Tatsumi Nagahashi

Preoperative Staging of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objectives/Hypothesis: Sinonasal inverted papilloma is a rare but locally aggressive benign tumor. Inverted papilloma tends to recur after surgical resection and is occasionally associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Radical en bloc resection by lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy has been recommended for initial management; however, endoscopic sinus surgery is effective in selected cases. To determine adequate surgical approaches, a staging system for inverted papilloma based on extent and location of the tumor has been advocated. The study investigated whether preoperative assessment by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accurately predicts the extent of inverted papilloma. Study Design: Magnetic resonance imaging was retrospectively reviewed in 21 cases of inverted papilloma without knowledge of the surgical and pathological findings. Methods: Patients were categorized into stages based on MRI findings, according to the staging system proposed by Krouse. The involvement of inverted papilloma in each sinus was also assessed. Results: Stages graded by MRI were coincident with postoperative staging verified by surgical and pathological findings in 18 of the 21 cases (86%), which included 1 case of stage T1, 3 cases of stage T2, and 14 cases of stage T3. Two cases of stage T2 were judged as T3, and one case of T3 was judged as T2 by MRI. Positive predictive value of MRI diagnosis for tumor involvement was 68% to 89% in each sinus, and negative predictive value was more than 93%. Conclusion: In most cases, MRI assessment of inverted papilloma can accurately predict the extent of tumor involvement. Preoperative staging of inverted papilloma by MRI may be useful for planning an appropriate surgical approach.

Rapid superselective high-dose cisplatin infusion with concomitant radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rapid superselective high‐dose cisplatin infusion with concomitant radiotherapy for previously untreated patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

Randomized phase II trial of concomitant chemoradiotherapy using weekly carboplatin or daily low-dose cisplatin for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

PURPOSEThis randomized, phase II study aimed to compare concomitant Chemoradiotherapy using weekly carboplatin or daily low-dose cisplatin as a treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. PATIENTS AND METHODSOne hundred nineteen patients with moderate-to advanced-stage disease were eligible for the study. Fifty-three patients had stage II disease, 28 had stage III, and the remaining 38 had stage IV disease. Primary tumor sites included the larynx (N = 63), oropharynx (N = 30), hypopharynx (N = 23), and oral cavity (N = 3). Each patient received either a weekly carboplatin dose (100 mg/m2) in one arm or daily cisplatin (4 mg/m2) in the other arm for the initial 4 weeks of radiotherapy. The radiotherapy dose of 65 Gy was given in 26 fractions over 45 days, dependent on a good tumor response at 40 Gy. Forty-nine (81.7%) of 60 patients treated with carboplatin and 41 (69.5%) of 59 patients treated with cisplatin received the full dose of radiotherapy. Surgical resection was optionally used for the remaining patients. RESULTSThe median follow-up time was 63 months. The local control rate at 5 years was 56.2% for the carboplatin-treated arm and 35.5% for the cisplatin-treated arm, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate did not significantly differ between treatments: 71.4% for carboplatin and 66.0% for cisplatin. Hematologic toxicity was more frequent in the carboplatin-treated arm. No difference was observed in surgical complications or in radiation-related adverse effects. DISCUSSIONThese findings suggest that weekly carboplatin treatment is preferable to daily low-dose cisplatin. This could be because the total dose of cisplatin was too low to be effective.

Clinical study of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE We examined prognostic factors and outcome of the primary treatment in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck. METHODS Twenty patients with ACC of the head and neck who had been treated in our institution from 1985 to 1998 were enrolled in this study. Disease-specific survival rate was analyzed by the Kaplan-Mejer method, and the log-rank test was applied to compare the survival rates. RESULTS The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis were 81 and 57%, respectively. Patients with major salivary gland ACC obtained the best 10-year survival rate (83%), while those with paranasal sinus ACC had the worst survival rate (33%). Predominance of the solid component on pathological examination might indicate a worse prognosis. Our study revealed that postoperative radiotherapy could yield better control of the lesion focus. Chemotherapy failed in some patients and was not dramatically effective by itself. CONCLUSIONS The long-term prognosis of ACC was poor. Long-term follow-up is necessary for better prognosis of patients treated with radical treatment regimens.

Prognostic significance of cyclin D1 and p16 in patients with intermediate‐risk head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with docetaxel and concurrent radiotherapy

The current study aimed to evaluate the significance of the cell‐cycle‐control proteins cyclin D1 and p16 as prognostic markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with docetaxel and radiotherapy.

Malignant melanoma of the head and neck: A multi‐institutional retrospective analysis of cases in Northern Japan

Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is rare and is associated with a poor prognoses because of locoregional failure and distant metastasis. The aim of our study was to review the characteristics of these patients in northern Japan and to analyze their outcomes.

Correlation of clinicopathological parameters and biological markers related to apoptosis and proliferative activity with a clinical outcome in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to determine whether biological markers related to apoptosis or proliferative activity are associated with the clinical outcome in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. METHODS Immunostaining with antibodies specific to p53, bcl-2, bax, and MIB-1 was performed to evaluate expression of these proteins in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of 59 patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (carboplatin, 100 mg/m2, four to six times every week; total radiation dose of 40-65 Gy over 4-6.5 weeks). RESULTS Multivariate analysis indicated that nodal status was a significant indicator of overall survival (OS: P = 0.001). Patients with bcl-2 positive tumors had better OS than those with bcl-2 negative tumors in both univariate (P = 0.002) and multivariate analyses (P < 0.001 ). In the univariate analysis, a considerable difference in OS was observed among the expressions of bax (P = 0.077), MIB-1 proteins (P = 0.071). and OS. but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION This study indicates that nodal status is the major prognostic tactor in patients with SCC of the larynx treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. These results provide useful information for predicting prognosis. Further analysis of biological factors is needed to evaluate the value as predictive markers.

Watch-and-see policy for the clinically positive neck in head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy.

BackgroundChemoradiotherapy (CRT) is becoming more widely used for head and neck cancer. However, there are conflicting theories regarding the best management options for patients with advanced nodal disease.MethodsFrom 1990 to 1999, we treated 96 patients with N1-N2 neck disease by concomitant CRT for organ preservation, using weekly carboplatin or a low daily dose of cisplatin, followed by a “watch-and-see” policy for the neck. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcome in 63 of these patients who received definitive CRT for primary and neck diseases and were monitored for neck disease for more than 2 years.ResultsIn 12 of the 22 (55%) N1 patients, CRT successfully controlled the neck disease. CRT was successful in 18 of the 41 (44%) patients with N2 disease. In 6 (60%) of 10 patients with residual or recurrent N1 disease, salvage surgery was successful. Of the 23 patients with residual or recurrent N2 disease, salvage surgery was successful in 8 patients (35%). The group of patients who showed a clinical complete response (CCR) to CRT had an overall survival rate of 62.4% (33 patients), whereas for those with a less than complete response (<CCR), the figure was 13.3% (30 patients; P < 0.001). Among the <CCR-neck group, patients who underwent neck dissection (ND) as well (n = 20) did not have a significantly better overall survival than those who did not undergo ND (n = 10; P = 0.069).ConclusionWe propose a treatment plan for neck disease that involves observing the neck closely following CRT. ND should be planned only when there is evidence that neck disease exists.

A clinical study on the cervical lymph node metastasis of maxillary sinus carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To improve the management of maxillary sinus carcinoma, we retrospectively investigated the significance of cervical lymph node metastasis in our treated cases and discussed how to deal with the cervical lymph node metastasis as a prognostic factor. METHODS Medical records of 118 patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma diagnosed and treated in our institute from 1982 to 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumors were staged according to UICC classification 1987. The cumulative survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Generally, the patients had undergone preoperative radiotherapy and surgery. We examined the cervical lymph node metastasis detected at the first examination and the subsequent cervical lymph node metastasis in relation to the prognoses. RESULTS The incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis at the initial diagnosis was 7.9% (n = 9), and that of secondary cervical lymph node metastasis without recurrence at the primary site after the first treatment was 8.3% (n = 9). In most cases, we observed metastasis to the lymph nodes in the submandibular region and in the jugular chain. The result of treatment of cervical lymph node metastasis was grave. Among the patients with cervical lymph node metastasis detected at the first examination, four patients developed local recurrence and three patients developed distant metastasis. On the other hand, among those with secondary cervical metastasis, three patients developed neck recurrence and three patients developed distant metastasis, but no local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS In the cervical metastasis of maxillary sinus carcinoma, it is important to treat the primary lesion completely. In addition to it. we should control cervical metastasis and careful neck dissection is required. For the patients with cervical lymph node metastasis, it is necessary to consider the further treatment of distant metastasis.

A study of piriform sinus fistula cases

We have experienced five cases of piriform sinus fistula for the last 10 years. It is a relatively rare disease, and partly because of poor understanding of the disease, in one case infection had repeatedly recurred without being adequately treated for over 20 years, and in most cases there was a long time lapse before the diagnosis. In another case, it was difficult to image the fistula with contrast medium and fistulectomy was performed without identifying it on imaging. We have applied various devices to those cases where imaging of fistula was difficult, and achieved complete resection of fistula and have not observed recurrences of infection after resection.