Dysphagia after sequential chemoradiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVES: Assess impact of sequential chemoradiation therapy (SCRT) for advanced head and neck cancer (HNCA) on swallowing, nutrition, and quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 59 patients undergoing SCRT for advanced head and neck cancer. Follow-up median was 47.5 months. SETTING: Regional Cancer Center. RESULTS: Median time to gastrostomy tube removal was 21 weeks. Eighteen of 23 patients who underwent modified barium swallow demonstrated aspiration; none developed pneumonia. Six of 7 with pharyngoesophageal stricture underwent successful dilatation. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck Scale questionnaires at median 6 months after treatment revealed "somewhat" satisfaction with swallowing. At the time of analysis, 97% have the gastronomy tube removed and take soft/regular diet. CONCLUSION: Early after treatment dysphagia adversely affected weight, modified barium swallow results, and quality of life. Diligent swallow therapy, and dilation as needed, allowed nearly all patients to have their gastronomy tubes removed and return to a soft/regular diet. SIGNIFICANCE: Dysphagia is significant after SCRT but generally slowly recovers 6 to 12 months after SCRT. EBM RATING: C-4.     

Factors predictive of complete resection of operable esophageal cancer: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy remains a standard treatment for patients with resectable esophageal cancer, but the 5-year survival is only 20% to 25%. After complete resection survival is significantly longer than after incomplete resection with microscopic or macroscopic penetration. The purpose of this study was to prospectively identify the factors predictive of complete resection of operable esophageal cancers. METHODS: Betwen January 1995 and January 2002, 372 patients with esophageal cancer underwent surgery with curative intent. Complete resection was performed in 304 patients (81.7%), incomplete resection with microscopic penetration in 28 (7.5%), and incomplete resection with macroscopic penetration in 40 (10.8%). Univariate and multivariate analysis included 16 preoperative and operative factors. RESULTS: Factors predictive of complete resection were absence of any modification of the esophageal axis on the barium swallow (p = 0.019) and a partial or complete response to preoperative radiochemotherapy (p = 0.042). Three groups of patients were identified: group 1 had no deviation of the axis on the barium swallow (n = 253); group 2 had deviation of the axis on the barium swallow and partial or complete response to radiochemotherapy (n = 66); and group 3 had deviation of the axis on the barium swallow and no response to radiochemotherapy or no preoperative treatment (n = 53). Rates of complete resection were 90.1%, 74.2%, and 50.9%, and 5-year actuarial survivals were 46%, 37%, and 0%, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection of esophageal cancer is predictable. Deviation axis on the barium swallow and morphologic response to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy are variables available for all patients at onset of therapeutic management.     

Totale Thyreoidektomie mit Lymphknotendissektion des zentralen Kompartments beim nodal-positiven,organkapselinvasiven papillären Schilddrüsenkarzinom

The aim of radical oncological surgery for nodal metastasized papillary thyroid cancer is, as for other oncological interventions in visceral surgery, the anatomy-related implementation of the concept of en bloc (no touch) resection of the organ bearing the primary tumor together with the first lymph node station, while the structures of the aerodigestive tract, the recurrent laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands are preserved. The surgical technique is demonstrated in detail with the help of a video of the operation and which is available on-line, the advantages and disadvantages of the technique are discussed.     

Surgical treatment of invasion of the upper aerodigestive tract by well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Forty-eight patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma invading upper aerodigestive tract structures have been described. Age at diagnosis was found to be a negative prognostic factor, and duration of disease before invasion was found to be a positive prognostic factor. Treatment with radical surgery and adjuvant therapy provided no improvement in survival over treatment with near-total (skeletonizing) excisions combined with adjuvant therapy. All patients treated with partial debulking procedures, with or without tracheotomy, died from disease. We believe that partial resection of upper aerodigestive tract structures without sacrifice of voice, normal breathing, or swallowing should be considered in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.     

Videoendoscopic evaluation of patients with dysphagia: an adjunct to the modified barium swallow

The modified barium swallow is currently the most comprehensive, widely available, and easily interpreted technique for the evaluation of patients with dysphagia by the head and neck surgeon. However, it requires the facilities, personnel, and use of a radiology suite, a trained speech pathologist, and exposure of the patient to radiation. It would therefore be helpful to have an adjunctive, physician based, nonradiographic method of examination that could provide information similar to and possibly even more complete than that supplied by the modified barium swallow. Such an adjunctive method could help otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons confronted by a new patient with swallowing difficulties to orient themselves to the nature and severity of the problem while waiting for the modified barium swallow to be scheduled, performed, and reviewed. It could also be a helpful tool for management of patients with cancer of the head and neck, whose swallowing function may change rapidly in the early postoperative period. In such cases, intervals between modified barium swallow examinations (dictated by concern over radiation exposure) may be too far apart to allow up-to-the-minute decisions on case management. Finally, some patients who may be too ill to travel to the radiology suite might benefit from a bedside procedure that would yield information about swallowing function similar to that provided by the modified barium swallow. Videoendoscopic evaluation of dysphagia (VEED) is a protocol I developed and have used regularly since 1984. Experience with this method of dysphagia evaluation has shown that it answers the needs outlined above. Its usefulness also goes beyond that of the modified barium swallow by providing a more detailed understanding of the component anatomic and functional deficits that comprise a given patient's swallowing problem, information about upper aerodigestive tract sensory deficits, and a means for visual feedback training of pharyngeal and laryngeal musculature. The protocol is reviewed here. Case reports illustrating the clinical usefulness of VEED as an adjunct to the modified barium swallow are also presented, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of VEED and the modified barium swallow are compared.     

Recurrent acute thyroid swellings because of pyriform sinus fistula

Anterior neck abscesses are not rare; but their origin from within the usually infection-resistant thyroid gland is not thought of in the first instance. We encountered 3 patients with differing presentations (tender nodule over anterior neck, recurrent abscess overlying the thyroid gland, and nonhealing fistula with inflammation of the anterior neck). These were caused by persistent embryological communication from the pyriform sinus to the thyroid gland to the left lobe. Excluding the first patient in whom an abnormal communication with oropharynx was suspected when actinomyces was detected in the aspiration cytology of a thyroid nodule, the other 2 patients underwent drainage as for any neck abscess. Fistulous communication was confirmed on barium swallow (in 2 patients) or computed tomographic scan (in 1 patient). En bloc excision of the affected thyroid along with the fistulous tract was performed in all patients. Long-term follow-up confirmed a cure.     

Fourth branchial pouch sinus: from diagnosis to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Fourth branchial pouch sinus (FBPS) is rare and frequently unknown to clinicians. Misdiagnosis is common and definitive surgery is often made difficult by previous episodes of infection and failed attempts at excision. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the diagnostic criteria and the methods used for the surgical management of FBPS. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From a series of 265 head and neck cysts and fistulae, 7 cases of FBPS were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical technique is detailed. RESULTS: Six cases were located on the left side and one on the right. CT scanning showed an air-filled structure on both sides of the lesser horn of the thyroid cartilage in 2 cases out of 4, and barium swallow found a FBPS in 1 case out of 3. Direct pharyngoscopy allowed confirmation of the diagnosis in all cases and permitted catheterization of the tract with the spring guidewire of a vascular catheter which helped surgical location and subsequent dissection. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was systematically dissected to avoid inadvertent damage. A hemi-thyroidectomy was performed in one case. A transient laryngeal paralysis (lasting 9 months) was noted in a 3-week-old newborn operated on. None of the 7 cases had a recurrence after complete resection of the FBPS (3.7 years average follow-up). CONCLUSION: Symptoms on the right side do not exclude the diagnosis of a FBPS. Endoscopy is the key investigation. It allows confirmation of the diagnosis and catheterization of the tract, which aids the surgical dissection. Total removal of the sinus tract tissue with dissection and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is recommended. EBM rating: A-1.     

Diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. More than 90% of primary thyroid cancers are differentiated papillary or follicular types. The prognosis for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinomas is favorable. Female gender and younger age (<50 years) are good prognostic factors. The diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer is not difficult with ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology under ultrasonography, whereas that of follicular cancer is difficult, especially of minimally invasive follicular carcinoma. The diagnosis of most follicular cancer is made by pathologic diagnosis postoperatively. The primary treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma is thyroid surgery with lymph node dissection. The extent of resection of the thyroid gland depends on size the of the thyroid cancer and area of invasion. If a patient has distant metastasis, total thyroideectomy and radioactive iodine ablation therapy, followed by L-thyroxine therapy, should be offered. The extent of initial surgery, indications for radioiodine ablation therapy, and the degree of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression are all issues that are still being debated. The aim of TSH-suppressive therapy is to restore euthyroidism and to decrease serum TSH levels to reduce the growth and progression of thyroid cancer.     

Quality of life (QOL) versus curability for lung cancer surgery.

Standard operations for lung cancer patients are generally accepted as performing lobectomy or pneumonectomy on the tumor bearing lung and ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy including subcarinal lymph nodes. Recently, minimally invasive surgery or limited resection (for example, those via VATS) has ruled our time in the field of surgery considering especially from the point of QOL. There are so many factors that cause any decline to lung cancer patients' postoperative QOL, such as operative death, postoperative cancer death, postoperative complications, long-lasting discomfort symptoms and so forth. However, a surgery, even though it is big or extensive, does not always inevitably reduce QOL for patients with lung cancer. If patients received curable resection and have got cured, it seems that they would almost all be satisfied with their postoperative QOL. Namely, at present, we do not give priority to QOL but we should give priority to curability for lung cancer surgery, if the patients have no special risk factors, which eventually would bring them almost satisfactory postoperative QOL.     

Predictive values for aspiration after endoscopic laser resections of malignant tumors of the hypopharynx and larynx

BACKGROUND: CO2-laser surgery is a relatively new treatment for selected carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. The purpose of our study was to evaluate prospectively the functional results for swallowing after CO2-laser resections. METHODS: The sample was composed of 210 consecutive patients with malignancies of the larynx and hypopharynx treated with CO2 laser between February 1998 and January 2002. Endoscopic resections included all T1 and T2 tumors and selected T3 and T4 tumors. T1 glottic tumors were not included in the analysis. We assessed the need for a feeding tube and the period the tube remained in place, aspiration pneumonia, tracheotomy secondary to aspiration, the need for a permanent or temporary gastrostomy, and total laryngectomy secondary to aspiration. RESULTS: The nasogastric feeding tube was used in 23.2% of small tumors (2.5 +/- 8.04 days) and in 63% of locally advanced tumors (13.95 +/- 22.55 days). Frequency and period of storage of the feeding tube were higher in locally advanced tumors (p=.0001). Twelve patients (5.7%) had postoperative pneumonia and 59 (28.1%) had temporary postoperative cough during oral intake. Aspiration symptoms correlated with location (p=.001) and locally advanced tumors (p=.016). Eight patients (3.8%) needed a postoperative tracheotomy for severe swallowing difficulties; six (2.9%) of them were definitive and two (0.95%) temporary. Thirteen gastrostomies (6.2%) were performed to avoid severe aspirations; five of them were definitive. The need for gastrostomy correlated significantly with location (p=.002), pT3 and pT4 tumors (p=.002), age (p=.02), and postoperative radiotherapy (p=.04). No correlation was found with the period of feeding tube (p=.38), or aspiration pneumonia (p=.24). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors is associated with good recovery of deglutition. Many tracheotomies are avoided, the need for a feeding tube is usually reduced, and organ preservation is often feasible even in locally advanced tumors.     

Gastric stromal tumor. Case report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastro intestinal tract and express the c-kit proto-oncogene protein (CD-117). We report herein a case of a 58 years old male with upper abdominal pain and anaemia. Preoperative endoscopic and barium meal exams showed a submucosal tumor in the gastric fornix. Endoscopic biopsy revealed spindle-shaped cells with elongated nuclei specific of GIST. We performed a stapled resection of the gastric fornix associated with Hiss angle reconstruction. Postoperative histologic exam revealed the same spindle-shape cells characteristic of GIST with 2-5 mitosis/50HPF. Almost all of the cells showed immunoreactivity for c-kit, CD-34 and a Ki-67 labeling index of 30%. Postoperative course was non eventful and after 3 month the patient has no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: GIST are rare gastric tumors and are usually associated with bleeding and abdominal pain. The preoperative diagnosis is usually established by endoscopy with biopsy or endoscopic ultrasonography fine needle aspiration and barium meal exam. Only immunoreactivity is able to differentiate GIST from other mesenchymal tumors. Surgical resection is a safe and effective treatment. The chemotherapy with tyrosine kinases competitive inhibitors (e.g. imatinib mesylate) is also recommended.     

Use of present-day suturing instruments in gastrointestinal surgery

Since 1993, 272 patients underwent surgery on gastrointestinal tract: 92--for gastric ulcer, 79--for duodenal ulcer, 29--for cancer of the stomach, 67--for cancer of the colon, 5--for other diseases. The main operations were resection of the stomach (195), hemicolectomy (23), abdominal-anal and anterior resection of the rectum (44). In 135 patients group 1 all stages of surgery on gastrointestinal tract were performed with "Auto Suture" instruments (USA). In 137 patients group 2 anastomosis was created by two-layer nodal suture with Russian auto-suture instruments (UKL-60, UO-40) during some stages of operation. Postoperative complications occurred in 57 (20.9%) patients: 14 (5.1%) in group 1 and 43 (15.8%) in group 2. Predominant complications were suppuration of the wound (7 and 14 cases, respectively), anastomositis (2 and 10), pneumonia (8--only in group 2), bleeding in anastomotic zone (5--only in group 2). After surgery 7 (2.6%) patients died due to causes not associated with method of surgery or anastomosis creation. Advantages of modern auto-suture instruments in surgery of gastrointestinal tract are demonstrated: reduction of surgery time, simplicity and reliability of anastomosis creation, possibility of use in hard to reach abdominal parts (low anterior resection of the rectum), better postoperative period, a 3-fold decrease of postoperative complications number.     

Effects of maneuvers on swallowing function in a dysphagic oral cancer patient

This study examined the effects of three swallow maneuvers: (1) the supraglottic swallow (voluntary closure of the vocal folds prior to the swallow); (2) the super-supraglottic swallow (airway closure at the level of the arytenoid to base of epiglottis); and (3) the Mendelsohn maneuver (voluntary prolongation of laryngeal elevation and cricopharyngeal opening during swallow) on swallow functioning in a 47-year-old patient who underwent right composite resection for a squamous cell carcinoma of the right retromolar trigone. All maneuvers were employed during the same videofluorographic (VFG) swallow study conducted 6 months after the patient's surgery. Biomechanical analysis of 3-mL swallows defined the extent and timing of tongue base retraction to the posterior pharyngeal wall, laryngeal elevation, laryngeal closure and cricopharyngeal opening during swallows with and without maneuvers. Airway closure duration was prolonged during supraglottic and super-supraglottic swallows, but aspiration was not eliminated. Use of the Mendelsohn maneuver improved coordination and timing of pharyngeal swallow events, including timing of posterior movement of the tongue base to the pharyngeal wall in relation to airway closure and cricopharyngeal opening, with elimination of aspiration. The Mendelsohn maneuver compensated for anatomic and physiologic changes in the oropharyngeal swallow and enabled reinstatement of safe oral intake in this surgically treated head and neck cancer patient who was previously unable to take nutrition orally.     

The management of esophageal cancer with situs inversus totalis by simultaneous hand-assisted laparoscopic gastric mobilization and thoracoscopic esophagectomy

Situs inversus is a rare disorder. We present a case of esophageal cancer with situs inversus totalis, which was successfully managed by laparoscopic gastric mobilization and thoracoscopic esophagectomy. A 57-year-old man presented to our hospital with intermittent epigastric and retrosternal pains. X-ray and computed tomography demonstrated situs inversus totalis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and barium swallow showed esophageal cancer of the lower thoracic esophagus. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he underwent surgical intervention. Under general anesthesia, laparoscopic gastric mobilization using hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery technique was performed. The locations of the port sites were all the mirror image of the regular fashion, and the right hand of the surgeon was inserted into the peritoneal cavity. Reconstruction of the digestive tract using a gastric tube via the retrosternal route was then achieved. Finally, thoracoscopic esophagectomy with the patient in the right decubitus position was successfully completed. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography improves identification of recurrent thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the only curative treatment option for locoregional recurrence of well-differentiated thyroid cancer that does not trap radioiodine. We hypothesized that intraoperative ultrasonography would aid in the localization of recurrent thyroid cancer and would enhance the ability to perform a complete resection. METHODS: Between June 2000 and October 2001, 13 patients with recurrent, scan-negative, papillary thyroid cancer were explored by using intraoperative ultrasonography. RESULTS: All patients had identification and resection of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer. Eleven patients had a complete resection, and 2 patients had incomplete resection as a result of local invasion. Ultrasound was required for identification of tumor in 7 patients and included all patients with a history of external beam radiotherapy. In 6 of these 7 patients, the tumor was paratracheal or invasive into the trachea or thyroid cartilage. In 11 patients with detectable serum thyroglobulin preoperatively, the level demonstrated a decline in 10 patients and became undetectable in 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful method to identify nonpalpable, locoregional recurrences of thyroid cancer. Ultrasound was particularly helpful in patients who had previous external beam radiotherapy and in the identification of tumor nodules of 20 mm or less that were invasive or adherent to the airway.     

THE CASE AGAINST OPEN NECK BIOPSY

Many patients present with lateral neck lumps due to benign or malignant conditions, and they may be difficult to differentiate clinically. It is detrimental to perform an open neck biopsy on a patient with a cancer originating from the head and neck region (upper aerodigestive tract or skin) prior to definitive treatment. The biopsy interferes with the assessment and management of the neck, increasing morbidity. It may also decrease curability and perhaps induce fungation. A protocol to avoid the need for an open biopsy, using fine needle aspiration cytology and a thorough examination of the upper aerodigestive tract is recommended. The authors also recommend combined radical radiotherapy and surgery for the patient who has had an open biopsy. A thoughtless biopsy is both needless and harmful.     

Thoracoscopic repair of tracheoesophageal fistula in a septuagenarian

We report the case of a 79-year-old female with clinical and radiographic evidence of congenital H-type tracheoesophageal fistula. Past medical history included recurrent pneumonia and episodic cough with food or fluid intake. She exhibited Ohno's sign during the dysphagia evaluation. A video swallow study demonstrated evidence of aspiration. Esophagogram and bronchoscopy identified the fistulous tract. Repair of the anomaly was performed using a minimally invasive thoracoscopic approach. In our experience, excellent visualization and magnification of the anatomic field with use of thoracoscopy allowed for relative ease of dissection and resection of the tract with minimal postoperative morbidity.     

Radiofrequency coblation for the resection of head and neck malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To review the safety and efficacy of the use of radiofrequency coblation for endoscopic resection of upper aerodigestive tract malignancies and to compare length of procedures using coblation with CO(2) laser surgery. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective case-note review of 40 adult patients with endoscopically treated mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, 20 having undergone resection using radiofrequency coblation and being case-matched to 20 treated with CO(2) laser. RESULTS: Coblation proved to be an effective method for resection of selected head and neck malignancies. It allows for much faster resection times than the CO(2) laser (P = 0.017) especially in the oropharynx (P = 0.007), but the large probes currently available can cause problems in assessment of adequate resection margins. CONCLUSIONS: Although current probe design limits the potential for resection of some tumors, radiofrequency coblation appears to be an attractive evolving technique for the endoscopic resection of selected upper aerodigestive tract malignancies.     

Is a barium swallow complementary to endoscopy essential in the preoperative assessment of laparoscopic antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery?

Background Barium swallow is considered essential in the preoperative assessment of gastroesophaeal reflux disease and hiatal hernias. The objective of this study was to investigate the effective value of a barium swallow if complementary to the commonly recommended endoscopy before laparoscopic antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery. Methods We prospectively evaluated 40 consecutive patients who were tested with preoperative barium swallow and endoscopy before laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or symptomatic hiatal hernia. Results regarding the presence and the type of hiatal hernia found by barium swallow and endoscopy were correlated with the intraoperative finding as the reference standard. Results Intraoperative findings revealed 21 axial, 7 paraesophageal, and 12 mixed hiatal hernias. Barium swallow and endoscopy allowed the diagnosis of hiatal hernia in 75% and 97.5%, respectively (p = 0.003). The correct classification of hiatal hernia was confirmed in 50% by barium swallow and 80% by endoscopy (p = 0.005). Conclusions Although barium swallow is recommended as an important diagnostic tool in the workup before surgical antireflux and hiatal hernia therapy, our results suggest that if mandatory endoscopy is performed preoperatively, a barium swallow does not provide any further essential information. It seems that barium swallow can be omitted as a basic diagnostic test before primary laparoscopic antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery.     

Surgical treatment of locally advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma after response to lenvatinib: A case report

IntroductionDifferentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) have good prognoses after complete resection. Nevertheless, when DTC is associated with an aerodigestive invasion, curative surgery is difficult to perform. However, there is no established neoadjuvant therapy for advanced DTC.Presentation of caseA 73-year-old man with thyroid papillary carcinoma was referred to our hospital. A computed tomography examination revealed a tumor in the upper right lobe of the thyroid, and multiple bilateral enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, involving the surrounding structures. The enlarged lymph node at the right upper neck was suspected to have invaded the right internal jugular vein, and the left paratracheal lymph node was suspected to have invaded the cervical esophagus and trachea. The tumor was considered resectable; however, surgery would have been highly invasive. Therefore, we initiated neoadjuvant therapy with lenvatinib. After administration of lenvatinib, the tumor decreased in size by 84.3% and the cervical lymph nodes by 56.0%. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy, modified neck dissection, a resection of the muscular layer of the esophagus, and a tracheal sleeve resection and reconstruction.DiscussionThe SELECT trial demonstrated that lenvatinib had high response rate with short response time, in patients with radioiodine-refractory DTC. The results suggested that lenvatinib could be effective as neoadjuvant therapy.ConclusionFor an advanced DTC that requires removal through invasive surgery, preoperative lenvatinib treatment might be one of the options for a less invasive surgery.