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Nature Reviews. Disease Primers Nov 2020Most head and neck cancers are derived from the mucosal epithelium in the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx and are known collectively as head and neck squamous cell... (Review)
Review
Most head and neck cancers are derived from the mucosal epithelium in the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx and are known collectively as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Oral cavity and larynx cancers are generally associated with tobacco consumption, alcohol abuse or both, whereas pharynx cancers are increasingly attributed to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily HPV-16. Thus, HNSCC can be separated into HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC. Despite evidence of histological progression from cellular atypia through various degrees of dysplasia, ultimately leading to invasive HNSCC, most patients are diagnosed with late-stage HNSCC without a clinically evident antecedent pre-malignant lesion. Traditional staging of HNSCC using the tumour-node-metastasis system has been supplemented by the 2017 AJCC/UICC staging system, which incorporates additional information relevant to HPV-positive disease. Treatment is generally multimodal, consisting of surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for oral cavity cancers and primary CRT for pharynx and larynx cancers. The EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab is generally used in combination with radiation in HPV-negative HNSCC where comorbidities prevent the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The FDA approved the immune checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab for treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC and pembrolizumab as primary treatment for unresectable disease. Elucidation of the molecular genetic landscape of HNSCC over the past decade has revealed new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Ongoing efforts aim to integrate our understanding of HNSCC biology and immunobiology to identify predictive biomarkers that will enable delivery of the most effective, least-toxic therapies.
Topics: Human papillomavirus 16; Humans; Papillomavirus Infections; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Tobacco Use
PubMed: 33243986
DOI: 10.1038/s41572-020-00224-3 -
Medical Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignancies, involving the oral cavity, pharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and salivary glands,... (Review)
Review
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignancies, involving the oral cavity, pharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and salivary glands, that together compose the seventh most common cancer diagnosis worldwide. With 890,000 new cases and 450,000 deaths annually per GLOBOCAN estimates, HNSCC accounts for roughly 4.5% of cancer diagnoses and deaths. In the developing world, the incidence of HNSCC is growing with increasing consumption of tobacco (smoked or chewed), alcohol, and areca nut (betel quid). Alcohol and tobacco have a synergistic effect, with the heavy consumption of both increasing HNSCC risk 40-fold. In developed nations, HPV-related HNSCC surpasses tobacco- and alcohol-related disease. HPV-related HNSCC more commonly affects the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx than the oral cavity, and is associated with a significantly longer median survival (130 months vs. 20 months). Discrepancies in etiology as well as disparities in lifestyle choices and access to healthcare may account for the greater incidence and poorer survival of HNSCC among minority and lower-socioeconomic-status communities in developed nations. Pharmacotherapy and counseling together have been shown to be effective in promoting smoking and alcohol cessation. Education on cancer risk and community engagement have reduced areca nut consumption in Asia as well as in diaspora communities. HPV vaccination, starting at age 11-12 for both sexes, has been shown to reduce the prevalence of high-risk HPV serologies and prevent pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. As of 2020, 58.6% of eligible adolescents in the US have received the full two-vaccine series. Increased adoption of vaccination, education on safe sex practices, and routine visual oral screening for high-risk patients would curb growing HNSCC incidence in developed nations.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Child; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Papillomavirus Infections; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37367741
DOI: 10.3390/medsci11020042 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... Nov 2020
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Follow-Up Studies; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Hypopharynx; Larynx; Mouth; Oropharynx
PubMed: 33239190
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.07.011 -
British Journal of Cancer Feb 2015Alcohol is a risk factor for cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, colorectum, liver, larynx and female breast, whereas its impact on other cancers remains... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Alcohol is a risk factor for cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, colorectum, liver, larynx and female breast, whereas its impact on other cancers remains controversial.
METHODS
We investigated the effect of alcohol on 23 cancer types through a meta-analytic approach. We used dose-response meta-regression models and investigated potential sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
A total of 572 studies, including 486 538 cancer cases, were identified. Relative risks (RRs) for heavy drinkers compared with nondrinkers and occasional drinkers were 5.13 for oral and pharyngeal cancer, 4.95 for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 1.44 for colorectal, 2.65 for laryngeal and 1.61 for breast cancer; for those neoplasms there was a clear dose-risk relationship. Heavy drinkers also had a significantly higher risk of cancer of the stomach (RR 1.21), liver (2.07), gallbladder (2.64), pancreas (1.19) and lung (1.15). There was indication of a positive association between alcohol consumption and risk of melanoma and prostate cancer. Alcohol consumption and risk of Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were inversely associated.
CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol increases risk of cancer of oral cavity and pharynx, oesophagus, colorectum, liver, larynx and female breast. There is accumulating evidence that alcohol drinking is associated with some other cancers such as pancreas and prostate cancer and melanoma.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Case-Control Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Melanoma; Mouth Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Pharyngeal Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors
PubMed: 25422909
DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.579 -
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Dec 2023Integrin beta-6, a component of the heterodimeric adhesion receptor alpha-v/beta-6, is overexpressed in numerous solid tumors. Its expression has been shown by multiple...
Integrin beta-6, a component of the heterodimeric adhesion receptor alpha-v/beta-6, is overexpressed in numerous solid tumors. Its expression has been shown by multiple investigators to be a negative prognostic indicator in diverse cancers including colorectal, non-small cell lung, gastric, and cervical. We developed SGN-B6A as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to integrin beta-6 to deliver the clinically validated payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) to cancer cells. The antibody component of SGN-B6A is specific for integrin beta-6 and does not bind other alpha-v family members. In preclinical studies, this ADC has demonstrated activity in vivo in models derived from non-small cell lung, pancreatic, pharyngeal, and bladder carcinomas spanning a range of antigen expression levels. In nonclinical toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys, doses of up to 5 mg/kg weekly for four doses or 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks for two doses were tolerated. Hematologic toxicities typical of MMAE ADCs were dose limiting, and no significant target-mediated toxicity was observed. A phase I first-in-human study is in progress to evaluate the safety and antitumor activity of SGN-B6A in a variety of solid tumors known to express integrin beta-6 (NCT04389632).
Topics: Humans; Immunoconjugates; Antineoplastic Agents; Prognosis; Integrins; Carcinoma; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 37619980
DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-22-0817 -
Head and Neck Pathology Mar 2022The new WHO classification of head and neck tumors provides a comprehensive overview of lesions by summarizing their clinical, epidemiological, histological,... (Review)
Review
The new WHO classification of head and neck tumors provides a comprehensive overview of lesions by summarizing their clinical, epidemiological, histological, immunohistochemical, molecular and genetic features. The chapters related to the description of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal lesions have thus been largely modified.
Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Nasopharynx; Oropharynx; World Health Organization
PubMed: 35312986
DOI: 10.1007/s12105-022-01449-2 -
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford,... Sep 2021To update the 2015 clinical practice guideline for the prevention of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To update the 2015 clinical practice guideline for the prevention of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients.
METHODS
We performed seven systematic reviews of mucositis prevention. Three reviews included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in pediatric and adult patients evaluating cryotherapy, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) or photobiomodulation therapy with a focus on efficacy. Three reviews included studies of any design conducted in pediatric patients evaluating these same interventions with a focus on adverse events and feasibility. One review included all RCTs of any intervention for mucositis prevention in pediatric patients. Primary outcome was severe oral mucositis.
RESULTS
We included 107 unique studies of cryotherapy (22 RCTs and 4 pediatric studies); KGF (15 RCTs and 12 pediatric studies); photobiomodulation therapy (29 RCTs and 8 pediatric studies) and any intervention (31 pediatric RCTs). Effects on severe mucositis reduction from RCTs were cryotherapy risk ratio (RR) 0.49 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.76; palifermin RR 0.81 and 95% CI 0.69-0.95 and photobiomodulation therapy RR 0.40 and 95% CI 0.27-0.60. Cryotherapy was not feasible in young children while photobiomodulation therapy was feasible across age groups. Palifermin was associated with adverse effects.
CONCLUSIONS
Cryotherapy should be used for older cooperative pediatric patients who will receive short infusions of melphalan or 5-fluorouracil. Intraoral photobiomodulation therapy (620-750 nm spectrum) should be used in pediatric patients undergoing autologous or allogeneic HSCT and for pediatric head and neck carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy. Palifermin should not be used routinely in pediatric cancer or HSCT patients.
Topics: Adult; Child; Cryotherapy; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Neoplasms; Oropharynx; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Radiotherapy; Stomatitis
PubMed: 34252760
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.05.013 -
Head and Neck Pathology Mar 2022In this article, we review the chapter on tumors of the larynx, hypopharynx, trachea and parapharyngeal space in the new edition of the WHO book, focusing on the new... (Review)
Review
In this article, we review the chapter on tumors of the larynx, hypopharynx, trachea and parapharyngeal space in the new edition of the WHO book, focusing on the new developments in comparison to the previous edition. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its variants are by far the most common malignancies at these locations, with very limited new insights. The most important is the introduction of new targeted treatment-checkpoint inhibitors, with a new task for pathologists, who may help to predict the response to treatment by analyzing the expression of targeted proteins in biopsy samples. Precancerous lesions remain a controversial topic and, similarly to other organs, it is acceptable to use the terms "dysplasia" or "squamous intraepithelial lesion" (SIL), but there is a slight difference between low-grade dysplasia and low-grade SIL: in the former, mild atypia must be present, while the latter also includes hyperplastic epithelium without atypia. Two approaches have been proposed: a two-tiered system with low- and high-grade dysplasia/SIL and a three-tiered system with an additional category, carcinoma in situ. We are still searching for reliable diagnostic markers to surpass the subjectivity in biopsy diagnosis, with a few potential candidate markers on the horizon, e.g., stem cell markers. Other tumors are rare at these locations, e.g., hematolymphoid, neuroendocrine and salivary gland neoplasms, and are no longer included in Chapter 3. They must be diagnosed according to criteria described in specific chapters. The same holds true for soft tissue tumors, with the exception of cartilaginous neoplasms, which are still included in Chapter 3.
Topics: Carcinoma in Situ; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Hypopharynx; Larynx; Parapharyngeal Space; Trachea; World Health Organization
PubMed: 35312977
DOI: 10.1007/s12105-021-01405-6 -
BMJ Case Reports Sep 2020
Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Chemoradiotherapy; Endoscopy; Female; Hearing Loss; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Nasopharynx; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Trigeminal Neuralgia
PubMed: 32907871
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237392 -
Medical Archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and... 2024Chordoma is a rare malignant neoplasm that predominantly arises from the axial skeleton, but can also develop in unusual locations. However, there are also rare cases of...
BACKGROUND
Chordoma is a rare malignant neoplasm that predominantly arises from the axial skeleton, but can also develop in unusual locations. However, there are also rare cases of "NOS" chordoma involving the oropharyx and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland in the same patient. According to contemporary research, chordoma is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises from the embryonic remnants of the notochord. and typically involves the clivus, sacrococcygeal bones or vertebrae. Studies have shown that the incidence of chordoma has been estimated to be one per one million people per year. Chordoma can occur at any age, but most commonly it is diagnosed in the 40-60 year old age group with the male predominance.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article was to review the case of a 74-year-old female patient with epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland and a case of "NOS" chordoma involving the oropharyx.
METHODS
Diagnostic methods were used to examine a female patient with two primary malignant tumors: CT neck scan, CT of paranasal sinuses, ultrasound examination, scintigraphy and operative finding.
CASE PRESENTZATION
Due to the anatomy complexity, complete resection of the tumor through a transoral-transpharyngeal approach was not possible. Intraoperative palpation of the mass revealed well defined submucosal lesion 20x43x46mm beginning at the level of the oro- and hypopharynx and extending superiorly to the nasopharynx, and posteriorly into the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen causing near complete occlusion of the oro and hypopharynx. The patient also underwent extracapsular dissection of the parotid tumor. Postoperative palliative radiotherapy was performed.
CONCLUSION
Surgical treatment remains the mainstay of treatment for EMC and radiation is imperative for patients who refuse surgery and for those with advanced or inoperable diseases.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Adult; Middle Aged; Chordoma; Oropharynx; Spine; Carcinoma
PubMed: 38481587
DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2024.78.68-70