Oral squamous cell carcinoma in children; review of an unusual entity.

Most commonly, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity presents during the fifth and sixth decades of life. Less than 4% of these cancers occur in patients younger than 40 years of age. Only a small sample of this subgroup exists of pediatric patients (< or =20 years), making oral SCC in children an extremely rare entity. An 11-year-old boy is presented who developed a SCC of the gingiva. The relevant literature of oral SCC in pediatric patients will be reviewed as well.

[The practice guideline 'Carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx']. / Richtlijn 'Mondholte-en orofarynxcarcinoom'.

With a total incidence of ca. 800 per year, oral cavity or oropharyngeal carcinoma represents only a small fraction of the total number of cases of cancer in The Netherlands. In order to achieve as much nationwide uniformity as possible in its diagnosis, treatment, after-care and follow-up, a practice guideline has now been developed. The diagnosis of the primary tumour and the neck, careful clinical examination is complemented by echography, often combined with a biopsy, MRI and CT, while technetium scintigraphy in combination with an orthopantomogram is used to detect invasion of the mandible. The smaller oropharyngeal carcinomas (T1 and T2), surgery and radiotherapy (external therapy or brachytherapy) are equally useful, but for the larger carcinomas (T3 and T4) in patients in good general condition, surgery in combination with radiotherapy is preferred. When radiotherapy is chosen, then brachytherapy is preferred for the smaller tumours of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. In patients without demonstrable metastases to the lymph nodes, just as in the case oforopharyngeal carcinomas, the decision whether or not to treat the neck depends on the chances that cervical lymph node metastases are present: when the risk is smaller than 20% (as with smaller tumours), then a wait-and-see policy is justified, but if the risk is greater than 20% (as with larger tumours or very thick rumours), then the neck should be treated, either surgically or by radiotherapy. The practice guideline also contains information regarding decision making, information and communication, palliative therapy and symptomatic treatment, psychosocial assistance, prosthetic reconstruction, physiotherapy, oral hygiene, nutrition and dietetics, swallowing and speech rehabilitation, and the policy with regard to smoking and alcohol consumption.

Treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma: analysis of nationwide study in the Netherlands over a 10-year period.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse different treatment strategies and treatment results of hypopharyngeal carcinoma in the Netherlands. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Eight head and neck centres in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 893 patients were treated between 1985 and 1994. Patients were mostly treated with radiotherapy alone, combined surgery and radiotherapy and surgery alone. RESULTS: The 5-year survival for the whole group was 26%. The 5-year survival for patients treated with curative intention was 32% and treated with palliative intention was 5%. The 5-year disease-free survival after radiotherapy alone was 37%, after surgery alone 41% and after combined therapy 47%. The role of chemotherapy could not be investigated because of a small number of patients treated with chemotherapy in this period. CONCLUSION: Combined therapy with surgery and radiotherapy has a better survival for patients with a hypopharyngeal carcinoma in comparison with radiotherapy alone. The N-stage is more important for the prognosis than the T-stage.

Nasal polyps herniating through lacrimal-nasal bony ostium mimicking dacryocystocele: a rare cause of DCR failure.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare cause of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) failure resulting from polyps herniating through the lacrimal-nasal ostium in a patient with severe, recurrent nasal polyposis. DESIGN/METHODS: Observational case report. Clinical practice setting. RESULTS: Five years after DCR surgery, a 65-year-old male patient presented with epiphora and a soft cystic enlargement in the lacrimal sac area mimicking a dacryocystocele. The Jones 1 test was negative but the Jones 2 test positive. Computer tomography (CT) showed bilateral obstruction of the nasal space by soft tissue, herniating through the lacrimal-nasal ostium, suggestive of recurrent nasal polyposis. Transnasal polypectomy was performed, which re-established tear-drainage to the nose. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent nasal polyposis may lead to DCR failure and may give rise to a soft tissue swelling at the site of previous DCR surgery.

Squamous carcinoma of the external auditory canal: a different approach.

Squamous carcinoma of the external ear canal is a rare disease and a challenge to treat. Some controversy exists regarding the best options for treatment. Reported 5-year survival varies between 35% and 63%. Since 1976, we have adopted a conservative approach to these tumours, with patients undergoing a specific protocol of meticulous tumour debulking followed by a course of repeated topical 5-fluoro-uracil (5-FU) cream application and necrotectomy. Data was collected prospectively. From 1976 to 1998, 23 patients underwent primary treatment according to our protocol. Nine patients had T1 disease whereas six had T2 and eight had T3 disease. The 5- and 10-year overall survivals were 74% and 60% respectively. These results compare very favourably with those in the literature and surgical debulking with topical 5-FU and necrotectomy remains our primary treatment of choice for squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal.

Refractory chronic sinusitis: evaluation of symptom improvement after Denker's procedure.

OBJECTIVES: Although there is ample literature describing various aspects of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in relationship to its success rates, very little has been reported regarding possibilities in case of recurrent failure. We investigated subjective results of Denker's procedure used as a last resort for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis/polyposis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective questionnaire-based study of 82 patients who underwent Denker's procedure between 1986 and 1997 at the Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands, was conducted. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of patients reported reduction of overall symptomatology. A significant reduction of nasal obstruction, headache, feeling of fullness, post-nasal drip, rhinorrhoea, facial pain, dental pain, and coughing was reported. In addition, symptoms of lower airway inflammation did improve significantly in asthmatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that radical surgery using Denker's approach should be considered in selected cases after recurrent failure of functional sinus surgery. SIGNIFICANCE: A prospective study is warranted to validate this approach for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis.

The costs of head and neck oncology: primary tumours, recurrent tumours and long-term follow-up.

We retrospectively calculated the costs of head and neck oncology for reimbursement purposes. This analysis was based on 854 head and neck cancer patients treated between 1994 and 1996 in two major Dutch university hospitals. To anticipate future care costs, costs of required improvements in the quality of care were added. Costs of diagnosis, treatment and 2 years of follow-up of patients with a primary tumour were (euro) 21 858. For patients with a recurrent tumour, this amount was (euro) 27 629. The costs of 10 years of follow-up were (euro) 423 after discounting and correction for survival. In total, average costs per new patient were (euro) 31 829, which covered discounted costs of treating the primary tumour, costs of treating recurrent tumours in 40% of all patients and the costs of 10 years of follow-up. Costs of improving the quality of care were estimated to be (euro) 1598 per new patient.

CO2-laser treatment of recurrent glottic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the results of CO2 laser treatment of recurrent glottic carcinoma after radiotherapy. METHODS: Records of all patients treated in the University Hospital Rotterdam and the Dr. Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center between 1980 and 1996 by CO2 laser for recurrent glottic carcinoma were studied. RESULTS: Forty patients were treated by laser surgery. Average follow-up was 77 months. Twenty-three patients (58%) had another recurrence develop after laser surgery. Three were cured by a second laser procedure. Therefore, 20 patients (50%) were successfully treated with laser surgery. In 23 patients the recurrence did not extend into the anterior commissure; in 57% a total laryngectomy could be avoided. In 17 patients the recurrence did extend into the anterior commissure; in 41% a total laryngectomy was avoided. CONCLUSION: Most patients with recurrent carcinoma of the larynx after radiotherapy can be cured by laser surgery if the tumor does not extend into the anterior commissure.

Adenocarcinoma of the ethmoidal sinus complex: surgical debulking and topical fluorouracil may be the optimal treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with the management of adenocarcinoma of the ethmoidal sinuses using a regimen of surgical debulking and topical chemotherapy, to report long-term survival, and to compare our results with recently published series of patients undergoing craniofacial resection. DESIGN: Review of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Tertiary cancer center. PATIENTS: Seventy consecutive patients with ethmoidal adenocarcinoma referred to the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, between January 1976 and December 1997. Sixty-two patients were eligible for primary treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Surgical debulking via an extended anterior maxillary antrostomy followed by a combination of repeated topical chemotherapy (fluorouracil) and necrotomy. Additionally 8 patients (13%) required radiotherapy for local recurrence; 1 patient required surgery for regional lymph node metastases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival measured by the Kaplan-Meier method. Clinical complications related to the therapy. RESULTS: There were no perioperative deaths. Complications did occur, such as temporary periorbital swelling (25 patients [40%]) and temporary cerebrospinal fluid leakage (5 patients [8%]). One patient (1.6%) developed meningitis. Adjusted disease-free survival at 2, 5, and 10 years is 96%, 87%, and 74%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our 23-year experience with a combination of surgical debulking and repeated topical chemotherapy for patients with adenocarcinoma of the ethmoidal sinuses leads us to believe that it represents the current treatment of choice for these patients for long-term disease-free survival.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the fossa pterygopalatina: diagnosis and treatment.

Pseudotumor is a term used to describe a space-occupying inflammatory lesion of unknown etiology that clinically simulates a neoplastic process. Pseudotumors of the fossa pterygopalatina and fossa infratemporalis are very rare. In this paper, we describe a patient who developed a pseudotumor in the left fossa pterygopalatina, secondary to an unclassified autoimmune disease, which caused progressive left-sided facialdynia and swelling. The tumor was detected with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. The lesion was refractory to steroids, also in combination with azathioprine, as well as to surgical intervention. An excellent clinical response was observed after cyclosporine was added. This case is presented here in order to draw attention to the use of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy as a diagnostic tool in visualizing pseudotumors and to document a case that responded excellently to treatment with a combination of low-dose cyclosporine and steroids.

Pulmonary function pre- and post-total laryngectomy.

Pulmonary function pre- and post-total laryngectomy was assessed in 16 patients without overt inspiratory stridor preoperatively. It could be shown that total laryngectomy is associated with a significant decrease in vital capacity and in an increase in inspiratory flow-volume values 9 days postoperatively. The inspiratory values tended to increase slightly over the next half year. The measured expiratory flow-volume values were preoperatively already significantly lower than the predicted values, and no significant changes could be observed immediately after the operation nor after 6 months. These alterations have to be taken into account when judging the pulmonary function after total laryngectomy.

Management of inverted papilloma via Denker's approach.

Denker's approach was used in the management of 78 patients presenting with an inverted papilloma of the nasal sinus complex between the years 1986 and 1993 at the University Teaching Hospital in Rotterdam. The recurrence rate was 9% with a mean follow-up after surgery of 56 months. There was minimal morbidity and no mortality associated with the procedure. Three patients had a squamous cell carcinoma associated with the inverted papilloma. The results of our study indicate that Denker's approach has a similar or lower recurrence rate than an open external approach to papilloma and is a safe procedure with minimal morbidity.

Giant esophageal polyp: a clinical and radiological entity with variable histology.

Giant pedunculated esophageal polyps are very rare. They may stay asymptomatic for a long time, and first come to the attention of the patient and the clinician after regurgitation into the mouth. Regurgitation, however, can be dangerous and has been known to lead to asphyxia and death due to closure of the larynx by the polyp mass. For this reason resection of the giant polyp is essential when it is discovered. We have seen four cases of giant esophageal polyps (GEP) at our institution. All four patients have undergone removal of the giant polyps. The histological diagnoses were fibrovascular polyp, liposarcoma, hamartoma and multiple lipomas. The mode of clinical presentation, radiological appearances, variable histological diagnoses, and therapy options in these four patients are presented along with a review of the literature.

The value of ultrasound with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy compared to computed tomography in the detection of regional metastases in the clinically negative neck.

PURPOSE: Head and neck oncologists have not reached consensus regarding the role of contemporary imaging techniques in the evaluation of the clinically negative neck in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The purpose of the present study was to compare the accuracy of ultrasound with guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (UGFNAB) and computed tomography (CT) in detecting lymph node metastasis in the clinically negative neck. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty-four neck sides of patients with HNSCC were examined preoperatively by ultrasound/UGFNAB and CT at one of five participating tertiary care medical centers. The findings were correlated with the results of histopathologic examination of the neck specimen. RESULTS: Ultrasound with guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was characterized by a sensitivity of 48%, specificity of 100%, and overall accuracy of 79%. Three cases had nondiagnostic aspirations using UGFNAB and were excluded. CT demonstrated a sensitivity of 54%, specificity of 92%, and overall accuracy of 77%. UGFNAB detected two additional metastases not visualized on CT, whereas CT detected no metastases not seen on UGFNAB. The results of UGFNAB were similar between the participating centers. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one half of the clinically occult nodal metastases in our patient group were identified by both CT and UGFNAB. Overall, UGFNAB and CT demonstrated comparable accuracy. The sensitivity of CT was slightly better than UGFNAB, but the latter remained characterized by a superior specificity. The results of CT and UGFNAB did not appear to be supplementary. The choice of imaging modality for staging of the clinically negative neck depends on tumor site, T-stage, and experience and preference of the head and neck oncologist. If CT is required for staging of the primary tumor, additional staging of the neck by UGFNAB does not provide significant additional value.

Ultrasound in the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous adenitis.

Ultrasound (US) of cervical tuberculous adenitis (CTA) was demonstrated to produce a characteristic pattern of the affected nodes in the majority of the patients in this study. The contribution of US to the diagnosis and assessment of CTA is evaluated. It is concluded that, since the other diagnostic tests for CTA are not reliable and/or time-consuming, the demonstration of nodal calcifications, conglomerate nodal masses and spread into the subcutaneous tissues at US in patients with elusive cervical masses may result in earlier recognition of CTA.

Psychosocial and physical correlates of survival and recurrence in patients with head and neck carcinoma: results of a 6-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Studies that have examined correlations between psychosocial factors and survival in cancer patients do not permit any definitive conclusions. To the authors' knowledge, to date no study has examined the relation between medical as well as quality of life variables and survival in head and neck carcinoma patients. The current study focused on the complex interactions among psychosocial, medical, behavioral, and demographic variables as they relate to prognosis in these patients. METHODS: A total of 133 consecutive head and neck carcinoma patients were included in a prospective study at pretreatment. In addition to clinical variables, psychosocial and physical functioning was assessed by means of a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: During the observation period 57 patients died whereas 76 were still alive at 6 years after treatment. Results of the multivariate survival analysis indicated that patients without head and neck metastasis had a better prognosis than patients with positive cervical lymph nodes. Pretreatment smoking showed a negative correlation with overall survival. Patients who were more physically self-efficacious (i.e., higher perceived physical abilities) were more likely to survive and less likely to develop a recurrence. In addition, patients who expressed intense psychosocial complaints prior to treatment had a better prognosis than had those who did not express such negative feelings. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings linking physical self-efficacy and prognosis are promising, but clinical trials are necessary to examine the direct and indirect mediational pathways of the variables that underlie physical efficacy and influence survival and recurrence. Also, the negative correlation between pretreatment smoking and survival suggests a need for increased efforts to address smoking in newly diagnosed patients.

Continuity of information in cancer care: evaluation of a logbook.

A logbook, or patient-dossier, was developed, to improve continuity of information in the treatment and care of head-and-neck cancer patients. It contained information modules on different aspects of care, as well as forms to facilitate communication both between patient and care-professional and between the various care-professionals. The logbook's effectiveness was evaluated in two hospitals in Rotterdam, by comparing outcomes for trial and comparison groups of, respectively, 71 and 54 patients and 59 and 35 care-professionals. Trial patients proved to be better informed, to receive more support and to experience fewer psychosocial problems. Professionals who used the logbook were better informed about their patients, and about the care-activities of fellow-professionals than those who did not. They recognised an improvement in their contact with colleagues and in the harmonisation of their respective care-activities.

The effects of alcohol and smoking upon the age, anatomic sites and stage in the development of cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx in females in the south west Netherlands.

A retrospective review of 303 women, aged 40 or over, with squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity or oropharynx was conducted in the south-west Netherlands to study the effects of smoking and alcohol upon the age of onset, site and stage of disease. It was noted that patients presenting with oropharyngeal cancers were younger and had a higher incidence of smoking and history of heavy drinking. Age at presentation was also affected by the amount of alcohol and tobacco consumed with non-users presenting with tumors approximately 15 years later. A specific finding was that heavy drinkers and smokers tended to present with late-stage-disease.

The influence of alcohol and smoking on the incidence of oral and oropharyngeal cancer in women.

A retrospective case reference study examining the use of alcohol and tobacco in 303 women aged 40 or over suffering from oral or oropharyngeal cancer was conducted in the south-west Netherlands. Both alcohol and tobacco consumption are important in the development of oral and oropharyngeal cancer with increased consumption of both markedly increasing the risks of cancer, but alcohol having the greater effect.

Disease-specific survival and locoregional control in tonsillar carcinoma.

In a nationwide survey on oropharyngeal carcinoma in the Netherlands (1986-1990), 380 patients with a tonsillar carcinoma were retrospectively studied. The records of 268 (71%) men and 112 (29%) women with a median age of 59 yr (range 31-91), who had squamous cell carcinoma (272 patients, 98%) or undifferentiated carcinoma (8 patients, 2%) were reviewed with respect to treatment, disease-specific survival and locoregional control. Distribution by stage according to the UICC'92 system was: 27 patients (7%) stage I, 59 (15%) stage II, 99 (26%) stage III, 182 (48%) stage IV and 13 patients (3%) unknown stage. Using a previously reported revised staging system the following distribution was obtained: 118 patients (31%) stage I, 120 (31%) stage II, 67 (18%) stage III, 54 (14%) stage IV and 21 patients (6%) with an unknown stage. Treatment consisted of radiotherapy alone in 231 patients (61%), surgery and radiotherapy in 101 (27%), surgery alone in 30 (8%), chemotherapy in 5 (2%) and 13 patients (3%) did not receive any treatment. At 5-yr the overall survival was 32%, the disease-specific survival 42% and the locoregional control 61%. In patients treated with radiotherapy alone the disease-specific survival was 39%, for surgery and radiotherapy 53% and for surgery alone 83%. The disease-specific survival according to UICC'92 stage was 71% in stage I, 59% in II, 50% in III and 32% in stage IV (P < 0.0001). In the revised staging the survival figures were 63% in stage I, 43% in II, 31% in III and 9% in IV (P < 0.0001). The two staging systems appeared to be comparable in prognostic discrimination; the clinical relevance of the revised stage might, however, be slightly superior to the UICC'92 version. The difference in results after radiotherapy alone and surgery + radiotherapy remained significant, also after adjusting for stage (P < 0.0001).