Up-to-date opportunities of cervical lymph nodes ultrasound investigation in patients, suffering from oral cavity cancer

Background. Incidence of oral cancer in Russia is 4.52 and mortality – 2.44. Head and neck cancer is characterized by the high risk of development of metastases in regional lymph nodes. Lymph nodes status exerts influence on the treatment plan and appears to be the major predictive factor. Regional metastases result into two-fold decrease of five-year survival. Therefore, evaluation and treatment of metastatic lymph nodes is of prime importance. Objective. The aim of this manuscript was to illustrate and summarize publications devoted to modern methods of ultrasound evaluation of cervical lymph node status in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Results. Numerous studies have demonstrated, that standard ultrasound investigation (in B-mode) is characterized by high sensitivity and specificity (specificity varies from 71.0 to 96.4 %, and specificity – from 46.6 to 91.0 %, according to different studies). In addition, ultrasound efficiency exceeds that of CT. Accuracy of ultrasound as the method of cervical lymph node investigation has increased after implementation of such methods, as elastography and elastometry (this techniques allow to achieve sensitivity of 98.1 % and specificity of 100 %)

Features of the lymphocytic microenvironment in metastatic uveal melanoma

Aim of the study. Compare the lymphocytic microenvironment of primary uveal melanomas and distant metastases (to the liver).Цель исследования — сравнить лимфоцитарное микроокружение первичных увеальных меланом и отдаленных метастазов (в печень)

The Concept of the "Field" in Early Soviet Ethnography : A Northern Perspective

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of the salivary gland with NTRK fusions: new approaches for diagnostics and targeted therapy (review)

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) of the salivary gland is a rare salivary cancer, histologically resembling to secretory carcinoma of the breast. In 2017 World Health Organization reported MASC is a new salivary cancer subtype. The aim of this article is to collect and analyze data about MASC, particularly clinical, histological and molecular profile, to evaluate targeted therapy effects. We discuss a case report of dramatic and durable response with entrectinib and the development of acquired resistance in an NTRK3-fusion positive salivary cancer, detected by next-generation sequencing. Next-generation sequencing as a comprehensive molecular profiling, that helps to investigate molecular profile of rare tumors and gives an opportunity to use an effective therapeutic options. Identifying ETV6-NTRK3 positive MASC provides a better prognosis for metastatic disease by using a novel effective targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (entrectinib, larotrectinib). Despite a durable and dramatic response, we showed an interesting case of the development of acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors mediated by the appearance of a novel NTRK3 G623R mutation. Finally, we believe in great perspectives of comprehensive molecular profiling and targeted therapy for rare malignancies with NTRK gene fusions, including second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Combination of concurrent targeted and immune-therapy with nivolumab and cetuximab: new perspectives for squamous cell carcinoma treatment

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common cancer among head and neck malignancies and causes of cancer death. More than 50 % of patiens have relapses within first 3 years after treatment, with median survival less than 6 months. Cetuximab is the first targeted agent for HNSCC, is considered as alternative regiment in case of intolerance to platinum-based chemotherapy, and also can activate an antigenspecific T-cell immunity in head and neck cancer patients. Nivolumab is a check-point inhibitor, that improves overall survival of patients with advanced recurrent/metastatic HNSCC, due to the CheckMate-141 study results. The results of phase II study сoncurrent cetuximab and nivolumab in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC showed a benefit for patients without prior check-point inhibitor exposure and overall well tolerated. Thus, we have 6 cases of HNSCC, treated with combination of nivolumab and cetuximab, resulted in durable (12 months) partial response or stabilization without severe adverse events. In our study, all 6 patients had prior check-point inhibitor exposure with nivolumab. Cetuximab was added to a treatment protocol after evidence-based progression during check-point inhibitor therapy. We demonstrate a case report of recurrent locally advanced HNSCC, treated with combination of nivolumab and cetuximab and resulted in stabilization. Only 1 patient had a progression after concurrent targeted and immune-therapy with nivolumab and cetuximab. New combination was well tolerated without severe adverse events. To our opinion, first results are challenging and we believe in great perspectives of comprehensive molecular profiling and combination of targeted and immune-therapy for better results

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in patients with head and neck tumors: literature review and institutional experience

Introduction. Patients with head and neck tumors are often require tracheostomy. This procedure represents complex surgical manipulation and is associated with risk of certain complications, including life-threatening. The study objective is to essess the results of percutaneous tracheostomy with the new SafeTrach technique. Materials and methods. The study included 21 patients. All patients had a tracheostomy performed using the SafeTrach technique. Results. Mean duration of tracheostomy with SafeTrach technique was 11.8 ± 3.4 minutes independently of patients’ body mass index or previous treatment (correlation coefficients r = 0.08, p = 0.7 and r = 0.08, p = 0.73, respectively). Among all possible complications of tracheostomy only 1 (4.7 %) case of bleeding in postoperative period was noted in our study. Conclusion. The SafeTrach technique combines all the benefits of open and percutaneous tracheostomy. It is characterized by simplicity, it does not require endoscopic control, that indicates the feasibility of its widespread implementation