ABSTRACT
The goals of this retrospective cohort study were to compare the results of clinical and pathological TNM staging in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to determine the impact of the discordance on prognosis and treatment results. A total of 124 patients with laryngeal cancer, primarily indicated for surgical treatment, were enrolled. The concordance or discordance between the clinical and pathological staging was compared with the frequency of cancer relapse and disease-specific survival. Other potential prognostic factors, like age, the stage and location of the primary tumor, the status of neck lymph nodes, histological margins, and an indication for postoperative radiotherapy, were also evaluated. A disparity in at least one component of TNM staging was found in 40 patients (32%). The discordance had significant negative influence on both disease-free survival (DSF) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Other significant negative prognostic factors were the stage of the primary tumor, nodal status and postoperative radiotherapy. Our results indicate that the discordance between clinical and pathological staging affects the results of cancer treatment significantly. Some improvement can be probably achieved with higher preoperative diagnostic method accuracy.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/classification , Laryngeal Neoplasms/classification , Neoplasm Staging , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Humans , Laryngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Laryngeal Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Survival AnalysisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of discordance between clinical (c) and pathological (p) TNM classifications in cases of oropharyngeal carcinoma and whether it influences recurrence rate and prognosis of primary disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma who underwent primary surgical treatment were included in this retrospective study. Clinical TNM was determined on the basis of clinical examinations and imaging (US, CT, or MRI), and pathological TNM was determined by a histopathologist (analysis of the primary tumor and neck lymph nodes). Concordance and discordance were statistically evaluated. As potential prognostic factors, we statistically analyzed tumor recurrence, specific and nonspecific patient survival, patient age, extent of primary tumor, lymph node positivity, number of removed lymph nodes, and positive tumor margins. RESULTS: Discordance in the TNM classification was found in 27 cases. Disease-free survival was shorter in patients with discordance in T, and this was statistically significant (p = 0.034). Six patients died due to primary disease (11.8%). Disease-specific survival was at the limit of statistical significance (p = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: Discordance between clinical and pathological TNM classifications was 52.9% patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. Discordance in T is a potential prognostic factor. Improvement in cancer treatment to some extent relies on preoperative staging and should influence the decision about whether or not to administer adjuvant oncological treatment.
Subject(s)
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Neoplasm Staging , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/mortality , PrognosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to review the bacteriology of deep neck infections (DNI) and identify the factors that influence the incidence of causative bacteria. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 634 patients with DNI was performed. Statistical analysis was used to compare the incidence of common pathogens in various conditions such as age of the patients, aetiology and associated diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated in 514 cultures (81%). Aerobic bacteria were isolated from 246 cultures (39%) and anaerobic bacteria from 61 cultures (10%). Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 207 cultures (32%). The most common aerobic bacteria were Streptococcus pyogenes (41%) and Staphylococcus aureus (32%). The most common anaerobic bacteria were Peptostreptococcus species (28%), followed by Prevotela species (8%) and Proprionibacterium species (7%). The incidence of anaerobic bacteria was higher in adults, in patients with infections of dental origin and in non-diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The bacteriology of DNI is polymicrobial, including both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The incidence of anaerobic bacteria is higher in adults, in patients with infections of dental origin and in non-diabetic patients.
