Retrospective Outcome Analysis of Buccal Mucosal and Lower Alveolar Squamous Cell Carcinoma from a High-Volume Tertiary Cancer Centre.

To evaluate treatment outcome and factors affecting locoregional control and distant metastasis in buccal mucosal and lower alveolar squamous cell carcinoma. A retrospective analysis of all diagnosed cases of buccal mucosal and lower alveolar squamous cell carcinoma in patients who underwent surgical treatment in 2011 was included from the data base. The patients were analysed for their habits, trismus, skin and bone involvement, neck nodes, type of surgery for primary and nodes, differentiation of tumour, pathological nodal status, recurrence site, and duration after completion of treatment and follow-up. A total of 114 patients were included in the study. The mean duration of follow-up was 23.8 months. On follow-up, 30 patients had recurrence (26.32%) either locoregional or distant metastasis. Age less than 45 years, nodal positivity, presence of perineural invasion, extracapsular spread, and degree of differentiation were found to be statistically significant by univariate analysis (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, node positivity and presence of perineural invasion emerged as independent predictors of recurrence. Cox regression analysis showed trismus, node positivity, and perineural invasion are significantly associated with recurrence. Aggressive multimodality treatment achieves good local control rates even in locally advanced disease, and the intent of treatment should be curative. Node positivity, presence of perineural invasion, and presence of trismus are found as independent predictors of recurrence. Clinically, presence of trismus is associated with poorer outcomes in view of higher stage.

Anterior skull base reconstruction after cranio-facial resections using galeal pericranial flap.

The tumors of the anterior cranial cavity can either be malignant or benign. They usually arise in the nasal or Para nasal sinuses. Treatment of these tumors includes major craniofacial resection and reconstruction to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leak and meningitis. In this study we are presenting a technique which is simple and cost-effective. We are reporting a series of nine cases in which this technique was tried out and we found that it can be used for dural repair and anterior cranial fossa reconstruction with no major complications.

Schwannoma base tongue: Case report and review of literature.

Schwannomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. These are rare in the oral cavity (1%). The most common site of involvement in oral cavity is the tongue. Posterior third of tongue is not frequently involved. The aim of this paper is to present a case report of base tongue schwannoma and review literature of this rare tumor. Data from literature were analyzed for age, gender, presenting symptom, size at presentation, and surgical approach. We report a case of 26 year-old male who presented with swelling posterior 1/3rd tongue and change in quality of voice. He was evaluated for the same with MR and incision biopsy and was planned for surgery. Surgery was abandoned at a district hospital due to difficulty in intubation. At our center he underwent fibro optic bronchoscopy guided intubation followed by general anesthesia. He underwent excision of mass using left paramedian lip spitting approach with mandibulotomy and mandibular swing. Tumor was excised in toto. His postoperative recovery was uneventful. Literature review between 2001 and 2012 was done. 15 cases of base tongue schwannoma were identified. The most common age group involved was between 30-40 years. There was a slightly higher incidence in females. All patients were symptomatic at presentation. Most common complaints were related to swallowing and throat pain. Most patients underwent transoral excision of the tumor.

Tobacco related habits among first degree relatives of patients undergoing surgery for advanced head and neck malignancies in India.

This prospective study records the tobacco related habits among the relatives of patients with advanced head and neck cancers who underwent both surgery and chemotherapy as part of their treatment from September 2009 to March 2010. A total of 200 relatives were interviewed (148 males and 52 females). 198 (99%) were aware of the fact that tobacco use can lead to cancer and 168 (84%) had any one of the habits. Smoking alone was reported in 36 (18%) individuals, pan chewing alone in 66 (33%) and multiple habits in 64 (32%). Alcohol and tobacco chewing alone was reported in one case each. There were change in habits following diagnosis of head and neck cancers among the relatives, 33 (16.5%) stopped their habits and smoking was reduced by 25% in 72 (36%)and by 50% in 63 (31.2%) individuals. However, 135 continued the habit even after the diagnosis of cancer in their relatives. Of note, 15 out of the 33 who quit the habit did it because of health advice given to them during the hospital visit.

Multiple ancient schwannoma of the accessory nerve: a case report.

We are reporting a case of multiple ancient schwannoma of the accessory nerve in a 57 year old male. Accessory schwannomas are rare with only 19 cases reported in literature so far. Ancient schwannoma is even rarer in the head and neck region with no other cases associated with the accessory nerve being reported in literature so far.

Chemical sensing with microbent optical fiber.

We propose and demonstrate the possibility of using a permanently microbent bare optical fiber for detecting chemical species. Two detection schemes, viz., a bright-field detection scheme (for the core modes), and a dark-field detection scheme (for the cladding modes) have been employed to produce a fiber-optic sensor. The sensor described here is sensitive enough to detect concentrations as low as nanomoles per liter of a chemical species, with a dynamic range of more than 6 orders of magnitude.