J.P. Klussmann

Depth of olfactory sulcus and olfactory function.

The aim of this study was to identify whether the depth of the olfactory sulcus relates to olfactory function in healthy subjects. Forty-four healthy, male volunteers (age range 22-45 years, mean age 28.3 years) were included in this study. Olfactory function was measured for phenyl ethyl alcohol odor thresholds, odor discrimination, and odor identification. Magnetic resonance imaging of the olfactory sulcus was performed immediately following olfactometry. Based on previous investigations the depth of the olfactory sulcus was measured in the plane of the posterior tangent through the eyeballs. Olfactory function correlated significantly with left-sided depth of the olfactory sulcus (r(44)=0.33, P=0.03); no such correlation was seen for the right side. In addition, olfactory sulcus depth was found to be significantly deeper on the right compared to the left side (t=5.61, P<0.001). The present results suggest that there is small, but significant relation between morphological brain structures and measures of olfactory function. Further, lateralization of olfactory sulcus depth may correlate to functional lateralization in the olfactory system. Thus, it may be carefully speculated that sensory input in the olfactory system results in cortical growth in the area of the olfactory sulcus, at least at some developmental stage.

Patterns of lymph node spread and its influence on outcome in resectable parotid cancer

AIM To assess the metastatic topography of intraparotideal and neck lymph nodes in parotid cancer and its influence on tumour recurrence and survival. METHODS The lymph node spread of 142 patients with primary parotid carcinoma treated from 1986 to 2006 was analysed. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. The role of the metastatic pattern as prognostic factors were univariately and multivariately analysed. RESULTS A lateral, total or radical parotidectomy was performed in 19, 80 and 43 patients, respectively. A radical/radical-modified or selective neck dissection was performed in 68 and 74 patients, respectively. Eighty-seven neck dissection specimens were negative (pN0). Twelve patients had intraparotideal and cervical lymph node involvement (pPar+/pN+). In 24 patients only intraparotideal metastases were detected (pPar+/pN0). 19 patients only had cervical nodal involvement (pPar-/pN+). Twenty-five patients had occult locoregional lymph metastases (cN0/pN+). The median follow-up was 24.4 months. The disease-free survival rate was 81% at 5 years, and 62% at 10 years. By univariate analysis, R+ (p=0.001), pT (p=0.019), lymphangiosis carcinomatosa (p=0.019), pN+ (p=0.042), and extracapsular spread (p=0.046) were prognostic for disease-free survival. Multivariate analysis revealed R+ as independent risk factor (p=0.046). In pN+ patients, involvement of parotid lymph nodes (p=0.013), nodes in neck level I (p<0.0001) and IV (p=0.005) were univariate risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed lymph node metastases in level I as independent risk factor (p=0.022). CONCLUSION Total parotidectomy and radical-modified neck dissection is recommended as surgical treatment of parotid cancer and should be analysed in a prospective trial.

Transoral laser surgery for laryngeal cancer: Outcome, complications and prognostic factors in 275 patients

AIM Curative treatment options for laryngeal carcinoma include primary radiation therapy, open surgical techniques and transoral laser surgery (TLS). In the last decade, TLS has become an important tool in the treatment of laryngeal cancer and has become the standard approach in many institutions. The aim of this study was to review the experience of a single center institution with TLS for early and advanced laryngeal cancer. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 275 patients who underwent TLS in regard to the survival outcome and surgical complications. RESULTS The 5-year disease-free survival estimate was 90.3% and the 10-year disease-free survival estimate was 88.2%. The 5-year larynx preservation rate estimate was 88.2% and the 10-year larynx preservation rate estimate was 87.3%. The disease-free survival was significantly worsened by the variables T and N (p=0.0003; p<0.001, respectively). Two percent of all patients required intraoperative tracheostomy and the rate of minor postoperative complications was 17%. There were no fatal complications. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that TLS is a valid treatment method for early laryngeal carcinoma. Selected cases of advanced carcinomas may also benefit from TLS.

Human papillomavirus and cancer of the oropharynx. Molecular interaction and clinical implications

One-third of the cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) contain oncogenic human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Epidemiologic and molecular evidence underlines the causal role of HR-HPV in these tumors, which can be defined as HPV-related OSCC. These tumors differ from chemical/toxin-induced OSCC in several biological aspects, including specific molecular and genetic alterations. This leads to a characteristic clinical profile of HPV-related OSCC. Sexual risk factors play a role; however, the knowledge about natural infection and the rate of persistence of HR-HPV in the oropharynx is marginal. It is shown that the distinct biological behavior of the HPV-related subset of oropharyngeal tumors results in a more favorable prognosis. This might be the result of a better response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, further studies are needed to show whether it will be possible to reliably select patients for individualized therapy depended on the HPV status of their tumors. Therefore, we think it will be mandatory to consider and stratify HPV status in the design of prospective clinical trials in the future.ZusammenfassungEin Drittel aller Oropharynxkarzinome (OSCC) enthalten onkogene humane Papillomviren (HR-HPV). Epidemiologische und molekulare Untersuchungen belegen, dass HR-HPV bei diesen Tumoren ursächlich sind; sie können als HPV-assoziierte OSCC bezeichnen werden. Sexuelle Risikofaktoren scheinen von Bedeutung zu sein. Wenig ist bekannt über die natürliche Infektion und Persistenz von HR-HPV im Oropharynx. Die HPV-assoziierten OSCC unterscheiden sich von denen durch die klassischen Noxen verursachten OSCC grundlegend. Dies betrifft das Expressionsmuster verschiedener Zellzyklusproteine sowie genetische Veränderungen. Das unterschiedliche biologische Verhalten zeigt sich klinisch durch eine günstigere Prognose der HPV-assoziierten OSCC. Die Ursachen sind noch unklar, eine höhere Empfindlichkeit für Strahlen- und Chemotherapie ist aber denkbar. Für Studien bei OSCC ist in Zukunft eine Stratifizierung nach dem HPV-Status sinnvoll. Ob zukünftig die Patienten nach Bestimmung ihres HPV-Status einer entsprechenden maßgeschneiderten Therapie zuzuführen sind, muss in Therapiestudien geklärt werden.AbstractOne-third of the cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) contain oncogenic human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Epidemiologic and molecular evidence underlines the causal role of HR-HPV in these tumors, which can be defined as HPV-related OSCC. These tumors differ from chemical/toxin-induced OSCC in several biological aspects, including specific molecular and genetic alterations. This leads to a characteristic clinical profile of HPV-related OSCC. Sexual risk factors play a role; however, the knowledge about natural infection and the rate of persistence of HR-HPV in the oropharynx is marginal. It is shown that the distinct biological behavior of the HPV-related subset of oropharyngeal tumors results in a more favorable prognosis. This might be the result of a better response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, further studies are needed to show whether it will be possible to reliably select patients for individualized therapy depended on the HPV status of their tumors. Therefore, we think it will be mandatory to consider and stratify HPV status in the design of prospective clinical trials in the future.

Humane Papillomviren und Oropharynxkarzinome

One-third of the cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) contain oncogenic human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Epidemiologic and molecular evidence underlines the causal role of HR-HPV in these tumors, which can be defined as HPV-related OSCC. These tumors differ from chemical/toxin-induced OSCC in several biological aspects, including specific molecular and genetic alterations. This leads to a characteristic clinical profile of HPV-related OSCC. Sexual risk factors play a role; however, the knowledge about natural infection and the rate of persistence of HR-HPV in the oropharynx is marginal. It is shown that the distinct biological behavior of the HPV-related subset of oropharyngeal tumors results in a more favorable prognosis. This might be the result of a better response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, further studies are needed to show whether it will be possible to reliably select patients for individualized therapy depended on the HPV status of their tumors. Therefore, we think it will be mandatory to consider and stratify HPV status in the design of prospective clinical trials in the future.ZusammenfassungEin Drittel aller Oropharynxkarzinome (OSCC) enthalten onkogene humane Papillomviren (HR-HPV). Epidemiologische und molekulare Untersuchungen belegen, dass HR-HPV bei diesen Tumoren ursächlich sind; sie können als HPV-assoziierte OSCC bezeichnen werden. Sexuelle Risikofaktoren scheinen von Bedeutung zu sein. Wenig ist bekannt über die natürliche Infektion und Persistenz von HR-HPV im Oropharynx. Die HPV-assoziierten OSCC unterscheiden sich von denen durch die klassischen Noxen verursachten OSCC grundlegend. Dies betrifft das Expressionsmuster verschiedener Zellzyklusproteine sowie genetische Veränderungen. Das unterschiedliche biologische Verhalten zeigt sich klinisch durch eine günstigere Prognose der HPV-assoziierten OSCC. Die Ursachen sind noch unklar, eine höhere Empfindlichkeit für Strahlen- und Chemotherapie ist aber denkbar. Für Studien bei OSCC ist in Zukunft eine Stratifizierung nach dem HPV-Status sinnvoll. Ob zukünftig die Patienten nach Bestimmung ihres HPV-Status einer entsprechenden maßgeschneiderten Therapie zuzuführen sind, muss in Therapiestudien geklärt werden.AbstractOne-third of the cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) contain oncogenic human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Epidemiologic and molecular evidence underlines the causal role of HR-HPV in these tumors, which can be defined as HPV-related OSCC. These tumors differ from chemical/toxin-induced OSCC in several biological aspects, including specific molecular and genetic alterations. This leads to a characteristic clinical profile of HPV-related OSCC. Sexual risk factors play a role; however, the knowledge about natural infection and the rate of persistence of HR-HPV in the oropharynx is marginal. It is shown that the distinct biological behavior of the HPV-related subset of oropharyngeal tumors results in a more favorable prognosis. This might be the result of a better response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, further studies are needed to show whether it will be possible to reliably select patients for individualized therapy depended on the HPV status of their tumors. Therefore, we think it will be mandatory to consider and stratify HPV status in the design of prospective clinical trials in the future.

Aktuelles zu HPV-induzierten Oropharynxkarzinomen

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in 30-40% of all cases in Germany. The use of PCR and / or in situ hybridisation to detect HPV in tumour tissue is used in combination with p16 immunohistochemistry to reliably distinguish HPV-related and HPV-unrelated OSCC. The distinct biological behaviour of the HPV-related subset of OSCC results in a more favourable prognosis. This might be the result of a greater response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy as seen in recent studies. Ongoing and future clinical trials will stratify for HPV status. If the results of these prospective, randomized trials are consistent with the preliminary results of recent studies, HPV status will be of enormous clinical relevance in the future.

[Update on HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer].

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in 30-40% of all cases in Germany. The use of PCR and / or in situ hybridisation to detect HPV in tumour tissue is used in combination with p16 immunohistochemistry to reliably distinguish HPV-related and HPV-unrelated OSCC. The distinct biological behaviour of the HPV-related subset of OSCC results in a more favourable prognosis. This might be the result of a greater response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy as seen in recent studies. Ongoing and future clinical trials will stratify for HPV status. If the results of these prospective, randomized trials are consistent with the preliminary results of recent studies, HPV status will be of enormous clinical relevance in the future.

Zervikales Neurofibrom als Ursache von Globusgefühl

A 33-year-old, otherwise healthy female nursing student presented to the ear-, nose-, and throat- (ENT) outpatient clinic with a globus sensation that had been progressing for 6 months. Tomographic imaging revealed a neck mass extending from the 4th vertebrum to the subclavicular region and apex of the left lung. A surgical resection with histopathological examination exposed a neurofibroma. Management and differential diagnoses of globus sensation are herein discussed. This case underlines the importance of tomographic imaging, even in common but persisting symptoms such as globus sensation.

Dysphagia as a presenting symptom of a cervical neurofibroma

A 33-year-old, otherwise healthy female nursing student presented to the ear-, nose-, and throat- (ENT) outpatient clinic with a globus sensation that had been progressing for 6 months. Tomographic imaging revealed a neck mass extending from the 4th vertebrum to the subclavicular region and apex of the left lung. A surgical resection with histopathological examination exposed a neurofibroma. Management and differential diagnoses of globus sensation are herein discussed. This case underlines the importance of tomographic imaging, even in common but persisting symptoms such as globus sensation.

Aktuelles zu HPV-induzierten Oropharynxkarzinomen@@@Update on HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in 30-40% of all cases in Germany. The use of PCR and / or in situ hybridisation to detect HPV in tumour tissue is used in combination with p16 immunohistochemistry to reliably distinguish HPV-related and HPV-unrelated OSCC. The distinct biological behaviour of the HPV-related subset of OSCC results in a more favourable prognosis. This might be the result of a greater response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy as seen in recent studies. Ongoing and future clinical trials will stratify for HPV status. If the results of these prospective, randomized trials are consistent with the preliminary results of recent studies, HPV status will be of enormous clinical relevance in the future.