Jennifer R. Cracchiolo

Increase in primary surgical treatment of T1 and T2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and rates of adverse pathologic features: National Cancer Data Base

There has been increasing interest in the primary surgical treatment of patients with early T classification (T1‐T2) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), with the stated goal of de‐escalating or avoiding adjuvant treatment. Herein, the authors sought to determine the degree to which this interest has translated into changes in practice patterns, and the rates of adverse postoperative pathologic features.

Adoption of transoral robotic surgery compared with other surgical modalities for treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has increased for treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). To define the adoption of TORS, we analyzed patterns of surgical treatment for OPSCC in the US.

Parotidectomy for Parotid Cancer.

Parotidectomy for parotid cancer includes management of primary salivary cancer, metastatic cancer to lymph nodes, and direct extension from surrounding structures or cutaneous malignancies. Preoperative evaluation should provide surgeons with enough information to plan a sound operation and adequately counsel patients. Facial nerve sacrifice is sometimes required; but in preoperative functioning nerves, function should be preserved. Although nerve involvement predicts poor outcome, survival of around 50% has been reported for primary parotid malignancy. Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a high-grade aggressive histology whereby local control for palliation with extended parotidectomy can be achieved; however, overall survival remains poor.

Health-Related Quality of Life following Reconstruction for Common Head and Neck Surgical Defects.

Background: Improved understanding and management of health-related quality of life represents one of the greatest unmet needs for patients with head and neck malignancies. The purpose of this study was to prospectively measure health-related quality of life associated with different anatomical (head and neck) surgical resections. Methods: A prospective analysis of health-related quality of life was performed in patients undergoing surgical resection with flap reconstruction for stage II or III head and neck malignancies. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality-of-Life Questionnaire-30 and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Module-35 preoperatively, and at set postoperative time points. Scores were compared with a paired t test. Results: Seventy-five patients were analyzed. The proportion of the cohort not alive at 2 years was 53 percent. Physical, role, and social functioning scores at 3 months were significantly lower than preoperative values (p < 0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, none of the function or global quality-of-life scores differed from preoperative levels, whereas five of the symptom scales remained below baseline. At 1 year postoperatively, maxillectomy, partial glossectomy, and oral lining defects had better function and fewer symptoms than mandibulectomy, laryngectomy, and total glossectomy. From 6 to 12 months postoperatively, partial glossectomy and oral lining defects had greater global quality of life than laryngectomies (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Postoperative health-related quality of life is associated with the anatomical location of the head and neck surgical resection. Preoperative teaching should be targeted for common ablative defects, with postoperative expectations adjusted appropriately. Because surgery negatively impacts health-related quality of life in the immediate postoperative period, the limited survivorship should be reviewed with patients. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Patterns of recurrence in oral tongue cancer with perineural invasion

Although perineural invasion (PNI) is recognized as an adverse prognostic factor in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the patterns of failure are poorly defined.

Variation in use of postoperative chemoradiation following surgery for T1 and T2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma; National Cancer Database

Primary surgical treatment of patients with early T‐classification (T1‐T2) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has increased. We sought to determine how often these patients receive postoperative chemoradiation (CRT).

Association of Surgical Approach and Margin Status With Oncologic Outcomes Following Gross Total Resection for Sinonasal Melanoma

Importance Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SMM) is a rare malignant neoplasm characterized by a poor prognosis despite aggressive intervention including wide surgical resection. Margin status has previously been cited as an important prognostic factor for local control and overall survival (OS) in patients who undergo either an open or endoscopic surgical approach. No comparisons have been made, however, in patients who have undergone gross total resection with or without positive margins. Objective To assess the association of margin status and surgical approach with oncologic outcomes in patients with SMM undergoing gross total resection. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cohort study, patients with SMM without evidence of regional or distant disease treated with curative intent in part or full at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 1998 through 2016 were retrospectively assessed. Demographic data, prognostic information, and surgical pathology were reviewed. Operative reports and imaging were used to confirm gross total resection of local disease. Exposures Surgical techniques including open maxillectomy, craniofacial resection, and endoscopic resection. Main Outcomes and Measures Three-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and OS were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariable analyses of outcomes were carried out using the Cox proportional hazard regression method. Results Seventy-two patients (39 [54%] female; mean [SD] age, 67 [12] years) met the eligibility criteria. Thirty-eight patients (53%) underwent open partial or total maxillectomy with or without ethmoidectomy or sphenoidectomy via a transfacial approach. Fourteen patients (19%) had a more extensive craniofacial approach, and 20 patients (28%) underwent endoscopic resection. The 3-year OS for all patients was 52%. The absolute 3-year difference between patients with open/craniofacial resection vs endoscopic resection for LRFS, DFS, and OS was 11% (95% CI, −21% to 43%), 16% (95% CI, −7% to 39%), and 12% (95% CI, −18% to 41%), respectively. The absolute 3-year difference between patients with a negative margin and patients with a positive margin for LRFS, DFS, and OS was 18% (95% CI, −9% to 45%), 5% (95% CI, −17% to 27%), and 15% (95% CI, −9% to 39%), respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that none of the adjusted variables (margin status, tumor stage, or surgical approach) were significantly associated with OS. Conclusions and Relevance Outcomes for patients with SMM remain poor regardless of operative approach or postoperative margin status.

Factors associated with a primary surgical approach for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

Primary surgery is the preferred treatment of T1‐T4a sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC).

Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinomas

Papillary thyroid microcarcinomas are on the rise. Debate exists whether this is a real increase or whether it represents an increase in diagnostic scrutiny. There is significant evidence that suggests that this increase in incidence is associated with an increase in diagnostic scrutiny. Therefore, we need to examine how we manage this disease, which in most cases is indolent. Molecular markers will likely, one day, aid in the decision-making of which neoplasms need to be aggressively treated and which may be actively observed. At present, it is safe and effective to manage papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) conservatively, with active surveillance only, for appropriate patients, following the use of a risk-stratified, evidence-based approach. With the increased use of diagnostic modalities in the primary care setting, an in-depth understanding of the natural history of PTMC is important in the management of this now common—however, rarely deadly—clinical entity.

Management of the lateral neck in well differentiated thyroid cancer

Lateral neck lymph node metastases in well differentiated thyroid cancer are common, ranging from 30% to 60%, with the majority of these foci identifiable only as microscopic deposits. A skilled ultrasound evaluation of the lymph nodes in the lateral neck is recommended for all patients presenting with newly diagnosed thyroid cancer undergoing surgical management. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy may be used to cytologically confirm suspected lateral neck nodal metastases prior to surgery. For patients with large volume nodal disease, extranodal extension, or multiple nodal metastases, computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck with contrast is an important additional imaging modality to accurately localize disease prior to surgery. Primary surgical management for lateral neck disease typically includes lateral neck dissection in conjunction with total thyroidectomy. Postoperative adjuvant radioactive iodine is typically recommended for patients with clinically evident nodal metastases, or for those with over 5 micrometastatic nodes. In the recurrent or persisting disease setting, complete surgical resection of local and regional disease remains the main treatment approach. However, sub-centimeter nodal disease may take an indolent course, and active surveillance may be a reasonable approach in selected clinical circumstances. Conversely, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) may be considered for scenarios with unresectable disease, or microscopic residual disease following surgery in a clinically unfavorable setting. Two multi-kinase inhibitors (sorafenib and lenvatinib) are now FDA approved for treatment of RAI refractory thyroid cancer and now play an important role in the management of progressive, metastatic and surgically incurable disease.