Immune checkpoint analysis in ear cancer.

BACKGROUND: Among cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, the ear (ecSCC) is one of the most common sites. Loco regional lymph node metastasis is found in six to eleven percent of cases, corresponding to increased metastasis compared to other sites. The aim of this study was to test the markers PD-L1, PD-1, CD4, CD8, and FoxP3 for suitability as prognostic predictive markers. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with ecSCC were included in this study. The expression of immunohistochemical markers (PD-L1, PD-1, CD4, CD8, FOXP3) was correlated with retrospective clinic pathological parameters (lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, lymph node metastasis during follow-up, disease progression, disease-specific death). RESULTS: There was a correlation between increased disease specific death and a weak Foxp3 (p = 0.003) or reduced CD8 (p = 0.04). A PD-L1 expression > 1% was found in 39.1% of patients. CONCLUSION: The investigated markers (CD4, CD8, FoxP3, PD-1, PD-L1) seem overall rather inappropriate for prognostic evaluation in ecSCC. Only the correlation of disease specific death with CD8 or FoxP3 seems to be worth testing in larger collectives.

Immune checkpoint analysis in lip cancer.

The aim of this study was to establish whether PD-L1, PD-1, and markers of the tumor microenvironment (CD4, CD8, FOXP3) could have a prognostic value in squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (LSCC). In patients with histologically proven LSCC, tumor specimens were stained using immunohistochemistry (for PD-1, PD-L1, CD4, CD8, and FOXP3) on paraffin-embedded tissues. Patients with (N+) and without (N-) nodal metastasis were stratified and matched to each other according to prognostically relevant clinicopathological parameters. 58 patients (29 N+ and 29 N-) were included. PD-L1 expression was positive (>1%) in 56.1% (n = 33) of all LSCC cases, but its expression did not differ significantly between metastasis groups (65.5% in N+ versus 48.3% in N-; p = 0.144). Nodal disseminated LSCC showed a tendency for higher PD-L1 expression. None of the analyzed markers showed significant correlation with the risk for nodal disease, or revealed significant prognostic value. Due to their significant expression, PD-L1 and PD-1 are potential targets for checkpoint inhibitor therapy in LSCC. Their expression should be analyzed in advanced and metastasized LSCC cases.

Cutaneous Angiosarcoma of Head and Neck: A New Predictive Score for Locoregional Metastasis.

OBJECTIVES: Cutaneous angiosarcoma of head and neck (cAS-HN) is a malignant neoplasm with deficient data on prognostic factors. The aim of this study is to present our monocenter database on cAS-HN so far and a new predictive score for locoregional metastasis (LRM). METHODS: Retrospectively, tumor characteristics and outcome of 103 consecutive patients with cAS-HN were analyzed. The main predictors of LRM (identified by univariate and multivariate statistics) were combined to a LRM risk score. The prognostic values of stratification into high-, medium-, and low-risk groups concerning disease-specific survival (DSS), distant metastasis (DM), and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. RESULTS: LRM (n = 29) and control (n = 74) groups differed significantly concerning several tumor characteristics and outcome (DM, PFS, and DSS). Patients developing LRM showed 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates of 32%, 16%, and 11% (mean DSS time of 36.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 20.5-52.8]) compared to 81%, 73%, and 69% (mean DSS time of 292.4 months [95% CI 208.4-376.5]) in controls without LRM (P < .001). The main predictors were American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, tumor extent, and origin of the primary tumor. The LRM risk score revealed significant higher values for the LRM group [7.14 (SD 1.46) vs 4.88 (SD 1.89), P < .001]. The high-risk group showed significantly higher risk for DM and more unfavorable DSS and PFS. CONCLUSION: The LRM risk score is a simple way to estimate the risk for LRM and DM, to stage patients, and to determine treatment options.

[Current surgical and adjuvant therapy concepts of malignant tumors of the facial skin and the pinna]. / Aktueller Stand der chirurgischen und adjuvanten Therapie der Malignome der Gesichtshaut und der Ohrmuschel.

Malignant tumors of the skin had been a rare entity 2 decades ago. Today they are spread rapidly worldwide. Malignant neoplasms of the skin, the largest human organ, may occur from all structures and layers. While previously skin cancer -occurred mainly after the age of 60, the incidence increases now in younger ages. Strong sunburns in the childhood and before the age of 20 are important risk factors for the development of malignancies of the skin. An increased exposure to UV rays is found especially in the facial skin, where basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma and Merkel cell carcinomas are the most common malignancies. Early diagnosis of malignancies and therapy-oriented mostly surgical approaches are crucial for the prognosis of all skin cancers. Therefore under the aspect of the increasing incidence these topics will be pointed out according to the latest findings including current multimodal therapy concepts and future treatment options.

Prediction score for lymph node metastasis from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear.

AIMS: The frequency of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is higher in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the ear than in other head and neck cSCCs. Nodal dissemination is associated with a significantly worse prognosis and disease-specific survival. The aim of this study was to establish a prediction model for LNM in patients with cSCC of the ear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumour characteristics of 353 patients with ear cSCC were analysed to assess differences between those with and without LNM and to calculate a prediction score for LNM occurrence. RESULTS: Regional LNM occurred in 10.5% of patients. Five-year disease-specific survival was significantly lower in the LNM group than in the control group (59% vs. 99%; p < 0.001). Recurrence number, invasion of cartilage, tumour depth, and tumour grading were the most important predictors for LNM, with correct prediction of LNM in 94.0% of cases. Our prediction score stratified patients into high and low risk groups (p < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 89.2%, a specificity of 94.6%, and an overall accuracy of 94.1%. CONCLUSION: Our new prediction model was able to accurately identify patients at high risk of LNM who may benefit from elective lymph node surgery.

Orthognathic surgery in Melnick-Needles-Syndrome. Case report and review of the literature.

Melnick-Needles Syndrome (MNS) is a congenital syndrome associated with severe architectural disorder of the skeletal system that can cause significant effects on the craniofacial skeleton including poor aesthetics, impaired speech and masticatory problems. The authors report a case of a female patient who experienced masticatory constraint, hindered speech and functional problems related to a severe bite dysfunction due to the mandibular hypoplasia and the underlying bony architectural disorder associated with MNS. The patient underwent bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) to correct her skeletal malocclusion and improve the characteristic aesthetics and speech. The inherent bony abnormalities with their altered collagen structure presented unique challenges to orthognathic surgery in this patient with an unpredictable bone healing process. In MNS patients a fragile trabecular bone structure and an increased bleeding tendency is thought to delay or forestall wound healing. The patient was treated successfully with BSSO and monocortical plate fixation following a well-established algorithm from orthodontic preparation to surgical protocol. A very satisfying outcome has been achieved, concerning functional rehabilitation and aesthetic improvement. A review of the literature revealed that little is known about bone regeneration and fracture healing in cases with MNS.

Prediction model for early percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in head and neck cancer treatment.

Head and neck cancer patients are prone to nutritional problems, partly due to the location and size of the disease, due to significant comorbidity and also often therapeutic intervention. Excessive weight loss after surgery reduces further the patients' physical resistibility and increases the complication rate for adjuvant radiation and or chemotherapy. Possible effective interventions are dietary counseling, nutritional supplements or drug interventions. Aim of our research was to reveal reliable clinical predictive parameters, which calculate risks as the reduced nutritional state against the possible complications of PEG insertion and finally define an algorithm for pre-therapeutic PEG insertion to optimize the general treatment conditions by sufficient nutrition. We explored the data of 152 patients in a time period from 2005 to 2010 considering age, gender, body mass index, staging, size and localization of the tumor or need for a neck dissection. The decisive predictive parameters are: body mass index, size and localization of tumor, lymph node affection, resection of the root of the tongue or the oropharynx region and performance of a neck dissection. In this retrospective study we established a prediction model that allows a substantiated evaluation of post-therapeutic dysphagia considering relevant clinical features as well as the specific surgical therapy. From this assessment derives the indication of a safe pre-therapeutic application of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).