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Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... Dec 2023Given the central role that radiation has in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin, it is imperative to review how treatment...
PURPOSE
Given the central role that radiation has in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin, it is imperative to review how treatment paradigms have been refined and continue to evolve in the modern era.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
This study was designed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. A literature search of peer-reviewed publications was undertaken to identify works pertaining to the use of radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin presenting as cervical lymph node metastases. Articles published from January 2002 to January 2023 with full text available on PubMed and restricted to the English language and human subjects were included. The full bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed and irrelevant studies were removed.
RESULTS
While such breakthroughs as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, positron emission tomography, biomarker testing with immune-histochemistry, and minimally invasive surgical techniques such as transoral robotic surgery have fundamentally changed the approach to this disease in recent decades, controversies still exist with respect to the manner in which radiation is delivered. Although the incidence of head and neck unknown primary cancer is relatively low, questions regarding the necessity of comprehensive radiation using the age-old standard method of targeting the bilateral necks and entire pharyngeal axis to encompass all putative sites of mucosal disease persist.
CONCLUSIONS
Prospective evidence is lacking, and the available studies have been complicated by such factors as the relatively limited sample sizes, as well as the variability in work-up, treatment, inclusion criteria, and follow-up. Regardless, advances in science and technology have ushered in more precise approaches with a high degree of customization, particularly given the increased proportion of patients presenting with human papillomavirus-related disease.
Topics: Humans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary; Papillomavirus Infections; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 37844736
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109952 -
European Archives of... Jul 2023Minimally invasive surgery is today the main challenge of ENT surgeons who aim to achieve oncological radicality with less aesthetic and functional impact. This is the...
INTRODUCTION
Minimally invasive surgery is today the main challenge of ENT surgeons who aim to achieve oncological radicality with less aesthetic and functional impact. This is the basis for the widespread transoral surgical techniques, as the Thunderbeat.
OBJECTIVE
To date, the use of Thunderbeat in transoral surgery is still little known and widespread. So, this study analyzes, with a systematic review, current literature about the transoral use of Thunderbeat and shows our case studies.
METHODS
The research was carried out on Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases using specific keywords. Then, a retrospective study was carried out on 10 patients who underwent transoral surgery by Thunderbeat in our ENT Clinic. Both in our cases and in the systematic review the following parameters have been evaluated: treated anatomical site and subsite, histological diagnosis, type of surgery, duration of nasogastric tube and hospitalization, post-operative complications, tracheostomy, resection margin status.
RESULTS
The review included 3 articles that described transoral use of Thunderbeat for a total of 31 patients suffering from oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and/or laryngeal carcinoma. Nasogastric tube was removed after 21.5 days on average, temporary tracheostomy was performed in 6 patients. The main complications were: bleeding (12.90%) and pharyngocutaneous fistula (29.03%). Thunderbeat shaft was 35 cm long and 5 mm large. Our case studies included 5 males and 5 females, mean age 64.4 ± 10.28, with oropharyngeal or supraglottic carcinoma, parapharyngeal pleomorphic adenoma and cavernous hemangioma of the tongue base. Temporary tracheostomy was performed in 8 patients. Free resection margins were achieved in all cases (100%). No peri-operative complications occurred. Nasogastric tube was removed after 5.3 ± 2 days on average. All patients were discharged without tracheal tube and NGT after 18.2 ± 4.72 days on average.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that Thunderbeat has several advantages over other transoral surgical approaches, such as CO2 laser and robotic surgery, in terms of best combination of oncological and functional success, less post-operative complications and costs. So, it could represent a step forward in transoral surgery.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Retrospective Studies; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Hypopharynx; Larynx; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37014427
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-07944-8 -
PeerJ 2024To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab instead of cisplatin in combination with downstaging radiotherapy for papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of the prognosis of down-staging human papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using cetuximab combined with radiotherapy instead of cisplatin combined with radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab instead of cisplatin in combination with downstaging radiotherapy for papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV OPSCC).
DESIGN
Meta-analysis and systematic evaluation.
DATA SOURCES
The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases were searched up to June 8, 2023, as well as Clinicaltrials.gov Clinical Trials Registry, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and Wiprojournal.com.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES
Randomized controlled trials reporting results of standard regimens of cetuximab + radiotherapy vs cisplatin + radiotherapy in treating HPV OPSCC were included. The primary outcomes of interest were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local regional failure rate (LRF), distant metastasis rate (DM), and adverse events (AE).
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. The HR and its 95% CI were used as the effect analysis statistic for survival analysis, while the OR and its 95% CI were used as the effect analysis statistic for dichotomous variables. These statistics were extracted by the reviewers and aggregated using a fixed-effects model to synthesise the data.
RESULTS
A total of 874 relevant papers were obtained from the initial search, and five papers that met the inclusion criteria were included; a total of 1,617 patients with HPV OPSCC were enrolled in these studies. Meta-analysis showed that OS and PFS were significantly shorter in the cetuximab + radiotherapy group of patients with HPV OPSCC compared with those in the conventional cisplatin + radiotherapy group (HR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.39-3.15], = 0.0004; HR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.40-2.29], < 0.0001); LRF and DM were significantly increased (HR = 2.22, 95% CI [1.58-3.11], < 0.0001; HR = 1.66, 95% CI [1.07-2.58], = 0.02), but there was no significant difference in overall grade 3 to 4, acute and late AE overall (OR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.65-1.13], = 0.28).
CONCLUSIONS
Cisplatin + radiotherapy remains the standard treatment for HPV OPSCC. According to the 7th edition AJCC/UICC criteria, low-risk HPV OPSCC patients with a smoking history of ≤ 10 packs/year and non-pharyngeal tumors not involved in lymphatic metastasis had similar survival outcomes with cetuximab/cisplatin + radiotherapy. However, further clinical trials are necessary to determine whether cetuximab + radiotherapy can replace cisplatin + radiotherapy for degraded treatment in individuals who meet the aforementioned characteristics, particularly those with platinum drug allergies.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42023445619.
Topics: Humans; Cetuximab; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Cisplatin; Chemoradiotherapy; Papillomavirus Infections; Prognosis; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Neoplasm Staging; Papillomaviridae; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Progression-Free Survival; Human Papillomavirus Viruses
PubMed: 38784388
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17391 -
European Archives of... Nov 2023Second primary cancers (SPCs) after nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) are rare, but have an impact on the follow-up of this patient population. The aim of this study is to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
Second primary cancers (SPCs) after nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) are rare, but have an impact on the follow-up of this patient population. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature to determine the prevalence and most typical sites of SPCs after NPC.
METHODS
We searched the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for articles on SPCs after NPC. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed.
RESULTS
This review includes data on 89 168 patients with NPC from 21 articles. The mean occurrence for SPCs was 6.6% and varied from 4.9% in endemic areas to 8.7% in non-endemic areas. The most frequent locations of SPCs were oral cavity, pharynx, nose and paranasal sinuses, esophagus and lung.
CONCLUSION
There is an increased risk for a SPC after NPC management, especially in non-endemic areas. However, their mean rate is lower than after other head and neck carcinomas.
Topics: Humans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37495725
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08144-0 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Jul 2023Cancer is the second most common cause of death worldwide. Economic evaluation of cancer treatment to reduce costs can save the health care system millions of dollars... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cancer is the second most common cause of death worldwide. Economic evaluation of cancer treatment to reduce costs can save the health care system millions of dollars while optimizing care. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to study the economic evaluation of cancer treatment using intermediate intensity radiation therapy (IMRT) compared to conventional 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT).
METHODS
Literatures from PubMed, Embase, Cochran Library, Google scholar, Scopus and Iranian databases were retrieved since Jan 2000 to Apr 2020 for eligible English studies. The quality of the studies was evaluated using Cheers' checklist and then the textual data were analyzed manually by content analysis method.
RESULTS
Overall, 1790 articles were retrieved, of which 12 studies were reviewed. The article quality score ranged from 14.5 to 23 out of a maximum of 24 points. Eleven studies referred to cost-effectiveness analysis and one study referred to cost-utility analysis. Studies have been conducted in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Hungary. IMRT appears to be a cost-effective treatment strategy for rectal cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and localized carcinoma of the pharynx, and for prostate cancer in terms of prolonging survival, but it is a cost-effective treatment strategy for head cancer. In addition, the neck was not in India's cancer control program.
CONCLUSION
The results can help to decide whether to use radiation therapy and radiotherapy in the standard treatment path. Furthermore, they underline that IMRT treatment technique was cost effective for a long-time care service.
PubMed: 37593521
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i7.13237