旁间隙入路梨状窝癌切除术

下咽癌由于其发病位置特殊,发病位置隐匿,早期症状无特异性;其病理呈现出易黏膜下播散,易发生局部淋巴结转移的特点,容易侵犯颈其他重要结构;术后可能出现咽瘘、吞咽困难等对生活质量影响较大的并发症等。梨状窝癌占下咽癌发病病例70％左右,由于其紧邻喉部,在早期即可直接侵入喉内,造成喉结构和功能的破坏,梨状窝内侧壁癌尤甚。因此喉功能的保留是下咽癌手术中常面临的难题。目前对梨状窝癌的的治疗以手术结合放疗的综合治疗为主,治疗的目的是在实现局部控制提高生存率的基础上,尽可能保留喉功能以提高患者的生存质量。国内外学者对保留喉功能的下咽癌手术在临床和基础方面都进行了诸多研究,大多数意见认为,该术式对于适应证范围内的病例能够在不降低生存率的情况下有效提高患者的生存质量［1］。     

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: report of an aggressive case with ethmoid sinus invasion

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, also referred to as Gorlin–Goltz syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas, jaw cysts, palmar or plantar pits, ectopic calcification of the falx cerebri, and various skeletal developmental abnormalities. A minority of basal cell carcinomas demonstrate aggressive behavior and involve the craniofacial bones in nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. A non-familial case of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome with a basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid invading to the ethmoid sinus is reported.     

Epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma of the submandibular gland with symptomatic lung metastases treated with chemotherapy

This report concerns a patient with symptomatic lung metastases from an epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma of the submandibular gland. Although the efficacy of chemotherapy is unknown in this disease, our patient was treated with cisplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and later with paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide. Chemotherapy allowed disease stabilization and relief of the pulmonary symptoms. This is the first report on the use of chemotherapy in this very rare salivary gland carcinoma.     

梨状窝癌侵犯梨状窝尖的病理组织学观察及其临床意义

目的 探讨梨状窝癌侵犯状窝尖的临床意义。方法 对４３例梨状窝癌全喉下咽切除标本的次连续切片进行病理组织学观察。结果 梨状窝尖是梨状窝下１／３部分,梨状窝癌侵犯梨状窝尖易侵犯邻近组织和器官,结果 梨状窝尖受侵是癌组织向下咽下方侵犯的初始部位和重要标本,因此,外科治疗应以全喉及病侧下咽切除为宜。