Clinical and social determinants of survivorship clinic attendance in head and neck cancer.

Purpose: Despite its importance, little is known about the patterns and predictors of Survivorship Clinic attendance in head and neck cancer (HNC). We sought to determine the cumulative incidence of Survivorship Clinic attendance stratified by demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors, and to identify factors independently associated with attendance.

Methods: Our analysis population consisted of 2,252 patients diagnosed with primary HNC and seen at our institution's HNC Survivorship Clinic after completing treatment from 2016-2021.

Two-team approaches in modern head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgery: ablative considerations.

Purpose Of Review: Two-team approaches to head and neck cancer ablation and free flap reconstruction now occur concurrently in most centers. While the functional outcomes after head and neck ablation and reconstruction are typically examined through the lens of the reconstructive surgeon, optimizing the patient's functional outcome requires careful considerations of the entire surgical team. This review summarizes important intraoperative considerations for decision making by the surgical team, with a particular emphasis on ablative considerations, to optimize reconstructive outcomes after tumor extirpation.

Next generation of head and neck free flap reconstruction: the future of innovation and refinement.

Purpose Of Review: We briefly review the history of surgical innovation in free flap reconstruction of the head and neck. With a specific focus on maximizing patient QoL by prioritizing a 'precision reconstruction', we then posit novel avenues for surgical refinement to usher in the next generation of head and neck free flap reconstruction.

Recent Findings: Patients undergoing free flap reconstruction of the head and neck increasingly co-prioritize preservation of quality-of-life (QoL) alongside the desire to survive their diagnosis.

Prognostic Significance of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Salivary Gland Neoplasms: A Systematic Review.

ImportanceSalivary gland tumors (SGTs) are rare and heterogeneous, necessitating improved prognostic tools to optimize patient management.ObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in distinguishing between benign and malignant SGTs, identifying tumor stage, and predicting survival and adverse events.DesignSystematic review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines.

Impact of the Microbiome on Onset and Prognosis of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Recent attention to the role of the microbiome in oral cancer has prompted investigations into its potential contribution to oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), given their anatomical and immunological overlap. However, consistent microbial patterns have not been identified across studies.

Methods: A systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, examined studies on the role of the oral/oropharyngeal microbiome in OPSCC development, including its statistical relevance in cancer occurrence and prognosis.

Pre-radiotherapy multidisciplinary survivorship care and patient-reported outcomes in head and neck cancer survivors.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the association between receiving pre-radiotherapy multidisciplinary survivorship care and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) pertaining to quality of life (QOL), symptom burden, and psychological distress at one-year post-radiotherapy among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors.

Methods: Survivors who underwent radiotherapy from 2017-2022 and completed PROMs during their one-year post-radiotherapy visit at a multidisciplinary HNC survivorship clinic were included. Survivors with recurrent disease, second primary tumor, and/or distant metastasis were excluded.

Trends in Human Papillomavirus Testing Among Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Importance: Due to the prognostic value of human papillomavirus (HPV) status, HPV testing for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been recommended since 2012. However, recent HPV testing rates and associated sociodemographic and clinical factors are unknown.

Objective: To examine HPV testing rates stratified by sociodemographic and clinical factors and factors associated with increased likelihood of not receiving HPV testing from 2013 to 2021.

Drain Fluid Amylase as an Early Negative Predictor of Salivary Fistula Following Free Flap Reconstruction.

Objectives: Salivary fistula is a known complication following head and neck free flap reconstruction involving the aerodigestive tract. We sought to examine the association between surgical drain fluid amylase and salivary fistula formation during postoperative hospitalization.

Methods: Eighty patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction involving the aerodigestive tract at our institution between 2019 and 2023 were included.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Mucosal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review From the American Head and Neck Society.

Importance: While neoadjuvant chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma dates to the earliest multidisciplinary approaches, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has renewed enthusiasm and research into its use. Although neoadjuvant therapy has remained mostly investigative through single-institutional clinical trials for mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, new data have emerged to support its use.

Observations: A narrative review was conducted by the American Head and Neck Society to address current literature, evolving research, and gaps in knowledge surrounding neoadjuvant therapy.

Rapid and Sensitive Digital Droplet PCR Assays for Detecting HPV16 DNA in Liquid Biopsies.

The combination of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) has significantly advanced the noninvasive screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of diseases, enabling highly sensitive and absolute quantification of target nucleic acids even in the presence of high background DNA. However, widespread adoption of ddPCR is hindered by higher costs, extended processing times, and the requirement for cfDNA purification, which adds expense and variability. To address these limitations, we developed two optimized ddPCR-based assays tailored for enhanced sensitivity, cost-efficiency, and ease of use.

Emerging Proximal Liquid Biopsy Approaches for Detecting Residual Disease and Predicting Recurrence in Head and Neck Cancer: A Review and Proposal of Novel Liquid Staging.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains challenging due to high recurrence rates and poor survival outcomes. Developing precise technologies for disease burden assessment, treatment response, and minimal residual disease (MRD) surveillance is crucial for improving prognosis.

Methods: This review explores the potential of liquid biopsy for MRD and recurrence detection.

Distinct CD8 T cell dynamics associate with response to neoadjuvant cancer immunotherapies.

We leverage a clinical trial (NCT04080804) that compared neoadjuvant anti-PD-1, anti-PD-1+CTLA-4, and anti-PD-1+LAG-3 therapies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. Combination therapies promote higher pathologic response rates versus monotherapy, and major pathologic response is associated with better survival. To address whether successful immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) regimens act through similar or distinct pathways, we robustly and longitudinally characterize transcriptional and proteomic dynamics of CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in a clonal manner.

The Evolution of Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Treatment.

Objective: The management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has substantially changed over the past two centuries. This review explores the historical progression of HNSCC management focusing on the multidisciplinary treatment paradigm.

Data Sources: This review synthesizes data from historical and current clinical trials, books, scientific reports, public documents, and other written material relevant to HNSCC management.

CD8 Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Head and Neck Cancer: A Review.

CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are increasingly used in oncology as a prognostic and predictive tool to guide patient management. This review summarizes current literature on CD8 TILs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Published meta-analyses and clinical trials evaluating CD8 TILs were analyzed.

Phase II Trial of Induction Chemotherapy for Advanced Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Outcomes after primary surgery for advanced sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are poor. We tested whether induction chemotherapy (IC) can improve disease control or organ preservation.

Patients And Methods: A phase II trial evaluated previously untreated patients with stage II to IV, M0 sinonasal SCC.

Endoscope-Assisted Transcervical Resection of Parapharyngeal Space Tumors.

Objective: We describe a novel technique for endoscope-assisted (EA) transcervical (TC) approach for resection of parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors and compare perioperative outcomes of this approach to standard TC approaches.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Single tertiary care center.

3D modeling of anterior 2/3rds glossectomy reconstruction: A volume based donor site evaluation.

Objective: Anterior 2/3rds glossectomy results in significant patient morbidity due to speech and swallowing impairment. Microvascular free flap reconstruction compensates for large volume defects. Flap volume is based on the adipose content of the donor site and varies by patient body mass index (BMI) and donor site location.

Patterns of failure after salvage head and neck surgery.

Background: Advancements in immunotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer have necessitated a better understanding of salvage surgical outcomes. This study aimed to determine patterns of failure following salvage head and neck surgery.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 280 patients who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent mucosal squamous cell carcinoma from 1997 to 2018.

Quality of Life Outcomes for Parotid Malignancies.

Background: This study describes patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and associated factors in patients who underwent surgery for malignant parotid tumors (MPT).

Methods: This is a retrospective study of all surgically treated MPT patients in a multidisciplinary head and neck cancer (HNC) survivorship clinic (2017-2023). PROMs included University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL), Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Insomnia Severity Index.