Jeffrey C. Liu

A systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures in head and neck cancer surgery.

Objective To identify, summarize, and evaluate patient-reported outcome questionnaires for use in head and neck cancer surgery with the view to making recommendations for future research. Data Sources A systematic review of the English-language literature, with the use of head-and-neck-surgery-specific keywords, was performed in the following databases: Medline, Embase, HAPI, CINAHL, Science/Social Sciences Citation Index, and PsycINFO from 1966 to March 2006. Data Extraction and Study Selection All English-language instruments identified as patient-reported outcome questionnaires that measure quality of life and/or satisfaction that had undergone development and validation in a head and neck cancer surgery population were included. Data Synthesis Twelve patient-reported outcome questionnaires fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Of these, four were developed from expert opinion alone or did not have a published development process and seven questionnaires lacked formal item reduction. Only three questionnaires (EORTC Head and Neck Module, University of Michigan Head and Neck Quality-of-life Questionnaire, and Head and Neck Cancer Inventory) fulfilled guidelines for instrument development and evaluation as outlined by the Medical Outcomes Trust. Conclusions Rigorous instrument development is important for creating valid, reliable, and responsive disease-specific questionnaires. As a direction for future instrument development, an increased focus on qualitative research to ensure patient input may help to better conceptualize and operationalize the variables most relevant to head and neck cancer surgery patients. In addition, the use of alternative methods of psychometric data analysis, such as Rasch, may improve the value of health measurement in clinical practice for individual patients.

Selective radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma.

The role of radiotherapy (RT) in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is controversial. The authors of this report evaluated the rates and patterns of failure in a selected group of patients who underwent RT for MCC of the head and neck (HN).

The national landscape of human papillomavirus-associated oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma.

The head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNC) landscape is evolving with human papillomavirus (HPV) being a rising cause of oropharynx carcinoma (OPC). This study seeks to investigate a national database for HPV‐associated oropharynx carcinoma (HPV‐OPC). Using the National Cancer Data Base, we analyzed 22,693 patients with HPV‐OPC and known HPV status. Chi‐square tests and logistic regression models were utilized to examine differences between HPV positive and HPV negative OPC. 14,805 (65.2%) patients were HPV positive. Mean age at presentation was 58.4 years with HPV‐HNC patients being 2.8 years younger compared to the HPV‐negative cohort (58.4 vs. 61.2 years, p < 0.001). 67.6% of white patients were HPV‐positive compared to 42.3% of African American patients and 57.1% of Hispanics (p < 0.001). When combining race and socioeconomic status (SES), we found African American patients in high SES groups had HPV‐OPC prevalence that was significantly higher than African American patients in low SES groups (56.9% vs. 36.3%, p < 0.001). Geographic distribution of HPV‐OPC was also analyzed and found to be most prevalent in Western states and least prevalent in the Southern states (p < 0.001). The distribution of HPV‐OPC is variable across the country and among racial and socioeconomic groups. A broad understanding of these differences in HPV‐OPC should drive educational programs and improve clinical trials that benefit both prevention and current treatments.

Baseline health perceptions, dysphagia, and survival in patients with head and neck cancer

In head and neck cancer patients prior to treatment, dysphagia noted by patients is more common than aspiration on formal swallow studies. The authors hypothesized that patient‐reported dysphagia impacts multiple domains of quality of life (QOL) and predicts disease recurrence and disease‐related death.

Dysplasia at the margin? Investigating the case for subsequent therapy in ‘Low-Risk’ squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue

PURPOSE This is a retrospective analysis of the impact of moderate dysplasia at the resection margin for early stage cancer of the oral tongue. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with T1-2N0 oral tongue cancer treated with surgery alone at Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) from 1990 to 2010 were reviewed. Tumor and margin characteristics were abstracted from the pathology report. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and local control (LC) were calculated using the Kaplan Meier method. Predictors of LC, OS and DFS were analyzed. RESULTS 126 Patients met the inclusion criteria. Dysplasia was present at the final margin in 36% of the cases (severe: 9%, moderate: 15%, mild: 12%). Median follow-up was 52 months. 3 and 5-year actuarial LC for the entire cohort was 77% and 73%, respectively. Actuarial 5-year LC and DFS were significantly worse for patients with moderate or severe dysplasia at the margin vs. none or mild dysplasia at the margin (49% vs 82%, p=0.005 and 49% vs 80%, p=0.008, respectively); 3-year comparisons were not significant. When analyzed separately, the detrimental local effect of moderate dysplasia at the margin persisted (p=0.02) and the effect of severe dysplasia at the margin was approaching significance (p=0.1). Mild dysplasia at the margin did not significantly impair LC or DFS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated worse LC (HR: 2.99, p=0.006) and DFS (HR: 2.84, p=0.008) associated with severe or moderate dysplasia at the margin. CONCLUSIONS Both severe and moderate dysplasia at the margin appear to be correlated with inferior LC and DFS. Additional therapy may be justified, despite added morbidity.

Section for Residents and Fellows-in- Training Survey Results

Objectives (1) To present data from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training (SRF) annual survey from 2002 to 2011. (2) To compare and analyze trends in resident demographics, residency experiences, and post-training career choices. Study Design Review of cross-sectional survey data. Setting Residents and Fellows registered as Members-in-Training through AAO-HNS. Methods A review of data from surveys distributed between 2002 and 2011 was conducted. Respondent demographic data including age, postgraduate year, gender, and geographic distribution were analyzed. Responses about training experiences, fellowship selection, debt burden, and post-training practice choice were studied in order to elicit trends. Results Respondents have consistently rated otolaryngology, anesthesia, and trauma/critical care as the most important intern rotations for otolaryngology residents. Each year, approximately 70% of respondents have reported interest in pursuing a fellowship. Pediatric otolaryngology fellowship is now the most popular fellowship among respondents. There has been a recent increase in the percentage of respondents who are interested in pursuing a career in academics. Location, family, and lifestyle have consistently been the most important factors in determining choice of practice. Respondents have reported increasing levels of educational debt. Conclusion The AAO-HNS SRF survey collects important data regarding resident/fellow training. Several factors limit the generalizability of these results. Despite its limitations, these unique data provide valuable information for continual evaluation and improvement of physician training in the specialty.

High prevalence of discordant human papillomavirus and p16 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas in an African American cohort

Most studies on human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have been performed on white Americans. Our study examined the incidence of HPV in an African American oropharyngeal SCC cohort and its survival.

Prevalence of HPV infection in racial-ethnic subgroups of head and neck cancer patients

The landscape of HPV infection in racial/ethnic subgroups of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients has not been evaluated carefully. In this study, a meta-analysis examined the prevalence of HPV in HNC patients of African ancestry. Additionally, a pooled analysis of subject-level data was also performed to investigate HPV prevalence and patterns of p16 (CDNK2A) expression amongst different racial groups. Eighteen publications (N = 798 Black HNC patients) were examined in the meta-analysis, and the pooled analysis included 29 datasets comprised of 3,129 HNC patients of diverse racial/ethnic background. The meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence of HPV16 was higher among Blacks with oropharyngeal cancer than Blacks with non-oropharyngeal cancer. However, there was great heterogeneity observed among studies (Q test P<0.0001). In the pooled analysis, after adjusting for each study, year of diagnosis, age, gender and smoking status, the prevalence of HPV16/18 in oropharyngeal cancer patients was highest in Whites (61.1%), followed by 58.0% in Blacks and 25.2% in Asians (P<0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in HPV16/18 prevalence in non-oropharyngeal cancer by race (P=0.682). With regard to the pattern of HPV16/18 status and p16 expression, White patients had the highest proportion of HPV16/18+/p16+ oropharyngeal cancer (52.3%), while Asians and Blacks had significantly lower proportions (23.0% and 22.6%, respectively) [P <0.0001]. Our findings suggest that the pattern of HPV16/18 status and p16 expression in oropharyngeal cancer appears to differ by race and this may contribute to survival disparities. at Freie U nivrsitaet B erlin on D ecem er 8, 2016 http://carcfordjournals.org/ D ow nladed fromThe landscape of HPV infection in racial/ethnic subgroups of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients has not been evaluated carefully. In this study, a meta-analysis examined the prevalence of HPV in HNC patients of African ancestry. Additionally, a pooled analysis of subject-level data was also performed to investigate HPV prevalence and patterns of p16 (CDNK2A) expression amongst different racial groups. Eighteen publications (N = 798 Black HNC patients) were examined in the meta-analysis, and the pooled analysis included 29 datasets comprised of 3,129 HNC patients of diverse racial/ethnic background. The meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence of HPV16 was higher among Blacks with oropharyngeal cancer than Blacks with non-oropharyngeal cancer. However, there was great heterogeneity observed among studies (Q test P<0.0001). In the pooled analysis, after adjusting for each study, year of diagnosis, age, gender and smoking status, the prevalence of HPV16/18 in oropharyngeal cancer patients was highest in Whites (61.1%), followed by 58.0% in Blacks and 25.2% in Asians (P<0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in HPV16/18 prevalence in non-oropharyngeal cancer by race (P=0.682). With regard to the pattern of HPV16/18 status and p16 expression, White patients had the highest proportion of HPV16/18+/p16+ oropharyngeal cancer (52.3%), while Asians and Blacks had significantly lower proportions (23.0% and 22.6%, respectively) [P <0.0001]. Our findings suggest that the pattern of HPV16/18 status and p16 expression in oropharyngeal cancer appears to differ by race and this may contribute to survival disparities.

Outcome of resection of infratemporal fossa tumors

A variety of tumors arise in or extend to the infratemporal fossa. We investigated the outcome of surgical management of these tumors.

Current Status of Clinical Trials in Head and Neck Cancer 2014

Introduction The last few years have seen significant increase in the number of available clinical trials in head and neck cancer. It has been difficult to stay abreast of these efforts because multiple cooperative groups and institutions are engaged in their recruitment. This review presents the state of the art of available clinical trials organized around major research themes. Data Sources Published literature, published cooperative group monographs, expert review. Review Methods Initial themes in head and neck cancer clinical trial development were first identified along with examples. Opinions from an international panel of multidisciplinary experts were then solicited. Results/Discussion Current major themes of head and neck clinical trials centered on 5 major themes: (1) recognition of human papillomavirus oropharynx cancer and optimal treatment strategies, (2) defining the role of transoral surgery in head and neck cancer treatment, (3) improving postoperative adjuvant treatment, (4) investigation of rare malignancies, and (5) the importance of biomarker-driven, innovative, and targeted therapy investigation. Conclusions A number of exciting clinical trials are currently in development or accrual with the potential for tremendous impact and improvement of the treatment of head and neck cancer. Implications for Practice Awareness by practicing otolaryngologists and trainees of these current themes will be essential for study accrual, success, and improvement in the care of head and neck cancer.