Socioeconomic Status, Length of Stay, and Postoperative Complications in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Despite universal healthcare in Canada, low socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with worse survival in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) patients. However, the relationship between SES and outcomes during the acute postoperative period is poorly defined. Hamilton, Ontario, presents a unique population with widely varying SES within the same geography. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between SES, length of hospital stay (LOHS), and postoperative complications in OCSCC. Methods: Newly diagnosed OCSCC patients receiving primary surgical treatment from 2010 to 2014 were identified within a prospectively collected database. Inclusion criteria included age >18 years old, pathological diagnosis of oral cavity cancer, and primary surgical treatment with curative intent. Patients were excluded if they were undergoing palliative treatment or had previous head and neck surgery/radiotherapy. Postal codes were used to identify neighborhood-level socioeconomic variables via 2011 Canada Census data. Income quartiles were defined from groups of neighboring municipalities based on Canada Census definitions. Demographic, social, pathological, staging, and treatment data were collected through chart review. Results: One hundred and seventy-four patients were included in the final analysis. OCSCC patients with lower SES were more likely to be younger (P = .041), male (P = .040), have significant tobacco and alcohol use (P = .001), higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; P = .014), lower levels of education (P = .001), and have lower employment levels (P = .001). Lower SES patients had higher clinical tumor (P = .006) and clinical nodal (P = .004) staging and were more likely to receive adjuvant therapy (P = .001) and G-tubes (P = .001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that low SES was a statistically significant predictor of postoperative complications [ß 2.50 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.200, 3.17); P = .014] and LOHS [ß 2.03 (95% CI 1.06, 2.99); P = .0001]. Tobacco and alcohol use, clinical tumor, and nodal stage, CCI, and planned adjuvant therapy were also statistically significant predictors of postoperative complications and LOHS (P < .05). Conclusion: Patients with lower SES have more advanced OCSCC disease with increased comorbidities that owes itself to more acute postoperative complications and LOHS within this study population. Patients with low SES should be identified as patients that require more support during their cancer treatment.

Rate of Second Primary Head and Neck Cancer With Cannabis Use.

Objective To determine whether there is an association between cannabis use and developing a second primary cancer in head and neck cancer patients, as well as determining the prevalence of cannabis use amongst head and neck cancer patients. Study design This retrospective cohort study investigated patients from the Hamilton Region Head and Neck Cancer Database who were enrolled prospectively between 2011 and 2015, with follow-up data up to November 2018. Patients were contacted to confirm current cannabis and tobacco smoking status. Setting All patients were enrolled from a single tertiary cancer center in Hamilton, Ontario. Subjects and methods Consecutive patients with a newly diagnosed head and neck cancer were prospectively enrolled between 2011 to 2015. Cannabis users and controls were compared using standard modes of comparison. The odds ratio from a multivariable logistic regression model was then determined. Results A total of 513 patients were included in this study: 59 in the cannabis group and 454 in the control group. In terms of baseline characteristics, there was no significant difference between cannabis users and controls except that cannabis users were more likely to develop primary oropharyngeal cancer (p=0.0046). Two of 59 (3.4%) cannabis users developed a second primary cancer, in comparison to 23 of 454 (5.1%) non-cannabis users. The odds ratio for cannabis use on the second primary cancer was 0.19 (95% CI [0.01-3.20], p=0.25). Conclusion This study suggests that cannabis use behaves differently than tobacco smoking, as the former may not be associated with field cancerization.

The Usefulness of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in Determining Thyroid Malignancy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effect of a modified Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (TIRADS) in predicting malignancy in surgically treated nodules. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: This study was carried out at a tertiary care center from July 2016 to July 2017. Patients were included if they had a thyroid nodule that had an ultrasound assessment with subsequent fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) as well as surgical resection. Patients were excluded if they had previous head and neck surgery. Patients were stratified into those who had a formal modified TIRADS report by the radiologist versus those who had an ultrasound report without TIRADS reporting. FNAB results were reported as per Bethesda Thyroid Cytology Criteria, and the final pathology report was nominalized as malignant or benign. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria listed above were included within the study. Thirty one patients (25%) had a modified TIRADS report from the radiologist, whereas 93 patients (75%) did not. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in terms of: gender (P = .24), age (P = .77), FNAB results (P = .95), final surgical pathology (P = .90), or incidental findings of malignancy (P = .09). Comparative analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the concordance of FNAB and a final pathological diagnosis of malignancy (P = .91). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the known diagnostic utility of the TIRADS in relation to FNAB results and its widespread use, this study shows that the overall detection of malignancy is not statistically different in those who received a modified TIRADS report. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 130: 2087-2091, 2020.

Survival outcomes of marijuana users in p16 positive oropharynx cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has become the predominant subsite for head and neck mucosal cancers (HNC) due to the rise of human papillomavirus (HPV) related disease. Previous studies have suggested an association between marijuana use and HPV-related OPSCC. Despite this, no study has examined the potential relationship between marijuana use and survival in this subset of patients. OBJECTIVE: To examine the survival outcomes of HPV-related OPSCC patients in marijuana users. METHODS: Patients who were marijuana users were identified from a prospectively collected database of HNC patients from January 2011 to 2015. A physical review of clinic records was undertaken to extract relevant patient, tumor, treatment, follow-up, as well as survival data. Patients greater than 17 years of age with pathologically proven p16 positive OPSCC were included. They were then case-matched in a 1-to-1 basis to patients who were non-marijuana users based on age, gender, and cTNM staging. RESULTS: Forty-Seven patients met inclusion criteria within each group. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, and cT-Stage were predictive of disease recurrence within both groups (p < 0.05). However, cN-stage, treatment modality, tumor subsite, tobacco use, and tobacco dose were not (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between marijuana and non-marijuana user groups in 5-year (p = 0.400) overall survival, disease-specific (p = 0.993), disease-free (p = 0.404), and metastasis-free survival (p = 0.384). CONCLUSIONS: No survival difference is found between HPV-related OPSCC marijuana users and non-users. This finding has implications for both de-escalation regimes and the use of cannabis as a therapeutic agent.

Marijuana and head and neck cancer: an epidemiological review.

BACKGROUND: Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance in Canada. To date, no conclusive study has looked at the epidemiologic basis of marijuana use and head and neck cancer (HNC). Due to the imminent recreational legalization of marijuana in Canada, the epidemiologic relationship between marijuana use and HNC is becoming increasingly important. OBJECTIVE: To examine the epidemiologic characteristics of HNC patients who are recreational marijuana users. METHODS: This study was conducted at a single tertiary care centre from 2011 to 2014. Patients were enrolled consecutively at time of diagnosis of malignancy. Data was prospectively collected and included socioeconomic factors, alcohol/tobacco history, tumor characteristics, and treatment modality. Marijuana use was defined as current usage on an at least weekly basis. RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-nine patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seventy-four (8.4%) patients were classified as marijuana users. Compared to non-users, marijuana users were less likely to be married (p = 0.048) and had less significant tobacco smoking history (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between other socioeconomic factors or local and regional disease (p > 0.05). Marijuana users differed in the proportion of cancers stratified by primary site (p < 0.0001), with higher rates of p16+ oropharyngeal cancers, and treatment modality (p < 0.0001), with more use of chemoradiation. CONCLUSIONS: HNC patients who were marijuana users were less likely to be married and smoke tobacco. They have a distinct cancer site prevalence and are more likely to be treated by chemoradiation. Understanding the epidemiological breakdown of marijuana users amongst HNC patients will be a useful adjunct for future studies.

Association of Marijuana Use With Psychosocial and Quality of Life Outcomes Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Cannabis sativa, the most widely used illicit substance in Canada, has a unique ability to facilitate relaxation and relieve anxiety while reducing pain. However, no study to date has examined quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial issues in relation to the use of this drug among patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (HNC). Objective: To examine the differences in QOL and psychosocial outcomes between marijuana users and nonusers with newly diagnosed HNC. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care cancer center. Patients were enrolled consecutively and prospectively at the time of HNC diagnosis from January 1, 2011, to January 1, 2015. Seventy-four patients who were current marijuana users were case matched to 74 nonusers in a 1:1 scheme based on age, sex, and tumor subsite. All patient demographic and QOL data were collected prospectively, and data analysis was conducted from November 1 to December 1, 2017. Main Outcomes and Measure: The QOL outcome was assessed using the EuroQol-5D (EQ5D) and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) questionnaires. Results: A total of 148 patients were included in this study: 74 in the marijuana user group (mean [SD] age, 62.3 [10.3] years; male sex, 61 patients [82%]) and 74 in the marijuana nonuser group (mean age, 62.2 years; male sex, 63 patients [85%]). There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, tumor subsite, clinical TNM staging, treatment modality, or mean Karnofsky score between the 2 groups. On univariate analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in the mobility, self-care, and usual activities domains of the EQ5D. Marijuana users had significantly lower scores in the anxiety/depression (difference, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.557-0.930) and pain/discomfort (difference, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.037-1.541) domains. Wilcoxon rank sum test confirmed the results of the EQ5D with improvements in the pain/discomfort (z score, -2.60) and anxiety/depression (z score, -6.71) domains. Marijuana users had less pain, were less tired, were less depressed, were less anxious, had more appetite, were less drowsy, and had better general well-being according to the ESAS. A Wilcoxon rank sum test confirmed a statistically significant improvement in ESAS scores within the domains of anxiety (z score, -10.04), pain (z score, -2.36), tiredness (z score, -5.02), depression (z score, -5.96), drowsiness (z score, -5.51), appetite (z score, -4.17), and general well-being (z score, -4.43). Conclusions and Relevance: This prospective case-matched study suggests that there may be significant QOL benefits, including decreased anxiety, pain, and depression and increased appetite and generalized feelings of well-being, associated with marijuana use among patients with newly diagnosed HNC.

Developing a new diagnostic algorithm for human papilloma virus associated oropharyngeal carcinoma: an investigation of HPV DNA assays.

BACKGROUND: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been implicated in the development of a large proportion of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Current techniques used to diagnose HPV etiology require histopathologic analysis. We aim to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a new application non-histopathologic diagnostic tests to help assist diagnosis of HPV-related oropharyngeal tumors. METHODS: Patients with OPSCC with nodal metastasis were consecutively recruited from a multidisciplinary cancer clinic. Appropriate samples were collected and analyzed. The various tests examined included COBAS® 4800, Cervista® HR and Genotyping. These tests were compared to p16 staining, which was used as the diagnostic standard. StataIC 14.2 was used to perform analysis, including sensitivity, specificity and receiver operator characteristic [ROC] curves. RESULTS: The COBAS® FNA (area under ROC 0.863) and saliva (area under ROC 0.847) samples performed well in diagnosing HPV positive and negative tumors. Samples tested with Cervista® did not corroborate p16 status reliably. We were able to increase the diagnostic yield of the COBAS® FNA samples by applying the results of the saliva test to negative FNA samples which correctly identified 11 additional p16 positive tumors (area under ROC 0.915). CONCLUSION: Surrogate testing for HPV using alternate methods is feasible and closely predicts the results of standard diagnostic methods. In the future, these could minimize invasive procedures for diagnosing HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, but also help to diagnose and treat patients with unknown primaries.

The use of the radial styloid in the extended osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap.

BACKGROUND: The osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OC-RFFF) remains a useful tool in head and neck reconstruction; however, it can be challenging to harvest sufficient bone for large reconstructions. The extended OC-RFFF is a modification that involves harvest of the distal border of the radius to the tip of the styloid. This increases the length of the bone flap by 2 cm to 3 cm, and the inherent contour of the styloid can be used to reconstruct the anterior curvature of the mandible or maxilla without additional osteotomies that may reduce blood supply. METHODS: The key steps in harvesting the extended OC-RFFF are described. Six patients with mandibular or maxillary defects underwent reconstruction with the extended OC-RFFF. Patient data including demographics, defect features, reconstruction details and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Of the six patients who underwent the extended OC-RFFF, four had mandibular reconstruction and two had maxillary reconstruction. Two patients underwent reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis and the remainder for malignant disease. The average patient age at the time of surgery was 64.5 years. The length of radius harvested ranged from 8 cm to 14 cm (mean 9.7 cm). Two of six patients required a single osteotomy of their bone flap. Donor site complications included partial skin graft loss in 50% and a radius fracture in two patients. Recipient site complications included one patient with intraoral plate exposure. There have been no cases of nonunion. CONCLUSIONS: The extended OC-RFFF was a safe and reliable option for bony reconstruction in the head and neck.

HISTORIQUE: Le lambeau libre ostéocutané antébrachial radial (LL-OAR) étendu demeure utile pour la reconstruction de la tête et du cou. Cependant, il peut être difficile de prélever assez d'os pour effectuer des reconstructions importantes. Le LL-OAR étendu est une modification qui consiste à lever le bord distal du radius à la pointe de la styloïde. Cette technique accroît la longueur du lambeau osseux de 2 cm à 3 cm et permet d'utiliser le contour inhérent de la styloïde pour reconstruire la courbure antérieure de la mandibule ou de la maxillaire sans ostéotomies supplémentaires susceptibles de réduire l'apport sanguin. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les auteurs ont décrit les principales étapes pour lever le LL-OAR étendu. Six patients présentant des anomalies mandibulaires ou maxillaires ont subi une reconstruction par LL-OAR étendu. Les auteurs ont décrit les données sur les patients, y compris les données démographiques, les caractéristiques des anomalies, les détails et les résultats de la reconstruction. RÉSULTATS: Des six patients qui ont reçu un LL-OAR étendu, quatre ont subi une reconstruction mandibulaire et deux, une reconstruction maxillaire. Dans deux cas, la reconstruction était causée par une ostéoradionécrose et dans les autres, par un cancer. Les patients avaient un âge moyen de 64,5 ans au moment de l'opération. Le radius prélevé était d'une longueur de 8 cm à 14 cm (moyenne de 9,7 cm). Deux des six patients ont dû subir une seule ostéotomie de lambeau osseux. Les complications au foyer du donneur incluaient une perte partielle de la greffe cutanée dans 50 % des cas et une fracture du radius chez deux patients. Les complications au foyer du receveur incluaient un patient dont la plaque intra-orale avait été exposée. Il n'y a eu aucun cas de non-union. CONCLUSIONS: Le LL-OAR étendu était sécuritaire et fiable pour procéder à la reconstruction osseuse de la tête et du cou.

Local molecular analysis of indeterminate thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are common but only a minority are malignant. Molecular testing can assist in helping determine whether indeterminate nodules are suspicious for malignancy or benign. The objective of the study was to determine if the analysis of mutations (BRAF, NRAS, KRAS and HRAS) using readily available molecular techniques can help better classify indeterminate thyroid nodules. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic thyroid surgery were analyzed for the presence or absence of specific mutations known to be associated with thyroid malignancy in FNA samples. Markers chosen were BRAF, NRAS, KRAS and HRAS. All were locally available and currently in use at our centre for other clinical indications. Results from the molecular analysis were then compared to the histopathology from thyroidectomy specimens to determine the sensitivity and specificity of these molecular techniques to classify indeterminate thyroid nodules. RESULTS: Sixty consecutive patients with indeterminate FNAs were recruited. Twenty-three patients had malignant tumors while 37 specimens were benign. Multiple different mutations were identified in the FNA samples. Overall 18 cases had a positive mutation (10 malignant and 8 benign). The sensitivity of BRAF, HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS was 8.7, 8.7, 8.7, and 17.4 respectively while the specificity was100, 83.7, 100 and 94.6. CONCLUSION: While molecular analysis remains promising, it requires further refinement. Several markers showed promise as good "rule-in" tests.

Clinical research in head and neck reconstruction.

Reconstructive head and neck surgery is not unlike other surgical fields in its paucity of clinical research. Difficulties exist in the design and execution of surgical studies, and there are many challenges and limitations that must be addressed. In this article, the types of studies that make up head and neck reconstructive literature are reviewed, as well as the evolution toward the use of quality-of-life scales, which measure patients' satisfaction with their state of health and function.

The role of the randomized controlled trial in plastic surgery.

This article discusses the role of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) in plastic surgery. There are unique challenges in the execution of an RCT in plastic surgery, including: (1) surgical equipoise, (2) the surgical learning curve, (3) differential care, (4) randomization, (5) concealment, (6) expertise-based design, (7) blinding, (8) intention-to-treat analysis, (9) loss to follow-up, and (10) treatment effect and implications for sample size calculations. The RCTs conducted in plastic surgery to date are generally of poor quality in design and reporting, are fraught with bias, and have small sample sizes, thus this article attempts to help future investigators perform better quality RCTs.

Brain metastases from papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid adenocarcinoma (PTA) is the most common type of thyroid malignancy. Distant metastatic spread is relatively rare, most commonly affecting the lungs and bone. Brain metastases are very uncommon. We present a series of four patients with this development and review their diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective chart review analysis of patients diagnosed with PTA between 1983 and 2003 at St. Joseph's Healthcare Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, was conducted. RESULTS: Four patients with brain metastasis from their PTA were identified. Three were female and one was male. Their ages at the initial presentation ranged from 20 to 67 years (mean 48 years). The time between the initial treatment and presentation of distant metastasis ranged from 15 to 167 months (mean 89 months). Thyroglobulin data were followed on all four patients. Thyroglobulin results rose with the development of brain and other distant metastasis for two patients but never increased in the other two patients despite distant metastases at multiple sites. Treatment of brain metastasis was with a combination of surgery, external beam radiation, and radioactive iodine. All patients eventually died of their disease, and the overall survival after the diagnosis of brain metastases was 15.3 months in the four patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that brain metastasis may or may not be the first site of distant metastasis in patients with PTA. The distant metastasis cannot always be predicted from thyroglobulin data. Once brain metastases are diagnosed, palliation with preservation of quality of life becomes the goal of therapy.

Paranasal sinus and midfacial reconstruction.

Midface defects pose the most difficult of the facial reconstruction problems. Current reconstruction relies heavily on microsurgical techniques, among which there are numerous possibilities. Although midface defects frequently extend to the upper and lower face, often an awareness of the midface subunits most involved can be of critical importance. This article presents an approach that will help the surgeon to identify the defect-related problems, prioritize the reconstructive goals, and select the best surgical option in the total patient context.

Through and through defects of the lower face.

This article considers the particular demands of reconstruction of this complex region of the head and neck in terms of its functional and aesthetic requirements. It presents a classification system that may assist in the selection of the appropriate reconstruction. Finally, the authors discuss some of the more common techniques and flaps that should be considered when planning microsurgical management, and they review the outcomes they have seen in terms of speech, diet tolerance, oral continence, and survival.

Pharyngo-cervical esophageal reconstruction.

Patients with advanced-stage hypopharyngeal or cervical esophageal carcinoma have a poor prognosis and may require a pharyngolaryngo-cervical esophagectomy. This treatment is usually palliative. In the past, the localized defect after resection has been reconstructed using many techniques. Currently, microsurgical techniques have become most common, both for full and partial circumferential defects. The jejunal free flap is the most frequently used, with free skin flaps as an alternative. The surgical complication rate is acceptable. Insufficient quantitative data exist to document postoperative swallowing function. Speech rehabilitation is often done with a tracheo-esophageal puncture technique, but studies documenting how the various methods of surgical reconstruction affect speech are lacking.