Neck Dissection Reduces Risk of Recurrence in Early-Stage Oral Tongue Cancer.

Background: Patterns of failure in early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) managed with surgery alone remain understudied.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study from 2000 to 2022 at a single tertiary care center evaluated pT1-T2N0 OTSCC patients who underwent partial glossectomy with or without elective neck dissection (END), without any adjuvant therapy. Predictors of recurrence were analyzed via multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

Safety and Efficacy Findings From a Phase Ib/II Study of ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy With Pembrolizumab in Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy-cetuximab conjugated to IRDye 700DX and red light (690 nm) for localized drug activation-results in rapid, selective cell killing.

Methods: This phase Ib/II open-label study evaluated ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy plus pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC (≥ 1 accessible lesion, PD-L1 combined positive score ≥ 1, ineligible for standard locoregional therapy). Primary objectives were safety/tolerability and objective response rate (ORR).

Circulating Tumor Tissue-Modified-Viral HPV DNA and Correlations With Disease Burden in Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Introduction: Tumor-tissue modified viral (TTMV)-human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA is an increasingly utilized biomarker for patients with HPV-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, much remains to be studied regarding the quantitative importance of a positive pre-treatment result and correlations with disease burden.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Fluorescence-Guided Surgery for Assessing Margins in Head and Neck Cancer: A Review.

Importance: Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is associated with a higher positive margin rate compared with most other cancers in surgical oncology. This rate has remained stagnant over the past 3 decades. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is a promising tool to address high positive margin rates in multiple solid tumor types, including HNSCC.

Impact of Postoperative Radiation Therapy Delay and Treatment Facility Location on Survival in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Background: Time from surgery to initiation of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) of less than 6 weeks was recently instituted as the first quality metric within head and neck cancer care.

Methods: We performed a retrospective single institution cohort study to investigate predictors of PORT delay and the impact of PORT delay on survival.

Results: PORT delay rate was 73.

Non-FDG-Avid Metastasis Detected by Molecular Imaging in Unknown Primary of the Head and Neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary continues to be a diagnostic challenge. We present a case where a novel molecular imaging agent aided the identification of additional lesions missed on traditional imaging, ultimately leading to diagnosis and a change in management.

Preoperative Nodal Biopsy and Extranodal Extension in p16+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: ENE is an important prognostic factor in p16-positive OPSCC and is an indication for adjuvant chemoradiation. A recent single institution retrospective study demonstrated that core needle biopsy (CNB) was independently associated with ENE, potentially due to disruption of the lymph node capsule. In this study, we investigate the association between the type of preoperative nodal biopsy and ENE at our institution.

Development of a Cutting Guide for Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Free Flap Harvest.

Objectives: The osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) is used for the reconstruction of bony head and neck defects. Being a weight-bearing bone, precise harvesting of the radius is required to maintain structural integrity, postoperative forearm function, and to prevent postoperative fracture. A radius cutting guide may allow head and neck surgeons to be more precise and confident in performing bony harvest, and may improve allocation of orthopedic specialist resources.

Mental Health Disorders and Pain in Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Free Flap Surgery.

Objective: Determine relationships between pain and mental health disorders (MHDs) in patients undergoing microvascular free flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Tertiary Care Institution in the Southeastern United States.

Treatment summaries for head and neck cancer survivors: a pilot study to improving patient recall and survivorship care plans.

Background: The treatment summary (TS) remains underused in head and neck cancer (HNC). We determine if receiving a personalized TS following a definitive HNC treatment improves patient recall of treatment details.

Method: A history questionnaire was administered to assess patient accuracy in reporting diagnosis and treatment-related details at baseline (pre-TS) and 1-month follow-up (post-TS).

Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 Seroprevalence among Men Living with HIV without HPV-Driven Malignancies.

Individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at a higher risk for developing human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV + OPSCC). There are no methods for early detection; however, HPV16 E6 antibodies have been identified as a promising early marker. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HPV16 E6 antibodies among men living with HIV, with secondary objectives of analyzing clinical and serologic predictors of HPV16 E6 seropositivity.

Digital mapping of resected cancer specimens: The visual pathology report.

Background: The current standard-of-care pathology report relies only on lengthy written text descriptions without a visual representation of the resected cancer specimen. This study demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating virtual, three-dimensional (3D) visual pathology reports to improve communication of final pathology reporting.

Materials And Methods: Surgical specimens are 3D scanned and virtually mapped alongside the pathology team to replicate grossing.

Visual pathology reports for communication of final margin status in laryngeal cancer surgery.

Background: Positive margins are frequently observed in total laryngectomy (TL) specimens. Effective communication of margin sampling sites and final margin status between surgeons and pathologists is crucial. In this study, we evaluate the utility of multimedia visual pathology reports to facilitate interdisciplinary discussion of margin status in laryngeal cancer surgery.

Treatment De-escalation in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma and the Role of Robotic Surgery.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has better survival outcomes compared to non-HPV-related OPSCC, leading to efforts to de-escalate the intensity of treatment to reduce associated morbidity. This article reviews recent clinical efforts to explore different de-escalation frameworks with a particular emphasis on the emergence of transoral robotic surgery and surgically driven de-escalation approaches. It discusses the current evidence for incorporating surgery into an evolving treatment paradigm for HPV-related OPSCC.

The internal mammary artery perforator flap in pharyngoesophageal, cervical tracheal, and cutaneous neck reconstruction.

The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap is an evolution of the deltopectoral flap that is harvested based upon a single perforator from the internal mammary artery. Its favorable characteristics include pliability as a fasciocutaneous flap, ease of harvest, and minimal donor site morbidity. In this paper, we report our harvest technique and the versatility of the IMAP flap for pharyngoesophageal, cervical tracheal, and cutaneous neck defects.

Building a sustainable free flap program in a resource-limited setting: A 12-year humanitarian effort.

Background: We present a sustainable complex reconstructive program built through 12 years of surgical outreach work at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya.

Methods: Retrospective chart review and anecdotal experiences.

Results: In 2011, surgeons from a US-medical center performed Kijabe Hospital's first 3 successful free flap surgeries.

Longitudinal Pattern of Lymphedema and Fibrosis in Patients With Oral Cavity or Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: The study aimed to describe the prevalence, severity, and trajectory of internal lymphedema, external lymphedema, and fibrosis in patients with oral cavity or oropharyngeal (OCOP) cancer.

Methods And Materials: One hundred twenty patients with newly diagnosed OCOP cancer were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study. Recruitment was conducted at a comprehensive medical center.

How Often is Cancer Present in Oral Cavity Re-resections After Initial Positive Margins?

Objective: To evaluate the rate at which carcinoma is present in the re-resection specimen following initial positive margins during head and neck cancer surgery and its impact on oncologic outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: A single institution retrospective chart review of patients that underwent curative-intent surgery for oral cavity cancer was performed.

Single Institution Experience With Sinonasal Glomangiopericytoma: A Case Series.

Sinonasal glomangiopericytoma (GPC) is an uncommon neoplasm, accounting for less than 0.5% of all sinonasal tumors. It is characterized as having low malignant potential, with complete surgical excision representing optimal treatment.

The computer-aided design margin: Ex vivo 3D specimen mapping to improve communication between surgeons and pathologists.

Background: Numerous challenges exist in determining surgical margin status. Communication between surgeons and pathologists is crucial for specimen orientation and accurate margin assessment.

Methods: A prospective study to determine feasibility of incorporating three-dimensional (3D) scanning into surgical pathology workflow was performed.

Preoperative Predictors of Free Flap Failure.

Objective: Microvascular free tissue transfer is an important reconstructive option for defects of the head and neck. The present study aims to identify preoperative patient- and tumor-specific characteristics, laboratory values, and other risk factors associated with early free flap failure.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of 1070 patients.