Ambrose Chung-Wai Ho

Identification of pyruvate kinase type M2 as potential oncoprotein in squamous cell carcinoma of tongue through microRNA profiling

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs with specific regulatory role in gene expression. Recent reports suggested their involvement in human malignancies. Currently, there is no information concerning miRNA expression and functions in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tongue. In this study, we evaluated the expression patterns of 156 mature miRNAs in tongue SCC using Taqman‐based microRNA assays. Of these 156 miRNAs, miR‐133a and miR‐133b were significantly reduced in tongue SCC cells in comparison with the paired normal epithelial cells. Tongue SCC cell lines transfected with miR‐133a and miR‐133b precursors displayed reduction in proliferation rate. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells was increased in response to the introduction of precursors. Computational target gene prediction suggested that both miR‐133a and miR‐133b are targeting transcript of pyruvate kinase type M2 (PKM2), a potential oncogene in solid cancers. In tongue SCC cell lines, PKM2 expression was reduced in response to miR‐133a and miR‐133b precursors transfection. Immunohistochemical staining results of tongue SCC tissues suggested that PKM2 was overexpressed in tongue SCC and was associated with the downregulation of miR‐133a and miR‐133b. Our results suggested that aberrant reduction of miR‐133a and miR‐133b was associated with the dysregulation of PKM2 in SCC of tongue.

Prospective randomized study of selective neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of early tongue carcinoma

There are controversies on the benefits of elective neck dissection (END) for oral tongue carcinoma.

Preoperative measurement of tumor thickness of oral tongue carcinoma with intraoral ultrasonography

Tumor thickness of oral tongue carcinoma is an important independent prognostic factor for local recurrence, subclinical nodal metastasis, and survival. An accurate preoperative assessment of tumor thickness is therefore essential in optimizing treatment algorithm. The present study aims at evaluating the accuracy of intraoral ultrasonography in preoperative measurement of tumor thickness.

Thyroid dysfunction in laryngectomees - 10 years after treatment

Hypothyroidism is 1 of the complications that follow treatment of various head and neck cancers. In the literature, reviews using different primary sites and differences in treatment modalities make comparison of post‐treatment hypothyroidism not possible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism in a homogenous group of patients who were treated with total laryngectomy and irradiation for laryngeal carcinoma and to assess the importance of different variables in the occurrence of hypothyroidism.

Prediction of surgical outcome using plasma epstein-barr virus dna and 18F-FDG PET-CT scan in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

This study was carried out to determine the role of plasma Epstein–Barr virus (pEBV)‐DNA and positron‐emission tomography (PET)‐CT scan in predicting the outcome of nasopharyngectomy and cervical lymphadenectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Early results of robotic assisted nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Minimally invasive nasopharyngectomy with the da Vinci surgical robot has been shown to be a feasible operation for salvage of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The current case series presents the early results of robotic nasopharyngectomy.

Long-term hearing results and otological complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: comparison between treatment with conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Objective: To assess the long-term audiological outcome and otological complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who have received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy (2 DRT). Study Design: Prospective study on the audiological outcome and otological complications 5–9 years after radiotherapy. Methodology: Patients had pure-tone audiogram before radiotherapy and 5 years after radiotherapy. Otological examination was performed 5–9 years after radiotherapy by an otolaryngologist. Results: There is a significant deterioration of the hearing threshold 5 years after radiotherapy but there is no statistically significant difference in the deterioration of hearing between IMRT and 2 DRT. Six patients in the 2 DRT group and 1 patient in the IMRT group had osteoradionecrosis of the external auditory canal (p = 0.042). Conclusion: There are fewer incidences of osteoradionecrosis of the external auditory canal in patients treated with IMRT. There is no difference in bone conduction threshold in patients treated with IMRT or 2 DRT.

The role of myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion in maxillary swing approach nasopharyngectomy: review of our 10-year experience

The use of myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion after maxillary swing nasopharyngectomy was originally described to prevent the occurrence of otitis media with effusion. The outcome of this otologic procedure has never been reviewed and discussed. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion in this group of patients.

Secondary head and neck cancer in patients with history of hematological malignancy

Head and neck cancer is a common second cancer in patients with a history of hematological malignancies. The purpose of this study was present the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of this group of patients.

Stenting of the eustachian tube to prevent otitis media with effusion after maxillary swing approach nasopharyngectomy

Our previous report recommended that the management of ipsilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) after maxillary swing nasopharyngectomy was observation. The idea of introducing a stent into the eustachian tube (ET) at the nasopharyngeal side after nasopharyngectomy may prevent postoperative OME. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of intraoperative ET stenting and the efficacy of preventing ipsilateral OME formation.