Positive surgical margins in neck dissection specimens in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and the effect of radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcome after surgery and radiotherapy for extensive nodal disease in patients with primary head and neck cancer. METHODS: Between 1973 and 1995, 77 from a total of 1398 patients had histopathologic evidence of positive margins in 85 neck dissection specimens for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx. Postoperative radiotherapy with a curative dose was given to 50 necks. Ipsilateral neck recurrence was defined as the relevant event, and cumulative survival distributions were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences between groups were analyzed with the log rank test. RESULTS: Disease-free survival was 24.9% at 2 years, and disease-specific survival was 33.6% at 2 years. After restriction of the 50 patients who received postoperative curative radiotherapy, the time to neck recurrence was stratified according to irradiation dosage, with 62.5 Gy as the cutoff point. A statistically significant difference was found for patients treated with 62.5 Gy or more, with a regional control rate of 75.6% at 2 years (p <.036). CONCLUSIONS: The overall outcome after neck dissection with positive surgical margins is poor. Considerable improvement is achieved by postoperative radiotherapy treatment with dosages of 62.5 Gy or more.     

The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil with neck node metastases

BACKGROUND: Patients with tonsillar carcinoma and neck nodes seen at the clinic are not an uncommon occurrence in head and neck practice. Over the years, treatment has ranged from radical jaw neck dissection to radical neck dissection for the nodes and primary radiotherapy to the primary site. Much controversy exists as to which treatment modality yields the best survival. Certainly, surgery to the oropharynx leads to gross morbidity, with problems of swallowing, speech, and cosmesis, although it has been claimed that radiotherapy with neck dissection yields a lower cure rate. METHODS: We investigated a retrospective series of 96 patients all of whom had squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and associated lymph node metastases. Of these, 44 primary tumors were treated with surgery and 52 with irradiation. All 44 patients in the surgery group had a radical neck dissection, as did all but 12 in the radiotherapy group. RESULTS: Of the tabulations, patients in good general condition were more likely to receive primary surgery. Overall cause-specific survival for all patients was 69%. Multiple logistic regression revealed no associations; thus, the radiotherapy and surgery groups were well matched. Five-year actuarial survival for those having irradiation was 74%. The five-year survival for the group receiving surgery was 63% (p =.4372). This lack of difference between survival for surgery and radiotherapy was confirmed using Cox's proportional hazards model. CONCLUSION: We conclude that tonsillar carcinoma with lymph nodes can be safely treated by applying appropriate radiotherapy to the tonsillar region and treating the neck with radical surgery, if the disease is more than N1.     

Limitations of radiotherapy in the definitive treatment of squamous carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa.

Between 1970 and 1990, 104 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tonsil were treated. The median age was 58 years and 80% of patients were males. Distribution among clinical stages was: stage I, 19 patients; stage II, 12 patients; stage III, 23 patients; and stage IV, 48 patients. More than 70% of patients had initial radiotherapy as definitive treatment irrespective of stage, reflecting the treatment philosophy over much of this period. The overall survival rate was 26% at 5 years, with survival being significantly affected by T stage, clinical stage and age. Clinical node status did not significantly affect survival rates. Good local control of T1N0 cancers was achieved with radiotherapy alone, but patients with more advanced cancers did poorly. We have now moved away from a non-selective policy and use initial surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy in most patients, reserving radiotherapy alone for mainly early tonsil cancers.     

Transoral laser microsurgery for recurrent laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A two-center prospective case series analysis. PATIENTS: One hundred fourteen patients with previously treated laryngeal or pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent salvage transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). INTERVENTIONS: TLM in 114 patients, neck dissection in 22 (19%) patients, adjuvant radiotherapy in 12 (11%) patients. RESULTS: Ninety-one (80%) patients had recurrent primary tumors whereas 23 (20%) patients had second primary tumors occur within a previously irradiated field. The minimum follow-up was 1 year (median, 3 years). The distribution of tumor location was oropharynx 52 (46%), glottic and subglottic larynx 44 (39%), supraglottic larynx 11 (10%), and pyriform/hypopharynx 7 (6%). Overall, three-year local and locoregional control estimates were 70 percent and 67 percent, respectively; and three-year survival and disease-free survival estimates were 62 percent and 64 percent, respectively. The average duration of hospitalization was 2.3 days. Four (3.5%) patients had significant postoperative bleeding. Two (<2%) patients had treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Transoral laser microsurgery offers select patients an attractive alternative salvage surgical therapy to the recurrent and second primary tumor site.     

Carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx: treatment results with radiotherapy alone or with planned neck dissection

PURPOSE: To present the results of radiotherapy with or without neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx treated at the University of Florida and to compare these data with those obtained after conservation surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Continuous-course radiotherapy alone or combined with a planned neck dissection was used to treat 274 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx between 1964 and 1998. All patients had follow-up for a minimum of 2 years, and 250 (91%) had follow-up for 5 years or more. RESULTS: At 5 years, the actuarial probability of local control after radiotherapy according to T stage was as follows: T1, 100%; T2, 86%; T3, 62%; and T4, 62%. The probability of cause-specific survival at 5 years by AJCC stage was as follows: stage I, 100%; II, 93%; III, 81% IVA, 50%; and IVB, 13%. The risk of severe late complications was 4%. Of 57 patients undergoing planned postradiotherapy neck dissection, 7% experienced a severe complication. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our data and the literature, early or moderately advanced supraglottic carcinomas may be treated successfully with either supraglottic laryngectomy or radiotherapy. Supraglottic laryngectomy probably produces a higher initial local control rate but, based on anatomic and coexisting medical constraints, is suitable for a smaller subset of patients and has a higher risk of complications compared with radiotherapy.     

LIMITATIONS OF RADIOTHERAPY IN THE DEFINITIVE TREATMENT OF SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA OF THE TONSILLAR FOSSA

Between 1970 and 1990, 104 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tonsil were treated. The median age was 58 years and 80% of patients were males. Distribution among clinical stages was: stage I, 19 patients; stage II, 12 patients; stage III, 23 patients; and stage IV, 48 patients. More than 70% of patients had initial radiotherapy as definitive treatment irrespective of stage, reflecting the treatment philosophy over much of this period. The overall survival rate was 26% at 5 years, with survival being significantly affected by T stage, clinical stage and age. Clinical node status did not significantly affect survival rates. Good local control of T₁N₀ cancers was achieved with radiotherapy alone, but patients with more advanced cancers did poorly. We have now moved away from a non-selective policy and use initial surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy in most patients, reserving radiotherapy alone for mainly early tonsil cancers.     

Squamous carcinoma of the larynx in patients under the age of 35 years

Laryngeal carcinoma usually occurs in men between the ages of 50 and 70. In general, epithelial malignancies other than those involving the skin are rare in the young adult. Those squamous carcinomas arising in the lip, tongue, and tonsil appear to have a poorer prognosis than in the older adult. This study is a review of the medical records of 33 patients under the age of 35 years with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. The follow-up of the entire series was at least 24 months with an overall survival rate of 81%. These results contrast to five-year survival rates of 79%, 45%, and 14% of the lip, tongue, and tonsil, respectively, in patients from a similar age group.     

Treatment of the N0 neck during salvage surgery after radiotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality rates of salvage surgery in patients with local recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after radiotherapy are high. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of occult neck node metastasis and the surgical morbidity of patients after salvage surgery for local relapse after definitive radiotherapy. METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent salvage surgery with a simultaneous neck node dissection for a local relapse after definitive radiotherapy for HNSCC between 1992 and 2000 were included in this study. The primary tumor sites were oral cavity in six patients, oropharynx in 17, supraglottic larynx in three, and hypopharynx in four. Initially, seven patients had T2 disease, eight had T3, and 15 had T4. RESULTS: Twelve patients (40%) experienced postoperative complications, including two deaths. There was no cervical lymph node metastasis (pN0) in 29 of the 30 patients. Fifteen patients (50%) had a recurrence after salvage surgery, including 11 new local recurrences and four patients with distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of neck node metastasis during salvage surgery for local recurrence in patients treated initially with radiation for N0 HNSCC is low. Neck dissection should be performed in only limited area, depending on the surgical procedure used for tumor resection.     

Postradiotherapy surveillance practice for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma—too much for too little?

INTRODUCTION: Limited information is available regarding surveillance patterns after head and neck cancer radiotherapy. We cataloged follow-up for a specified patient cohort treated at three neighboring university, community, and Veterans Administration institutions. METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients were treated with curative intent between 1994-1998 with definitive or postoperative radiotherapy for newly diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx. One hundred patients had continuous follow-up at their treating institution and were included for analysis. Median follow-up until disease recurrence or censorship was 28.5 months. RESULTS: Median follow-up frequency was 5.7 visits/year and was highly variable. Although visit frequency correlated with disease stage and the presence of high-risk disease features, this association was lost when patients with early recurrences were removed from analysis. Procedure and test utilization closely mirrored visit frequency, resulting in a wide range of estimated yearly charges (0-15,668 dollars/year; median, 1,772 dollars/year). Actuarial 3-year overall survival for the study group was 71%. Eighty-six percent (19 of 22) of potentially salvageable locoregional failures were discovered secondary to symptomatic complaint rather than by test results. Disease failure, whether detected by symptom or testing, predicted for poor survival (22% at 24 months after recurrence). CONCLUSIONS: Postradiotherapy surveillance for head and neck cancer is inconsistently pursued. A proven correlation between intensive follow-up and improved patient survival is lacking. Surveillance directed by patient symptoms should be investigated as an alternative approach.     

Intracranial metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial metastases are rarely clinically diagnosed in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Only 7 patients with metastases to the cavernous sinus from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas have been reported. METHODS: A retrospective study revealed 13 patients with intracranial metastases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In a 53-year-old woman a cavernous sinus metastasis of a laryngeal carcinoma was histologically diagnosed by using a CT-guided surgical navigation system and was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy. RESULTS: The mean survival was 4.3 months. Predictive factors for longer survival were absence of extracranial disease, age younger than 60 years, and treatment with radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for patients with intracranial disease is poor. The current development of computer-assisted stereotactic navigation and stereotactic radiotherapy may facilitate surgical diagnostic exploration and improve treatment, especially in patients without extracranial disease.     

Anterior tongue cancer: age is not a predictor of outcome and should not alter treatment

Background: Mucosal head and neck cancers usually occur in older males after years of smoking and alcohol abuse. Despite this, approximately 5% of cases occur in young adults. The aetiology remains unclear and the anterior tongue is a prevalent site. Prognosis has been reported as worse in young patients and some have proposed a more aggressive treatment approach. Methods: Patients diagnosed with previously untreated anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma and treated with curative intent were identified. Retrospective and prospective data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken using Cox regression analysis. The outcome of patients treated with anterior tongue cancer using a cut‐off age of 40 years was compared. Results: Between 1980 and 2000, 106 males and 58 females with anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma were treated at Westmead Hospital. Median follow up was 47 months (6?210 months). Twenty‐two patients (13.4%) were aged ≤40 years. Other than age, patient demographics, TNM stage and treatment approach were similar between the two groups. Eighty‐one per cent had either a T1 or T2 primary. In total, 139 patients (84.8%) had surgery or surgery and radiotherapy. A total of 56 (34%) patients experienced a recurrent event, with nodal recurrence occurring most often as the first site (n = 33, 59%). Young patients had a higher recurrence rate (45.5% vs 32.4%; P = 0.23). Relapse‐free survival at 5 years was 62% versus 81% (P = 0.27). Overall survival at 5 years was 65% versus 67% (P = 0.74). Conclusions: In keeping with recently published evidence, young age at diagnosis with anterior tongue cancer did not portend worse outcome. There is therefore currently no strong evidence to support a different treatment approach in young patients.     

Locally advanced (stage III and IV) head and neck cancer: Westmead Hospital experience

Two hundred and fifty-one patients with Stage III and IV (UICC staging system) squamous cell cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx were assessed between January 1980 and December 1988 at Westmead Hospital. Of these, 50 patients received palliative treatment or were not treated and the remaining 201 patients received treatment with curative intent by various combinations of radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy. Thirty-nine operable cases were entered into a multimodality protocol initiated in April 1985, which consisted of induction chemotherapy (cisplatin 100 mg/m2 i.v. day 1, 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2 per 24 h i.v. days 1-5, q3w x 2) followed by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. The median follow-up for all 251 patients was 57 months. Actuarial 3-year survival rate for all 201 patients receiving radical treatment was 48% (Stage III 66%, Stage IV 36%; P less than 0.001). Overall actuarial local and nodal control rates at 3 years were 67% and 69%. Thirty-two of 201 patients (16%) developed distant metastases at a median time of 11 months. Twenty-one patients (10%) had a previous or subsequent second primary cancer. In the group of 39 protocol patients, overall actuarial survival, local and nodal control rates are 68%, 77% and 73% at 3 years. A group of 22 'protocol' patients was compared with a group of 22 patients treated prior to commencement of the protocol, matched as closely as possible on the basis of site, stage, age, sex and ECOG status.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Advanced-staged tonsillar squamous carcinoma: organ preservation versus surgical management of the primary site

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to review our experience in the management of advanced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to compare treatment outcomes between patients treated with and without surgery to the primary site. METHODS: The records of 74 patients with advanced-stage tonsillar SCC were reviewed. The median age at diagnosis was 58 years. Thirty-eight patients received definitive surgery to the primary site, and 36 were treated with an organ-preservation approach (OP) using radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy. RESULTS: No significant difference in overall survival (OS) or freedom from relapse (FFR) by treatment was found. T classification and N status were significant independent predictors on multivariate analysis for OS and FFR. Major late toxicity was noted in 10 patients in the surgical group and nine in the OP group. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with OP and primary surgery had comparable OS and FFR. T classification and N status were significant independent predictors for tumor relapse and survival. On the basis of these results, we favor organ-preservation therapy for patients with advanced-stage tonsillar SCC.     

Supracricoid laryngectomy with CHEP: functional results and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohiodoepiglottopexy could successfully reach the cure and preserve the voice in glottic laryngeal cancer, we studied 27 patients with T2/T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated in our institution with cricohiodoepiglottopexy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis has been carried out between 1995 through 1997. We classified 11 patients as T2N0M0 and 16 patients as T3N0M0. Nineteen patients had bilateral selective lateral neck dissection, 3 patients had unilateral lateral neck dissection, and 5 patients had undissected neck. Survival was analyzed under the Kaplan-Meyer method. RESULTS: Five patients had postoperative complications, 2 were treated with a total laryngectomy. The remaining 25 patients kept the normal airway, swallowing, and speech. None of the patients in the neck dissection group had neck metastasis. Two patients had recurrences, 1 with local recurrence was treated with a total laryngectomy and is alive without disease; the other patient had neck recurrence, was treated with radical neck dissection plus radiotherapy, and is dead of the disease. One patient had a second tumor in oropharynx treated with palliative radiotherapy and is dead of the disease. Three years disease-free survival was 75% for T2 and 79% for T3. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is useful in the treatment of selected cases of T3/T2 glottic cancer regarding the extent of disease. The incidence of complications in need of a complete laryngectomy does not compromise the functionality of this technique. The survival is comparable to patients who submitted to total laryngectomy and near-total laryngectomy, regarding the extent of the lesion.     

Treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with external beam radiation combined with interstitial brachytherapy

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the outcomes of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with external beam radiation and interstitial brachytherapy. METHODS: Ninety patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated with interstitial brachytherapy at the University of Utah between 1984 and 2001. Seventy-two patients received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) followed by brachytherapy boost, 11 had surgery followed by EBRT and brachytherapy, 4 had surgery and brachytherapy, and 3 were treated with brachytherapy alone. Median doses for EBRT and brachytherapy were 50 and 24 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: Median follow-up after brachytherapy was 48.3 months for all patients. Five-year local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival were 76%, 61%, and 55%. For T1, T2, T3, and T4, 5-year local control rates were 83%, 79%, 79%, and 64%, respectively. Severe complications occurred in 13 patients, including 2 treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: EBRT combined with interstitial brachytherapy provide good local control rates for locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx in young adults

Studies of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx in young adults differ as to whether younger patients resemble the general population of head and neck cancer patients. A retrospective study was performed on 23 patients (40 years old or younger) with oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma at New York University Medical Center between 1961 and 1984. Patients with oropharyngeal cancer resembled the general population of head and neck cancer patients. In contrast, oral cavity carcinoma occurred more frequently in women under the age of 35 and lacked the usual etiologic factors of tobacco and alcohol abuse. Survival correlated best with the TNM stage of disease at initial presentation. Patients with Stage I and II lesions had an excellent response to surgical treatment alone and a high 5-year survival rate. Patients with advanced Stage III and IV disease had a poor survival rate with single modality treatment. We recommend surgery and radiotherapy in patients with advanced disease.     

Induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone in the treatment of locoregionally advanced resectable cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx: results of single-center study of 45 patients

BACKGROUND: Induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and fluorouracil and radiotherapy is an effective alternative to surgery in patients with carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx who are treated for organ preservation. METHODS: We designed a protocol to evaluate the possibility of organ preservation in patients with advanced, resectable carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx. Forty-five eligible patients who were followed up between April 1999 and May 2001 were enrolled. Initially, these patients were treated with two cycles of induction chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, 20 mg/m2/day on days 1 to 5, and 5-fluorouracil, 600 mg/m2/day by continuous infusion on days 1 to 5. Patients who had a complete response to chemotherapy were treated with definitive radiotherapy; patients who had a partial response to chemotherapy were treated with chemoradiotherapy. Cisplatin, 35 mg/m2/week, was introduced throughout the duration of radiotherapy. Patients who had no response or progressive disease underwent surgery with postoperative radiotherapy. Patients with N2 or N3 positive lymph nodes underwent neck dissection after the treatment. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.6 years (range, 34-75 years). The overall response rate to induction chemotherapy was 71.1%, with a 17.8% complete response rate and 53.3% partial response rate. With a median follow-up of 13.7 months, 23 (51.1%) of all patients and 63.3% of surviving patients have had a preservation of the larynx or hypopharynx and remain disease free. The most common toxicities were nausea and vomiting and mucositis. CONCLUSION: Organ preservation, with multimodality treatment, may be achievable in some of the patients with resectable, advanced larynx or hypopharynx cancers without apparent compromise of survival.     

CARCINOMA OF THE LARYNX: EXPERIENCE AT ST VINCENTS HOSPITAL,SYDNEY

Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with carcinoma of the larynx were treated at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, during the years 1958 to 1973. A crude cumulative five-year survival of 76% in Stage I and 62% In Stage II was obtained using radiotherapy as the first treatment in these stages, reserving surgery, consisting of laryngectomy, for radiotherapy failures. A 63%, five-year survival was achieved in Stage III by using laryngectomy as the first definitive treatment.     

Carcinoma of the larynx: experience at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney.

Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with carcinoma of the larynx were treated at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, during the years 1958 to 1973. A crude cumulative five-year survival of 76% in Stage I and 62% in Stage II was obtained using radiotherapy as the first treatment in these stages, reserving surgery, consisting of laryngectomy, for radiotherapy failures. A 63%, five-year survival was achieved in Stage III by using laryngectomy as the first definitive treatment.     

Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A 5- to 20-Year Experience With Preoperative Chemotherapy,Uncompromised Surgery,and Selective Radiotherapy

Background: A 5- to 20-year evaluation of preoperative chemotherapy uncompromised surgery and selective radiotherapy in stage III/IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Methods: Eighty-two consecutive patients, single surgeon previously untreated, operable, and resectable for cure. Sites included the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. Two chemotherapeutic regimens were used: initial regimen (A), cisplatin/bleomycin (n = 45 patients); revised regimen (B), cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (n = 37 patients). The extent of surgery was carefully documented before chemotherapy—tattoo when feasible. This forms a strict guide for uncompromised surgery. Selective postoperative radiotherapy was based on specific criteria.Results: Minimum follow-up was 5 years. Absolute survival: total group, 60%; regimen A, 46%; and regimen B, 77% (P = .004). Relative survival (correcting for life table mortality): total group, 66%; regimen A, 50%; and regimen B, 83% (P = .003). Recurrences: primary site, n = 9 (regimen A, n = 7 [16%]; regimen B, n =2 [5%]) and neck, n = 6 (13%, all in regimen A). Distant metastasis occurred in 12 patients (10 [22%] in regimen A and 2 [5%] in regimen B).Conclusions: This study suggests treatment of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (resectable for cure) with preoperative chemotherapy (regimen B); resection of original tumor volume, regardless of response to chemotherapy; and selective (rather than routine) postoperative radiotherapy results in improved survival. More controlled studies are recommended.