Application of transoral robotic surgery in treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic and prognostic outcomes of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: A retrospective study of 99 OSCC patients treated with TORS in Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between April 2017 and May 2021 was conducted. There were 84 males and 15 females, with an age range of 35-85 years. Patients' clinical characteristics, including clinical staging, HPV infection status, perioperative management and postoperative adjuvant treatment, were recorded. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. The survival outcomes were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Results: The hospital stay of OSCC patients with TORS was (5.3±2.9) days and the average time of postoperative nasal feeding tube indwelling was (15.2±10.8) days. Among the 99 patients, 21 (21.2%) received tracheotomy and the average time of tracheotomy tube indwelling was (11.9±11.4) days. The two-year OS and PFS in patients with follow-up over two years were 94.0% and 87.7%, respectively and the three-year OS and PFS of patients with follow-up over three years were 94.0% and 78.9%, respectively. The two-year OS and PFS were respectively 97.4% and 88.9%, for patients with stages I-II and 86.8% and 88.9% for patients with stages III-IV. HPV-negative and HPV-positive patients had respectively two-year OS (100.0% vs. 91.5%) and PFS (88.9% vs. 87.2%). There was no significantly statistical difference in survival between patients with and without adjuvant radiotherapy after TORS (82.6% vs. 90.5%, HR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.12-2.23, P=0.400). Conclusions: TORS is more suitable for the treatment of patients with early (Ⅰ-Ⅱ) or HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and the recovery after TORS treatment is good.

The clinical value of oral robotic surgery in the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and traditional surgical modes in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Methods: The clinicopathological data of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. 135 cases were treated with traditional surgery (non-TORS group), while 52 cases were treated with TORS (TORS group). The prognosis of the two groups of patients were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test, the influencing factors were analyzed by Cox regression model. Results: The 2-year overall survival (OS, 94.2%) and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS, 93.8%) of patients in the TORS group were better than those in the non-TORS group (71.4% and 71.4%, respectively, P<0.05). The 2-year OS (93.3%) and 2-year PFS (92.8%) of TORS group patients in T1-2 stage were better than those of non-TORS group (73.1% and 72.8%, respectively, P<0.05). The 2-year OS (95.8%) and 2-year PFS (95.2%) of patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ in the TORS group were not significantly different from those in the non-TORS group (84.1% and 83.9%, respectively, P>0.05). The 2-year OS (92.9%) and 2-year PFS rate (92.7%) of patients with stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ in the TORS group were better than those in the non-TORS group (64.7% and 63.9%, respectively, P<0.05). The 2-year OS (94.4%) of HPV-positive patients in the TORS group was not significantly different from that in the non-TORS group (83.3%, P=0.222). The 2-year OS of HPV-negative patients in the TORS group (94.1%) was significantly different from that in the non-TORS group (43.7%, P<0.001). HPV status was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.008). Conclusions: TORS has a better prognosis in the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma compared with the traditional treatment methods. The patients with T1-T2 can achieve better survival benefits after TORS treatment. The HPV-positive OPSCC patients has a better prognosis than that of HPV-negative OPSCC patients, and regardless of HPV status, OPSCC patients in the TORS group could obtain a better survival prognosis.

Retropharyngeal lymph node dissection in head and neck cancers treated with transoral robotic surgery / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To evaluate the indications, safety, feasibility, and surgical technique for patients with head and neck cancers undergoing transoral robotic retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) dissection. Methods: The current study enrolled 12 consecutive head and neck cancer patients (seven males and four females) who underwent transoral robotic RPLN dissection with the da Vinci surgical robotic system at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from May 2019 to July 2020. Seven patients were diagnosed as nasopharyngeal carcinoma with RPLN metastasis after initial treatments, 4 patients were diagnosed as thyroid carcinoma with RPLN metastasis after initial treatments, and one patient was diagnosed as oropharyngeal carcinoma with RPLN metastasis before initial treatments. The operation procedure and duration time, intraoperative blood loss volume and complications, nasogastric feeding tube dependence, tracheostomy dependence, postoperative complications, and hospitalization time were recorded and analyzed. Results: All patients were successfully treated by transoral robotic dissection of the metastatic RPLNs, none of which was converted to open surgery. RPLNs were completely resected in 10 patients, and partly resected in 2 patients (both were nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients). The mean number of RPLN dissected was 1.7. The operation duration time and intraoperative blood loss volume were (191.3±101.1) min and (150.0±86.6) ml, respectively. There was no severe intraoperative complication such as massive haemorrhage or adjacent organ injury during surgery. Nasogastric tube use was required in all patients with (17.1±10.6) days of dependence, while tracheotomy was performed in 8 patients with (11.6±10.7) days of dependence. The postoperative hospitalization stay was (8.5±5.7) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients, including 2 of retropharyngeal incision and 2 of dysphagia. During a follow-up of (6.5±5.1) months, disease-free progression was observed in all patients, 10 patients were disease-free survival and other 2 patients were survival with tumor burden. Conclusions: The transoral robotic RPLN dissection is safety and feasible. Compared with the traditional open surgical approach, it is less traumatic and safer, has fewer complications and good clinical application potentiality. The indications for transoral robotic RPLN dissection include thyroid carcinoma, oropharyngeal carcinoma, and some selected nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other head and neck cancers. Metastatic RPLNs from some nasopharyngeal carcinoma with incomplete capsule, unclear border and adhesion to the surrounding vessels are not suitable for transoral robotic RPLN dissection.

Transoral robotic surgery for parapharyngeal space neoplasm: a report of 7 cases / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and feasibility of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for parapharyngeal space (PPS) neoplasms. Methods: We collected data from 7 patients with PPS neoplasm who received TORS in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between May 2017 and November 2020, and patients' clinical and pathological characteristics were analysed. There were 2 men and 5 women with age ranged from 35 to 76 years. Among them, 2 patients underwent secondary surgery, 2 patients required combined transcervical approach to complete surgery, and 1 patient was suspected of ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastasis and scheduled for diagnostic TORS. The preoperative tumor size, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bleeding, dyspnea, neurological impairment, feeding time and postoperative hospital stay were analyzed. SPSS 24.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: TORS was performed successfully with complete removal of tumors in all 7 cases. Among 6 patients with curative TORS, 5 patients received TORS with postoperative diagnoses of neurogenic tumors and 1 patient underwent TORS combined transcervical approach with postoperative disgnosis of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma; no intraoperative tumor rupture occurred; the intraoperative blood loss was 20-200 ml with a median of 40 ml; the operation time was 65.0-238.0 min with a median of 77.5 min; the oral feeding time was 3-6 days with a median of 3 days; and the postoperative hospital stay was 4.2±1.6 days. One patient presented with neck swelling 3 days after surgery, but this symptom relieved 3 days later after treatments with antibiotic, hemostasis and detumescence. One patient received diagnostic TORS, as intraoperative pathology indicating a recurrent pleomorphic adenoma, then the neoplasm got completely resected through transcervical-transparotid approach. None of 7 patients manifested with airway obstruction, bleeding or nerve injury symptoms after operation. All patients were followed for 2 to 44 months, no local recurrence or distant metastasis was found. Conclusions: TORS is a safe, effective and feasible treatment for selected PPS neoplasms, with less cosmetic impact, less trauma and blood loss, few postoperative complications, enhanced postoperative recovery and short hospital stay.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with better prognosis in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma / 癌症

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with several cancers, but it is not clear whether MS affects the prognosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of MS in TSCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data from 252 patients with TSCC who were initially treated at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between April 1998 and June 2011 were collected, and the associations between MS and clinicopathologic factors were retrospectively analyzed. Prognostic outcomes were examined by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 252 patients, 48 were diagnosed with MS. MS was associated with early N category in TSCC (P < 0.001). The patients with MS showed longer survival than those without MS (P = 0.028). MS was an independent prognostic factor for patients with TSCC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MS is associated with early N category in TSCC. It is an independent prognostic factor for better survival in patients with TSCC.</p>

Laryngeal reconstruction by complex hyoid bone flap after frontal partial laryngectomy / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to describe a new technique of combined hyoid bone and thyrohyoid membrane flap in laryngeal reconstruction after tumor resection, and to evaluate outcome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients requiring an frontal partial laryngectomy for cancer were enrolled between September 2008 and August 2012.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nasogastric feeding was initiated within 24 hours. The mean times to swallow batter, ability to drink water and removal of the nasogastric tube were 2.6, 5.5 and 6.3 days. All patients had good respiratory function. There were no deaths, and no reports of postoperative dyspnea or dysphagia. The vocal quality was satisfactory, slightly deeper and raspy, and the volume was weak when calling. The final follow-up assessment was in August 2012, and the overall mean follow-up period was 29.5months, range 14 to 47 months. Case two subsequently underwent total laryngectomy for recurrence in the paraglottic space, but there was no evidence of further tumor recurrence at the final assessment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The combined muscle-pedicle hyoid bone and thyrohyoid membrane flap is a reliable graft for one-stage repair of laryngotracheal defects, providing effective repair of the mucosa and cartilage support. Vocal quality, swallowing function and ventilation after the procedure were favorable.</p>

Fine-needle aspiration with measurement of parathyroid hormone levels in thyroidectomy / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Hypoparathyroidism is one of the most serious complications of thyroidectomy. It is important to identify the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy. In order to find an economic, simple and less traumatic way to identify the parathyroid glands and testify its feasibility, fine-needle aspiration of suspected parathyroid tissue was used to measure the parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels during the surgical procedure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Nov. 2011 to Apr. 2012, 50 patients were recruited for thyroid surgery in the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre. During surgery, fine-needle aspiration of suspected tissues, including parathyroid gland, thyroid gland, muscle, fat tissue, and lymph node, was performed, the PTH levels were measured. In addition, the tissues above-mentioned were taken to pathological examination. Statistical processing was adopted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of intraoperative fine-needle aspiration with measurement of PTH level in finding the pathology of the parathyroid gland.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 237 tissues from 50 patients in total, and 45 of them were certified as the parathyroid glands by pathology. Intra-operative PTH (ioPTH) of the tissues in forty-four cases were higher than 600 ng/L, ioPTH of the tissues in one case was lower than 600 ng/L, and it was 160 ng/L. The highest ioPTH in other cases was 537.7 ng/L. The sensitivity was 97.8%. The specificity was 100%. The difference between the sensitivity and the specificity of two groups was not statistically significant, and P > 0.05. The level of PTH of parathyroid gland were much higher than other tissues, and P < 0.001.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The level of ioPTH of parathyroid gland were far higher than thyroid, muscle, fat, lymph node. It is an economic, fast and less traumatic way to identify the parathyroid gland by using the fine-needle aspiration of the parathyroid tissue with measurement of PTH levels. The sensitivity and the specificity are high. It can be used in the thyroidectomy to identify the parathyroid glands.</p>

Clinical analysis of 51 cases of oral mucosal melanoma / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the treatment and prognosis of the patients with oral mucosal melanoma (OMM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathological and follow-up data of patients with OMM in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 1976 to December 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-one cases were analyzed. The pathological lymph node metastasis rate was 61% (31/51) and the affected sites were confined to level I(b)-III (94%). The overall three year and five yearsurvival rates were 35% and 21% respectively. No significant difference of three year and five year survival rates were found between the group of incisional biopsy and the group of excisional biopsy. The prognosis was not affected by pigmentation. The survival rate of the patients receiving surgery combined with biotherapy or biochemotherapy was significantly higher than that of the patients treated by other modalities (P = 0.003).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In patients with OMM, lymph node metastasis was mostly confined to level I(b)-III. Incisional biopsy and pigmentation were not associated with an unfavorable prognosis. The prognosis of the patients with OMM was poor and the patients may get a better prognosis by receiving surgery combined with biotherapy or biochemotherapy.</p>

Prognostic factors of early tongue squamous cell carcinoma and neck treatment / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyse the prognostic factors and the neck treatment strategy of early tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total of 152 cases of early tongue SCC underwent surgery between January 1994 December 2003 were reviewed. The patients, according to their neck managements, were divided into two groups, or wait-whach group (n = 32) and neck dissection group (n = 120), and the neck dissection group was subdivided into supraomohyoid neck dissection (SND) group and comprehensive neck dissection(CND) group (including radical neck dissection and modified radical neck dissection).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up over 5 years or until death and the 5-year follow-up rate was 94.7%. The regional recurrence rates of wait-whach group and neck dissection group were 34.4% and 14.2% respectively (χ(2) = 6.865, P < 0.01) and 5-year overall survival rates of the two groups were 68% and 79% respectively (χ(2) = 1.699, P > 0.05). There were no significant difference in the regional recurrence rate or 5-year survival rate between SND group and CND group (P > 0.05). The patients with pathologically node positive had a low 5-year survival rate compared to those with node negative. The patients with regional recurrence had a significant low 5-year survival rate compared to patients without regional recurrence (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Occult lymph node metastasis and regional recurrence were important prognostic factors for early tongue cancer. Supraomohyoid neck dissection can not improve the 5-year survival rate, but significantly reduce the rate of neck recurrence. The results suggest that the selective neck dissection for ipsilateral level I-III should be applied to the patients with early tongue carcinoma which does not cross the midline.</p>

Clinical analysis of myoepithelial carcinoma of head and neck / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate clinical feature, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of myoepithelial carcinoma (MC) in the head and neck.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 11 patients which were confirmed by pathology and immunohistochemistry in Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University from Jan. 1992 to Dec. 2006, were reviewed. There were 5 cases in parotid gland, 1 in hard palate, 1 in maxillary sinus, 1 in pharyngeal recess, 1 in bucca cavioris, 1 in scalp, and 1 in gingiva. Male female ratio is 4 to 7. The median age at diagnosis was 37 years (range: 14 - 60 years).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All cases were operated, 4 underwent surgery alone, 2 underwent surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy, 2 received surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy, 3 underwent surgery plus adjuvant chemoradiation. After operation, 8 cases occurred local recurrence and 4 cases occurred distance and lymph nodes metastasis. There was spindle cell type in 5 cases, clear cell type, plasmacytoid cell type in 2 cases, epithelioid cell type, mixed type in 1 case. The median follow-up time was 40 months. AS to the last follow-up time, 8 patients died.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The characteristics of the tumor were rapidly enlarging, invading the surrounding regions, high rates of lymph node metastasis, high rates of distance metastasis. It was easily recurrence if the surgical excision was not radically for MC, and the prognosis was poorly. MC was a sort of malignant tumor. Radical operation must be advocated initially. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be effective after operation.</p>

Clinical study on 88 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical characters, diagnosis, management and prognosis of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data were analyzed retrospectively for 88 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, to evaluate the clinical characters, diagnostic and therapeutical aspects and the contribution of every factor influencing the survival. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, comparison among/between groups was performed using Log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was carried out using Cox proportional hazard model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 56 patients in stage III and IV. Most of them received surgical operation combined with radiotherapy. The 5-year, 10-year and 15-year survival rates were 0.640, 0.341 and 0.190 respectively. While there were only 0.833, 0.221 and 0.323, 0.145 in stage III and stage IV lesions respectively. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates of 0.761, 0.415 were obtained in patients who received surgery combined with radiotherapy, 0.750, 0.367 and 0.286, 0.143 respectively in those treated by surgery and by radiotherapy alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma should be treated by combined surgical operation and radiotherapy. Stage and treatment approach are the independent factors affecting the prognoses of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.</p>

Neck treatment strategy for pathologically node positive tongue squamous cell carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the related factors of neck recurrence and regularity of cervical lymph nodes metastasis of pathologically node positive (pN+) tongue squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) and explore the neck treatment strategy for pN+ tongue SCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical and follow-up data of 138 patients with pN+ oral tongue SCC from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 2008 were reviewed. Distribution of neck metastatic and recurrent lymph nodes were analyzed. The influencing factors of neck recurrence of pN+ tongue SCC were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed over two years or until death. Using Kaplan-Meier method, the 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 46.4% and 36.2% respectively. Two hundred and three levels of 138 patients had metastasis and the involvement frequency of ipsilateral I, II, III reached to 94.6%. Sixty-six levels of 47 patients had neck recurrences and the involvement frequency of ipsilateral I, II, III reached to 77.3%. pT stage, pN stage, pTNM stage, extracapsular spread (ECS) of cervical lymph nodes were relevant to the neck recurrence of pN+ tongue SCC (all P < 0.05). When ECS of cervical lymph nodes was present, the neck recurrence rate of patients with postoperative radiation was lower than patients without postoperative radiation, but P value failed to demonstrate significant difference (P = 0.076). There were no significant difference of neck recurrence rates between different neck dissection methods (P > 0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that pTNM stage and ECS of cervical lymph nodes were the independent prognostic factors of pN+ oral tongue SCC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>pT stage, pN stage, pTNM stage, ECS of cervical lymph nodes were the influencing factors of neck recurrence of pN+ tongue SCC. Postoperative radiation may reduce the neck recurrence rate when ECS was present. There was no difference of the neck recurrence rate between modified neck dissection (MRND) and radical neck dissection (RND) and when the non-lymphatic structures were not involved, MRND should attempted. Metastatic and recurrent lymph nodes of pN+ tongue SCC were mostly distributed in ipsilateral I, II, III level and selective neck dissection (SND) can be applied to pN+ tongue SCC.</p>

Prognostic factors of medullary thyroid carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate prognostic factors of medullary thyroid carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, the prognostic factors were investigated in 102 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma treated at this hospital.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall survival rates of 5-year, 10-year and 15-year were 87.4%, 74.6% and 54.2% respectively by Kaplan-Meier method analysis. In univariate analysis, gender, age, bilateral thyroid lobe tumors, tumor size > 4 cm, invasion of thyroid capsule, distant metastasis, and non-radical tumor resection were significant poor prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, tumor size > 4 cm (chi(2) = 7.43, P = 0.0035), distant metastasis (chi(2) = 23.50, P = 0.0000), and non-radical tumor resection (chi(2) = 25.90, P = 0.0000) remained as independent prognostic factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tumor size > 4 cm, distant metastasis, and non-radical tumor resection are the independent predictors of patients survival. Early diagnosis and early therapy can improve significantly the prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma.</p>

Clinical study of 36 cases with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical characters, management and the prognosis of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively for 36 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus to evaluate the treatment results of different modalities. The contribution of every factors influencing on survival were also analyzed. Survival analysis was performed by life table method, comparison among/between groups was performed using log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was carried out using Cox proportional hazard model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 5-year survival rate was 58.33% in all patients, while they were only 75.0% and 42.9% in stage III and stage IV lesions respectively. The 5-year survival rate of 66.7% was obtained in patients who received surgery combined with radiotherapy,71.4% and 12.5% respectively in those treated by surgery and by radiotherapy alone. Multivariate analysis indicated that stage, treatment modality, and the tumour residues in the primary treatment were the predict factors for the prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma should be treated by combined surgery and radiotherapy. Stage, treatment approach and short-term therapeutic response are the most important factors affecting the prognosis of the patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.</p>

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a meta-analysis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the value of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma from the mainland of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data were extracted from randomized trials comparing chemotherapy plus radiotherapy with radiotherapy alone in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Actuarial rates of survival and distant metastases were calculated. The followed electronic databases were searched the Chinese Biomedicine database, Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane library; Data were extracted by tow reviewers and Review manager 4.1 software was applied for statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighteen trials with 1993 patients were include according to the including criterion. The 3-year overall survival rate of the chemoradiotherapy group and the radiotherapy group were 68.47% and 56.38% respectively, and the 5-year overall survival rate of the two groups above were 51.91% and 41.09% respectively, while the distant metastases rate of the chemoradiotherapy group and the radiotherapy group were 26.19% and 38.71% respectively. The result demonstrated that chemoradiotherapy increased overall survival by 12% at 3 years, and 11% at 5 years after treatment. After chemoradiotherapy, the rate of distant metastasis was reduce by 12%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, chemoradiotherapy significantly improves overall survival at 3 years, and 5 years compared with radiotherapy alone.</p>

Treatment and prognostic analysis of 92 cases with advanced mobile tongue squamous cell carcinoma / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the results of different treatment modalities for the advanced tongue squamous cell carcinoma and investigate the factors that influence its prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-two patients with advanced tongue squamous cell carcinoma without distant metastasis, treated in our hospital from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate analysis was performed by the Cox Proportional hazard model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 52.40% and 37.23% respectively. There was a significant difference in the overall between the two groups survival rate (chemotherapy only and radiotherapy after induced chemotherapy) and the three groups (operation only, operation after induced chemotherapy, radiotherapy after operation) cTNM stage, operation for the primary lesion and local recurrence were the independent factors that influenced the prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Risk factors that independently influence the survival of patients with advanced tongue squamous cell carcinoma were the local recurrence, cTNM and receiving operation or not for the primary lesion. Operation only or comprehensive therapy including operation could give a better prognosis, but the results of chemotherapy only or radiotherapy after chemotherapy were poor.</p>

Clinical report of 81 cases of multiple primary cancers in laryngeal carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical characteristics and the survival status of the patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the multiple primary cancers (MPC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Follow-up and clinical data were analyzed retrospectively in 81 laryngeal squamous cell cancer patients with MPC among 1101 patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Survival analysis and every influencing factor on survival rate were performed by Kaplan-Meier method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The occurrence rate of MPC in the patients with laryngeal squamous cell cancer was 7.4% (81/1101) in this report. Oral cavity carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma were the most common MPC in 29 cases (35.8%) in head and neck regions. MPC in head and neck regions were more often seen among patients who had treated with radiotherapy (chi2 = 5.7, P = 0.017). Lung carcinoma (25.9%, 21/81) and esophageal carcinoma (22.2%, 18/81) were the most common MPC in remote organs in 52 cases (64.2%). Thirty seven MPC cases (45.7%) were occurred in aerodigestive tract and 32 cases(39.5%) in respiratory tract in this series. Fourteen cases (17.3%) were synchronous MPC, the median time interval was 2 months. Other 67 cases (82.7%) were metachronous MPC, the median time interval was 28 months. The squamous cell carcinoma (66.7%) was the most common pathologic type among all MPC in 81 cases, which was more often seen among patients who had smoked and drunk (P = 0.007). The MPC of esophageal carcinoma and oropharyngeal carcinoma were more often seen among patients of supraglottic index cancer presentation (P = 0.04). The MPC of oral cavity cancers and nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lung carcinoma were more often seen among patients of glottic index cancer presentation (P = 0.006). The total three-and five-year survival rates were 45.2% and 29.7% respectively of all MPC patients, the five-year survival rate for patients (53 cases) who received actively different therapies for their MPC was 45.5%, obviously higher than that of untreated patients (28 cases) whose three-year survival rate was zero (P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lung carcinoma and esophageal carcinoma were the most common multiple primary cancers among MPC of the laryngeal cancer. MPC of the laryngeal cancer in head and neck regions were more often seen among patients who had treated with radiotherapy. The pathologic type of squamous carcinomas of MPC was more often seen among patients who had smoked and drunk. MPC affected the prognosis of patients in laryngeal cancer largely. Treating effectively and in time could help to improve the survival rate of patients with MPC in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.</p>

Value of elective neck dissection in patients with clinically stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the value of elective neck dissection in patients with clinically stage I (cT1N0M0) squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a retrospective study of patients with surgical treatment between November 1984 and November 1999. A total of 130 patients were included in the study, all of whom received operation of the primary site, meanwhile, 99 of whom underwent elective neck dissection simultaneously including level I -III or level I -IV neck dissection in 20 patients and level I - V neck dissection in 79 patients. Results Among all these patients, the rate of occult metastasis to the neck were 12. 0%. Local failure rate in patients with only local treatment, level I II, II, III/IV neck dissection and level I - V neck dissection were 25. 8%, 15. 0% and 7. 6% respectively. There were significant difference in regional failure between patients with only local treatment and patients with elective neck dissection (P < 0.05). Also, no significant differences were noted in the survival rate between patients with only local treatment, elective neck dissection (level I -III or level I -IV) and level I -V neck dissection (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Elective neck dissection significantly reduced regional control failure but was not able to reduce distant metastasis or increase the overall survival. A prospective randomized study is worthwhile to further evaluate the benefit of elective neck dissection in the treatment of clinically stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.</p>

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in young people / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the factors that influence survival of the patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma in young people and evaluate the efficiency of unilateral lobectomy plus isthmectomy with therapeutic cervical lymph node dissection and postoperative TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) suppressive therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty-one patients under 30 years old with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated in this hospital (14 cases no more than and 117 cases more than 16 years) from Jan. 1st, 1985 to Dec. 31st, 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were received only surgery and TSH suppressive therapy, and 3 patients received chemotherapy or radiotherapy because of the progressive metastasis in necks or mediastina. A multivariate analysis was performed in these patients by the Cox proportional hazard model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean follow-time (x +/- s) of all patients were (140.86 +/- 43.76) months, with range from 20 to 229 months; Ninety-eight patients followed more than 10 years. Ten patients died of thyroid cancer. The overall 10-year survival rate was 97.18%. The 10-year survival rate for patients < or = 16 years of age and > 16 years were 75.97% and 96.57% respectively (P = 0. 0006). The 10-year survival rate for women and men were 94.91% and 93.69% respectively (P = 0.5261). The 10-year survival rates of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma were 93.77% and 96. 55% respectively (P = 0.8137). For patients with tumor size of < or = 1 cm, 1-4 cm and >4 cm the survival rate was 100.0%, 96.40%, and 80.67% respectively (P = 0. 0589). The 10-year survival rates of patients with or without lymph node metastasis were 88.37% and 100. 0% respectively (P = 0.0313). For patients of with or without distant metastasis, The survival rate was 96.64% or 60.00% (P = 0.0000). The 10-year survival rates with or without recurrence were 86. 67% and 95.48% respectively (P = 0. 5681). Using multivariate analysis, risk factors that independently influence survival were distant metastasis, tumor size and age.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The distant metastasis, tumor size and age at diagnosis were the independent factors influencing survival significantly. The status of lymph node metastasis may have certain effect on the prognosis. Unilateral lobectomy plus isthmectomy with a therapeutic cervical lymph node dissection followed by postoperative TSH suppressive therapy is a favourable model to children and young adults with DTC without distant metastasis, but to the patients with distant metastasis, their prognosis of this therapy model is disappointing.</p>

Management option for cervical metastases in tongue squamous cell carcinoma with clinically N0 neck / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was designed to explore the optimal management option for cervical metastases in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with clinically N0 neck in order to avoid excessive or inadequate treatment in clinical practice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 327 cases of tongue SCC with cN0 neck were retrospectively analyzed. Neck control rates affected by different pathoclinical parameters were compared. Prognosis analysis and death analysis were also performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall 3-year survival was 69.7% (228/327), 3-year survival of neck recurrent group and non-recurrent group was 39.1% (25/64) and 77.2% (203/263), and 51.5% (51/99) of the death related to neck failure. Overall neck control rate was 80.4% (263/327); neck control rate of wait and watch group, level I neck dissection, level I + II neck dissection, supraomohyoid neck dissection, radical neck dissection, functional neck dissection, was 67.5% (27/40), 72.7% (24/33), 60.0% (15/25), 84.9% (45/55), 86.8% (131/151), 84.0% (21/25), respectively. Treatment modality and cervical lymph node involvement were independent factors for neck control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Neck control is a key for prognosis of tongue SCC with cN0 neck. Supraomohyoid neck dissection is the first choice in management of cervical metastases in tongue SCC with cN0 neck, during which the suspected involved lymph nodes should be sent for frozen section to determine whether comprehensive neck dissection required. Multimodal metastasis and/or capsular spread are the indications for postoperative irradiation.</p>