Head and neck cancers manifested as deep neck infection

The incidence of head and neck cancers in patients with an initial presentation of deep neck infection is unclear and may be underestimated. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the incidence of head and neck cancers initially manifested as deep neck infection. Also, the possible risk factors and pathophysiology are discussed. This study was a retrospective medical chart review in a tertiary referral center. A total of 81 consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of deep neck infection over a 46-month period were analyzed. The demographic data, physical examinations, laboratory findings, radiographic studies, and pathology report were analyzed. Among the 81 deep neck infection patients, head and neck cancers were histologically demonstrated in four patients (4.9%) with the initial symptom of a painful neck mass. The incidence of head and neck cancer initially manifested as deep neck infection was found to increase in patients aged over 40 years (6.7%; 3/45 vs. 2.8%; 1/36). A detailed history of all patients with deep neck infection should be taken. Furthermore, endoscopic examination, thyroid examination and routine pathological examination should be performed, especially in those aged over 40. Also, careful explanation to the patient and his/her family about the possibility of underlying head and neck cancer (incidence 1–5%) may be needed. If the neck swelling diminishes, but does not disappear completely after full course of antibiotics, repeated fine needle aspiration, endoscopy, or image study should be considered.     

71例头颈部鳞状细胞癌的多原发癌临床资料分析

目的　了解头颈部鳞癌的多原发癌发病部位和治疗、生存状况。方法　对 71例头颈部鳞状细胞癌 (简称鳞癌 )的多原发癌临床资料做了回顾性分析。结果　发生在头颈部的重复癌 2 7例 ,发生在非头颈部的重复癌 4 2例 ,另有三重癌 2例。本组共有同时性重复癌 4例 ,其中 1例是同时性三重癌。余 6 7例均为异时性重复癌 ,其中 1例为异时性三重癌。 6 7例异时性重复癌中 ,先证癌与重复癌发生的间隔期为 8个月～ 12年不等。 70 %的先证口腔鳞癌发生头颈部重复癌 ;6 2 %的先证下咽癌和 79%的先证喉癌发生非头颈部位的重复癌。非头颈部位以食管和肺部发生的重复癌较多。在所有头颈部鳞癌发生重复癌的部位中 ,以食管重复癌为最多 ,占本组病例的 2 4 %。本组病例总体3年、5年生存率分别为 32 4 %和 2 2 5 % ;重复癌治疗组和未治组的 3年生存率有明显统计学差异 ,治疗组明显高于未治组。结论　头颈鳞癌的重复癌以食管癌最为多见。口腔癌容易发生头颈部重复癌 ,喉癌和下咽癌易发生非头颈部重复癌。细致随访和复查、早期明确诊断和积极有效的治疗 ,可以提高这类患者的生存率。     

71例头颈部鳞状细胞癌的多原发癌临床资料分析

目的 了解头颈部鳞癌的多原发癌发病部位和治疗、生存状况。方法 对71例头颈部鳞状细胞癌(简称鳞癌)的多原发癌临床资料做了回顾性分析。结果 发生在头颈部的重复癌27例，发生在非头颈部的重复癌42例，另有三重癌2例。本组共有同时性重复癌4例，其中1例是同时性三重癌。余67例均为异时性重复癌，其中1例为异时性三重癌。67例异时性重复癌中，先证癌与重复癌发生的间隔期为8个月～12年不等。70％的先证口腔鳞癌发生头颈部重复癌；62％的先证下咽癌和79％的先证喉癌发生非头颈部位的重复癌。非头颈部位以食管和肺部发生的重复癌较多。在所有头颈部鳞癌发生重复癌的部位中，以食管重复癌为最多，占本组病例的24％。本组病例总体3年、5年生存率分别为32．4％和22．5％；重复癌治疗组和未治组的3年生存率有明显统计学差异，治疗组明显高于未治组。结论 头颈鳞癌的重复癌以食管癌最为多见。口腔癌容易发生头颈部重复癌，喉癌和下咽癌易发生非头颈部重复癌。细致随访和复查、早期明确诊断和积极有效的治疗，可以提高这类患者的生存率。     

Primary cutaneous lymphoma of the head and neck

One hundred three patients with Stage I and II extranodal primary lymphomas of the head and neck were reviewed. Six patients (5%) presented with cutaneous lesions, five with single site and one with multiple sites of involvement. Histopathology was malignant lymphoma (ML) large cell (3), ML small cleaved cell (1), ML small lymphocytic (1), and ML mixed large and small cell (1). Five of six patients relapsed following initial treatment. Four patients were treated with primary radiation therapy, three of which had relapses outside the treatment area. One patient was treated with intralesional steroid injection and also recurred outside the treated area. One patient was treated with radiation and chemotherapy and recurred outside the treatment area. Three patients are alive without disease, two died of disseminated disease, and one died of unrelated causes. Isolated cutaneous presentation of head and neck lymphoma is uncommon. Radiation therapy appears to have been curative in one patient with localized disease. Four patients recurred outside the radiation portals despite careful staging, suggesting that systemic therapy may be necessary for disease control.     

How good is a chest CT scan at predicting the risk of pulmonary metastatic disease in patients with head and neck cancer? A retrospective observational study

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35 , 474–478 Objectives: Our objectives were to assess whether a CT chest, when performed as part of initial staging investigations, is a robust method to identify lung metastases or synchronous primary lung cancers in patients with head and neck squamous cell and whether small nodules are likely to represent metastases in this group of patients. Design: Retrospective observational study performed between 1994 and 2005. Setting: Head and neck cancer department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Participants: All patients that were included had a new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and underwent a CT chest as part of their staging investigation. Main outcome measures: The presence of lung masses on the initial screening CT of the chest as determined by the radiologist’s report. The development of lung metastases or primary bronchogenic carcinoma in any patient. Results: Two hundred and thirty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria. 38 (16%) patients had a CT chest report for a lung malignancy (either metastatic or primary bronchogenic), 33 of these 38 (87%) patients actually had a lung malignancy. 32 (13%) patients had a CT chest report for a small nodule, three of these 32 (9%) patients were later diagnosed with a lung malignancy, all at a different site to the nodule. 169 (71%) patients had normal CT chest reports, of these 3 (2%) patients were later diagnosed with a lung malignancy. Conclusions: The CT chest is a useful screening tool but is not infallible. Small nodules should be taken seriously and monitored, but should not alter the initial decision as to the management of the patient.     

Role of computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancers

Chest metastases and second primaries are not uncommon in patients with head and neck cancer. Early detection of a second site of malignant disease may alter prognosis and management. This study assessed the diagnostic yield of chest radiographs compared with computerized tomography (CT) in a series of patients with head and neck cancer. Forty-four consecutive patients with a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) attending the head and neck surgery department of Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, between January 2000 and December 2000 were included in this prospective study. Patients with lymphomas and localized cancers of the skin and lip were excluded. Thirty men and 14 women, with a mean age of 67 years, were assessed. All had chest radiographs and chest CT at the same time as the CT scan of the primary site. Only one patient had a true positive finding on chest radiograph. Five patients had an abnormal chest CT. Of these, two had multiple lung metastases, and another patient had biopsy-proved bronchogenic carcinoma and underwent surgical excision. The sensitivity and specificity of CT scan was 100% and 95%, as opposed to 33% and 97% for chest radiograph.     

Head and neck cancer in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: incidence, outcome and association with Epstein-Barr virus

Head and neck cancers have been described in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. However the incidence, aetiology and clinical features of the disease remain unclear. Patients with head and neck cancer and HIV were identified from a large HIV centre. The incidence and clinical features were recorded, and the tumours were stained for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Head and neck cancer occurred more frequently than in an age-matched control group (1.66 vs 0.55/10,000 patient years respectively p < 0.05). Highly active anti-retroviral therapy has not significantly altered the incidence of the disease. All of the tumours tested were positive for EBV. Patients were moderately immunosuppressed at diagnosis and had aggressive tumours. All but one of the patients died of cancer with a median survival of 28 months. Head and neck cancer occurs more frequently in HIV. It is an aggressive disease and EBV may play a role in its pathogenesis.     

Chemoprevention of head and neck cancer with retinoids: a negative result

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether isotretinoin (or 13-cis-retinoic acid) decreases the risk of second primary cancers in patients previously treated for cure of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Two head and neck multidisciplinary cancer clinics in university teaching hospitals taking cases from 4 to 5 million people in Queensland, Australia, combined to enter appropriate patients into this trial. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty-one patients with their first head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with high expectation for cure and living close by. They were randomized into 3 arms to receive 3 years of treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Patients took isotretinoin at a high dose (1.0 mg/kg per day) or a moderate dose (0.5 mg/kg per day) or placebo. Group 1 took the high dose for 1 year and then the moderate dose for 2 years. Group 2 took the moderate dose for 3 years. Group 3 took placebo for 3 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diagnosis of a second primary malignancy of the head and neck, lung, or bladder was regarded as the end point signifying failure of therapy. Issues of drug adverse effect profile and impact on survival were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the occurrence of second primary disease (P = .90), the recurrence of primary disease (P = .70), or disease-free time (P = .80) between the treatment and nontreatment arms. Numbers were too small to find differences in survival. CONCLUSION: With evidence that retinoid treatment adversely affects survival of lung cancer and with this drug not significantly decreasing the incidence of second primary tumors of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the use of this drug in head and neck cancer patients for second cancer prophylaxis is not indicated.     

‘When will I see you again?’ Using local recurrence data to develop a regimen for routine surveillance in post‐treatment head and neck cancer patients

Objective: To develop an evidence‐based regimen for routine surveillance of post‐treatment head and neck cancer patients. Design: Review of 10 years of prospectively collected patient data. Main outcome measures: Time of first presentation of ‘new cancer event’ (either first recurrence or second primary tumour). We did not evaluate whether or not the detected new cancer events were curable. Results: Data from patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx were analysed. A total of 676 previously undiagnosed squamous cell carcinomas were recorded in these regions. In these patients there were 105 recurrences and 20 second primary cancers were recorded; 95^th percentile of “time to a new cancer event” was calculated in years. These were for larynx 4.7 years, oropharynx 2.7 years, hypopharynx 2.3 years. The time to new cancer event was similar for early and late laryngeal cancers. Only 36 (47%) of the hypopharyngeal cancers were treated with curative intent and of these 36% had a previously undiagnosed cancer event. Conclusion: Local data and published evidence support a follow‐up duration of 7 years for laryngeal primaries and 3 years for both oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal primaries. Late stage oropharyngeal cancers may require longer follow up than early cancers. Patients who continue to smoke may need longer follow up. A change in local follow‐up protocol to this regimen would save 10 patient slots every week with no detriment to patient care. Clin. Otolaryngol. 2009, 34 , 546–551.     

Ewing's sarcoma of the head and neck in children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to review our experience with Ewing's sarcoma of the head and neck in children. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ont., Canada. METHODS: Between 1986 and 1996, 70 cases of Ewing's sarcoma were identified. The medical records, roentgenographic and pathology reports were reviewed retrospectively. The gender, age of presentation, location and clinical presentation of the tumor were noted in the cases involving the head and neck. The treatment and follow-up of these patients were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 70 cases of Ewing's, five involved the head and neck (7.1%). The age of presentation ranged from 7.5 to 14 years. An enlarging mass in the mandible was the mode of presentation in three of the five children. Two patients had metastases at initial presentation. All patients received combination treatment regimens with chemotherapy initially, followed by adjuvant surgery and/or radiation. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 11 years. Three of five patients died of metastatic disease. Two are alive and well with no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Ewing's sarcoma occurs infrequently in the head and neck in children. An enlarging mass in the mandible is the most frequent mode of presentation. This tumor is treated systemically with high dose chemotherapy and locally with surgical excision where possible. In lesions that are initially unresectable and/or show a poor response to chemotherapy, radiation is used for local control. A good prognosis can be expected if the disease has not metastasized.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with the indications and complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in head and neck cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study of the patients treated, we reviewed the records of 43 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer at the Otorhinolaryngology Department, in which a PEG was performed by the Unit of Digestive Endoscopy. RESULTS: All cases had squamous cell carcinoma. Larynx was the most frequent primary site, with 21 cases (49%), followed by hypopharynx, 12 patients (28%). Indications for PEG were: dysphagia (53.5%) and pharyngocutaneous fistula (43.5%). The most frequent complication was a local infection. CONCLUSION: PEG is a good choice for long-term enteral feeding in head and neck cancer patients due to its low complication rate and easy handling.     

Diagnostic sensitivity of 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for detecting synchronous multiple primary cancers in head and neck cancer patients

We assessed the sensitivity of positron emission tomography (PET) for detecting synchronous multiple primary cancers, particularly synchronous esophageal cancers in head and neck cancer patients. We retrospectively reviewed 230 head and neck cancer patients. All the patients routinely underwent the following examinations: urinalysis, occult blood, tumor marker detection [squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), cytokeratin fragment (CYFRA), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)], esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy (when CEA was high or occult blood was positive), abdominal ultrasonography, plain chest computed tomography (CT), and PET. Bronchoscopy was performed when CT revealed lung shadow of central region. Synchronous multiple primary cancers were detected in 42 (18.2%) patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of PET for synchronous primary cancers was as follows: esophagus, 7.6% (1/13); stomach, 25.0% (2/8); lung, 66.7% (4/6); head and neck, 75.0% (3/4); colon, 0% (0/1); kidney, 0% (0/1); and subcutaneous, 100% (1/1). The sensitivity of PET for detecting synchronous esophageal cancers is low because these are early-stage cancers (almost stage 0–I). Therefore, it is necessary to perform esophagogastroduodenoscopy for detecting synchronous esophageal cancers. PET is an important additional tool for detecting synchronous multiple primary cancers because the diagnostic sensitivity of PET in synchronous head and neck cancer and lung cancer is high. But PET has the limitation of sensitivity for synchronous multiple primary cancers because the diagnostic sensitivity of PET in synchronous esophageal cancer is very low.     

Actinomycosis: a potential complication of head and neck surgery.

Actinomycosis is a granulomatous infection occasionally found in the head and neck region that potentially may complicate a major head and neck oncologic surgical procedure. A case presentation, a review of the pertinent literature, and the treatment of this infectious complication are the primary elements of this report. A chronic infection of the neck caused by Actinomyces ssp developed postoperatively in a patient treated for head and neck cancer. Despite relapse after an initial course of long-term antibiotic therapy, the infection was successfully eradicated. Actinomycosis after surgery for head and neck cancer is unusual. However, the etiologic agent, Actinomyces ssp, is a common, potential microbial contaminant of head and neck surgery characterized by oral cavity or pharyngeal entry. Recognition of the typical manifestation of this infection in the neck facilitates prompt, appropriate treatment.     

Head and neck infections caused by Streptococcus milleri group: an analysis of 17 cases

BACKGROUNDS: Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) is a common inhabitant of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, and can be an aggressive pathogen causing abscess formation at various sites in the body. However, it has rarely been listed as a cause of head and neck infections. OBJECTIVES: The present study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of SMG by reviewing the microbiology and clinical records of patients with SMG in head and neck infections retrospectively. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all patients diagnosed as having SMG bacterial infections at Onomichi General Hospital, Hiroshima, between the years 2001 and 2002 was performed; 17 patients developed head and neck infections with SMG. Here, we describe the clinical features and management of SMG in head and neck infection. RESULTS: The patient population consisted of 12 males and 5 females with a median age of 62 years (age range, 8-78 years). The sites of infection were as follows: maxillary sinus (n=6), peritonsillar region (n=4), subcutaneous (n=3), submandibular space-retropharyngeal space (n=1), deep neck-mediastinum (n=1), parapharyngeal space (n=1), submandibular space (n=1), tonsil (n=1), parotid gland (n=1), and masseter muscle (n=1). Ten cases (59%) were of suppurative diseases. Six cases (35%) had mixed SMG with anaerobe infection. Three cases showed deteriorating clinical courses, and all three of these cases were culture-positive for SMG with anaerobes. In addition, one deteriorating case showed gas gangrene regardless of repeated surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotic therapy; hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved this patient's condition. CONCLUSION: It is important to recognize SMG as a pathogen in head and neck infection. In addition, the care should be taken with infectious diseases caused by SMG with anaerobes as the patient's clinical course can deteriorate rapidly.     

Isolated pulmonary nodules in head and neck cancer patients

Not infrequently, a patient with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer is noted on preoperative chest radiography to have a solitary pulmonary nodule. It is initially unclear whether the pulmonary nodule is a benign lesion or a metastatic or primary lung malignancy. Considerable controversy exists regarding the evaluation of such patients as well as the treatment, assuming that the pulmonary lesion is malignant. We have reviewed the UCLA experience with patients who had head and neck cancers and pulmonary cancers no more than 5 years apart, and reviewed the literature on early stage lung cancer. We present a rational approach to the workup and treatment of patients with head and neck cancer and a pulmonary nodule on chest radiography.     

The diagnostic accuracy of pharyngoesophagram compared to esophagoscopy in patients with head and neck cancer

Two hundred and fifty-four patients with head and neck cancer were entered into a prospective study comparing the results of pharyngoesophagram to esophagoscopy. All patients had pharyngoesophagram deemed adequate to evaluate the esophagus and rigid esophagoscopy to at least 30 cm from the upper incisor teeth. In 239 (94.1%) patients both the pharyngoesophagram and esophagoscopy were negative. Four esophageal tumors were found. Only one of these tumors (25%) was detected on pharyngoesophagram. We believe that the pharyngoesophagram should be a part of the initial work-up of every head and neck cancer patient and should precede esophagoscopy. However, the barium swallow cannot be relied upon exclusively to detect small simultaneous second primary esophageal malignancies.     

Surgical management of tongue cancer during pregnancy

There are ethical dilemmas in managing head and neck cancers during pregnancy. Diagnostic and treatment modalities need to be carefully determined. We herein describe 3 cases of tongue cancer during pregnancy. The details of the management would contribute to the daily practices for head and neck cancers. All three patients were Japanese female patients, two of them were 29 years old and one was 26 years old. All patients were admitted to the Nippon Medical School Hospital during pregnancy, complaining of oral pain and/or discomfort. Case 1 was diagnosed as tongue cancer stage T3N0M0, however, the tumor was superficial and controllable by partial glossectomy. Case 2 was stage T2N0M0 with deep invasion with ulcer, and the hemi-glossectomy with neck dissection and the reconstruction was thought to be the standard modality. However, she underwent partial glossectomy in order to reduce the stress of the fetus. Case 3 could not be diagnosed on admission by biopsy and she underwent partial glossectomy after delivery. In case 3, the pathological diagnosis was pT1 tongue cancer. In case 1 and case 3, the patient and baby were healthy. In case 2, however, the patient died of recurrence at the primary site. In decision making of the strategy, the most important factors are not only oncological evaluation but also ethical and emotional factors.     

18例头颈部非霍奇金淋巴瘤临床分析

目的：探讨头颈部非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)的临床表现、病理分型、临床分期、治疗及预后。方法：18例头颈部NHL患者，7例行手术加放、化疗，11例行放、化疗。结果：完全缓解13例，部分缓解5例。除1例失访外，17例随访3～5年，均生存。结论：头颈部NHL早期诊断较难；治疗以放、化疗为主，早期放、化疗有利预后。     

Second head and neck cancers and tobacco usage

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relative incidence of second primary carcinomas in patients who continued smoking compared with those who had ceased smoking. METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on review of the Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center Tumor Registry for the years 1985 through 2000. Ninety-one patients who had had an index head and neck tumor and who developed a second independent head and neck primary tumor, were identified. These cases were grouped into synchronous (different sites within 6 months) and metachronous (different site after 6 months or same site after 3 years) second tumors and were examined with respect to smoking history-specifically whether smoking had continued or ceased after the diagnosis of the index tumor. RESULTS: Of the 91 patients identified with double head and neck tumors, 88 were tobacco users. Comprising the group of 54 patients with metachronous second primaries were 51 smokers-25 who had continued and 26 who had ceased tobacco use. Of the 26 patients who had quit smoking but had developed a second primary, 13 had stopped smoking even before the index primary had been diagnosed. The remaining 13 had stopped when the index primary was treated. CONCLUSIONS: A review of 91 patients with double head and neck primary tumors indicate no difference in the frequency of second tumors developing in a group of patients who continued to smoke after diagnosis of their index cancers relative to patients who stopped smoking. This finding suggests a critical cellular level of cumulative and persistent damage. Methods to reverse this genetic alteration are hypothesized to be potentially more significant than smoking cessation efforts in preventing subsequent head and neck cancers.