Panendoscopy and synchronous second primary tumors in head and neck cancer patients

Endoscopy techniques are used to diagnose and to determine the extent and exact location of malignancies in the head and neck region, bronchial tree and esophagus. Panendoscopy is used to find the primary tumor in the case of metastatic disease from unknown primaries or to detect a simultaneous second primary tumor at the time of diagnosis of a malignancy in the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). The value of panendoscopy has been debated lately because of the relatively small proportion of malignant findings and because of the lack of convincing data concerning its effect on survival rates. However, despite the relatively low proportion of positive findings, their significance is often crucial for the individual patient. The significant number of late metachronous, second primaries, especially in the lungs, also emphasizes the importance of follow-up endoscopies. This study consists of 203 consecutive patients with squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract who underwent panendoscopy in Turku University Central Hospital as part of the initial diagnostic workup from 1992–1999. Eight patients with synchronous second primaries were found to represent a prevalence of 3.9%, and in addition, 19 patients with metachronous tumors were diagnosed. In the case reports we illustrate the importance of some of these findings.     

Second primary tumors in head and neck cancer

IntroductionThe development of second primary tumors (SPT) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has become an increasingly important factor in clinical treatment decisions.PurposeTo define favourable clinical characteristics for overall survival, in patients with SP head and neck cancer.Material and methodRecords of 633 patients with SCC treated from 1984 to 2004 were reviewed to describe clinical characteristics of the SPT.ResultsThe overall incidence of SPT was 11%. The incidence of the index tumors was as follows: supraglottic cancer 21% and oral cancer 16%. The most common SPT occurred in head and neck area in 47%, lung in 32% and esophagus in 11%. Second primary was associated with a poor 5 years survival in patients with HN-SCC (23 versus 53% in control group).ConclusionBecause of the high rate of second primary tumors, protocols including chemoprophylaxis should be investigated. Prevention and early detection are indicated.     

Metastases from distant primary tumors to the head and neck

The authors present 12 patients with metastases to the head and neck from neoplasm located in distant places treated from 1980 to 2002. Most of the metastatic tumors were located in neck lymph nodes--7 cases, the others were located in neck lymph nodes and cerebellum (1), in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and brain (1), in the maxilla and zygomatic bone (1) in the frontal bone (1) and in the orbit (1). In 8 cases metastatic tumor was the first symptom of neoplastic disease. The others--4 cases--were found 1 to 12 years after diagnosis of neoplastic disease. Primary tumors were located in lungs, kidneys and breast.     

同期双侧颈清扫在头颈部恶性肿瘤治疗中的应用

目的:探讨头颈部恶性肿瘤行原发灶切除加同期双侧颈清扫的安全性、适应证及手术难点.方法:回顾分析1998-01-2007-12间134例行肿瘤原发灶切除加双侧颈清扫术头颈部恶性肿瘤患者的临床资料,同期双侧颈清扫术方式分为:一侧根治性颈清扫加一侧功能性颈清扫(29例),一侧根治性颈清扫加一侧侧颈清扫(34例),双侧功能性颈清扫(14例),一侧功能性颈清扫例加一侧侧颈清扫(48例), 双侧颈侧清扫6例.结果:134例患者无一例手术死亡,并发症为创口出血3例,乳糜漏4例,咽瘘8例,咽瘘伴颈部清扫区感染1例,消化道应激性溃疡5例,其中1例抢救无效死亡,脑梗塞1例.结论:头颈部恶性肿瘤行同期双侧颈清扫是安全的,但要选择适当的清扫方式,以降低颈部淋巴结转移,减轻患者痛苦.     

Transoral treatment strategies in head and neck tumors

The introduction of transoral endoscopic surgery resulted in a significant reduction of surgical trauma and a paradigm change from transcervical to transoral surgical treatment in head and neck tumors. In selected cases minimally invasive transoral resections allow a reduction of morbidity without deteriorating oncological results. Thus, transoral surgical techniques gained more acceptance, led to an extension of the indications and technologies as well as an improvement of surgical instruments.Depending on the anatomical localization transoral treatment strategies and their indications are described and relevant literature is discussed according to new developments and results.     

Impact of second primary tumors on survival in head and neck cancer: an analysis of 2,063 cases

Objective/Hypothesis: To investigate the impact of second primary tumors on prognosis for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Study Design: Prospectively recorded data on HNSCC patients treated at an academic tertiary referral center. Methods: An analysis of 2,063 patients treated over a 15 year period for tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract, with a minimum follow‐up of 10 years. Results: A total of 351 (17%) patients developed a second primary, mean time to diagnosis of the second tumor being more than 4 years from the date of the initial tumor. Median overall survival from the date of the first tumor among patients who later developed a second primary was 6 years versus 3 years among all other patients (P < .05). During the first 6 years after treatment of the initial tumor, cancer specific survival was better in the second primary group. After diagnosis of a second primary tumor, median survival was 12 months. A positive correlation was found between second primaries and stage I/II primary disease, low patient age, and initial tumors of the larynx and oral cavity. Conclusions: The group of patients with the highest risk of a second primary tumor was younger patients with limited initial tumors. A high proportion of patients who later developed a second primary were complete responders after treatment of the first tumor. However, prognosis was poor after the actual diagnosis of the second primary tumor.     

Second primary tumors in patients with carcinoma of the head and neck

With improved loco-regional control of cancer of the head and neck, second primary tumors (SPT) have an increasingly negative impact on survival. The appearance of SPT depends on the location and extension of the primary and is associated with lower survival. SPT were studied in a series of 1493 previously untreated patients with carcinoma of the head and neck and a minimum follow-up of 2 years. SPT occurred in 6.3% (96/1493). SPT were associated with the following primary tumor sites: 10.8% (57/727) larynx, 4% (6/153) hypopharynx, 4% (16/404) oral cavity, and 4% (6/153) oropharynx. Forty-three percent (42.7%) of SPT were carcinomas of the head and neck, 27% bronchogenic carcinomas, and 17.7% esophageal carcinomas. Survival at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years of patients diagnosed as SPT was 62%, 43%, 21%, and 16%, respectively.     

Survival in second primary malignancies of patients with head and neck cancer

Second primary tumours occur frequently in patients with a history of head and neck malignancies. Delays in making an early and correct diagnosis can seriously affect the therapy management and survival. This was a retrospective study of 120 patients with a history of head and neck cancer, presenting with a second primary tumour. Current follow-up strategies and the use of routine sonographic imaging of the head and neck regions were evaluated, and the impact that tumour chronology, the tumour site and the various treatment modalities have on the survival were assessed. Forty-two per cent of patients developed a metachronous second malignancy more than five years after diagnosis of the index tumour. The accuracy of colour-duplex sonography in detection of second primaries in the head and neck was 82.3 per cent. First and second primary tumours located in the larynx were observed to have the highest five-year survival rate. Patients who developed metachronous tumours had a five-year survival rate of 68.9 per cent for the index tumours, and a 26 per cent five-year survival rate with the occurrence of a second neoplasm. With synchronous tumours a mean survival time of 18 months and a five-year survival rate of 11.9 per cent was found (p < 0.0001). Where clinically appropriate an aggressive treatment strategy was employed and yielded the most favourable results with a five-year survival rate of 66.8 per cent and 35.9 per cent for index tumours and second primary malignancies, respectively. Since more than 40 per cent of the metachronous second primaries in patients with a history of head and neck malignancy occur beyond the five-year follow-up period, an extended protocol with individually adjusted close monitoring of high-risk patients seems appropriate. Colour-duplex sonography is a valuable screening investigation for the early detection of second primary tumours. The treatment of a second primary is often less successful than for the same malignancy occurring primarily. The prognosis of synchronous tumours is significantly lower when compared to malignancies of a metachronous nature, despite some encouraging individual results. Only the early implementation of aggressive treatment methods for second primaries is successful in terms of survival.     

Radiotherapy for unusual tumors of the head and neck

The role of radiotherapy is discussed relative to the management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, glomus tumors of the middle ear region, ameloblastoma, extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck, and soft tissue and bone sarcoma. Moderate doses of carefully applied irradiation are effective and can be safely utilized for these conditions.     

Desmoid tumors of the head and neck

Desmoid tumors of the head and neck, also known as aggressive fibromatoses, are rare. They are soft tissue neoplasms arising from musculoaponeurotic structures and characterized of locally aggressive infiltration and recurrences. Complete surgical excision of desmoid tumors is considered to be the only effective method of cure. It is likewise important to make a function-preserving surgery. In addition to the radicality this aspect should be a primary goal to minimize morbidity. MRI is the first choice in the preoperative evaluation of neck desmoids. We describe the successful treatment of desmoid tumors in two cases (M. sternocleidomastoideus, M. levator scapulae). Intraoperative neuromonitoring was very helpful for identification and protection of the motor nerves.     

Functional results succeeding primary combined external radiotherapy and brachytherapy for head and neck tumors

BACKGROUND: Histologically proven radical resections often lead to severe functional problems especially in upper aero-digestive-tract tumors. Oncologically the combination of external radiotherapy and brachytherapy offers an alternative treatment option. The functional results and the complication rate in stage III and IV tumors of the oral tongue, floor of mouth and oropharynx are described in a patients series. METHOD: The follow-up includes 17 consecutive patients who were primarily treated by a combination of external radiotherapy and brachytherapy between 1997 and 2000. The oncological benefit (complete remission, disease-free survival), the functional results (mastication, swallowing, speech and pain) and the complications were reviewed. RESULTS: After the follow-up period 16/17 patients were alive. There were 3 major complications, one of them lethal. The functional results resembled those after surgical resections. CONCLUSIONS: A combined radiotherapy is a feasible method of treating patients who refrain from surgery. Moreover the application ranges from inoperability to postoperative radiotherapy in cases with close or positive margins. In connection with neck-dissections and therapy of recurrent cancer major complications may occur. In contrast to the general opinion radiation therapy was not superior to surgical resection concerning functional sequelae.