Akshat Malik

Impact of 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scan on Initial Evaluation of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Our Experience at a Tertiary Care Center in India

The efficacy of the whole body (WB) 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) as a part of conventional initial staging in all cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still controversial with various studies in literature giving contradictory reports. We conducted this study at a government tertiary care oncology center in India to identify the impact of WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan on HNSCC staging and treatment. A prospective clinical study of patients of HNSCC who were evaluated and treated at our center was performed. The patients included in the study were HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasopharynx, and carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUPS) with cervical metastasis. The study design was to evaluate the cases of HNSCC initially by staging with conventional investigations followed by staging with the information derived from WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan. At the end of the conventional investigations, a tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging as per AJCC 7 th edition, and a detailed treatment plan as per NCCN 2012 guidelines was decided in consultation with the multidisciplinary oncology team of the hospital. WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan was carried out in all these patients. The findings of WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT were then interpreted with the staging with conventional investigations to identify the cases with change in staging and also those in whom the treatment protocol would be affected. Descriptive analysis of demographic data and analytical analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan and also the change in staging and treatment plan after WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan was analyzed using SPSS version 18. A total of 131 patients met the inclusion criteria, which included 123 males and 8 females. The various sites involved among the study group are oral cavity 11 (8.3%), oropharyn × 39 (29.7%), hypopharyn × 31 (23.6%), laryn × 34 (25.9%), nasopharyn × 4 (3%), and CUPS 12 (9.1%). The majority of cases studied were of T2 and T3 stage, and changes in T staging after WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan were minimal and not statistically significant (P > 0.5). In the nodal staging after WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan, there was a statistically significant change in identification of nodal metastasis in N0 group and also identification of additional multiple/bilateral nodes (N2b and N2c). 3 (2.2%) patients had a change in M status with identification of distant metastasis in lungs (2 patients) and in the liver and lung (1 patient). Of the 131 patients, 75 (57.25%) underwent surgical management with or without adjuvant treatment (Group I) and 56 (42.74%) patients underwent nonsurgical management (Group II). There was no significant statistical difference in sensitivity and specificity of 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan in detecting cancer among the two groups. Considering all the patients in this study, WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan showed an overall sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity of 80%. In this study, change in TNM staging after WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT was seen in 22 (16.8%) patients and an alteration in the treatment in 21 (16.1%) patients, which were both found to be statistically significant (P < 0.5). In our study, WB 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan has shown to have an impact on initial staging of disease affecting the change in treatment protocol in a significant number of patients. The effect of this change in staging and treatment on the eventual morbidity and mortality rates is not known. In practice, the use of 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan is limited, owing to the high cost and low availability. A realistic evaluation of cost versus benefit needs to be undertaken to identify the impact of using 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan as a mode for initial evaluation of HNSCC.

The role of chronic mucosal trauma in oral cancer: A review of literature

Chronic mucosal trauma resulting from sharp teeth, dentures, faulty restoration, or implants has frequently been associated with the development of oral cancer. The definitive evidence for the same is lacking. We undertook a search using the terms – dental trauma, mucosal trauma, oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, risk factor, potentially malignant lesion, dental factor, mechanical irritation, dental irritation, and cancer in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Wiley InterScience. The search yielded 788 articles. Of these articles, only 22 articles described chronic mucosal trauma as risk factors for oral cancers and were considered in this review. The review shows that chronic mucosal irritation resulting from ill-fitting dentures may be considered a risk factor for the development of oral cancer, such cancers occur commonly over the lateral border of the tongue. However, no association has been proven between the duration of denture use and cancer formation. In patients without any addiction, such cancers occur more frequently in females. These cancers may present with an early nodal disease but their prognosis and outcomes have not been studied separately till now.

In vivo Raman spectroscopy–assisted early identification of potential second primary/recurrences in oral cancers: An exploratory study

Higher rates of local recurrences and second primaries, ascribable to field cancerization, are known problem in oral cancers. The present study explored utility of identification of potential recurrences by Raman spectroscopy, which has been shown to identify oral precancers, cancers, and field cancerization in humans and micro‐sized mechanical irritation‐induced tumors in animals.

Oral sex and human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell cancer: a review of the literature

Head neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality all around the world. Just like tobacco and alcohol, Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is now recognized to play a role in the pathogenesis of a subset of HNSCCs. Unprotected sexual behaviours with the HPV carrier plays an important role in transmission of this virus. The global incidence of head and neck cancers is declining, but the incidence of HPV related head and neck cancers is rapidly increasing over the last few decades. However, most institutions do not mandate documentation of sexual history or counselling of patients regarding sexual practices like they do for tobacco and alcohol addictions in HNSCC patients. The aim of this review of literature is to analyse if there is a strong evidence to correlate oral sex with HPV related HNSCC and counsel the patient’s regarding sexual behaviours.

Prospective study of the pattern of lymphatic metastasis in relation to the submandibular gland in patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity.

The submandibular gland is responsible for 70% to 90% of unstimulated saliva production. Its excision causes a decrease in basal salivary flow resulting in increased symptoms of subjective xerostomia and decreased quality of life. In this study, we have tried to assess the pattern of nodal metastasis in relation to the submandibular gland. With this study, we have tried to find out whether submandibular gland preservation is a viable option in patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Comparação do uso de implante de Silastic(r) com titânio pré-fabricado na tireoplastia tipo I

Introduction: Type I thyroplasty is the treatment of choice for unilateral vocal cord palsy with no spontaneous recovery. Objectives: To compare the use of silastic implant with titanium vocal fold medializing implant (TVFMI®) in type I thyroplasty for unilateral vocal cord palsy with respect to subjective and objective improvement in voice, endoscopic changes in vocal cords, surgical time, and cost effectiveness. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted on 40 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis who underwent type I thyroplasty with either silastic implant or TVFMI®. Pre-operative and four-week post-operative assessment and statistical comparison were performed by videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, perceptual assessment (GRBAS), subjective (voice handicap index) analysis of voice, and computer-assisted acoustic and electroglottographic assessment. The duration of surgery and cost of implant were also recorded. Results: Although both implants showed improvement in quality of voice following thyroplasty, TVFMI® presents slightly better results in objective voice analysis. The surgery time for TVFMI®insertion was shorter, but the costs were higher. Conclusion: TVFMI® may be preferred for medialization thyroplasty as it presents better voice results and demands less surgical time; however, it is costlier than silastic implant.INTRODUCTION Type I thyroplasty is the treatment of choice for unilateral vocal cord palsy with no spontaneous recovery. OBJECTIVES To compare the use of silastic implant with titanium vocal fold medializing implant (TVFMI®) in type I thyroplasty for unilateral vocal cord palsy with respect to subjective and objective improvement in voice, endoscopic changes in vocal cords, surgical time, and cost effectiveness. METHODOLOGY This was a prospective study conducted on 40 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis who underwent type I thyroplasty with either silastic implant or TVFMI®. Pre-operative and four-week post-operative assessment and statistical comparison were performed by videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, perceptual assessment (GRBAS), subjective (voice handicap index) analysis of voice, and computer-assisted acoustic and electroglottographic assessment. The duration of surgery and cost of implant were also recorded. RESULTS Although both implants showed improvement in quality of voice following thyroplasty, TVFMI® presents slightly better results in objective voice analysis. The surgery time for TVFMI®insertion was shorter, but the costs were higher. CONCLUSION TVFMI® may be preferred for medialization thyroplasty as it presents better voice results and demands less surgical time; however, it is costlier than silastic implant.

Comparison of the use of silastic with titanium prefabricated implant in type I thyroplasty

Introduction: Type I thyroplasty is the treatment of choice for unilateral vocal cord palsy with no spontaneous recovery. Objectives: To compare the use of silastic implant with titanium vocal fold medializing implant (TVFMI®) in type I thyroplasty for unilateral vocal cord palsy with respect to subjective and objective improvement in voice, endoscopic changes in vocal cords, surgical time, and cost effectiveness. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted on 40 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis who underwent type I thyroplasty with either silastic implant or TVFMI®. Pre-operative and four-week post-operative assessment and statistical comparison were performed by videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, perceptual assessment (GRBAS), subjective (voice handicap index) analysis of voice, and computer-assisted acoustic and electroglottographic assessment. The duration of surgery and cost of implant were also recorded. Results: Although both implants showed improvement in quality of voice following thyroplasty, TVFMI® presents slightly better results in objective voice analysis. The surgery time for TVFMI®insertion was shorter, but the costs were higher. Conclusion: TVFMI® may be preferred for medialization thyroplasty as it presents better voice results and demands less surgical time; however, it is costlier than silastic implant.INTRODUCTION Type I thyroplasty is the treatment of choice for unilateral vocal cord palsy with no spontaneous recovery. OBJECTIVES To compare the use of silastic implant with titanium vocal fold medializing implant (TVFMI®) in type I thyroplasty for unilateral vocal cord palsy with respect to subjective and objective improvement in voice, endoscopic changes in vocal cords, surgical time, and cost effectiveness. METHODOLOGY This was a prospective study conducted on 40 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis who underwent type I thyroplasty with either silastic implant or TVFMI®. Pre-operative and four-week post-operative assessment and statistical comparison were performed by videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, perceptual assessment (GRBAS), subjective (voice handicap index) analysis of voice, and computer-assisted acoustic and electroglottographic assessment. The duration of surgery and cost of implant were also recorded. RESULTS Although both implants showed improvement in quality of voice following thyroplasty, TVFMI® presents slightly better results in objective voice analysis. The surgery time for TVFMI®insertion was shorter, but the costs were higher. CONCLUSION TVFMI® may be preferred for medialization thyroplasty as it presents better voice results and demands less surgical time; however, it is costlier than silastic implant.

Comparison of tumor volume, thickness, and T classification as predictors of outcomes in surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue

As per TNM classification, superficial tumors with a favorable prognosis are fallaciously clubbed together with unfavorable, deeply infiltrating lesions in the same classification.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of hypopharynx: A rare presentation.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular neoplasm of borderline or low-grade malignant potential uncommonly seen in head and neck region and has not been reported in the hypopharynx. We present here a case of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma arising from the hypopharynx in a young female patient who presented with progressive dysphagia for 1-year and difficulty in breathing for 1-month. This is first reported case in published English literature to the best of our knowledge. Recognition of this borderline entity is necessary because of its potential for malignant transformation and recurrence. A wide excision and regular clinical follow-up would be an appropriate treatment protocol. The role of other therapeutic modalities such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is not yet well established.

Inverted papilloma of frontal sinus with intracranial extension.

Inverted papilloma (IP) is a benign epithelial neoplasia that accounts for 0.5–4% of all primary nasal tumours.1 It is characterised by an endophytic or inverted growth pattern of epithelium with ramifications into the underlying stroma rather than outward proliferation from the surface with an intact epithelial basement membrane.2 It affects all ages, most commonly males (M:F 3:1–5:1) in the fifth to the seventh decades of life (average age 53 years).1,3 The most frequent sites are the lateral nasal wall near the middle turbinate or ethmoid recesses and the maxillary sinuses. Although a benign lesion, IP is characterised by its relatively high recurrence rate, local aggressiveness and potential for malignant transformation. We present a rare case of IP arising from frontal sinus with extension into anterior cranial fossa treated with craniofacial resection.