ABSTRACT
Objectives@#. The mitochondrial ribosomal protein L14 (MRPL14) is encoded by a nuclear gene and participates in mitochondrial protein translation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of MRPL14 in thyroid cancer. @*Methods@#. We investigated the association between MRPL14 expression and clinicopathological features using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chungnam National University Hospital (CNUH) databases. Functional studies of MRPL14, including proliferation, migration, invasion, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, were performed in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cell lines (B-CPAP and KTC-1). @*Results@#. Based on the TCGA dataset, PTC tissues lost mitochondrial integrity and showed dysregulated expression of overall mitoribosomal proteins (MRPs) compared with normal thyroid tissues. Of 78 MRPs, MRPL14 was highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues. MRPL14 overexpression was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis. MRPL14 increased cell proliferation of thyroid cancer and promoted cell migration via epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins. Moreover, MRPL14 knockdown reduced the expression of oxidative phosphorylation complex IV (MTCO1) and increased the accumulation of ROS. Cotreatment with a ROS scavenger restored cell proliferation and migration, which had been reduced by MRPL14 knockdown, implying that ROS functions as a key regulator of the oncogenic effects of MRPL14 in thyroid cancer cells. @*Conclusion@#. Our findings indicate that MRPL14 may promote cell growth, migration, and invasion by modulating ROS in thyroid cancer cells.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives@#This study aims to investigate the lip movements area (LMA) and vowel space area according to depression.Materials and Method The participants diagnosed with voice disorders or thyroid cancer before treatment and surgery. All participants completed the depression questionnaire and recorded five vowels (/a, i, u, e, o/) phonation while shooting. Among the total 64 participants, there were 19 participants in the depressive disorders group and 45 participants in non-depressive group. The analysis parameters were LMA, vowel space areas (Area3 & Area5), formant centralization ratio (FCR), fundamental frequency (F0) and voice intensity (intensity). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was applied, and age was treated as a covariate to correct for lip movement that could deteriorate as age increased. @*Results@#As a result of MANOVA, there was no significant difference between groups (p=0.517). Looking at the LMA, both male and female in the depressive disorder group showed a lower mean value than the non-depressive disorders group. The Area3 and FCR of the depressive disorder group were higher than those in the non-depressive disorders group, whereas for the Area5, the mean value of female in the depressive disorder group was higher than that of the non-depressive disorder group and the male’s non-depressive disorder group had a slightly higher mean value. @*Conclusion@#The voice intensity according to the presence or absence of depressive disorder was similar, but the depressive disorder group tended to show narrower oral area with smaller lip opening.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine tumor, with rapidly increasing incidence worldwide. However, its transcriptomic characteristics associated with immunological signatures, driver fusions, and recurrence markers remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the transcriptomic characteristics of advanced papillary thyroid cancer. @*Methods@#. This study included 282 papillary thyroid cancer tumor samples and 155 normal samples from Chungnam National University Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital. Transcriptomic quantification was determined by high-throughput RNA sequencing. We investigated the associations of clinical parameters and molecular signatures using RNA sequencing. We validated predictive biomarkers using the Cancer Genome Atlas database. @*Results@#. Through a comparison of differentially expressed genes, gene sets, and pathways in papillary thyroid cancer compared to normal tumor-adjacent tissue, we found increased immune signaling associated with cytokines or T cells and decreased thyroid hormone synthetic pathways. In addition, patients with recurrence presented increased CD8+ T-cell and Th1-cell signatures. Interestingly, we found differentially overexpressed genes related to immune-escape signaling such as CTLA4, IDO1, LAG3, and PDCD1 in advanced papillary thyroid cancer with a low thyroid differentiation score. Fusion analysis showed that the PI3K and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were regulated differently according to the RET fusion partner genes (CCDC6 or NCOA4). Finally, we identified HOXD9 as a novel molecular biomarker that predicts the recurrence of thyroid cancer in addition to known risk factors (tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and extrathyroidal extension). @*Conclusion@#. We identified a high association with immune-escape signaling in the immune-hot group with aggressive clinical characteristics among Korean thyroid cancer patients. Moreover, RET fusion differentially regulated PI3K and MAPK signaling depending on the partner gene of RET, and HOXD9 was found to be a recurrence marker for advanced papillary thyroid cancer.
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives@#To evaluate clinical significance of FDG PET-CT for detection of residual cancer cells after curative radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of Head and NeckMaterials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with SCC of Head and neck with curative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherpy between June 2011 and Jan. 2019 was performed. Sixty patients were treated with Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The Metabolic responses were evaluated on the post-treatment FDG PET-CT at 12 weeks after curative radiotherapy completion. @*Results@#Median follow up was 51.5 months (3-102). The overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), local control rate (LCR), and Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) at 5 years were 80.5%, 80.1%, 87.7% and 89.1%. Metabolic CR was found in 43 (71.7%) and partial metabolic response (PR) was noted in 17 (14.6%). Metabolic CR was significantly correlated with OS, DFS, LCR, and DMFS. On multivariate analysis, Metabolic CR remained significant for DFS and LCR. @*Conclusion@#Metabolic CR on post-radiotherapy FDG PET-CT is highly predictive of increased DFS and LCR in patients with head and neck cancer.
ABSTRACT
There are a number of voice analysis programs around the world. Domestic voice analysis is performed by relying heavily on specific commercial program. We intend to develop coding for voice analysis using Praat and apply it to clinical practice. This study consisted of Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. Experiment 1 was the development of automated voice analysis coding based on Praat. The coding was largely divided into a recording, an analysis, and a storage section. Experiment 2 was applied to the voice analysis of 2 male patients pre- and post-operation with this coding. The analysis parameters of this coding provided 26 parameters for vowel /a/, nine parameters for sentence analysis, and a total of 4 parameters for voice range profile analysis. In two male patients, the pitch and the intensity increased, the voice quality improved, and the sentence length decreased after surgery. The coding was well made, so the output was good in real time. The code is automated as much as possible to block manual errors and increases convenience and efficiency by generating the result sheet in real time.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCs) are frequently diagnosed at the locoregional advanced stage (stage IVa), but controversy remains regarding whether stage IVa HSNCs should be treated with upfront surgery or definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT). The purpose of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with stage IVa HNSC treated primarily by surgery with curative intent with/without (neo)adjuvant treatment (surgery group) versus those treated primarily with CRT (CRT group). @*Methods@#. We reviewed data of 1,033 patients with stage IVa HNSC treated with curative intent at 17 cancer centers between 2010 and 2016. @*Results@#. Among 1,033 patients, 765 (74.1%) received upfront surgery and 268 (25.9%) received CRT. The 5-year OS and DFS rates were 64.4% and 62.0% in the surgery group and 49.5% and 45.4% in the CRT group, respectively. In multivariate analyses, OS and DFS were better in the surgery group than in the CRT group (odds ratio [OR] for death, 0.762; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.592–0.981; OR for recurrence, 0.628; 95% CI, 0.492–0.802). In subgroup analyses, the OS and DFS of patients with oropharyngeal cancer were better in the surgery group (OR for death, 0.548; 95% CI, 0.341–0.879; OR for recurrence, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.377–0.948). In the surgery group, patients with laryngeal cancer showed better OS (OR for death, 0.432; 95% CI, 0.211–0.882), while those with hypopharyngeal cancer DFS was improved (OR for recurrence, 0.506; 95% CI, 0.328–0.780). @*Conclusion@#. A survival benefit from surgery may be achieved even in patients with stage IVa HNSC, particularly those with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Surgery led to a reduction in the recurrence rate in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives@#To evaluate clinical significance of FDG PET-CT for detection of residual cancer cells after curative radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of Head and NeckMaterials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with SCC of Head and neck with curative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherpy between June 2011 and Jan. 2019 was performed. Sixty patients were treated with Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The Metabolic responses were evaluated on the post-treatment FDG PET-CT at 12 weeks after curative radiotherapy completion. @*Results@#Median follow up was 51.5 months (3-102). The overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), local control rate (LCR), and Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) at 5 years were 80.5%, 80.1%, 87.7% and 89.1%. Metabolic CR was found in 43 (71.7%) and partial metabolic response (PR) was noted in 17 (14.6%). Metabolic CR was significantly correlated with OS, DFS, LCR, and DMFS. On multivariate analysis, Metabolic CR remained significant for DFS and LCR. @*Conclusion@#Metabolic CR on post-radiotherapy FDG PET-CT is highly predictive of increased DFS and LCR in patients with head and neck cancer.
ABSTRACT
There are a number of voice analysis programs around the world. Domestic voice analysis is performed by relying heavily on specific commercial program. We intend to develop coding for voice analysis using Praat and apply it to clinical practice. This study consisted of Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. Experiment 1 was the development of automated voice analysis coding based on Praat. The coding was largely divided into a recording, an analysis, and a storage section. Experiment 2 was applied to the voice analysis of 2 male patients pre- and post-operation with this coding. The analysis parameters of this coding provided 26 parameters for vowel /a/, nine parameters for sentence analysis, and a total of 4 parameters for voice range profile analysis. In two male patients, the pitch and the intensity increased, the voice quality improved, and the sentence length decreased after surgery. The coding was well made, so the output was good in real time. The code is automated as much as possible to block manual errors and increases convenience and efficiency by generating the result sheet in real time.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCs) are frequently diagnosed at the locoregional advanced stage (stage IVa), but controversy remains regarding whether stage IVa HSNCs should be treated with upfront surgery or definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT). The purpose of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with stage IVa HNSC treated primarily by surgery with curative intent with/without (neo)adjuvant treatment (surgery group) versus those treated primarily with CRT (CRT group). @*Methods@#. We reviewed data of 1,033 patients with stage IVa HNSC treated with curative intent at 17 cancer centers between 2010 and 2016. @*Results@#. Among 1,033 patients, 765 (74.1%) received upfront surgery and 268 (25.9%) received CRT. The 5-year OS and DFS rates were 64.4% and 62.0% in the surgery group and 49.5% and 45.4% in the CRT group, respectively. In multivariate analyses, OS and DFS were better in the surgery group than in the CRT group (odds ratio [OR] for death, 0.762; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.592–0.981; OR for recurrence, 0.628; 95% CI, 0.492–0.802). In subgroup analyses, the OS and DFS of patients with oropharyngeal cancer were better in the surgery group (OR for death, 0.548; 95% CI, 0.341–0.879; OR for recurrence, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.377–0.948). In the surgery group, patients with laryngeal cancer showed better OS (OR for death, 0.432; 95% CI, 0.211–0.882), while those with hypopharyngeal cancer DFS was improved (OR for recurrence, 0.506; 95% CI, 0.328–0.780). @*Conclusion@#. A survival benefit from surgery may be achieved even in patients with stage IVa HNSC, particularly those with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Surgery led to a reduction in the recurrence rate in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.
ABSTRACT
Schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, is a benign neoplasm that originates from any nerves wrapped with a sheath made of Schwann cells. Schwannoma occurring in the head and neck region is not rare, but schwannomas of the anterior neck, especially ansa cervicalis, are extremely rare that only 7 cases have been reported to date worldwide. Although rare, it should be considered in differential diagnosis of anterior cervical mass and may be confused with other cervical and thyroid mass. We report a case of intramuscular schwannoma in the sternohyoid muscle. Preoperative diagnosis was established with an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy. Although it was removed entirely without connection to any other nerves identified or any complication, clinically, the mass was thought to be derived from the nerve. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the intramuscular schwannoma occurring from ansa cervicalis reported in the literature.
ABSTRACT
It is well established that cancer patients are more susceptible to infection because of the immunosuppressive status caused by both disease itself and anticancer treatment, including surgery and chemoradiation. Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are generally at high-risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and serious adverse outcomes. Although there is an urgent need for guidance in the delivery of safe, quality oncologic care, no international consented recommendation addressed the management of HNC patients in COVID-19 due to limited data. In this review, we summarized the consideration for head and neck oncologic care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the data and the very recent recommendations from the Korean Cancer Association and National Cancer Center. COVID-19 should be taken into consideration in the comprehensive management of HNC patients, and multidisciplinary evaluation of multilevel surgical-risks, discussion of optimized strategy, and shared-decision-making with the patient are needed to maximize both the safety from infectious pandemic and outcome of surgical and oncologic care.
ABSTRACT
It is well established that cancer patients are more susceptible to infection because of the immunosuppressive status caused by both disease itself and anticancer treatment, including surgery and chemoradiation. Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are generally at high-risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and serious adverse outcomes. Although there is an urgent need for guidance in the delivery of safe, quality oncologic care, no international consented recommendation addressed the management of HNC patients in COVID-19 due to limited data. In this review, we summarized the consideration for head and neck oncologic care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the data and the very recent recommendations from the Korean Cancer Association and National Cancer Center. COVID-19 should be taken into consideration in the comprehensive management of HNC patients, and multidisciplinary evaluation of multilevel surgical-risks, discussion of optimized strategy, and shared-decision-making with the patient are needed to maximize both the safety from infectious pandemic and outcome of surgical and oncologic care.
ABSTRACT
Osseous choristoma is a rare, benign proliferative osseous lesion, which is defined as the growth of normal tissue in an abnormal location. The etiopathogenesis for its formation is unknown, but various hypotheses have been proposed. Treatment of choice is en-bloc resection, and no recurrence has been reported. Here, we report the two cases of osseous choristoma, presented with a mass on the base of the tongue with/without globus symptom and were treated with surgical excision.
Subject(s)
Choristoma , Osteoma , Recurrence , TongueABSTRACT
Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to provide guidance on the implementation of a surgical treatment of oral cancer. MEDLINE databases were searched for articles on subjects related to “surgical management of oral cancer” published in English. Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. The quality of evidence was rated with use RoBANS (Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies) and AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews). Evidence-based recommendations for practice were ranked according to the American College of Physicians grading system. Additional directives are provided as expert opinions and Delphi questionnaire when insufficient evidence existed. The Committee developed 68 evidence-based recommendations in 34 categories intended to assist clinicians and patients and counselors, and health policy-makers. Proper surgical treatment selection for oral cancer, which is directed by patient- and subsite-specific factors, remains the greatest predictor of successful treatment outcomes. These guidelines are intended for use in conjunction with the individual patient's treatment goals.
Subject(s)
Humans , Advisory Committees , Bias , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Counseling , Expert Testimony , Mouth Neoplasms , Neck , Republic of KoreaABSTRACT
Lipomas of the retropharyngeal space are rare, and they do not cause symptoms until they reach a large size. Although retropharyngeal lipoma is an uncommon entity, several reports have appeared about it in the literature, where the treatment has routinely been surgical excision. We present a case of huge lipoma of the retropharyngeal space. It extended from the oropharynx to the inferior portion of thyroid gland, causing symptoms of globus and dysphagia in a 74-year-old male. The patient had multiple medical problems and had been on anticoagulants, so we approached the mass via transcervical incision. After a complete surgical resection, all the symptoms of the patient improved. A large retropharyngeal lipoma could also be differentially diagnosed as a laryngopharyngeal mass presenting symptoms of globus and dysphagia.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Anticoagulants , Deglutition Disorders , Lipoma , Oropharynx , Thyroid GlandABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vocal fatigue is a symptom and a term that has been frequently used in the clinical study. Although a recently developed vocal fatigue index (VFI), a self-report questionnaire that reliably identifies vocal fatigue patients, provides detailed characteristics of the symptom, there has been no study about the association between VFI and other voice assessment parameters. This study aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between VFI and the established voice assessment in Korean patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Two hundred fifty-seven patients with voice disorders (mean age, 49.48±14.34; 145 male and 112 female) undertook the voice assessment that consisting of perceptual judgment [Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain (GRBAS) Scale], acoustic and aerodynamic analysis, and voice handicap index (VHI) questionnaire. All patients validated using VFI. Correlation analysis between each voice assessment and VFI was conducted. RESULTS: There were statistical significances between items of voice assessment and VFI. Among the GRBAS Scale, G, B, A, S and a number of acoustic measures were associated with vocal fatigue. In particular, these features were prominent in men. As the score of VFI increased, the sound pressure level during voicing and the phonation time from aerodynamic measures were decreased while the mean pitch was increased. In addition, VFI was closely correlated with pre-existing self-report questionnaire and VHI in both gender. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that VFI has a significant association with pre-established voice assessment. Therefore, VFI can be used as a reliable tool for identifying and validating vocal fatigue in Korean.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acoustics , Asthenia , Clinical Study , Fatigue , Judgment , Methods , Phonation , Voice Disorders , VoiceABSTRACT
Fanconi's anemia is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by congenital abnormalities and anaplastic anemia. Patients with this disorder has predisposition for leukemia, specifically acute myeloid leukemia. Risk for head and neck solid tumors are also increased. Head and neck cancers in patients with Fanconi's anemia are significantly different from those in patients without Fanconi's anemia in frequency, distribution, clinical course, and treatment. Therefore, we report a case of 23-year-old male with Fanconi's anemia, who presented with an oral tongue cancer treated with radical excision, bilateral neck dissection and careful postoperative radiation therapy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Anemia , Congenital Abnormalities , Fanconi Anemia , Head , Hospital Distribution Systems , Leukemia , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute , Neck , Neck Dissection , Tongue Neoplasms , TongueABSTRACT
Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to develop clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer. This Task Force conducted a systematic search of the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases to identify relevant articles, using search terms selected according to the key questions. Evidence-based recommendations were then created on the basis of these articles. An external expert review and Delphi questionnaire were applied to reach consensus regarding the recommendations. The resulting guidelines focus on the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer with the assumption that surgery is the selected treatment modality after a multidisciplinary discussion in any context. These guidelines do not, therefore, address non-surgical treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The committee developed 62 evidence-based recommendations in 32 categories intended to assist clinicians during management of patients with laryngeal cancer and patients with laryngeal cancer, and counselors and health policy-makers.
Subject(s)
Humans , Advisory Committees , Consensus , Counseling , Drug Therapy , Glottis , Laryngeal Neoplasms , NeckABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are commonly used for head and neck surgery reconstruction. However, a thick ALT often leads to long operation times. Therefore, ALT thickness on a preoperative non contrast image of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan was measured to predict surgical outcome. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The correlation between ALT thickness and total reconstruction time was analyzed in 106 patients. The differences in ALT thickness between the successful and compromised-flap groups were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Median ALT thickness was 4.49 mm, and total reconstruction time was 190 min. Total reconstruction time was significantly correlated with ALT thickness (p=0.019). ALT thickness, body mass index (BMI), total reconstruction time and ischemia time were significantly greater in the compromised-flap group than in the successful group. In the multivariate analysis, only BMI and ischemia time were predictors for the compromised flap. CONCLUSION: ALT thickness measured on a non-contrast image of PET-CT scan is useful as a surgical outcome predictor with respect to total reconstruction time. A further study may suggest the risk of a thick ALT in a compromised flap in head and neck reconstruction using an ALT free flap.
Subject(s)
Humans , Body Mass Index , Electrons , Free Tissue Flaps , Head and Neck Neoplasms , Head , Ischemia , Methods , Multivariate Analysis , Neck , Positron-Emission Tomography , Retrospective Studies , ThighABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Decision to perform concurrent ipsilateral thyroidectomy on patients with hypopharyngeal cancer is important, and unnecessary thyroidectomy should be avoided if oncologically feasible. We hypothesized that concurrent ipsilateral thyroidectomy is not routinely required to prevent occult metastasis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of histological thyroid invasion in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, and to refine the indications for prophylactic ipsilateral thyroidectomy in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records from the Department of Otolaryngology at Yonsei University College of Medicine was conducted from January 1994 to December 2009. A total of 49 patients underwent laryngopharyngectomy with thyroidectomy as a primary treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer. RESULTS: The incidence of thyroid gland involvement was 10.2%. The most common route of invasion was direct extension through the thyroid cartilage. Thyroid cartilage invasion (p=0.034) was the most significant factor associated with thyroid invasion. Disease-specific survival at 5 years was lower in patients with than without thyroid gland invasion (26.7% vs. 55.2%, respectively; p=0.032). Disease-free survival at 5 years was also lower in patients with than without thyroid gland invasion (20.0% vs. 52.1%, respectively; p=0.024). CONCLUSION: Ipsilateral thyroidectomy in combination with total laryngopharyngectomy is indicated when invasion of the thyroid cartilage is suspected in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.