Preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical risk and pathologic response.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate surgical complications, pathologic responses, and disease progression in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conduct across four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) and grey literature sources to identify neoadjuvant therapies in head and neck cancer patients. Only prospective clinical trials were included.

Wound healing and pain evaluation following diode laser surgery vs. conventional scalpel surgery in the surgical treatment of oral leukoplakia: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare patient-reported pain scores and clinician-assessed healing outcomes following the treatment of oral leukoplakia (OL) with a diode laser vs. a conventional scalpel.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (RBR-7pgcyq) was conducted involving histopathologically confirmed OL patients.

The impact of radiation caries on morbidity and mortality outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Aims: Radiation caries (RC) is a highly prevalent and chronic complication of head and neck radiotherapy (HNRT) and presents a challenge for clinicians and patients. The present study aimed to assess the impact of RC on the morbidity and mortality outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Methods And Results: Patients were divided into three groups: (1) RC (n = 20), (2) control (n = 20), and (3) edentulous (n = 20).

Clinical predictors of malignant transformation and recurrence in oral potentially malignant disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: We performed a systematic review dedicated to pooling evidence for the associations of clinical features with malignant transformation (MT) and recurrence of 3 oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) (actinic cheilitis [AC], oral leukoplakia [OL], and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia [PVL]).

Study Design: We selected studies that included clinical features and risk factors (age, sex, site, size, appearance, alcohol intake, tobacco use, and sun exposure) of OL, PVL, and AC associated with recurrence and/or MT.

Results: Based on the meta-analysis results, non-homogeneous OL appears to have a 4.

A rare case of squamous cell carcinoma of the gingiva: A diagnostic challenge.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) of the gingiva represents less than 6% of intraoral carcinomas.

Case Report: A 51-year-old male patient presented with a history of a symptomatic red spot with periods of remission and recurrence in the mandibular gingiva. On clinical examination red and white areas were observed in the gingiva, particularly around the left lower molars.

Prognostic outcomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma derived from proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: A systematic review.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate prognostic outcomes of PVL-derived oral squamous cell carcinomas (P-OSCC) based on recurrence, new primary tumour, metastasis and survival information.

Study Design: Five databases and grey literature were searched electronically with the following main keywords (proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant transformation) to answer the following review question: 'Are survival outcomes for P-OSCC worse?' based on the PECOS principle. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool was used to identify possible biases and assess the quality of each of the primary studies.

Impact of head and neck radiotherapy on the longevity of dental adhesive restorations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Statement Of Problem: Established restorative protocols for patients after head and neck radiotherapy are lacking, increasing the failure rates of dental adhesive restorations.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the evidence regarding the impact of head and neck radiotherapy on the longevity of dental adhesive restorations.

Material And Methods: A search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Embase in May 2018 (updated in November 2020).

Laser excision of oral leukoplakia: Does it affect recurrence and malignant transformation? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a white lesion with high potential of recurrence and malignant transformation. The variable clinical and histopathological features of OL may potentially impact both treatment and prognosis. Current literature shows that post treatment rates of recurrence and malignant transformation vary widely.

Global frequency and distribution of head and neck cancer in pediatrics, a systematic review.

Background: Incidence and mortality rates of childhood cancer represent a global public health issue, however, the worldwide prevalence of head and neck cancer in pediatric patients (HNCPP) is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the frequency and distribution of HNCPP worldwide.

Methods: A specific search strategy was performed using MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE to include studies based on hospital records, national cancer registries, and pathology files.

The impact of radiation caries in the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: The objective of this multicentre study was to verify the relationship between the scores of quality of life (QoL) and the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) and radiation caries (RC) in patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer, and through this to determine if RC is capable of causing a significant decrease in the QoL.

Methods: One hundred patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with at least 1 year of RT completion who developed RC (study group, n = 50); and patients with at least 1 year of RT completion who did not develop RC (control group, n = 50). All patients answered the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the University of Washington quality of life (UW-QoL) questionnaire, which was divided into physical and social-emotional functioning domains and evaluated the DMFT index score.

Is photobiomodulation therapy effective in reducing pain caused by toxicities related to head and neck cancer treatment? A systematic review.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been considered an effective method for preventing and managing certain cancer-related toxicities in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the potential effects of PBMT on pain control and analgesia resulting from these toxicities is still controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to compile available evidence of the effects of PMBT on pain control and reduced use of analgesics in HNC patients.

Examining tumor modulating effects of photobiomodulation therapy on head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is an effective method for preventing and managing oral mucositis (OM) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients undergoing radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy. However, the potential effects of PBM therapy on premalignant and malignant cells eventually present in the treatment site are yet unknown. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of PBM therapy on HNSCC.

Tumor safety and side effects of photobiomodulation therapy used for prevention and management of cancer treatment toxicities. A systematic review.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has been increasingly used for the treatment of toxicities related to cancer treatment. One of the challenges for the universal acceptance of PBMT use in cancer patients is whether or not there is a potential for the light to stimulate the growth of residual malignant cells that evaded oncologic treatment, increasing the risk for tumor recurrences and development of a second primary tumor. Current science suggests promising effects of PBMT in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema and oral mucositis, among other cancer treatment toxicities.

The performance of digital microscopy for primary diagnosis in human pathology: a systematic review.

Validation studies of whole slide imaging (WSI) systems produce evidence regarding digital microscopy (DM). This systematic review aimed to provide information about the performance of WSI devices by evaluating intraobserver agreement reported in previously published studies as the best evidence to elucidate whether DM is reliable for primary diagnostic purposes. In addition, this review delineates the reasons for the occurrence of discordant diagnoses.

Cracked tooth syndrome in irradiated patients with head and neck cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of enamel craze lines (ECLs), part of the spectrum of the so-called cracked tooth syndrome, on the surface of teeth irradiated in vivo.

Study Design: Forty teeth extracted from patients with head and neck cancer were paired, matched, and equally divided into 4 groups: noncarious irradiated (G1); noncarious control (G2); radiation-related caries (RRC) (G3), and carious control (G4). Samples were examined for ECL detection with a fiberoptic transillumination device and photographed, and ECL mean size, number, and patterns of topographic distribution in tooth crown were determined.

Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy does not thicken cementum or change periodontal ligaments of cancer patients.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that intravenous (IV) bisphosphonate (BP) therapy thickens or alters the micromorphology of cementum and periodontal ligament (PDL) in cancer patients.

Study Design: Thirty-two teeth extracted from 24 cancer patients and separated into test (patients who have undergone IV BP therapy, n = 16) and control (patients naive to BP therapy, n = 16) groups were studied. Cementum thickness was measured in 3 different areas of the dental root with polarized light microscopy.

Structural Analysis of Enamel in Teeth from Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients Who Underwent Radiotherapy.

Objective: To analyze macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural aspects of enamel from head-and-neck cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy.

Materials And Methods: Twenty sound extracted permanent molars were used and divided into 2 groups. The experimental group consisted of 10 molars from head-and-neck cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy with total doses that ranged from 50 to 70 Gy.