Parapharyngeal space tumors: Fifty-one cases managed in a single tertiary care center.

CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative planning for parapharyngeal tumors must include meticulous analysis. Factors such as tumor size, distance to cranial base, and relation to neurovascular structures must guide the selection of a surgical approach. OBJECTIVE: To summarize experience in diagnosis and surgical management of parapharyngeal tumors, analyzing the frequencies of various tumoral types, clinical presentation, choice of surgical approach and outcomes. This study also compares the results with the most relevant case series in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the records of 51 patients treated by the team, from 1984-2012. Only primary tumors were included, excluding invasion from adjacent spaces and metastatic disease. All patients underwent imaging studies and surgical resection of the neoplasm. Cytological analysis and arteriography were used on an individualized basis. Surgical excision was performed via different approaches, predominantly through a cervicoparotid route. RESULTS: Benign neoplasms were predominant (80%), and the most frequent tumor was pleomorphic adenoma. FNAC had a 100% accuracy to differentiate benign vs malignant tumors. The most common post-operative sequel was compromise of a cranial nerve, and three patients presented local complications after surgery. After follow-up, only three of 41 patients with benign tumors had recurring disease.

[Neurilemmoma of the larynx: a case report]. / Neurinoma laríngeo: a propósito de un caso.

Neuromas or Schwannomas are extremely rare among tumors of the larynx. They are Schwann cell tumors that can be difficult to distinguish from neurofibromas. They present usually as supraglottic masses, since they may arise from the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is the best diagnostic technique, conferring a high degree of suspicion. We present an exceptional case of a laryngeal neuroma, with a very long evolution, a large tumor volume, dyspnea and vocal cord fixation, with complete resolution through an external approach following surgical removal. The difficulties encountered with its pathological and clinical diagnosis are discussed as well as a review of the literature.

[Spread channels of anterior commissure cancer: clinico-pathological study and surgical implications]. / Vías de diseminación del cáncer de comisura anterior: estudio clínico-patológico e implicaciones quirúrgicas.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study is to describe the spread channels of the anterior commisure cancer, its clinical significance and its surgical implications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed at the ENT Department of the Complutense University in about 31 patients with anterior commisure carcinoma wo underwent surgery between 1994/97. Specimens were processes with Whole-Organ Serial Sections. RESULTS: Patients were differenciated into two groups: 1) Patients with glottic tumors, with a good cord mobility and no invasive tumor in commisure region (18 patients); In these patients, conservative surgery was possible; 2) Another group (13 patients) with aggressive lesions (80% with cartilage involvement), vocal cord fixation and transglottic lesions. In these group, conservative surgery was contraindicated. CONCLUSIONS: This report emphasizes the importance of laryngoscopy in surgical technique of anterior commisure cancer.

[Early glottic carcinoma: a clinico-pathological study]. / Cáncer glótico precoz: estudio clínico-patológico.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study is to evaluate histopathological features of malignization of laryngeal dysplasia and recurrence of early glottic carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was perform in a cohort of 134 patients who underwent surgery between 1992/99 at the ENT department of the Complutense University of Madrid. Tumor localization, malignization rate and recurrence rate were studied in 68 cases of laryngeal dysplasia, 11 of in situ-carcinoma and 55 of microinvasive carcinoma. RESULTS: Nine laryngeal dysplasias experienced invasive carcinoma (13%) and six patients with invasive glottic carcinoma had laryngeal recurrence (11%), all of them with anterior commisure involvement. Eight patients underwent total laryngectomy for recurrence (6%) and three patients died of laryngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior commisure involvement was the most important risk factor in early glottic carcinoma.

[Extracapsular spread in advanced laryngeal cancer]. / Rotura capsular en el cáncer avanzado de laringe.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study is to evaluate histopathological features of extracapsular spread detected in patients with laryngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Specimens of 47 patients with laryngeal cancer were processed as Whole-Organ Serial Sections at the ENT Department of the Complutense University of Madrid between 1994/97. RESULTS: Extracapsular metastases were found in 21 patients. The risk for extracapsular spread was higher in those patients with: supraglottic or piriform sinus cancer, more than 2-3 neck metastatic nodes, tumor diameter of more than 2 cm and N2 stage.

Functionally active duplications of the CYP2D6 gene are more prevalent among larynx and lung cancer patients.

The cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 is a polymorphic drug-metabolizing enzyme that is involved in the metabolism of several drugs and xenobiotics. Several independent studies indicate that the CYP2D6 metabolic status is a secondary factor in the risk of developing lung cancer, with individuals with high activity being at increased risk. The occurrence of functionally active duplications of the CYP2D6 gene is a phenomenon that affects 3-8% of Caucasians and up to 30% in some ethnic groups. These duplications cause ultrarapid metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates. In order to establish whether the highest CYP2D6 enzyme activity is associated with an increased risk of cancer, we analyzed the frequency of CYP2D6 gene duplications and enzyme-inactivating mutations in 199 Caucasian patients with lung or larynx cancer and in 335 healthy controls. A significantly increased frequency of carriers of the CYP2D6 gene duplication were found among lung and larynx cancer patients (13%), as compared with healthy controls (6.9%; p < 0.02). The frequency of the mutated active CYP2D6*9 allele was increased in lung cancer patients (p < 0.01) but not in larynx cancer patients. Global findings indicate that over 20% patients with lung or larynx cancer show CYP2D6 genotypes leading to ultrarapid metabolism or to the expression of an enzyme with altered kinetics (p < 0.01 vs. healthy controls). This may influence the metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates, including antineoplastic drugs and opioid derivatives used for pain relief in cancer patients. These patients would require higher doses than those considered as standard. We conclude that dosages for CYP2D6 substrates should be adapted to lung and larynx cancer patients.

[Clinical and histological indicators predictive of cervical metastases in laryngeal cancer]. / Indicadores predictivos (IP) clinicopatológicos de metástasis cervicales en cáncer de laringe.

INTRODUCTION: A study was made of possible clinical and pathological indicators associated with cervical lymph node involvement in laryngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 1997, 85 patients with laryngeal cancer underwent surgery in the ENT department of the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain). A statistical analysis was made to identify clinical and pathological indicators of lymph node metastases. RESULTS: Predictive indicators (PI) of cervical metastatic disease in our study were: 1) tumor location; 2) low degree of differentiation; 3) invasion > 5 mm deep; 4) perineural invasion; and 5) invasion of the pre-epiglottic space.

[Elective dissection in cancer of the larynx]. / Vaciamiento electivo en cáncer de laringe.

OBJECTIVE: 1) To determine if elective neck dissection (END) is more effective than surgery without END in patients with cancer and a clinically negative neck (N0). 2) To determine if selective posterolateral neck dissection is effective in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 74 patients with laryngeal cancer and no palpable nodes who were treated surgically at the ENT Department of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid between 1994 and 1997. Thirty-seven patients underwent surgery alone (Group A) and 37 patients underwent laryngeal surgery and elective neck dissection (Group B). No patient underwent irradiation. Minimum follow-up was 24 months. RESULTS: Cervical recurrence was observed in 4 (11%) patients who underwent laryngeal surgery alone and in 2 (5%) patients who underwent laryngeal surgery and elective neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal surgery with elective neck dissection was more effective than laryngeal surgery without END in patients with laryngeal cancer and a clinically negative neck. Selective lateral neck dissection was effective for the elective treatment of these patients.

[Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy. An inevitable late complication]. / Recidiva estomal tras laringuectomía. Una complicación tardía inevitable?

Postlaryngectomy tumoral recurrence on the stoma is a terrible late complication that has a fatal outcome. In spite of advances in laryngeal surgery and modern reconstructive techniques, it is still a major cause of death in patients with laryngeal cancer. In a review of 500 patients who underwent surgery for laryngeal cancer in 1981-86 and 1995-97, we found no changes in the frequency of stomal recurrence between periods (4% in both periods). Stomal recurrence was associated in our study with subglottic extension and with transglottic lesions. Previous tracheotomy was not a decisive factor in the appearance of stomal recurrence in our patients.