Oral cancer over six decades: a multivariable analysis of a clinicopathologic retrospective study

Abstract Studies have reported changes in the epidemiological profile of patients with oral cancer in recent decades, especially regarding gender and age. This study aimed to evaluate a historical series of oral malignant lesions prevalence over six decades and define characteristics associated with the occurrence, mainly, of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A retrospective review of histopathological records from 1953 to 2019 was conducted in three oral pathology laboratories in South Brazil about age, sex, anatomical site, clinical aspect, and histopathological diagnosis. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed comparing the histopathological diagnoses with other variables. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to determine the associated predictors of OSCC. Of the 53,065 records available in the institutions, 986 were oral malignant tumors (including all malignant neoplasms), representing 1.86% of all diagnoses. The occurrence of OSCC in the 1960's was 80.0%, decreasing over time reaching the lowest percentage of cases in the 1990's (75.8%) and significantly increasing to 88.7% in the 2010s. Females had a lower chance than males of having OSCC independently of the decade (odds ratio=0.30, p<0.001). This was the same for older individuals compared to those younger than 40 years. No interactions between sex, age, and decade were observed. The number of diagnoses of oral malignant lesions increased over time, and the occurrence of OSCC varied. Older individuals and males had higher chances of having OSCC independently of the decade. Therefore, in this study sample, no changes were observed in the epidemiological profile over the years concerning these predictors.

Resumo Alguns estudos relataram mudanças no perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com câncer bucal nas últimas décadas, principalmente quanto ao gênero e a idade. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, em uma série histórica, a prevalência de todas as lesões malignas bucais ao longo de seis décadas e definir características associadas na ocorrência, principalmente, de carcinoma espinocelular (CEC). Um levantamento retrospectivo dos registros histopatológicos de 1953 a 2019 foi realizado em três laboratórios de Patologia Bucal no Sul do Brasil em relação à idade, gênero, sítio anatômico, aspecto clínico e diagnóstico histopatológico. Análises descritivas e analíticas foram realizadas comparando-se os diagnósticos histopatológicos com as outras variáveis. A regressão logística multivariada foi aplicada para determinar os possíveis preditores associados ao CEC. Dos 53.065 prontuários disponíveis nas instituições, 986 eram tumores malignos bucais (incluindo todas as neoplasias malignas), representando 1,86% de todos os diagnósticos. A ocorrência de CEC na década de 1960 foi de 80,0%, diminuindo ao longo do tempo, atingindo o menor percentual de casos na década de 1990 (75,8%) e aumentando significativamente para 88,7% na década de 2010. As mulheres tiveram menor risco de desenvolver CEC do que os homens, independentemente da década (OR=0,30, p<0,001). Este foi o mesmo para indivíduos com idade mais avançada em comparação com aqueles com menos de 40 anos de idade. Não foram observadas interações entre gênero, idade e década. O número de diagnósticos de lesões malignas bucais aumentou ao longo das décadas e a ocorrência de CEC variou. Indivíduos com mais de 40 anos e do sexo masculino tiveram maiores chances de ter CEC, independentemente da década analisada. Portanto, nessa amostra estudada, não foram observadas mudanças no perfil epidemiológico ao longo dos anos com relação a esses preditores.

Differential Diagnosis of Oral Metastases / Diagnóstico Diferencial de las Metástasis Orales

Metastatic lesions in the mouth can resemble common inflammatory lesions. Therefore, we set out to investigate oral metastases whose clinical and imaging characteristics mimicked those of harmless lesions, confusing and delaying the diagnosis. For this, a systematic review was carried out from case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies in the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase-via Elsevier, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, and gray literature, using PICO strategy without period restriction. We assessed the quality of studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute assessment tool. A narrative synthesis of the data was carried out. Association analyses using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were performed, with statistical significance at p<0.05. Most of the lesions came from the lung, breast, kidneys, liver, and thyroid. They affected mainly the mandibles of men, between the fifth and seventh decades of life, causing osteolysis. In soft tissue, there were firm swellings, associated with bleeding. Limitations regarding the heterogeneity of the included studies and the absence of clinic pathological descriptions of the tumors substantially reduced the chance of statistical analysis of the data. Knowing the different possibilities of clinical presentation of oral and maxillofacial metastases is important for the diagnost ic suspicion to occur and diagnostic errors to be avoided. Thus, treatment is instituted and survival can be extended. Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42020200696.

Las lesiones metastásicas en la cavidad oral pueden parecer similares a lesiones inflamatorias comunes. Por ello, nos propusimos investigar metástasis orales cuyas características clínicas e imagenológicas simularan las de lesiones inofensivas, confundiendo y retrasando el diagnóstico. Para ello, se realizó una revisión sistemática a partir de reportes de casos, series de casos y estudios transversales en PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase-vía Elsevier, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science y literatura gris, utilizando la estrategia PICO sin restricción de periodo. La calidad de los estudios se evaluó mediante la herramienta de evaluación del Instituto Joanna Briggs. Se realizó una síntesis narrativa de los datos. Se realizaron análisis de asociación mediante chi-cuadrado y prueba exacta de Fisher, con significancia estadística en p<0,05. La mayoría de las lesiones procedían de pulmón, mama, riñones, hígado y tiroides. Afectan principalmente a las mandíbulas de los hombres, entre la quinta y la séptima década de la vida, provocando osteólisis. En los tejidos blandos, había hinchazones firmes, asociadas con sangrado. Las limitaciones con respecto a la heterogeneidad de los estudios incluidos y la ausencia de descripciones clinicopatológicas de los tumores redujeron sustancialmente la posibilidad de realizar un análisis estadístico de los datos. Conocer las diferentes posibilidades de presentación clínica de las metástasis orales y maxilofaciales es importante para que se produzca la sospecha diagnóstica y se eviten errores diagnósticos. Por lo tanto, se instituye el tratamiento y se puede prolongar la supervivencia. Registro de protocolo: PROSPERO CRD42020200696.

Desarrollo de la habilidad en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer bucal durante las prácticas preprofesionales de Estomatología / Development of the competence in oral cancer early diagnosis during pre-professional training in Dentistry i: en

Introducción: La creciente aparición del cáncer bucal en etapas avanzadas revela la necesidad de egresar profesionales preparados que contribuyan a su prevención y diagnóstico precoz. Objetivo: Evaluar un sistema de tareas docentes para el desarrollo de la habilidad en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer bucal. Métodos: Se realizó un preexperimento en 32 estudiantes y 10 profesores vinculados al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la asignatura Atención Integral a la Población de la carrera de Estomatología en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Guantánamo, en el curso escolar 2022-2023. A tal efecto, se determinó la variable el desarrollo de la habilidad para el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer bucal, con sus dimensiones e indicadores, y se comprobó la significación de un sistema de tareas docentes para este fin a través de la prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados: De acuerdo con los rangos de Wilcoxon, el sistema de tareas docentes resultó confiable para contribuir al desarrollo de la habilidad objeto de estudio (p<0,05). Los estudiantes consideraron que dicho sistema constituye la vía idónea para su preparación en el tema; de igual forma, todos los profesores coincidieron en cuanto a su pertinencia, factibilidad, efectividad, utilidad práctica y relevancia. Conclusiones: El sistema de tareas docentes aplicado durante la práctica preprofesional de los estudiantes de estomatología demostró ser factible para el desarrollo de la habilidad en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer bucal.

Introduction: The increasing appearance of advanced oral cancer reveals the need of graduating professionals, prepared to contribute to its prevention and early diagnosis. Objective: To evaluate a system of teaching tasks for the development of competence in oral cancer early diagnosis. Methods: A pre-experiment was carried out with 32 students and 10 professors, who were involved in the teaching-learning process of the subject Comprehensive Dental Care for the Population of Dentistry degree in the University of Medical Sciences from Guantánamo, in the 2022-2023 academic year. For this purpose, the development of competence in oral cancer early diagnosis was determined as the variable, with its dimensions and indicators, and the significance of a system of teaching tasks for this objective was verified through the Wilcoxon test. Results: According to the Wilcoxon ranks, the teaching task system was reliable in contributing to the development of the competence under study (p<0.05). The students considered that this system is the ideal way for their training on the subject; in the same way, all teachers agreed regarding the relevance, feasibility, effectiveness, and practical utility of the teaching task system. Conclusions: The teaching task system applied during pre-professional practice of dentistry students proved to be feasible for the development of competence in oral cancer early diagnosis.

Tumor volume as a prognostic factor on the median survival in locally advanced oral cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy

Background: Surgery has been the mainstay treatment for oral cancer. Patients who do not receive surgery are generally treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Many factors play a role in patients� survival; tumor volume might be one of those factors. This study aims to determine the effect of the pre-treatment tumor volume on the survival of oral cancer. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with histological confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, stage III朓V oral cancer, who received definitive CCRT. Tumor volume from pre-treatment computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed and analyzed. The optimal cut-off tumor volume was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Among 67 patients, half of the primary tumor sites were oral tongue. The median total tumor volume (TTV) was 73.25 cm3, while the median survival was 12.5 months (95% confidence interval: 10.9-20.3). The optimal cut-off TTV ?52.9 cm3 (P < 0.0001). The median survival of the patients, who had tumor volume <52.9 cm3 were 34.4 months, and for tumor volume ?52.9 cm3 were 8.6 months (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that TTV ?52.9 cm3, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique had significantly influenced the overall survival. Conclusion: TTV had an influence on the overall survival of locally advanced oral cancer. In addition, TTV may be considered as a factor in selecting the appropriate treatment option for these patients.

Regulação do acesso ao tratamento do câncer de boca no estado do Rio de Janeiro / Study of the regulation system for access to oral cancer treatment in the state of Rio de Janeiro

Objetivos: Descrever o perfil das solicitações de vaga para tratamento do câncer de boca e analisar o tempo entre a solicitação e o agendamento. Métodos. Pesquisa com dados secundários do Sistema Estadual de Regulação do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, entre setembro de 2015 e junho de 2018. Incluiu-se as solicitações para "Oncologia Ambulatório de 1ª vez- Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço" classificadas como câncer de boca e excluiu-se as com status "cancelada". Resultados. Foram exportados 5802 registros, sendo 1663 elegíveis. A idade média foi de 61 anos, com um desvio padrão de 12,3 anos. O tempo médio de espera foi de 19 dias com um desvio padrão de 16,6 dias. 19% dos agravos referiram-se as "Neoplasia maligna de outras partes e partes não especificadas da língua". Conclusão. O perfil dos pacientes corrobora o encontrado na literatura e o tempo de espera para o atendimento é considerado aceitável.

Objectives: To describe the profile of vacancy requests for treatment of oral cancer and to analyze the time between the request and the schedule. Methods. Research with secondary data from the State Regulation System of the State of Rio de Janeiro, between September 2015 and June 2018. Included were requests for "First-time Ambulatory Oncology - Head and Neck Surgery" classified as oral cancer and those with "canceled" status were excluded. Results. 5,802 records were exported, of which 1663 were eligible. The average age was 61 years, with a standard deviation of 12.3 years. The average waiting time was 19 days with a standard deviation of 16.6 days. 19% of the complaints referred to "Malignant neoplasm from other parts and unspecified parts of the tongue". Conclusion. The profile of patients corroborates that found in the literature and the waiting time for care is considered acceptable.

Contribution of public oral pathology services to the diagnosis of oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of oral and maxillofacial pathology laboratories (OMPLs) in Brazilian public universities to the diagnosis of lip, oral cavity, and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A cross-sectional study was performed using biopsy records from a consortium of sixteen public OMPLs from all regions of Brazil (North, Northeast, Central-West, Southeast, and South). Clinical and demographic data of patients diagnosed with lip, oral cavity, and oropharyngeal SCC between 2010 and 2019 were collected from the patients' histopathological records. Of the 120,010 oral and maxillofacial biopsies (2010-2019), 6.9% (8,321 cases) were diagnosed as lip (0.8%, 951 cases), oral cavity (4.9%, 5,971 cases), and oropharyngeal (1.2%, 1,399 cases) SCCs. Most cases were from Brazil's Southeast (64.5%), where six of the OMPLs analyzed are located. The predominant profile of patients with lip and oral cavity SCC was Caucasian men, with a mean age over 60 years, low schooling level, and a previous history of heavy tobacco consumption. In the oropharyngeal group, the majority were non-Caucasian men, with a mean age under 60 years, had a low education level, and were former/current tobacco and alcohol users. According to data from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, approximately 9.9% of the total lip, oral cavity, and oropharyngeal SCCs reported over the last decade in Brazil may have been diagnosed at the OMPLs included in the current study. Therefore, this data confirms the contribution of public OMPLs with respect to the important diagnostic support they provide to the oral healthcare services extended by the Brazilian Public Health System.

Mouthwash use and oral cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of mouthwash use on the development of oral cancer. METHODS Observational studies with adult/older adult populations that have examined the association between mouthwash use and oral cancer were included. Electronic search was performed in July 2022, with no time or language restrictions. PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases were used, and the search was extended to theses and dissertations libraries, Google Scholar, reference lists, and other sources. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and quantitative data synthesis was performed by random effects meta-analysis, with different subgroup analyses and meta-regression. This revision was registered in Prospero (CRD42020143307). RESULTS Of the 4,094 studies identified in the search, 15 case-control studies were included in the review, totaling 6,515 cases and 17,037 controls. The meta-analysis included 17 measures of effect from 15 case-control studies. The pooled OR was 1.00 (95%CI: 0.79-1.26, n = 17 studies), but it was 2.58 (95%CI: 1.38-4.82, n = 2 studies) among those who had used mouthwashes three times or more times a day, and 1.30 (95%CI: 1.10-1.54, n = 4 studies) among those who had used mouthwashes for more than 40 years. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence that a high frequency of mouthwash use may be associated with an increased risk of oral cancer. However, despite the biological plausibility for this association, we suggest caution upon interpretation of our findings due to the few number of studies that have investigated the mouthwash use frequency, which should be considered. Therefore, we recommend that future studies assess, in detail, the frequency, duration, and content of mouthwashes to increase the strength of evidence for a possible dose-response effect of mouthwashes on oral cancer risk.

Research progress in animal models of oral squamous cell carcinoma and common oral mucosal diseases / 中国基层医药

The pathogeneses of oral squamous cell carcinoma and most oral mucosal diseases are unclear. Therefore, establishing animal models with similar pathogeneses is significant for clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of related diseases. At present, scholars have established animal models for different focuses. This paper aims to introduce the methods for establishing animal models of oral squamous cell carcinoma and common oral mucosal diseases, compare their advantages and disadvantages, and provide evidence for related basic research.

Hospitalizations for oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil by the SUS: impacts of the covid-19 pandemic / Hospitalizações por câncer bucal e orofaríngeo no Brasil pelo SUS: impactos da pandemia de covid-19

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the impact of the different phases of the covid-19 pandemic on hospitalizations for oral (CaB) and oropharyngeal (CaOR) cancer in Brazil, carried out within the scope of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS We obtained data regarding hospital admissions due to CaB and CaOR between January 2018 and August 2021 from the SUS Hospital Information System, analyzing hospital admissions as rates per 100,000 inhabitants. We divided the pandemic (January 2020 to August 2021) and pre-pandemic (January 2018 to December 2019) periods into four-month periods, comparing the pandemic period rates with analogous rates for the pre-pandemic period - for Brazil, by macro-region and by a group of procedures performed during hospitalization. We also analyzed the impact of the pandemic on the average cost of hospitalizations, expressing the results in percentage change. RESULTS Rates of hospitalization in the SUS due to CaB and CaOR decreased during the pandemic in Brazil. The most significant reduction occurred in the second four-month period of 2020 (18.42%), followed by decreases in the third four-month period of 2020 (17.76%) and the first and second four-month periods of 2021 (respectively, 14.64% and 17.07%), compared with 2019. The South and Southeast showed the most expressive and constant reductions between the different phases of the pandemic. Hospitalizations for clinical procedures suffered a more significant decrease than for surgical procedures. In Brazil, the average expenditure per hospitalization in the four-month pandemic periods was higher than in the reference periods. CONCLUSION After more than a year of the pandemic's beginning in Brazil, the SUS hospital care network for CaB and CaOR had yet to be re-established. The repressed demand for hospitalizations for these diseases, which have fast evolution, will possibly result in delays in treatment, negatively impacting the survival of these patients. Future studies are needed to monitor this situation.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar o impacto das diferentes fases da pandemia de covid-19 sobre as hospitalizações por câncer bucal (CaB) e de orofaringe (CaOR) no Brasil, realizadas no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). MÉTODOS Os dados quanto às internações hospitalares por CaB e CaOR, entre janeiro de 2018 e agosto de 2021, foram obtidos no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS. As internações foram analisadas sob a forma de taxas por 100 mil habitantes. Os períodos de pandemia (janeiro de 2020 a agosto de 2021) e pré-pandemia (janeiro de 2018 a dezembro de 2019) foram divididos em quadrimestres; as taxas quadrimestrais do período pandêmico foram comparadas às taxas análogas do período pré-pandemia - para o Brasil, por macrorregião e por grupo de procedimentos realizados na internação. O impacto da pandemia sobre o valor médio das internações também foi analisado. Os resultados foram expressos em variação percentual. RESULTADOS As taxas de internação hospitalar no SUS por CaB e CaOR reduziram durante a pandemia no Brasil. Em comparação com os quadrimestres de 2019, a maior redução foi identificada no segundo quadrimestre de 2020 (18,42%), seguida das reduções do terceiro quadrimestre de 2020 (17,76%) e do primeiro e segundo quadrimestres de 2021 (respectivamente, 14,64% e 17,07%). Sul e Sudeste apresentaram as reduções mais expressivas e constantes entre as diferentes fases da pandemia. As internações para procedimentos clínicos sofreram maior redução do que para procedimentos cirúrgicos. No Brasil, o gasto médio por internação nos quadrimestres da pandemia foi maior do que nos quadrimestres de referência. CONCLUSÃO Após mais de um ano do início da pandemia no Brasil, a rede hospitalar de cuidado ao CaB e CaOR do SUS ainda não tinha se restabelecido. A demanda reprimida de hospitalizações por essas doenças, que são de rápida evolução, possivelmente resultará em atrasos para tratamento, com impacto negativo para a sobrevida desses pacientes; futuros estudos são necessários para monitorar essa situação.

Study on the effect of early mobilization in oral cancer patients who have undergone free flap reconstruction / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore an early mobilization plan for oral cancer patients after free flap reconstruction and evaluate the application effect of the plan.Methods:This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial. A total of 173 patients undergoing free flap reconstruction surgery from December 2018 to December 2021 in the second ward of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology were selected. The patients were randomly divided into the control group (87 cases) and the intervention group (86 cases) by cluster randomized grouping. The control group received the routine nursing plan, that was, head immobilization for 4 days after surgery, and patients performed sat up and off-bed activity on the 5th day. The intervention group received the early mobilization plan, that was, patients sat up on the 2nd day after surgery and performed off-bed activity on the 3rd day. The incidence of vascular compromise, postoperative complications, sleep time in the first 5 days after surgery, catheter removal time, hospitalization duration and expenses were compared between the two groups.Results:The incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection, the daily sleep time in the first 5 days after surgery, the time for removing nasogastric tube, trachea cannula, and urinary catheter were 7.0%(6/86), (5.0 ± 1.0) h/d, (11.8 ± 7.3) d, (6.1 ± 3.2) d, (3.6 ± 0.6) d in the intervention group, and 13.8%(12/87), (4.4 ± 1.3) h/d, (14.2 ± 5.8) d, (7.3 ± 1.7) d, (4.0 ± 0.9) d in the control group, all differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 3.89, t values were -3.57 - -2.44, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of rascular compromise, hospitalization duration and expenses between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:For patients undergoing free tissue flap reconstruction, it is safe to sit up on the 2nd day and get out of bed on the 3rd day, which can reduce the incidence of pulmonary infection, improve patient sleep, and shorten the indwelling time of nasogastric tube, trachea cannula and urinary catheter.

Active search screening for oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer in the city of Piracicaba

Abstract Oral cancer is a public health problem worldwide with approximately 300,000 new cases diagnosed every year and more than 170,000 deaths annually. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for approximately 90% of all oral malignancies and it is frequently preceded by lesions known as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Screening programs for early detection of oral lesions have been conducted. Therefore, the objective of this research was to carry out an active search in a screening program in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil. High-risk patients were identified at the city's health center through their medical records and referred for dental consultation. Other patients who opportunistically sought dental care were also seen and if they did not present risk factors for SCC, they were considered low-risk. A total of 756 patients were examined, and 445 met the criteria for the high-risk group and 311 for the low-risk group. It was possible to diagnose 27 OPMDs and six SCCs - 21 OPMDs and six SCCs occurred in high-risk patients and six OPMDs in low-risk patients. A chi-square test was applied and a statistically significant value (p = 0.006) was obtained for the detection of OPMD and SCC in patients of the high-risk group. Screening of high-risk patients through active search proved to be an effective program for diagnosing OPMD and SCC. Therefore, we encourage its implementation on a large scale to reduce the current scenario of this disease.

Effects of tobacco on the DNA of smokers and non-smokers affected by OSCC: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Scientific evidence about genetic and molecular changes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) among smokers and non-smokers is inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of tobacco on the DNA of individuals with OSCC based on protein mutations. Electronic searches were conducted on PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify observational studies published up to January/2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used for the critical appraisal of studies. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated. Twenty-three studies assessing 4,060 individuals (2,967 smokers vs. 1,093 non-smokers) were included in this review. Fifteen groups of proteins/genes were investigated. Analysis of the quality of articles revealed low risk of bias in most studies. The certainty of the evidence was very low. The meta-analysis confirmed no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers with respect to damage to GSTM1 (OR: 0.60; 95%CI: 0.30-1.18), GSTT1 (OR: 1.18; 95%CI:0.49-2.83), hydrolase proteins (Ku70 and Ku80) (OR: 0.74; 95%CI: 0.18-3.05), and transferase proteins (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTM3) (OR: 0.74; 95%CI: 0.47-1.18). Most of the studies included showed that smokers are more likely to exhibit genetic instability. However, the meta-analysis revealed that smokers do not necessarily have more genetic alterations in the DNA than non-smokers.

Genome sequencing reveals molecular subgroups in oral epithelial dysplasia

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the molecular characteristics of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), highlighting the pathways and variants of genes that are frequently mutated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and other cancers. Ten archival OED cases were retrieved for retrospective clinicopathological analysis and exome sequencing. Comparative genomic analysis was performed between high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and low-grade dysplasia (LGD), focusing on 57 well-known cancer genes, of which 10 were previously described as the most mutated in OSCC. HGD cases had significantly more variants; however, a similar mutational landscape to OSCC was observed in both groups. CASP8+FAT1/HRAS, TP53, and miscellaneous molecular signatures were also present. FAT1 is the gene that is most affected by pathogenic variants. Hierarchical divisive clustering showed division between the two groups: "HGD-like cluster" with 4HGD and 2LGD and "LGD-like cluster" with 4 LGD. MLL4 pathogenic variants were exclusively in the "LGD-like cluster". TP53 was affected in one case of HGD; however, its pathway was usually altered. We describe new insights into the genetic basis of epithelial malignant transformation by genomic analysis, highlighting those associated with FAT1 and TP53. Some LGDs presented a similar mutational landscape to HGD after cluster analysis. Perhaps molecular alterations have not yet been reflected in histomorphology. The relative risk of malignant transformation in this molecular subgroup should be addressed in future studies.

Oral and oropharyngeal cancer: time from first symptoms to treatment initiation and associated factors

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the time elapsed from first symptoms to the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OOC) and to identify variables associated with treatment delay. This is an observational study with retrospective and prospective data collection. Patients with a diagnosis of OOC seen at the Head and Neck Surgery outpatient clinic of a Brazilian public hospital were included and followed up to treatment initiation. Participants answered a questionnaire for the collection of socioeconomic, demographic, cultural, and clinical information, as well as information about the time elapsed from first symptoms to the first appointment with a head and neck surgeon. Time to treatment was classified into four intervals: 1- first symptoms to first medical appointment; 2- first medical appointment to specialized medical care; 3- specialized medical care to preparation for treatment; and 4- preparation for treatment to treatment initiation. Bivariate statistics were computed. Out of 100 participants, nine died before treatment. Mean time to treatment was 217 days. Highest mean time was observed for interval 2 (94 days), followed by interval 1 (63 days), interval 4 (39 days), and interval 3 (21 days). At interval 1, a longer time was associated with severe alcohol consumption, severe smoking, and family history of cancer. At interval 2, the delay was associated with appointment with a general practitioner, clinical diagnosis of disease other than cancer, and antibiotic prescription. At interval 4, delay in treatment was associated with surgical treatment. Patients with OOC experience delays from symptom onset to treatment initiation. The longest interval was associated with professional delay, followed by patient delay in help-seeking.

Mortalidade por câncer de boca e fatores associados no Ceará, Brasil, 2009-2019: uma análise espacial / Oral cancer mortality and factors associated in the state of Ceara, Brazil, 2009-2019: a spatial analysis

Resumo O estudo objetivou analisar a distribuição espacial e fatores associados à mortalidade por câncer de boca no período de 2009-2019 nos municípios do Ceará, no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico dos óbitos por câncer de boca utilizando análise de distribuição, autocorrelação e regressão espacial. O coeficiente de mortalidade por câncer de boca possui autocorrelação espacial. Na análise de regressão geograficamente ponderada, observou-se relação negativa entre mortalidade e número de moradias com acesso à rede de esgoto (β = -0,001) e média de pessoas por domicílio (β = -5,947). Observou-se relação positiva entre mortalidade e percentual de cobertura de saúde bucal na Atenção Primária à Saúde (β = 0,021), número de pessoas que vivem na zona rural do município (β = 0,0001), Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (β = 40,417) e taxa de envelhecimento (β = 1,169). Pode-se concluir que a influência sobre o risco de mortalidade evidenciou aglomerados espaciais que requerem prioridade em políticas públicas que impactem na morbimortalidade por câncer de boca.

Abstract The study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution and factors associated with oral cancer mortality in the 2009-2019 period in the municipalities of Ceará, Brazil. This ecological study of oral cancer deaths used distribution analysis, autocorrelation, and spatial regression. The oral cancer mortality rate has spatial autocorrelation. In the geographically weighted regression analysis, a negative relationship was observed between mortality and the number of households with access to the sewage system (β = -0.001) and the mean number of people per household (β = -5.947). We observed a positive relationship between mortality and percentage of oral health coverage in Primary Health Care (β = 0.021), number of people living in the rural area of ​​the municipality (β = 0.0001), Municipal Human Development Index (β = 40.417), and aging rate (β = 1.169). We can conclude that the influence on the mortality risk showed spatial clusters that require priority in public policies that impact oral cancer morbimortality.

Selective Neck Dissection for Node-Positive Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Introduction Selective neck dissection inclinically node-negative neckisconsidered the standard of care for oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Controversy still prevailsinnode-positive disease regarding the extent of neck dissection. In our part of the world, comprehensive neck dissection is mostly considered to be the minimal optimal treatment for palpable neck disease. Objective To compare regional control and disease-specific survival between clinically node-positive and node-negative patients undergoing selective neck dissection for oral SCC. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in the department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery at a tertiary care hospital. All patients with biopsy-proven oral and lip SCC, with or without nodal disease, who underwent selective neck dissection between April 2006 and July 2015 were included in the study. Results During the study period, 111 patients with oral SCC underwent selective neck dissection, of whom 71 (62%) were clinically node-negative and 40 (38%) patients had clinically positive nodes in the neck. The mean follow-up was 16.62 months (standard deviation [SD]: 17.03). The overall regional control rates were 95 versus 96% for clinical negative versus positive nodes, respectively (p = 0.589). The disease-specific survival was 84.5% in the node negative group versus 82.5% in the node-positive group (p = 0.703). Conclusion Selective neck dissection in node-positive neck oral SCC has similar regional control rates when compared with node-negative neck SCC. The difference in disease-specific survival between the two groups is also not significant.

Prevenção e controle do câncer bucal: contribuição da Comissão Intergestores Bipartite no estado do Rio de Janeiro / Prevention and control of oral cancer: contribution of the Bipartite Inter-Managers Commission in the state of Rio de Janeiro

RESUMO A ampliação do acesso à prevenção e controle do câncer bucal demanda a construção de uma rede intermunicipal de cuidado e a Comissão Intergestores Bipartite (CIB) tem papel central nesse processo. Objetiva-se analisar, sob a ótica da Teoria da Estruturação, a participação da CIB na estruturação da prevenção e controle do câncer bucal no Sistema Único de Saúde, no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Realizou-se um estudo de caso exploratório, com análise de documentos da CIB do Rio de Janeiro entre 1996 e 2019. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no primeiro trimestre de 2020. Foram analisados 739 documentos pelas categorias: Constituição da rede de saúde; Financiamento das ações de saúde; Qualificação profissional em saúde. As discussões na CIB se mostraram limitadas devido uma característica mais municipalista e menos regionalizada no estado. O acesso ao tratamento rendeu debates que contribuíram com a expansão, mesmo que limitada, da rede hospitalar e com a reorganização da regulação. Identificou-se que esse espaço formal de negociação e decisão intergestores se transformou em um espaço meramente informativo ou deliberativo pro forma, o que traz limitações para estruturação das ações regionais de prevenção e controle do câncer bucal no estado do Rio de Janeiro.

ABSTRACT Expanding access to oral cancer prevention and control requires constructing an inter-municipal care network. The Bipartite Intermanagement Commission (CIB) plays a central role in this process. This study aims to analyze, from the perspective of the Structuring Theory, the participation of the CIB in structuring oral cancer prevention and control actions within the scope of the Unified Health System, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This exploratory case study analyzes documents from the CIB of Rio de Janeiro between 1996 and 2019. Data collection and extraction took place in the first quarter of 2020. Two researchers individually analyzed the content of 739 documents in the categories: Constitution of the health network; Financing of health actions; Professional qualification in health. Discussions at the CIB proved to be limited, due to the more municipal and less regionalized characteristics adopted by the state for oral health. Access to treatment gave rise to debates that contributed to the expansion of the hospital network and the reorganization of regulation, even if limited. This formal space for inter-manager negotiation and decision-making has become a merely informative or pro forma deliberative space, which brings limitations to the structuring of regional actions for the prevention and control of oral cancer in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Efficacy of non-invasive diagnostic methods in the diagnosis and screening of oral cancer and precancer / Eficácia de métodos diagnósticos não invasivos no diagnóstico e triagem de lesões pré-malignas e malignas na cavidade oral; revisão sistemática e meta-análise

Abstract Introduction: Traditional meta-analyses on the diagnostic accuracy of oral lesions have been conducted, but they were inherently limited to direct pairwise comparisons between a single method and a single alternative, while multiple diagnostic options and the ranking thereof were methodologically not possible. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic values of various methods in patients with oral potential malignant disease by performing a network meta-analysis. Methods: Two authors independently searched the databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and Google scholar) up to June 2020 for studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of various tools (autofluorescence, chemiluminescence, cytology, narrow band imaging, and toluidine blue) with visual examination or other tools. The outcomes of interest for this analysis were sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy. Both a standard pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were conducted. Results: Treatment networks consisting of six interventions were defined for the network metaanalysis. The results of traditional meta-analysis showed that, among six methods, narrow band imaging showed higher sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy compared to visual examination. The results of network meta-analysis showed that autofluorescence, chemiluminescence, and narrow band imaging had higher sensitivity compared with visual examination, and that chemiluminescence and narrow band imaging had higher negative predictive value compared with visual examination. However, autofluorescence and chemiluminescence had lower specificity compared with visual examination. There were no significant differences in positive predictive value and accuracy among the six interventions. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that narrow banding imaging has superiority in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value compared with the other five tested agents.

Resumo Introdução: Metanálises tradicionais sobre a precisão diagnóstica de lesões orais têm sido conduzidas, mas são inerentemente limitadas a comparações pareadas diretas entre um único método e uma única opção, enquanto múltiplas opções de diagnóstico e suas classificações ainda não foram metodologicamente possíveis. Objetivo: Avaliar os valores diagnósticos de vários métodos em pacientes com doença oral potencialmente maligna e fazer uma metanálise de rede. Método: Dois autores pesquisaram independentemente os bancos de dados (Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials e Google Scholar) até junho de 2020 para estudos que comparassem a precisão diagnóstica de várias ferramentas (autofluorescência, quimioluminescência, citologia, imagem de banda estreita e cloreto de tolônio) com exame visual ou outras ferramentas. Os resultados de interesse para esta análise foram sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo negativo, valor preditivo e precisão. Tanto uma metanálise pareada padrão quanto uma metanálise de rede foram conduzidas. Resultados: Redes de tratamento compostas por seis intervenções foram definidas para a metanálise de rede. Os resultados da metanálise tradicional mostraram que, entre seis métodos, a imagem de banda estreita apresentou maior sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo negativo, valor preditivo e precisão em comparação ao exame visual. Os resultados da metanálise de rede mostraram que a autofluorescência, a quimioluminescência e a imagem de banda estreita obtiveram maior sensibilidade em comparação com o exame visual e que a quimioluminescência e a imagem de banda estreita apresentaram maior valor preditivo negativo em comparação com o exame visual. Entretanto, a autofluorescência e a quimioluminescência mostraram especificidade inferior em comparação com o exame visual. Não houve diferenças significativas no valor preditivo e na precisão entre as seis intervenções. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou que a imagem de banda estreita demonstra superioridade em termos de sensibilidade e valor preditivo negativo em comparação com os outros cinco agentes testados.

Controle de Dor de Pacientes Com Câncer De Cabeça e Pescoço em Cuidados Paliativos: Uma Revisão de Literatura / Pain management of patients with head and neck cancer in palliative care: a literature review

Pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço (CCP) apresentam limitações e comprometimentos funcionais. A dor orofacial acomete grande parte desses pacientes e pode ser causada por inúmeros fatores, tanto nos tecidos moles quanto nos duros. Pacientes com CCP em estágio avançado, necessitam receber assistência que possibilite melhor qualidade de vida para ele e seus familiares, como forma de cuidado paliativo, principalmente quando a doença não tem mais chance de ser controlada. A analgesia farmacológica é o principal pilar no tratamento da dor oncológica, mas também pode ser realizada por meio de terapias não farmacológicas. Este estudo teve como objetivo revisar a literatura buscando as diferentes formas de controle da dor orofacial de pacientes com CCP em cuidados paliativos. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed e SciELO com as palavras "(pain control) AND (palliative care) AND (head and neck cancer)", buscando artigos dos dez últimos anos (2011-2021) e restringindo para ensaios clínicos e ensaios clínicos randomizados. Encontramos dez artigos na base PubMed e nenhum na SciELO. Após a leitura do título e resumo, excluímos cinco por não avaliarem pacientes com CCP ou não terem a abordagem analgésica como objetivo do estudo, sendo incluídosfinalmente 5 artigos em nossa revisão. A maioria dos estudos mostrou que a analgesia realizada nos pacientes em cuidados paliativos acometidos por lesões malignas de cabeça e pescoço acontece com opioides. Nesta revisão observamos poucos estudos clínicos, sendo importante a realização de trabalhos que busquem novas formas de diminuir os sintomas e melhorar a qualidade de vida desses pacientes.