Merkel Cell Carcinoma: The Past, the Present, and the Future

Since the first description of the Merkel cell carcinoma by Cyril Toker in 1972, the number of studies has significantly increased over the last 4 decades. In this review, we will illustrate the historical background of the Merkel cell carcinoma beginning with the 19th century, the first description of the Merkel cell to the finding of the CK20 as a highly specific diagnostic marker and finally to the recently detected Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Moreover, we will highlight the beginning of adjuvant therapeutic regimens with radiotherapy and chemotherapy and discuss the diagnostic work-up including imaging and histology of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. Another very rapidly growing and interesting field of research is the development of patients' specific and tailored targeted therapy, in particular in patients with distant metastatic disease

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Interdisciplinary Management of a Rare Disease

Background. The goal of this paper is to review contemporary multidisciplinary treatment with reference to Merkel cell carcinoma. Management of this rare but highly aggressive skin cancer is a complex undertaking that necessitates an understanding of its etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and the coordinated work of several clinical specializations. Recent Findings. The contemporary literature employs a multidisciplinary approach to achieve the best patient's treatment. Conclusion. This paper presents an algorithm for contemporary management for the rare and aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma. Multidisciplinary approach in a tumor center provides high-quality care for patients with Merkel cell carcinoma

Preserving the thyroidal isthmus during low tracheostomy with creation of a Björk Flap

Objectives/Hypothesis Surgical tracheostomy (ST) with creation of an inferiorly based Ushaped tracheal flap, known as the Björk flap, is the most commonly performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether outcome was different in patients who underwent low ST with retraction and preservation of the thyroid isthmus compared to those who underwent high ST with ligation of the thyroid isthmus. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods We included 1,143 patients who underwent ST with creation of a Björk flap between 2008 and 2015. Different outcome parameters, including complications, decannulation, inpatient mortality, and surgical characteristics, such as length of surgery and height of tracheal incision, were assessed comparing low and high ST. Results Complications occurred in 7.7% of patients, of which persistent stoma (4.1%) and hemorrhages (2.7%) were the most common. Low tracheostomy with retraction and preservation of thyroid isthmus was done in 31.4% of cases. Complications did not significantly differ between low and high tracheostomies (8.0% vs. 7.0%, P = .468). Moreover, decannulation rate and inpatient mortality were also not significantly different in low compared to high tracheostomies (P = .816 and P = .152, respectively). However, low tracheostomies were associated with significantly shorter operation times (33.0 0.8 min vs. 38.7 0.5 min, P < .001) and lower tracheal incisions for creation of a Björk flap (P < .001) compared to high tracheostomies. Conclusions Low tracheostomies are as safe as high tracheostomies regarding complications. Due to the fact that low tracheostomies are associated with shorter operation times and lower tracheal incisions, we recommend performong low tracheostomies whenever feasible.(VLID)340094

Does Usage of Salivary Bypass Tube Could Reduce the Risk for Pharyngocutaneous Fistula in Laryngopharyngectomy? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To evaluate the effect of salivary bypass tube (SBT) usage on the occurrence of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) in patients after a laryngopharyngectomy, a total of 20 studies, published between 1988 and 2021, were identified including 2946 patients. We performed a meta-analysis assessing the risk of PCF occurrence in patients after SBT application compared to those without. PCF occurred in 26.8% of cases (669/2496) and SBT was applied in 33.0% of patients (820/2483). There was an overall trend towards lower PCF rates when using SBTs (22.2% vs. 35.3% ; p = 0.057). We further selected five studies, comprising 580 patients who underwent laryngopharyngectomies, for meta-analysis showing that application of SBT reduced the risk of PCF formation (OR 0.46 ; 95% CI 0.18-1.18 ; p = 0.11). The meta-analysis demonstrates a beneficial effect of SBT insertion on PCF formation in patients after laryngopharyngectomy

Does Usage of Salivary Bypass Tube Could Reduce the Risk for Pharyngocutaneous Fistula in Laryngopharyngectomy? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To evaluate the effect of salivary bypass tube (SBT) usage on the occurrence of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) in patients after a laryngopharyngectomy, a total of 20 studies, published between 1988 and 2021, were identified including 2946 patients. We performed a meta-analysis assessing the risk of PCF occurrence in patients after SBT application compared to those without. PCF occurred in 26.8% of cases (669/2496) and SBT was applied in 33.0% of patients (820/2483). There was an overall trend towards lower PCF rates when using SBTs (22.2% vs. 35.3% ; p = 0.057). We further selected five studies, comprising 580 patients who underwent laryngopharyngectomies, for meta-analysis showing that application of SBT reduced the risk of PCF formation (OR 0.46 ; 95% CI 0.18-1.18 ; p = 0.11). The meta-analysis demonstrates a beneficial effect of SBT insertion on PCF formation in patients after laryngopharyngectomy

Comparative analysis of clinical and pathological lymph node staging data in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated at the General Hospital Vienna

Results from publications evaluating discrepancies between clinical staging data in relation to pathological findings demonstrate that a significant number of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients are not correctly staged. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze potential discrepancies of radiological assessment versus pathological data of regional lymph node involvement and to compare the results with data published in the literature

Prognostic factors in mammary analogue secretory carcinomas of the parotid gland: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Mammary analogue secretory carcinomas (MASCs) of the parotid gland are considered as low-grade malignancies with good clinical outcome but lacking data regarding prognostic factors. We performed meta-analysis assessing prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in 256 patients with MASCs of the parotid gland. A total of 73 studies have met the inclusion criteria and 76.3% of patients were seen with T1 and T2 tumors and negative neck nodes. Lymph node metastasis (57.4%) and distant recurrences (46.2%) were particularly found in T4 tumors (p < 0.001). DFS at 5 and 10 years was 77.9% and 47.2% compared to 88.1% and 77.2% for OS at the same time points. Male sex, T3-T4 tumors, and recurrent disease represented independent worse prognosticators for survival outcome. Altogether, parotid gland MASCs show good long-term outcome, but T4 tumors behave significantly more aggressive and require extended treatment strategies along with close follow-ups

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Impact of anatomic origin of primary squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavity and ethmoidal sinus on clinical outcome

Purpose Since squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the nasoethmoidal complex are rare and aggressive malignancies, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether anatomic subsites of SCCs of the nasal cavity and ethmoid sinuses affect clinical outcome. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from 47 patients with primary SCCs of the nasal cavity and ethmoid sinuses who were treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, between 1993 and 2018. The impact of anatomic subsites of nasoethmoidal SCCs was evaluated with respect to tumor and nodal classification, disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Results Of the 47 cases, 17 SCCs (36.2%) originated from lateral nasal wall followed by 13 (27.7%) tumors of the edge of naris to mucocutaneous junction, 11 (23.4%) SCCs of the nasal septum, 3 tumors of the nasal floor (6.4%) and 3 SCCs of the ethmoid sinuses (6.4%), respectively. SCCs of the nasal septum were associated with significantly higher rates of neck node metastasis (p = 0.007), which represented a significantly worse prognostic factor for DSS (HR 7.87; p < 0.001). Moreover, advanced tumor stage (HR 5.38; p = 0.014) and tumor origin of nasal septum (HR 4.05; p = 0.025) were also significantly worse prognostic factors for DSS. Fourteen patients (29.8%) developed recurrent disease, including eight local (17.0%), five regional (10.6%) and one distant (2.1%) recurrence. Elective neck dissection (ND) was associated with lower (0 vs. 20.0%) but not significantly different regional and distant DFS (p = 0.075). Conclusion Anatomic origin of nasal SCC has significant impact on clinical outcome. SCCs of the nasal septum were associated with higher rates of positive neck nodes and worse outcome.(VLID)359163