Bruce H. Campbell

Carcinoma of the larynx in patients with gastroesophageal reflux

PURPOSE To study the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the development of laryngeal cancer in patients who lack other accepted risk factors for the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review of patients either treated surgically or with radiation therapy for stage 1 or stage 2 laryngeal carcinoma with specific reference to smoking history and the presence of GERD. RESULTS We present 9 lifetime nonsmoking patients with stage 1 or 2 laryngeal carcinoma in whom GERD was clinically and/or radiographically shown. Also, 14 patients are identified who quit smoking more than 15 years before the development of laryngeal cancer and who also had evidence of GERD. CONCLUSION We propose that the development of laryngeal carcinoma in this cohort of patients who lack typical risk factors supports the notion that GERD plays a role in the etiology of carcinoma of the larynx. Because the accepted risk factors for laryngeal carcinoma such as smoking and alcohol use increase the likelihood of reflux, GERD may act as a cocarcinogen in smokers and drinkers. Of interest, the treatment of GERD can reverse the signs of chronic laryngitis and should be instituted in patients with laryngeal pathology who have GERD.

Quality of Life and recurrence concern in survivors of Head and Neck Cancer

Objectives/Hypothesis A cohort of 3‐year survivors of head and neck cancer was evaluated for persistent quality of life (QOL) concerns and long‐term treatment effects.

Planned postradiotherapy neck dissection in patients with advanced head and neck cancer

Metastatic neck nodes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck are most commonly managed by surgery, radiotherapy, or combined‐modality therapy. For combined‐modality cases, the sequencing of surgery and radiotherapy is generally guided by which modality is considered preferable for treatment of the primary tumor. A postradiotherapy neck dissection is often considered for those patients with >N1 disease in which the primary is treated with radiotherapy alone.

CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS RECEIVING INTEGRATED PET/CT-GUIDED RADIOTHERAPY FOR HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA

PURPOSE We previously reported the advantages of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) fused with CT for radiotherapy planning over CT alone in head and neck carcinoma (HNC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and the predictive value of PET for patients receiving PET/CT-guided definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS From December 2002 to August 2006, 42 patients received PET/CT imaging as part of staging and radiotherapy planning. Clinical outcomes including locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, death, and treatment-related toxicities were collected retrospectively and analyzed for disease-free and overall survival and cumulative incidence of recurrence. RESULTS Median follow-up from initiation of treatment was 32 months. Overall survival and disease-free survival were 82.8% and 71.0%, respectively, at 2 years, and 74.1% and 66.9% at 3 years. Of the 42 patients, seven recurrences were identified (three LR, one DM, three both LR and DM). Mean time to recurrence was 9.4 months. Cumulative risk of recurrence was 18.7%. The maximum standard uptake volume (SUV) of primary tumor, adenopathy, or both on PET did not correlate with recurrence, with mean values of 12.0 for treatment failures vs. 11.7 for all patients. Toxicities identified in those patients receiving intensity modulated radiation therapy were also evaluated. CONCLUSIONS A high level of disease control combined with favorable toxicity profiles was achieved in a cohort of HNC patients receiving PET/CT fusion guided radiotherapy plus/minus chemotherapy. Maximum SUV of primary tumor and/or adenopathy was not predictive of risk of disease recurrence.

Cancer Information Sources Used by Patients to Inform and Influence Treatment Decisions

Previous research has indicated that treatment staff often underestimate the informational needs of cancer patients. In this study, the authors determined the total number of information sources obtained and used to influence treatment decisions, and the clinical and demographic factors associated with the use of specific sources of information in cancer patients. Participants were identified by the statewide cancer registry and diagnosed in 2004 with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer. A self-administered mailed questionnaire elicited cancer treatments, demographics, and information sources used to make treatment decisions. Of those surveyed, 1,784 (66%) participated and responded to all questions regarding information use. Over 69% of study participants reported obtaining information from a source other than the treatment staff. Significant predictors of using additional information sources included younger age, higher income, higher education, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, and reporting shared decision making (all p values <.01). Participants with a college degree were more likely to use the Internet (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.5–9.0) and scientific research reports (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.6–6.9) to influence treatment decisions compared with those without a high school degree. Support group use to influence treatment decisions was not associated with socioeconomic variables but did vary by cancer type and CAM use. The sources of information study participants obtained and used to influence treatment decisions varied strongly by socioeconomic and demographic variables. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the information needs of cancer patients and have implications for dissemination strategies that can minimize disparities in access to cancer information.

Deglutitive aspiration in patients with tracheostomy: Effect of tracheostomy on the duration of vocal cord closure

BACKGROUND/AIMS Deglutitive aspiration in patients with tracheostomy has been attributed to impaired laryngeal movement, loss of protective laryngeal reflexes, and uncoordinated laryngeal closure. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of tracheostomy on the duration of deglutitive vocal cord closure. METHODS Using concurrent videoendoscopy, respirography, and submental electromyography, deglutitive vocal cord closure and its temporal relationship with deglutitive apnea was compared between patients with tracheostomy and normal volunteers. RESULTS Between-group comparison showed that the duration of vocal cord adduction/abduction in patients with tracheostomy was significantly shorter than that of normal volunteers (P < 0.05). Contrary to normal volunteers, in patients with tracheostomy, 5-mL water swallows significantly increased the duration of vocal cord adduction/abduction compared with that of dry swallows (P < 0.05). In addition, in patients with tracheostomy, deglutitive apnea and submental electromyography were not coordinated with vocal cord kinetics. CONCLUSIONS Although the vocal cords close completely during swallowing in patients with tracheostomy, their duration of closure is significantly shorter compared with normal volunteers. Coordination of deglutitive vocal cord kinetics, apnea, and submental electromyography is altered in patients with tracheostomy. Contrary to normal controls, duration of deglutitive vocal cord closure in patients with tracheostomy is modified by the presence of liquid bolus.

Management of the open abdomen: a national study of clinical outcome and safety of negative pressure wound therapy.

Objective:To determine clinical outcome of open abdomen therapy and assess the influence of negative pressure wound therapy on outcome. Background:Leaving the abdomen open (laparostomy) is an option following laparotomy for severe abdominal sepsis or trauma. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become a popular means of managing laparostomy wounds. It may facilitate nursing care and delayed primary wound closure but the evidence to support its use is poor and concern has arisen about the risk of intestinal fistulation from exposed bowel, leading to an increased risk of death. Methods:Prospective observational study of 578 patients treated with an open abdomen in 105 hospitals in the United Kingdom between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011. Propensity analysis was used to compare adverse outcomes (fistulation, death, intestinal failure, bleeding requiring intervention) and delayed primary closure rates in patients who did and did not receive NPWT. Findings:The most common indication for an open abdomen (n = 398, 68.9%) was abdominal sepsis. Overall hospital mortality was 28.2%. The majority of patients (n = 355, 61.4%) were treated with NPWT. Intestinal fistulation [relative risk (RR) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44–1.58], death (RR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.64–1.20), bleeding (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.45–1.23), and intestinal failure (RR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.64–1.57) were no more common in patients receiving NPWT, but the rate of delayed primary closure was significantly lower (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60–0.90, P = 0.002) when NPWT was used. Conclusions:The indications for an open abdomen in the United Kingdom appear to be significantly different to those described in N. America, where its use in the management of trauma predominates. NPWT in patients with an open abdomen is not associated with an increase in mortality or intestinal fistulation. It is, however, associated with a reduced rate of delayed primary closure. Although this may be related to patient selection, NPWT may leave patients with abdominal wall defects that require further treatment.

Dental status and quality of life in long-term head and neck cancer survivors

Objectives: To analyze how the dental status of long‐term head and neck cancer survivors affects their subjective quality of life.

Diagnosis of malignant lymphomas of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx.

The diagnosis of non‐Hodgkins malignant lymphoma of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx was made in 15 patients over a 7 year period (nasopharynx, 9; nasal cavity, 3; maxillary sinus, 2; frontal sinus, 1). A wide variety of head and neck symptoms, often characteristic of benign disease, was reported ranging from 2 weeks to 4 months prior to presentation. Of the 15 cases, the original diagnosis was inconclusive in 6; 4 of the 6 required rebiopsy, while the diagnosis in the other 2 was confirmed on further pathologic consultation. Tissue marker studies, which have recently become available, were performed in 7 cases and were crucial in the diagnosis of 2. B‐cell lymphoma was diagnosed in the 7 patients who had tissue marker studies. Five patients had palpable cervical nodes, and none had distant adenopathy or masses. With further staging, 4 of the 15 patients were found to have disseminated disease. The paper emphasizes the need for early biopsy of suspicious lesions presenting in areas in which physical examination is limited. Recommendations are made for handling the biopsy specimen when malignant lymphoma is suspected, as well as for the evaluation of local and distant sites. The role of surgery is primarily diagnostic in patients with malignant lymphoma.

Psychosocial effects in long-term head and neck cancer survivors

To identify and rate the importance of several psychosocial and physiologic influences on quality of life (QOL) among a cohort of 5‐year head and neck cancer survivors, we conducted a cross‐sectional study of a convenience sample that used both questionnaires and physiologic evaluations.