Growth Patterns of Piriform Sinus Carcinomas

Advances in functional surgery have encouraged many head and neck surgeons to treat piriform sinus carcinomas, whenever possible, by conservation surgery. An increased understanding of the histopathologic growth pattern and spread of piriform sinus carcinomas is needed to define criteria for appropriate application of voice preservation surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the patterns of tumor spread to laryngeal and parapharyngeal structures. A total of 42 specimens obtained by laryngopharyngectomy were subjected to a whole-organ section study. Carcinomas confined to the lateral wall tended to extend laterally beyond the thyroid ala and rarely infiltrated the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. As a result, conservation surgery could be possible in many cases, including T4 carcinomas. Carcinomas confined to the medial wall or occupying the whole piriform sinus tended to infiltrate laryngeal structures early, and hemilaryngeal fixation was observed in 61% of these cases; tumor spread to the contralateral side in 64%. The hemilarynx fixation was due to an invasion of intrinsic laryngeal muscles. An isolated perineural or cricoarytenoid joint involvement was never observed. For these tumors, conservation surgery would be inadequate in most cases, as they often present extensive laryngeal involvement with spread to the contralateral side.     

Systematics in lymphatic tumor spread of carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract – a clinical study based on embryologic data

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and pattern of cervical lymph node (LN) metastases in carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract in relation to primary tumor (PT) invasion of the equivalents of pharyngeal arches (PhA) and occipital and cervical somites (OCS) in adults. Methods: The pretherapeutic computed tomography scans and clinical findings in 729 patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract (112 nasopharyngeal, 289 oropharyngeal, 252 laryngo-hypopharyngeal, and 76 oral cavity carcinomas, with LN involvement in 70% of the total) were analyzed in relation to PT invasion of equivalents of PhA and OCS. Tumors were recorded according to the infiltration of these equivalents. The metastatic involvement of the different cervical LN groups was analyzed and correlated to the pattern of PT invasion of equivalents of PhA and OCS by the chi-square test. Results: The findings show that the pattern of cervical LN involvement depends on the location and extension of the PT and its invasion of equivalents of the PhA and OCS. Jugular LN metastases were found in tumors invading the equivalents of PhA 2–6. Submandibular LN metastases were evident in tumors invading tissues arising from the first PhA and the tongue. Retropharyngeal, spinal accessory and transversa colli LN metastases were found in tumors invading tissues arising from OCS. The frequency of LN metastases in the different LN chains decreased in the cranio-caudal direction. Each neck hemisphere showed separate lymphatic drainage. Conclusions: Analysis of PT extension in relation to PhA and OCS equivalents allows patterns of LN involvement to be predicted. Received: 2 May 2000 / Accepted: 10 August 2000     

An orthotopic floor-of-mouth cancer model allows quantification of tumor invasion

Objectives: To establish an orthotopic murine floor-of-mouth cancer model for the analysis of the role of proteases such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and the matrix metalloprotease MMP-9 (MMP-9) in in vivo invasion. Study Design: Randomized, prospective animal study. Methods: Two human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, UM-SCC-1 and 022, were assayed via zymography for their in vitro secretion levels of u-PA and MMP-9. Both cell lines (5 × 10 ⁶ cells) were injected into the cervical subcutaneous tissues of female athymic nude (nu/nu) mice superficial to the mylohyoid muscle. Mice were sacrificed after 30 days, and tumor invasion characteristics were histologically compared. Additional mice were then inoculated with invasive UM-SCC-1 cells and sacrificed 10, 30, and 40 days after inoculation to identify distinct stages of invasion. Results: In vitro secretion levels of MMP-9 and activity of u-PA were higher in UM-SCC-1 cells than in 022 cells. In the in vivo studies, tumors formed from 022 cells were found to be noninvasive, whereas tumors derived from UM-SCC-1 cells progressed through distinct and readily identifiable histologic stages of invasion. These stages included invasion of adjacent muscle layers (mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and genioglossus muscles) and of associated structures (blood vessels, bone, nerve, and regional lymph nodes). A staging system was devised accordingly. Conclusion: We developed an in vivo quantitative cancer invasion model that allows determination of the effect of the expression and activity levels of the proteases MMP-9 and u-PA. Tumor invasion occurred in an orderly and stepwise fashion involving muscles and related vascular, nervous, and bony structures of the floor of the mouth and tongue. This orderly invasion allowed the development of a staging system. We anticipate that this model will have wide applicability in the study of in vivo tumor response to a variety of novel therapeutic approaches. Laryngoscope, 108:1686–1691, 1998     

Satellite tumors surrounding primary pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland

The occasional local recurrence of benign pleomorphic adenoma (PA) has generally been attributed to the vulnerability of the tumor capsule. Although some reports have also noted the presence of satellite tumors associated with PA recurrence, only few reports have focused on this issue. We paid special attention to the satellite lesions apart from the main tumors and discussed their frequency, origin, nature and the ways of treating them. A total of 108 specimens of primary parotid gland PA resected at the Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital from 1988 to 2008 were microscopically reviewed. Four (3.7%) patients displayed a main mass with satellite tumors in a single parotid gland. The immunohistochemical analysis of p53 and Ki-67 index showed no distinct difference between PAs with satellite tumors and those without. Satellite tumors surrounding the main mass of parotid PA is relatively rare. In most cases, such satellite tumors will arise from capsular perforation of the primary tumor cells. Preoperative evaluation to recognize the existence of satellite tumors would be important and capsular dissection should be discouraged. We could not find any evidence suggesting that primary PA with satellite tumors could be more biologically aggressive than those without.     

Combined preoperative radiotherapy and surgery in the treatment of carcinoma of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue

Sixty-three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue were treated with preoperative external radiotherapy (mean target dose 42.60 Gray or 4260 rad) and surgery. The expected 5-year survival, expressed as life table estimate of percent of survivors, was 77% for patients with Stage I tumors, 69% with Stage II, and 13% for patients with tumors in Stages III-IV (p < 0.001). Fourteen patients experienced local recurrences, 7 had homolateral neck metastases, 4 had contralateral neck metastases and 3 had distant metastases. In 15 cases no cancer could be detected at review of the surgical specimens, but 2 of these died of their cancers. In 43 cases cancer was present in the specimens, and 26 of these died of their cancer (p < 0.01).     

Minor salivary gland tumors of the palate: Clinical and pathologic correlates of outcome

Minor salivary gland tumors of the palate are rare and may pose a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for the head and neck surgeon. The authors reviewed their 46 years of experience with minor salivary gland tumors of the palate to determine the factors that influence outcome and their implications for treatment. Malignant tumors were seen in 116 patients (78%) and benign tumors were found in 33 patients (22%). Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor, occurring in 43 patients, and pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor, occurring in 30 patients. Univariate analysis on the malignant lesions showed that grade 3 tumor histology (P<.001), tumor size greater than 3 cm (P<.001), perineural invasion (P=.031), bone invasion (P=.012), positive surgical margins (P<.001), and positive initial but negative final margins (P=.004) were all associated with decreased survival. With multivariate analysis, tumor size, margin status, and grade were shown to be independently associated with decreased survival (P<.05). The recurrence rate at the primary site was significantly higher for adenoid cystic carcinoma than for other histologies (P=.0059). The 2-, 5-, and 10-year disease-specific survival rates for patients with malignant disease were 96%, 87%, and 80%, respectively. Wide surgical excision with adequate margins is essential for a favorable outcome in patients with malignant minor salivary gland tumors. Postoperative radiotherapy is reserved for patients with grade 3 tumor histology, large primary lesions, perineural invasion, bone invasion, cervical lymph node metastasis, and positive margins, although a clear-cut survival advantage has not been proven. Recurrence, especially regional and distant metastasis, portends an extremely poor prognosis. Laryngoscope, 105:1155-1160, 1995     

Distant metastases from salivary glands cancer.

Patients who present with malignant salivary glands should at their initial assessment have an X-ray of the chest to exclude the possibility of distant metastases. Patients who have other symptoms, bone pain etc., should be appropriately investigated. The likelihood of patients developing distant metastases is associated with high-grade tumors, most commonly adenoid cystic carcinoma, high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, salivary duct carcinoma and tumors sited in the submandibular gland, posterior tongue and pharyngeal tumors. Patients who have had a high-grade tumor treated and survived without locoregional recurrence have the same risk of developing distant metastases as those patients who have locoregional recurrence. Other histological types of salivary tumors are associated with a lower risk of developing distant metastases but a real risk remains lifelong. It is recommended that all patients who have a malignant salivary gland tumor treated, any histology, should be followed up and clinically assessed at least once every 12 months for life.     

Regional behavioral variations of epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck: a study in an animal model

Regional behavioral differences have been observed clinically in epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck. An animal model was developed for study, using homograft, transplanted epidermoid carcinoma in Fisher rats. Histopathologic review of tumors of the palate, base of tongue and larynx shows cartilage, arterial wall, surface epithelium and dense connective tissue containing elastic fibers to be relatively resistant to tumor invasion. Muscle, bone, vein and loose connective tissues were easily invaded. This correlates well with the known biochemical and immunological events in tumor invasion and host-tumor interactions. Regional metastasis occurred in two animals with base of tongue tumors. No distant metastases were found.     

Successful transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery for leiomyoma in the base of the tongue

Leiomyomas are benign tumors with smooth muscle differentiation that occur most frequently in the uterine myometrium. They are uncommon in the head and neck region. We report a rare case of tongue base leiomyoma successfully resected with transoral endoscopic surgery.A 14-year-old male was found to have a tongue base tumor. The tumor located in the right tongue base. It had a smooth surface and no deep invasion. The tumor was resected with transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery. There were no serious adverse events requiring further intervention. Histologically, the tumor was composed of densely cellular fascicles of spindle-shaped cells with smooth muscle differentiation with diffuse and intense reactivity for α-smooth muscle actin, desmin, calponin, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase on immunohistochemistry. After careful consideration of the differential diagnosis, the tumor was diagnosed a smooth muscle tumor, mostly consistent with leiomyoma.This is the first report of leiomyoma arising from the tongue base that was completely resected by transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery without adverse events. For tongue base tumors, endoscopic transoral surgery can be considered as an option for complete resection without impairment of postoperative function.     

Incidence and clinical relevance of herniation of the mylohyoid muscle with penetration of the sublingual gland

Swelling of the submandibular region may cause problems in daily clinical diagnosis and requires further exploration. Ultrasonic examination provides a simple, non-invasive and radiation-free method. The goal of our study was to show the high incidence of herniation of the mylohyoid muscle with penetration of the sublingual glands, in some cases clinically imposing as permanent swelling. Penetration was classified into four grades (Grade 0-III). In course of routine examinations of the neck by ultrasound, the anterior part of the mylohyoid muscle was observed in 124 consecutive patients from our outpatient's clinic, presenting with unclear swelling of the neck, mostly due to lymph nodes. In resting position and during swallowing the degree of penetration of the sublingual gland through the mylohyoid muscle was staged. Almost 60% of patients showed an affection of the mylohyoid muscle at either site of varying degrees. In 40% only a thinning of the muscle could be noticed (grade I), whereas in 21 patients (17%) a significant herniation of the gland during swallowing could be observed (grade II). In two patients (2%) a constant breach of the mylohyoid muscle with permanent herniation of the gland imposing as swelling could be seen (grade III). Occasional or permanent penetration of the sublingual gland through the mylohyoid muscle is not a rare finding and can be found in almost every fifth individual using ultrasound. This may impose clinically as permanent swelling and may be of value in the differential diagnosis of swelling in the submandibular region.     

Surgical anatomy of the floor of the oral cavity and the cervical spaces as a rationale for trans-oral, minimal-invasive endoscopic surgical procedures: results of anatomical studies

Over the past 10 years, several minimally invasive procedures for thyroid surgery have been developed. Because of extensive dissection in the thoracic and neck region, the name “minimal-invasive” is misleading. The aim of this study was to define a new trans-oral access to the cervical spaces especially to the thyroid on the basis of natural orifice surgery. Three embalmed human specimens were dissected for complete review of the anatomical situation in the cervical region. In additional five fresh frozen human specimens after an experimental trans-oral endoscopic minimally invasive thyroidectomy the anatomical structures of the floor of the oral cavity as well as the anterior neck region were evaluated. It was possible to create a working space under the platysma muscle with respect to the surgical planes of the neck and fascial layers. Within this area, the pretracheal region can be reached and the thyroid gland can be visualized and resected. To access the working space, a trocar for endoscopic view is placed medially in the floor of the oral cavity sublingually. The trocar passes the muscles of the floor of the oral cavity easily without relation to relevant anatomical structures. A first exclusively sublingual approach had to be abandoned because triangulation of the instruments could not be reached. Therefore, the approach was modified by positioning the working trocars in the oral vestibule bilaterally. By this way, a road map for accessing all anterior cervical regions directly under the platysma muscle could be established and anatomical landmarks and areas of possible collateral damage could have been defined. This combined sublingual and bi-vestibular trans-oral endoscopic approach enables an easy access to all structures and spaces of the anterior neck region with respect to anatomical preformed layers neck, even to the thyroid as one of the more distant structures.     

Basal cell adenoma of the sublingual gland

Salivary gland tumors constitute about 3% to 4% of all head and neck neoplasms. Approximately 80% originate in the parotid gland, and they rarely present in the sublingual gland; however, a disproportionately large majority of sublingual gland tumors are malignant. Basal cell adenoma is a benign epithelial salivary gland tumor that appears to have unique histologic characteristics, different from those of mixed tumors, and has a predilection for development in the parotid and minor salivary glands. No case has ever been reported as arising from the sublingual gland in the otolaryngology literature. We report here a case of a middle-aged woman with basal cell adenoma of the sublingual gland. The clinical presentation, pathological features, differential diagnosis, and treatment options for this relatively rare tumor are discussed.     

Occult primary tumors. The management of isolated submandibular lymph node metastases

The management of patients with cervical metastases from unknown primary tumors presents a therapeutic challenge to both the head and neck surgeon and radiotherapist. If after careful search the primary tumor remains truly occult, traditional methods of radiotherapy encompassing fields from the base of skull to clavicles are often employed, with significant attendant morbidity. To determine if more limited therapy would be effective in cases of isolated regional lymph node metastases, the patterns of tumor spread to nodes in the submandibular region were studied. A retrospective analysis of 472 radical neck specimens obtained from 1975 to 1985 revealed 19 cases (4.0%) of cervical metastases limited to the submandibular triangle. Sources of these tumors included lip (3), buccal mucosa (4), nasal vestibule (1), floor of mouth (4), alveolar ridge (3), oral tongue (1), and unknown (3). It appears that solitary submandibular nodal metastases predominantly arise from sites in the oral or nasal cavity. This suggests that in patients with isolated submandibular lymph node metastases from occult primary sites, a more conservative therapeutic approach to potential primary sites is indicated after treatment of the metastatic focus.     

Salivary duct carcinoma of the sublingual gland--a case report

RATIONALE: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common neoplasm of major and minor salivary gland origin, followed by infectious reasons and sialolithiasis. Less common are adenocarcinomas presented. The salivary duct carcinoma represents a rare variant of the group of adenocarcinomas originated from the salivary glands, especially extremely rare from minor salivary gland origin. CASE REPORT: We report about a 52 year old male patient presenting with painless, non-ulcerating tumor at the floor of the mouth. Since 2 weeks ingestion was painful. Further ENT-investigations including endoscopy and scans (MRT, ultrasound) showed no pathology. In particular, growth of cervical lymph nodes and distant metastases were not revealed. A biopsy showed a rare salivary duct carcinoma of comedo-type originated from the left sublingual salivary gland. The patient underwent an operation: the tumor was extirpated in toto, and, as the pathohistological investigation confirmed, in sano. Additionally a neck dissection at the left side was performed, followed by the radiation of the tumor region and the lymphatic neck regions, after sufficient reconvalescence. The tumor-classification was pT3, pN0. Since 3 years no recurrence of the tumor was confirmed. DISCUSSION: Salivary duct carcinoma is a rare, high-grade malignant epithelial neoplasm, which occurs almost exclusively in the parotid. As presented, it can also occur in minor salivary glands. Histologically it is composed of structures that resemble expanded salivary glands. Comedonecrosis of these structures is a frequent feature. There is some histologic similarity to intraductal carcinoma of the breast. Differential diagnosis comprises adenoid cystic carcinoma, metastases of other adenocarcinomas, such as the carcinoma of the thyroid gland and the comedocarcinoma of the breast. Because of its poor prognosis a rapid and radical therapy is recommended. CONCLUSION: A rare case of a salivary duct carcinoma of sublingual salivary gland origin is presented. Usually the prognosis is poor. The adequate therapy is the complete surgical extirpation including the surgery of the regional lymphatic nodes and the additional radiotherapy.     

涎腺淋巴上皮病诊断和治疗

目的探讨涎腺淋巴上皮病的诊断和治疗方法。方法回顾收治的16例涎腺淋巴上皮病患者资料,分析发病特点、临床表现、常规体检和影像检查,所有病例均行手术治疗,发生于腮腺者行腮腺浅叶及肿瘤切除5例,肿瘤加腮腺浅叶深叶部分切除4例。发生于颌下腺和舌下腺者均行全部腺体切除。结果均以腺体肿大或腺体内发现肿瘤为主要症状。术前误诊为混合瘤者12例（75％）。术后病理诊断良性淋巴上皮病14例,淋巴上皮癌2例。所有病例均行手术治疗,2例淋巴上皮癌术后行补充放射治疗。术后随访6个月～15年,无1例复发。结论涎腺淋巴上皮病缺乏临床特征性表现,容易误诊。手术治疗是本病主要治疗方法。     

An unusual metastatic site of tongue carcinoma: shoulder muscles

The incidence of skeletal muscle metastases is reported to be less than 1% of metastases of haematogenous origin. Distant skeletal muscle metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are exceedingly rare. Only a case with tongue carcinoma metastasized to paravertebral muscles, has been reported so far. The reasons for the rarity of metastatic involvement of skeletal muscle are still unclear. The presence of skeletal muscle metastases in the setting of disseminated disease offers no hope for curative treatment. We report an unusual case of a 63-year-old patient with tongue carcinoma metastasizing to the left shoulder muscles. To our knowledge, this is the first such case to be reported in the English medical literature.     

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the major and minor salivary glands. Retrospective analysis of 74 patients]

PURPOSE: In this study we give a clinical review of our experience with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and compare our results with those reported in the literature. PATIENTS: Between 1981 and 2000, 74 patients with ACC of the head and neck were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School. RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis was 58 years. There were 38 men and 36 women. The primary site was the parotid gland in 4 cases, the submandibular and sublingual gland in 21 cases, the lacrimal gland in 1 case, the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity and oropharynx in 44 cases, and the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus in 4 cases. There were 19 T1, 15 T2, 9 T3, and 31 T4 tumors with perineural invasion of 32 tumors. R0 resection was performed in 45 cases. Fourteen patients received postoperative radiation. There were only five N1 and two N2b necks. All patients were staged M0 at presentation. Local control rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 64%, 56%, and 52% with a mean local control time of 11.1 years. Tumor size ( p< or =0.001), margin status ( p< or =0.001), and perineural invasion ( p相似文献   

The incidence of thyroid gland invasion in advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

IntroductionInvasion of the thyroid gland is not a general feature of advanced laryngeal carcinoma. There is no need for performing thyroidectomy in all total laryngectomy cases.ObjectivesTo evaluate the frequency of the thyroid gland invasion in patients with advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma submitted to total laryngectomy and thyroidectomy and to determine whether clinical and pathological characteristics of laryngeal carcinoma can predict glandular involvement.MethodsA retrospective case series with chart review, from March 2009 to January 2018, was undertaken in the the Princess Norah Oncology Center, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah/KSA. An inception cohort of 56 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma was considered. Nine cases were excluded. All patients had advanced stage cancer of the larynx (clinically T3‒T4) and underwent total laryngectomy in association with thyroidectomy. Total thyroidectomy was performed in all bilateral lesions or if there was suspicion of contralateral lobe involvement. Hemithyroidectomy was performed in all lateralized lesions. Retrospective histopathologic analysis of thyroid specimens was subsequently performed. The frequency of thyroid gland invasion was calculated and analysis of demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics associated with thyroid gland invasion was performed.ResultsIn all, 47 patients underwent total laryngectomy (40 treated with primary laryngectomy and seven treated with salvage laryngectomy following radiation failure or chemoradiation failure). Hemithyroidectomy was performed in 42 patients and the total thyroidectomy was performed in five patients. The overall frequency of invasion of the thyroid gland was 4.3%. Glandular involvement was seen in one advanced transglottic squamous cell carcinoma and one subglottic. In spite of thyroid cartilage invasion in 25.5% of cases detected in the preoperative radiological imaging, only one case demonstrated microscopic thyroid gland invasion.ConclusionsThyroidectomy may only be required during total laryngectomy for selected cases of advanced transglottic tumors and tumors with subglottic extension more than 10 mm.     

Superficial extending carcinoma of the hypopharynx: Report of 26 cases of an underestimated carcinoma

Advanced ulcerating and infiltrating tumors are commonly found in the hypopharynx, whereas early well-defined lesions are rarely diagnosed. The pathologic reports of 242 uniformly studied surgical specimens after total pharyngolaryngectomy for cancer of the hypo-pharynx were reviewed. The histologic analysis of 26 cancers (10.7%), which were recorded as having an entire or predominant superficial type of spreading, demonstrated that also in the hypopharynx a “superficial extending carcinoma” (SEC) may occur. SEC of hypopharynx was pathologically defined as a poorly or moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, generally located in the pyriform sinus, which spreads superficially. It was limited to the mucosa (2.9%), but more frequently early infiltrated the underlying muscle or gland structures (6.2%), regardless of the presence of lymph node metastases or lymph vessels invasion. Although the concept that SEC of the hypopharynx may be an expression of a generalized disease of the mucosa must be carefully considered in surgical management, it appeared that this carcinoma in its “pure” intramucosal form may be associated with a good prognosis and a long survival.