Koichiro Yonezawa

Expression of amphiregulin in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the major salivary glands: a molecular and clinicopathological study

In mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), CRTC1-MAML2 fusion indicates a favorable prognosis. Amphiregulin (AREG), an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand, has been shown to be a downstream target of CRTC1-MAML2 fusion, and to play a role in tumor growth and survival in CRTC1-MAML2-positive MEC cell lines. The aim of this study was to characterize the AREG and EGFR expression in the fusion-positive and fusion-negative MEC of the major salivary gland. The AREG and EGFR expression were studied by immunochemistry in 33 MEC cases of the major salivary glands. CRTC1-MAML2 fusion was tested by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (23 CRTC1-MAML2 fusion-positive, 10 fusion-negative). Of 23 fusion-positive cases, AREG and EGFR overexpression were detected in 17 (73.9%) and 14 (60.9%) cases, respectively. Of 10 fusion-negative cases, AREG and EGFR overexpression were detected in 1 (10%) and 3 (30.0%) cases, respectively. There was a positive correlation between CRTC1-MAML2 fusion and AREG overexpression (P < .01), but not between CRTC1-MAML2 fusion and EGFR overexpression. The AREG overexpression was associated with a longer disease-free survival of the MEC patients (P = .042), but EGFR overexpression was not. In this study, we showed that AREG overexpression was detected more frequently in the CRTC1-MAML2 fusion-positive tumors than in fusion-negative tumors. Detection of AREG expression may be useful for identifying CRTC1-MAML2-positive MECs and as a marker for favorable prognosis.

Infratemporal fossa metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) occasionally metastasizes to lung and bone, but rarely to skeletal muscles. In this study, we present an unusual case of metastasis of PTC to the infratemporal fossa of a previously treated patient with PTC.

Modified partial maxillary swing approach for myxofibrosarcoma in pterygopalatine fossa.

Extirpation of tumors arising in the pterygopalatine fossa is challenging because of its anatomic complexity.

Long-term results of Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt: Follow-up of more than 5 years

The Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt (ATES) represents a nonprosthesis surgical option for voice restoration in laryngectomized patients. However, data regarding the long‐term efficacy of ATES are lacking.

Speech intelligibility and aspiration of Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt

Speech intelligibility and aspiration of Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt : Jun Shigeji1, 2), Hidetoshi Matsui2), Yuji Hirayama2, 3), Koichiro Yonezawa2) and Shigemichi Iwae2). 1)Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Kita-Harima Medical Center, 2)Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hyogo Cancer Center, 3)Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Himeji Medical Center

Risk factors for local recurrence after vertical partial laryngectomy

The aim of this study was retrospectively to evaluate oncologic rates and risk factors for local recurrence in patients undergoing vertical partial laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. In total, 21 patients, who underwent vertical partial laryngectomy at Hyogo Cancer Center from 2005 to 2014, were included. Three patients presented local recurrence. The 3-year overall survival rate and local control rate were 68% and 83%, respectively. Subglottic extension (p = 0.0087) was a significant risk factor for local recurrence. Salvage treatment (p = 0.12), subsite (p = 0.31), paraglottic invasion (p = 0.026) and previous radiotherapy for the neck (p = 0.48) were not significant. Subglottic extension was significantly related to local recurrence in patients undergoing vertical partial laryngectomy.

Bazex Syndrome with Hypoalbuminemia and Severe Ascites.

Bazex syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic dermatosis. The underlying malignancy frequently is squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract or cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary site. We report a 63-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary site. He developed a mass on the right side of his neck, cutaneous lesions diagnosed as Bazex syndrome, hypoalbuminemia, and severe ascites. Right neck dissection was performed. After neck dissection, not only the cutaneous lesions, but also the severe hypoalbuminemia and severe ascites were improved. Bazex syndrome may be associated with hypoalbuminemia and ascites.