Aniel Sewnaik

Results of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing vs. radiation dose in the swallowing muscles after radiotherapy of cancer in the oropharynx

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Dysphagia is a serious complaint but frequently underreported. This paper assesses for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) the relationship between the dose received by the swallowing structures, and the findings of a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of the swallowing process (FEES). MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 2000 and 2005, 60 of 67 OPC patients local-regionally NED for at least one year following treatment responded to three types of QoL questionnaires; i.e. Performance Status Scales, EORTC H&N35, and M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory. Twenty-four patients agreed to the FEES procedure. The main swallowing muscles were delineated, with the mean dose per muscle calculated using the original 3D CT-based treatment plans. Regression analysis was performed between FEES variables and the doses in the different swallowing muscles and the dysphagia related questionnaires. RESULTS A significant relationship was found between the results of FEES and the mean dose in the superior constrictor muscle (SCM). Some of the subjective dysphagia complaints were significantly correlated with the FEES variables in this retrospectively study. CONCLUSION A higher dose in the SCM generally results in worsening of the findings obtained by the FEES examination.

Partial laryngectomy for recurrent glottic carcinoma after radiotherapy

Early laryngeal cancer is treated with surgery or radiotherapy. A partial laryngectomy instead of a total laryngectomy can be used for treating patients with radiation failures.

Surgery for recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy: Partial laryngectomy or total laryngectomy for a better quality of life?

OBJECTIVE To investigate the quality of life after partial laryngectomy versus total laryngectomy for recurrent laryngeal carcinomas after radiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study performed at least one year after treatment. This study was performed in a university hospital. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (N = 12 partial laryngectomy, N = 11 total laryngectomy) with recurrent laryngeal cancer after radiotherapy were included in the study. Three different questionnaires, 1) EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 Dutch version 3.0, 2) EORTC-H & N 35, and 3) the Voice Handicap Index, were sent to all patients. The only major difference in quality of life of patients after partial laryngectomy versus total laryngectomy was found to be smell and taste related. No other differences were found. CONCLUSION: We did not find much difference in quality of life after treatment with a partial laryngectomy or a total laryngectomy in patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer after radiotherapy.

High complication risk of salvage surgery after chemoradiation failures

Abstract Conclusions: Although organ preservation can be achieved with chemoradiation protocols for laryngeal or pharyngeal cancers, salvage surgery is accompanied by high complication rates. Objectives: To determine the rate of complications associated with salvage surgery after chemoradiation for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed of 24 patients treated with total laryngectomy combined with total or partial pharyngectomy between 1995 and 2004 who had previously been treated with chemoradiation. The main outcome measures were early and late complication rates. Quality of life analysis was determined by two questionnaires. Results: The complication rate after salvage surgery was 92% in the direct postoperative period. The most frequent complication was pharyngocutaneous fistula formation. Narrowing of the esophagus and tracheostoma were the most common late sequelae. The quality of life, measured at least 2 years after salvage surgery, showed a social dysfunctioning.

Toxicity, quality of life, and functional outcomes of 176 hypopharyngeal cancer patients treated by (Chemo)radiation: The impact of treatment modality and radiation technique†

The main goal of the current study was to comprehensively address the impact of chemoradiation and radiation techniques on toxicity, quality of life (QoL), and functional outcome.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of parotid gland treated with surgery and radiotherapy: Long-term outcomes, QoL assessment and review of the literature

To assess outcomes, toxicity and quality-of-life (QoL) of patients with parotid gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (PGACC) treated by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Between 1995 and 2010, 46 patients with PGACC were treated with parotidectomy±neck dissection followed by radiotherapy. Endpoints were loco-regional control (LRC), distant metastasis-free (DMFS), disease-free (DFS), cause-specific (CSS), and overall survival (OS), late toxicity, and QoL. After a median follow-up of 58 months (range 4-171), the 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of LRC, DMFS, DFS, CSS, and OS were 88%, 78%, 75%, 80%, and 67%, respectively and the 8-year rates were 88%, 75%, 72%, 77%, and 64%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, T-stage, N-stage, tumor grade, and perineural invasion correlate significantly with DMFS and DFS. The overall 5-year cumulative incidence of grade ≥2 late toxicity was 9%. QoL-scores deteriorate during and shortly after treatment but returned in all scales to almost baseline levels within 6 months. Excellent LRC rates were achieved in patients with PGACC treated by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy with low rate of late side-effects and preservation of good QoL. Despite the effective local therapy, 9 of 46 patients (20%) failed distantly. Because effective treatment strategies for this problem are lacking, prospective trials are needed to determine the role of adjuvant systemic or targeted therapy in patients at high risk of DM.

Current concepts and new horizons in conservation laryngeal surgery: An important part of multidisciplinary care

New surgical techniques in conservation laryngeal surgery (CLS) have emerged over the past 20 years and now offer a viable “organ‐preservation” approach for patients with laryngeal cancer. We review traditional and new CLS procedures and summarize the functional and oncologic outcomes of CLS in both primary and salvage settings.

Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy with Cricohyoidoepiglottopexy for Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer

Objectives: Recurrent laryngeal cancer can be treated either with total laryngectomy or in selected cases with supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP). We performed a retrospective study to analyze the functional and oncological results of supracricoid laryngectomy with CHEP. Methods: Fourteen patients were treated with supracricoid laryngectomy with CHEP. In 8 patients, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was performed. Preoperative and postoperative voice evaluation was performed in 5 patients. Oncological and functional follow-up, postoperative complications, and data concerning rehabilitation were recorded on standard forms. Results: After the supracricoid laryngectomy with CHEP, 11 of the 14 patients were alive and disease-free. No local recurrences were found, but 2 patients had regional recurrences. The voice was worse after the operation; however, most patients were satisfied. Swallowing was uncompromised. Conclusions: Supracricoid laryngectomy with CHEP for recurrent glottic laryngeal cancer after radiotherapy appears to be oncologically safe and functional.

Water Concentration Analysis by Raman Spectroscopy to Determine the Location of the Tumor Border in Oral Cancer Surgery

Adequate resection of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) means complete tumor removal with a clear margin of more than 5 mm. For OCSCC, 85% of the surgical resections appear inadequate. Raman spectroscopy is an objective and fast tool that can provide real-time information about the molecular composition of tissue and has the potential to provide an objective and fast intraoperative assessment of the entire resection surface. A previous study demonstrated that OCSCC can be discriminated from healthy surrounding tissue based on the higher water concentration in tumor. In this study, we investigated how the water concentration changes across the tumor border toward the healthy surrounding tissue on freshly excised specimens from the oral cavity. Experiments were performed on tissue sections from 20 patients undergoing surgery for OCSCC. A transition from a high to a lower water concentration, from tumor (76% ± 8% of water) toward healthy surrounding tissue (54% ± 24% of water), takes place over a distance of about 4 to 6 mm across the tumor border. This was accompanied by an increase of the heterogeneity of the water concentration in the surrounding healthy tissue. The water concentration distributions between the regions were significantly different (P < 0.0001). This new finding highlights the potential of Raman spectroscopy for objective intraoperative assessment of the resection margins. Cancer Res; 76(20); 5945-53. ©2016 AACR.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy followed by a brachytherapy boost for oropharyngeal cancer.

The purpose of this study was to reduce the incidence of radiation‐induced toxicity in patients with early‐stage oropharyngeal cancer, using highly conformal radiation techniques.