Who are the low-risk patients that could benefit from watch-and-wait regarding the neck?

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The management of clinically negative neck is controversial, with an ongoing debate on the indication criteria and prognostic impact of different types of therapy. The aim here was to compare the results from neck dissection and watch-and-wait, among oral cancer patients who, clinically, did not show any evidence of neck metastasis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis in a tertiary cancer center hospital. METHODS: Patients with epidermoid oral carcinoma were assessed. The inclusion criteria were: primary tumor restricted to the oral/oropharyngeal cavity, no previous treatment, surgical treatment as the first option, clinical/radiological stage N0 and no distant metastasis. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-two patients were analyzed. The length of follow-up ranged from four to 369.6 months and, at the end, 118 patients were alive, 53 had died due to cancer, 84 had died from other causes and 7 had died after the operation. Among the patients who underwent neck dissection, lymphatic vascular embolization (P = 0.009) and tumor thickness (P = 0.002) were significant for regional recurrence, while for the watch-and-wait group, only tumor thickness was significant (P = 0.018). Through recursive partitioning, the patients without adverse prognostic factors and tumor thickness < 2 mm presented compatible results in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Elective neck dissection seems to be the best treatment option. Patients who are eligible for watch-and-wait constitute a small group that, ideally, is categorized according to the postoperative pathological finding

Impacto do esvaziamento cervical radical modificado no número de linfonodos recuperados, recorrência e sobrevida Impact of modified radical neck dissections on the number of retrieved nodes, recurrence and survival

O esvaziamento cervical é parte integral dos tumores de cabeça e pescoço. Ao longo de sua história, passou por mudanças procurando a melhora do resultado funcional sem perda da eficiência oncológica. OBJETIVO: Demonstrar que os esvaziamentos radicais modificados apresentam um resultado oncológico comparável ao esvaziamento radical clássico. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos os pacientes com carcinomas epidermoides do andar inferior de boca e orofaringe, submetidos a esvaziamento cervical radical clássico ou modificado. Foram excluídos desta análise pacientes submetidos a tratamento prévio ou a esvaziamentos cervicais ampliados. DESENHO DO ESTUDO: Retrospectivo, envolvendo uma instituição. RESULTADOS: Identificou-se 481 pacientes que preenchiam os critérios de inclusão, correspondendo a 521 esvaziamentos. O número médio de linfonodos dissecados foi de 44,92 (SD 16.45) linfonodos para o ECR; 44,16 (SD 15,76) para o ECRM +XI e 56,02 (SD 22,91) para o ECRM VJI+XI. A ANOVA indicou uma diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos (p<0,001). O tipo de esvaziamento cervical não foi significativo para recidiva regional ou para sobrevida doença-específica. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de esvaziamentos cervicais modificados não apresenta impacto significativo para o estadiamento patológico, sobrevida livre de doença ou sobrevida doença-específica.<br>Neck dissection is an integral part of head and neck tumors. Throughout its history, it has undergone changes looking for an improvement in functional outcome without loss of oncologic efficiency. AIM: Demonstrate that the modified radical neck dissection have an oncologic results comparable to classical radical dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower floor of the mouth and oropharynx, who underwent radical classic or modified neck dissection. We excluded from this analysis those patients who had undergone previous treatment or extended neck dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study, involving an institution. RESULTS: We identified 481 patients who met the inclusion criteria, corresponding to 521 dissections. The average number of lymph nodes dissected was 44.92 (SD 16:45) lymph nodes to the RCT, 44.16 (SD 15.76) for the MRND + XI and 56.02 (SD 22.91) for the ECRM IJV + XI. The ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference between groups (p<0.001). The type of neck dissection was not significant for regional recurrence or disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: The use of modified neck dissection has no significant impact on the pathological staging, disease-free survival or disease-specific survival

Predictive Factors of Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinomas: Analysis of 2,538 Patients

Introduction The incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has increased, and its treatment remains controversial. Objective To identify the clinical and pathological factors predictive of tumor recurrence. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 2,538 consecutive patients treated for PTMC, most submitted to total thyroidectomy (98%) followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation (51.7%) at a cancer center from 1996 to 2015. The patients were stratified according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk categories (low, intermediate, or high), and the clinicopathological features were evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify independent prognostic factors for recurrence. Results After a mean follow-up of 58 months (range: 3 to 236.5 months), tumor recurrence was diagnosed in 63 (2.5%) patients, mostly in the lymph nodes. Distant metastasis occurred in 2 (0.1%) patients. There were no cancer-related deaths. The multivariate analysis showed that age < 55 years (p = 0.049; hazard ratio [HR]: 2.54; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.95 to 0.99), multifocality (p = 0.032; HR: 1.76; 95%CI: 1.05 to 2.96), and the presence of lymph-node metastasis (p < 0.001; HR: 3.69; 95%CI: 2.07–6.57) were independent risk factors for recurrence. Recurrence was observed in 29 (1.5%) out of 1,940 low-risk patients, 32 (5.4%) out of 590 intermediate-risk patients, and in 2 (25%) out of 8 high-risk patients. Conclusions The prognosis of PTMC is excellent, favoring a conservative treatment for most patients. Age < 55 years, multifocality, and node metastasis at diagnosis, as well the ATA staging system effectively predict the risk of recurrence. The presence of these risk factors can help identify patients who should be considered for more aggressive management and more frequent follow-up

Predictors of recurrence after total thyroidectomy in 1,611 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: postoperative stimulated serum thyroglobulin and ATA initial and dynamic risk assessment

ABSTRACT Objective: Despite a favorable prognosis, some patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) develop recurrence. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the combination of initial American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification with serum level of postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin (s-Tg) in predicting recurrence in patients with PTC and compare the results with an assessment of response to initial therapy (dynamic risk stratification). Subjects and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,611 patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy for PTC, followed in most cases (87.3%) by radioactive iodine (RAI) administration. Clinicopathological features and s-Tg levels obtained 3 months postoperatively were evaluated. The patients were stratified according to ATA risk categories. Nonstimulated thyroglobulin levels and imaging studies obtained during the first year of follow-up were used to restage the patients based on response to initial therapy. Results: After a mean follow-up of 61.5 months (range 12-246 months), tumor recurrence was diagnosed in 99 (6.1%) patients. According to ATA risk, recurrence was identified in 2.3% of the low-risk, 9% of the intermediate-risk, and 25% of the high-risk patients (p < 0.001). Using a receiver operating characteristic curve approach, a postoperative s-Tg level of 10 ng/mL emerged as the ideal cutoff value, with positive and negative predictive values of 24% and 97.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients with low to intermediate ATA risk with postoperative s-Tg levels < 10 ng/mL and excellent response to treatment had a very low recurrence rate (<0.8%). In contrast, higher recurrence rates were observed in intermediate-risk to high-risk patients with postoperative s-Tg ≥ 10 ng/mL and indeterminate response (25%) and in those with incomplete response regardless of ATA category or postoperative s-Tg value (38.5-87.5%). Using proportion of variance explained (PVE), the predicted recurrence using the ATA initial risk assessment alone was 12.7% and increased to 29.9% when postoperative s-Tg was added to the logistic regression model and 49.1% with dynamic risk stratification. Conclusions: The combination of ATA staging system and postoperative s-Tg can better predict the risk of PTC recurrence. Initial risk estimates can be refined based on dynamic risk assessment following response to therapy, thus providing a useful guide for follow-up recommendations

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Postoperative Neck Hematomas: An Analysis of 5,900 Thyroidectomies Performed at a Cancer Center

Introduction Postoperative neck hematoma (PNH) is an uncommon but potentially-lethal complication of thyroid surgery. Objective To identify the risk factors for postthyroidectomy hematoma requiring reoperation, the timing, the source of the bleeding, the related respiratory distress requiring tracheotomy, and the late outcomes. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the records of 5,900 consecutive patients submitted to surgery for thyroid diseases at a single institution. Results In total, PNH occurred in 62 (1.1%) patients. Most cases of bleeding occurred within the first 6 hours after thyroidectomy, but 12.5% of the hematomas were observed after 24 hours. Obvious bleeding points were detected in 58.1% of the patients during the reoperation, with inferior thyroid artery branches and superior thyroid vessels being the most frequent bleeding sources. Only two patients required urgent tracheostomy. There were no hematoma-related deaths. Permanent hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury are more frequent following reoperation for PNH. The factors significantly associated with PNH were: older age, concurrent lymph node dissection, and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Gender, previous neck irradiation, presentation at diagnosis (symptomatic or incidental), substernal goiter, thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism, prior thyroid surgery, malignant histology, the extent of the surgery (total versus non-total thyroidectomy), the use of energy-based vessel sealing devices, the use of the hemostatic agent Surgicel, and the placement of a surgical drain were not significantly associated with PNH. Conclusion Hematoma after thyroid surgery is an uncommon complication, but it is related to significant postoperative morbidity. A better understanding of the risk factors and of the time until hematoma formation can help target high-risk patients for preventive measures and closer postoperative observation

Overview of glottic laryngeal cancer treatment recommendation changes in the NCCN guidelines from 2011 to 2022

Abstract Background The treatment of glottic cancer remains challenging, especially with regard to morbidity reduction and larynx preservation rates. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has published guidelines to aid decision‐making about this treatment according to the tumor site, clinical stage, and patient medical status. Aim The present review was conducted to identify changes in the NCCN guidelines for glottic cancer treatment made between 2011 and 2022 and to describe the published evidence concerning glottic cancer treatment and oncological outcomes in the same time period. Methods and Results Clinical practice guidelines for head and neck cancer published from 2011 up to 2022 were obtained from the NCCN website (www.NCCN.org). Data on glottic cancer treatment recommendations were extracted, and descriptive analysis was performed. In addition, a review of literature registered in the PubMed database was performed to obtain data on glottic cancer management protocols and treatment outcomes from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta‐analyses published from 2011 to 2022. In total, 24 NCCN guidelines and updates and 68 relevant studies included in the PubMed database were identified. The main guideline changes made pertained to surgical and systemic therapies, the consideration of adverse features, and new options for the treatment of metastatic disease at initial presentation. Early‐stage glottic cancer received the most research attention, with transoral endoscopic laser surgery and radiotherapy assessed and compared as the main treatment modalities. Reported associations between treatment types and survival rates for this stage of glottic cancer appear to be similar, but functional outcomes can be highly compromised. Conclusion NCCN panel members provide updated recommendations based on currently accepted treatment approaches for glottic cancer, constantly reviewing new surgical and non‐surgical techniques. The guidelines support decision‐making about glottic cancer treatment that should be individualized and prioritize patients' quality of life, functionality, and preferences

Impact of systemic treatment associated to radiotherapy on quality of life in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients in Brazil: prospective real-world data study

Sem informação3715Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncolog