Malignant tumors affecting the head and neck region in ancient times: Comprehensive study of the CRAB Database

Abstract In the modern world, cancer is a growing cause of mortality, but archeological studies have shown that it is not exclusive to modern populations. The aim of this study is to examine the epidemiologic, social, and clinicopathologic features of head and neck cancers in ancient populations. To do this, we extracted all records that described malignant lesions in the head and neck region available in the Cancer Research in Ancient Bodies Database (CRAB). The estimated age, sex, physical condition of the remains (skeletonized, mummified), anatomic location of tumors, geographic location, chronology, tumor type, and methods of tumor diagnosis were collected. One hundred and sixty-seven cases were found, mostly originating from Europe (51.5%). Most records were of adults between 35 and 49 years of age (37.7%). The most involved site was the skullcap (60.4%), and the most common malignancies were metastases to the bone (65.3%) and multiple myeloma (17.4%). No primary soft tissue malignancies were registered. The results of our study indicate that head and neck cancers were present in ancient civilizations, at least since 500,000 BCE. The available data can help to improve the current understanding of the global distribution of head and neck cancer and its multidimensional impacts on populations in the contemporary world.

Risk factors for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and salivary IL-6 IN cancer patients / Fatores de risco para osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação e níveis salivares de IL-6 em pacientes com câncer

Abstract Introduction Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws is a severe complication of the use of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapy, with limited treatment options and great impact on patient's quality pf life. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in oncologic patients undergoing bisphosphonate treatment. In addition, salivary levels of interleukin-6, IL-6, were measured to investigate their association with severity and risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Methods Case-control study with 74 patients with bone metastases from solid tumors and multiple myeloma was included. Patients were divided into three groups: 1) those undergoing bisphosphonate treatment with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws; 2) those undergoing bisphosphonate without medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws; and 3) those with bisphosphonate pretreatment. The demographic and medical data of the patients were collected to assess risk. The clinical evaluation was performed to diagnose medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws and unstimulated saliva was collected for quantification of IL-6. Results As result, it was observed that patients diagnosed with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws were submitted to higher number of bisphosphonate doses (p= 0.001) and monthly infusion protocol (p= 0.044; OR = 7.75). Patients who did not have routine followup with specialized dentists during therapy with bisphosphonate and smoking were associated with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (p= 0.019; OR = 8.25 and p= 0.031; OR = 9.37 respectively). Group 1 had a higher frequency of treatment with chemotherapy and corticosteroids concomitant with bisphosphonate, and surgical dental procedures (p= 0.129). Salivary IL-6 levels showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p= 0.571) or association with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws severity (p= 0.923). Conclusion A higher number of bisphosphonate cycles, monthly infusion protocol, no dental follow-up for oral health maintenance and smoking were associated with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Specialized dental follow up during bisphosphonate treatment has been shown to be an important factor in preventing this complication.

Resumo Introdução A osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação é uma complicação grave da terapia antirreabsortiva e antiangiogênica, com opção de tratamento limitada e grande impacto na qualidade de vida do paciente. Objetivo Avaliar os fatores de risco associados à osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação em pacientes oncológicos em tratamento com bifosfonato Além disso, os níveis salivares de interleucina-6 (IL-6) foram medidos para investigar sua associação com a gravidade e o risco de osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação. Método Estudo caso-controle com 74 pacientes com metástases ósseas de tumores sólidos e mieloma múltiplo. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos: 1) em tratamento por bifosfonato com osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação; 2) submetidos ao bifosfonato sem osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação; e 3) pré-tratamento de bifosfonato. Os dados demográficos e médicos dos pacientes foram coletados para avaliar o risco. A avaliação clínica foi feita para diagnosticar osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação e a saliva não estimulada foi coletada para quantificação da IL-6. Resultados Observou-se que os pacientes diagnosticados com osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação foram submetidos a maior número de doses de bifosfonato (p = 0,001) e protocolo de infusão mensal (p = 0,044; OR = 7,75). Pacientes que não tiveram acompanhamento de rotina com dentistas especializados durante a terapia com bifosfonato e tabagismo foram associados ao osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação (p = 0,019; OR = 8,25 e p = 0,031; OR = 9,37, respectivamente). O grupo 1 apresentou maior frequência de tratamento com quimioterapia e corticosteroides concomitantes ao bifosfonato e procedimentos odontológicos cirúrgicos (p = 0,129). Os níveis salivares de IL-6 não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos (p = 0,571) ou associação com a gravidade do osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação (p = 0,923). Conclusão Maior número de ciclos de bifosfonato, protocolo de infusão mensal, ausência de acompanhamento odontológico para manutenção da saúde bucal e tabagismo foram associados ao osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada à medicação. O acompanhamento odontológico especializado durante o tratamento demonstrou ser importante na prevenção dessa complicação.

Preservation of immunoexpression of type I collagen, BSP and BMP4 in the dentin-pulp complex of head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that head and neck radiotherapy (HNRT) impacts the immunoexpression of type I collagen, bone sialoprotein (BSP) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), thereby leading to micromorphological changes in the dentin-pulp complex (DPC), and promoting the onset and progression of radiation caries (RC). Twenty-two demineralized sections of carious teeth (a group of 11 irradiated teeth and a control group of 11 non-irradiated teeth) extracted from 19 head and neck cancer patients were analyzed by conventional optical microscopy and immunohistochemistry to investigate the micromorphology (cellular layer hierarchy, blood vessels, odontoblasts, fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, calcification, necrosis, reactionary dentin formation, and chronic inflammation), and the patterns of staining/immunolocalization of type I collagen, BSP and BMP4 in the dental pulp of irradiated and control samples. No significant differences attributable to the direct impact of radiotherapy were detected in DPC micromorphology between the groups. In addition, the patterns of immunohistochemical staining and immunolocalization of the proteins studied did not differ between the irradiated and the control samples for type I collagen, BSP or BMP4. This study rejected the hypothesis that HNRT directly damages dentition by changing the organic components and the microstructure of the DPC, ultimately leading to RC.

The need for communication between clinicians and pathologists in the context of oral and maxillofacial diseases

Abstract Good communication between clinicians and pathologists is a vital element in the diagnostic process, and poor communication can adversely affect patient care. There is a lack of research about communication in diagnostic oral and maxillofacial pathology. This narrative review explores different aspects of the quality of communication between clinicians and oral pathologists, with a focus on the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases. An electronic search was carried out in MEDLINE through the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases up to April 2021. No studies reporting communication, its adequacy or the required skills between clinicians and pathologists in oral diagnosis were found. According to studies published in medicine, strategies for improving communication skills include clinician-pathologist collaboration; a well-formatted, clear and thorough report; training in communication skills; and patient-centered care. Further studies evaluating the current practices and quality in oral and maxillofacial pathology are required to identify barriers and encourage optimal communication to facilitate diagnosis, as well as patient safety.

Prótese nasal implantorretida por magnetos ­ relato de caso com cinco anos de acompanhamento / Magnet-retained nasal prosthesis ­ case report with 5-year follow-up

O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar, por meio de um caso clínico, a reabilitação de uma paciente com uma prótese nasal implantorretida. A mesma possuía 68 anos de idade e foi encaminhada para a reabilitação nasal pela equipe que realizou a cirurgia oncológica de um tumor de pele na região do seu nariz. A paciente reportou queixa com relação à estética da face e problemas no convívio social. Foi proposta reabilitação com prótese nasal, com implantes osseointegráveis associados ao sistema de retenção por magnetos. Após cinco anos e dez meses, três novas próteses foram fabricadas devido a queixas da paciente em relação à descoloração da peça. Na última consulta, a prótese foi removida e inspecionada, e se constatou problemas na higienização, motivo das pigmentações escurecidas na superfície interna da peça e do exsudato no tecido mole ao redor dos pilares protéticos. Foram realizadas a limpeza da barra e do tecido mole, e a confecção de novas próteses nasais implantorretidas à base de silicone elastomérico, além de instrução sobre a necessidade de higienização. Constatou-se que próteses nasais implantorretidas à base de silicone elastomérico são eficientes e seguras para a reabilitação de defeitos na região do nariz. Além disso, é extremamente necessário que o profissional transmita aos pacientes a necessidade de uma higienização satisfatória, solicitando retornos periódicos para obter o máximo do desempenho clínico de suas próteses e implantes.

The aim of present study was to report the rehabilitation of a patient with magnet-retained nasal prosthesis. A 68-year-old female patient was referred to nasal rehabilitation by the surgical team that performed the removal of a skin nose tumor. The patient complained about her facial aesthetics and also reported fearing social interactions. The rehabilitation with nasal prosthesis associated with osseointegrated implants, and retained by magnets was proposed to the patient. After 5 years and 10 months, 3 new prostheses have been fabricated because the patient complained about their discoloration. In the last check-up, the prosthesis was removed and visual inspection revealed lack of hygiene maintenance, which resulted in dark pigments in the intaglio surface as well as exudate in the peri-implant soft skin. The prosthetic components and soft tissue were cleaned, the fabrication of new magnet-retained nasal prosthesis was performed and instructions about the necessity of oral hygiene were also transmitted. The implant-retained nasal prosthesis is an effi cient and safe method for the rehabilitation of defects in the nasal area. Furthermore, it is extremely necessary that clinicians advise patients to perform satisfactory hygiene maintenance and periodic controls in order to obtain long-term success in such cases.

Campanha da popularização do auto exame da boca - Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil (Part I) / Popularization of oral self-examination campaign - University of Sao Paulo

Os modelos de saúde bucal do Brasil estão pautados em ações assistencialistas e curativas, que, devido uma demanda crescente e recursos insuficientes, culmina numa assistência inadequada e omissão social por exclusão de parte da população necessitada. A Odontologia tem um grande desafio em sua frente no combate ao câncer de boca os profissionais tais como, médicos, fonoaudiólogos, psicólogos,nutricionistas, etc. devem ser nossos parceiros nas equipes multiprofissionais. Inspirado nesta filosofia foi criado o projeto deôpopularização do auto-exame da bocaö, executado em maio de 2005. Neste trabalho serão apresentadas suas experiências, repercussões e perspectivas futuras. A abordagem se constituiu principalmente da elaboração de um projeto de comunicação em massa, onde uma campanha foi o instrumento utilizado para provar que é viável fazer ações educativas nacionais em câncer de boca, captar recursos e agregar parceiros, devendo tomar um caráter permanente a partir de maio 2006