Jimmie Honings

Incidence and Treatment of Tracheal Cancer: A Nationwide Study in The Netherlands

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the incidence, characteristics, treatment, and survival of patients with tracheal malignancies in the Netherlands.MethodsAll cases of tracheal cancer entered into the database of the Netherlands Cancer Registry in the period 1989–2002 were selected. Data on histological type, age at time of diagnosis, treatment, and survival were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe annual incidence was 0.142 per 100,000 inhabitants (308 cases, of which 15 were found incidentally at autopsy). Of these, 72% were men. In 52.9%, the histological type was squamous cell carcinoma and in only 7.1% adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Mean age at time of diagnosis was 64.3 years. Of the 293 patients diagnosed while alive, 34 patients underwent surgical resection (11.6%), 156 patients received radiotherapy (53.2%), and 103 patients neither (35.4%). Median survival of all 293 patients was 10 months (mean 28 months) with 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates of 43%, 15%, and 6%, respectively. The prognosis of patients with ACC was significantly better. The 5-year survival rate in patients who underwent surgical resection was 51%, and the 10-year survival rate in these patients was 33%.ConclusionThe prognosis of patients with a tracheal malignancy is usually poor. Surgical treatment, however, can lead to good survival rates; still, this is currently only used in selected patients, even though it would seem to be possible in more cases in view of the technical advances in the field of tracheal surgery. Centralizing the care and treatment of tracheal cancers and implementing a more assertive attitude towards this disease could make surgery accessible to a larger number of patients. Data from the literature show that this would lead to better survival in patients with a tracheal malignancy.

The management of thyroid carcinoma invading the larynx or trachea.

To describe the controversies in the management of thyroid carcinoma invading the airway.

Prognostic value of pathologic characteristics and resection margins in tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma

OBJECTIVEnWe investigate the influence of tumour and resection characteristics on survival in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea.nnnMETHODSnA retrospective study of 12 laryngotracheal, 58 tracheal and 38 carinal resections for primary ACC in 108 consecutive operative survivors between 1962 and 2007 was conducted. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered to 82% of patients (89/108). Depth of invasion, extramural extent, organ invasion, perineural growth, margin status and lymph node involvement were described.nnnRESULTSnThe tumour was intramural in 15% (16/108), extramural in 85% (92/108) and invaded adjacent organs in 20% (22/108). Airway margins were grossly positive in 9 (8%), microscopically positive in 59 (55%) and negative in 40 (37%) of 108 resections. Adventitial (radial) margins of transmural sections were grossly positive in 3 (3%), microscopically positive in 95 (88%) and negative in 10 (9%) cases. Perineural growth was present in 37 (34%) and absent in 12 (11%); it was not observed in 59 (55%) cases. Lymph nodes were positive in 16 (15%) and negative in 45 (42%) cases; it was not sampled in 47 (44%) cases. Median overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for the entire group were 17.7 and 10.2 years, respectively. OS was longer after resection with: negative airway margins (20.4 vs 13.3 years, P=0.028) and negative radial margins (21.7 vs 13.3 years, P=0.050); absence of extramural disease (21.7 vs 13.3 years, P=0.007), perineural growth (22.8 vs 7.5 years, P=0.011) or lymph node metastases (16.8 vs 6.1 years, P=0.017). DFS was longer after resection with: negative airway margins (16.6 vs 9.3, P=0.005) and absence of extramural disease (17.9 vs 9.3 years, P=0.008), perineural growth (17.9 vs 6.6 years, P=0.033) or lymph node metastases (10.2 vs 3.0 years, P=0.005).nnnCONCLUSIONSnAfter tracheal resection for ACC, limited tumour extent and complete resection are associated with longer overall and disease-free survival. Long-term survival (>10 years), however, is also observed after tracheal resection of locally advanced ACC.

Clinical aspects and treatment of primary tracheal malignancies

Abstract Conclusions: Selecting patients that are candidates for surgical treatment is important in the work-up of patients with tracheal cancer. Toward this goal, centralization of care concerning tracheal tumors is advised. Centralization may increase long-term survival and decrease operative morbidity and mortality even further. Objective: Primary tracheal tumors pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the physician when confronted with this mostly malignant tumor. Diagnosis is often delayed for months or years due to its aspecific and asthma-mimicking symptoms. Knowledge from retrospective series is limited and few clinicians have gained experience with this tumor. The available literature on the diagnosis and management of this group of tumors is reviewed to summarize the available knowledge about these uncommon tumors. New diagnostic, staging, and treatment guidelines are proposed. Methods: PubMed was searched for English publications from 1960. The available literature was reviewed and summarized. Results: Surgical resection and primary reconstruction is the best curative treatment modality available at present. In centers of experience, more than half of all patients with tracheal cancer may be candidates for surgical resection, although in population-based studies this treatment is applied in only 10–25% of patients.

An online self-care education program to support patients after total laryngectomy: feasibility and satisfaction

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an online self-care education program supporting early rehabilitation of patients after total laryngectomy (TLPs) and factors associated with satisfaction.MethodsHealth care professionals (HCPs) were invited to participate and to recruit TLPs. TLPs were informed on the self-care education program “In Tune without Cords” (ITwC) after which they gained access. A study specific survey was used (at baseline T0 and postintervention T1) on TLPs’ uptake. Usage, satisfaction (general impression, willingness to use, user-friendliness, satisfaction with self-care advice and strategies, Net Promoter Score (NPS)), sociodemographic, and clinical factors were analyzed.ResultsHCPs of 6 out of 9 centers (67xa0% uptake rate) agreed to participate and recruited TLPs. In total, 55 of 75 TLPs returned informed consent and the baseline T0 survey and were provided access to ITwC (73xa0% uptake rate). Thirty-eight of these 55 TLPs used ITwC and completed the T1 survey (69xa0% usage rate). Most (66xa0%) TLPs were satisfied (i.e., score ≥7 (scale 1–10) on 4 survey items) with the self-care education program (mean score 7.2, SD 1.1). NPS was positive (+5). Satisfaction with the self-care education program was significantly associated with (higher) educational level and health literacy skills (Pu2009=u2009.004, Pu2009=u2009.038, respectively). No significant association was found with gender, age, marital status, employment status, Internet use, Internet literacy, treatment modality, time since total laryngectomy, and quality of life.ConclusionThe online self-care education program ITwC supporting early rehabilitation was feasible in clinical practice. In general, TLPs were satisfied with the program.

Recurrences after thyroglossal duct cyst surgery: Results in 207 consecutive cases and review of the literature.

A thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common form of congenital anomaly in the neck. Surgical removal is very effective. However, in some cases, a cyst recurs. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predispose to recurrence of a thyroglossal duct cyst.

Undertreatment of Tracheal Carcinoma: Multidisciplinary Audit of Epidemiologic Data

National epidemiologic data were examined to determine the eligibility for curative therapy in tracheal carcinoma. An expert audit of primary tracheal carcinomas registered from 2000 to 2005 with the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) included blinded patient data and radiographic review to assess diagnosis and resectability. Actual treatment was compared with the opinions of a multidisciplinary panel (Radboud panel) and a second reviewer. Of 101 NCR-registered primary tracheal carcinomas, the Radboud panel diagnosis was metastatic disease or local extension of adjacent tumors in 34. Seventeen cases were excluded for missing data. In 50 cases confirmed by panel and a second reviewer, actual treatment consisted of surgery in 12 (24%), radiotherapy in 29 (58%), endobronchial treatment in 6 (12%), and observation in 3 (6%). Both panel and second reviewer identified 16 additional surgical candidates, a total of 28 (56%) of 50. Treatment recommendations of panel and second reviewer disagreed in four cases (8%). One-third of NCR-registered primary tracheal carcinomas were misclassified nontracheal primary tumors involving the trachea. A majority of cases meeting audit criteria for diagnosis and surgical resection was treated with other modalities. Interreviewer disagreement was small. The audit of a national cancer registry suggests that incorrect diagnosis and undertreatment are common in rare airway tumors.

Pathologic Characteristics of Resected Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Trachea: Prognostic Factors Based on an Analysis of 59 Cases

While squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common tracheal malignancy, few reports describe the pathologic considerations that may guide intraoperative decisions and prognostic assessment. We reviewed 59 tracheal SCC treated between 1985 and 2008 by segmental resection of the trachea, including resection of the carina in 24% and inferior larynx in 14%. We classified these tumors by grading histologic differentiation and microscopic features used in SCC of other sites. Of 59 tumors, 24% (14 of 59) were well differentiated, 49% (29 of 59) were moderately differentiated, and 27% (16 of 59) were poorly differentiated. Unfavorable prognostic factors were tumor extension into the thyroid gland (all of five so-afflicted patients died of tumor progression within 3xa0years) and lymphatic invasion (mean survival 4.6 versus 7.6xa0years). Keratinization, dyskeratosis, acantholysis, necrosis, and tumor thickness did not predict prognosis. As surgical resection is the only curative treatment; the surgeon should establish clean lines of resection using, as appropriate, intraoperative frozen section. The pathologist can provide additional important prognostic information, including tumor differentiation and extent, invasion of surgical margins, and extension into the thyroid.

Treatment of Tracheal Tumors

The evidence for the treatment of tracheal tumors rests on a small number of single-institution series, national surveys, and epidemiologic studies. From this evidence, the following observations have been made: tracheal tumors are rare and must be identified among a much larger number of metastatic malignant tracheal lesions; most tracheal tumors are malignant; most tracheal tumors in selected series are resectable; and survival after resection exceeds survival after nonoperative treatment, even if resection margins are close. A discussion of evaluation and treatment of these tumors in this review proceeds along a systematic series of questions.

Office-Based Procedures for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Laryngeal Pathology

INTRODUCTIONnSince the development of distal chip endoscopes with a working channel, diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in the outpatient clinic in the management of laryngeal pathology have increased. Which of these office-based procedures are currently available, and their clinical indications and possible advantages, remains unclear.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnReview of literature on office-based procedures in laryngology and head and neck oncology.nnnRESULTSnFlexible endoscopic biopsy (FEB), vocal cord injection, and laser surgery are well-established office-based procedures that can be performed under topical anesthesia. These procedures demonstrate good patient tolerability and multiple advantages.nnnCONCLUSIONnOffice-based procedures under topical anesthesia are currently an established method in the management of laryngeal pathology. These procedures offer medical and economic advantages compared with operating room-performed procedures. Furthermore, office-based procedures enhance the speed and timing of the diagnostic and therapeutic process.