Hypopharyngeal Tumors Research Articles

Outcomes of Patients with Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Head and Neck after Definitive Treatment

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck (ASC-HN) is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Limited data suggests inferior outcomes compared to conventional SCC. We report one of the largest single institutional experiences of this disease in patients treated definitively to further elucidate oncologic outcomes. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Patients with non-metastatic ASC-HN treated definitively between 2003 and 2021 were identified retrospectively from an IRB approved database with histology verified by head and neck pathologists. All tumors of the oropharynx were tested for p16 and/or HPV to document HPV associated disease. For non-oropharyngeal lesions, a designation of HPV positivity required the presence of HPV DNA/RNA per CISH. Actuarial analyses were performed for PFS and OS. <h3>Results</h3> 29 patients with ASC-HN (72.4% male, 93.1% Caucasian) with median age of 66 (range 34-91) and a median follow up of 33 months (range 6.6-126.7) were identified. The most common primary tumor sites were: oropharynx (27.6%), oral cavity (20.7%), nasal cavity (17.2%), and larynx (17.2%). 3 patients had primaries in the hypopharynx, nasopharynx and parotid gland respectively. 11 patients (37.9%) were HPV positive of whom 8 had oropharyngeal primaries. The majority (n=23, 79.3%) were treated with primary surgery of whom 19 (82.6%) received adjuvant radiation (RT) to a median dose of 60 Gy (range 36-70 Gy) with 7 receiving concurrent chemotherapy. 6 patients were treated with definitive RT to a median dose of 70 Gy with two receiving concurrent chemotherapy. There were 10 recurrences (34.5%) which occurred at a median of 14.3 months (range 5.4-28) after diagnosis including 8 loco-regional and 2 distant recurrences. Recurrences were documented in patients with primary salivary gland, oral cavity, laryngeal, hypo-pharyngeal, and oropharyngeal tumors. 3 of the 10 recurrences were in patients with HPV positive disease. Among the 6 patients treated with definitive radiation or chemo-radiation no failures were observed. 9 patients (31%) were deceased at the time of analysis. Overall, 3-year PFS and OS were 54.2% and 72.9%, respectively. 3-year PFS and OS were 45.6% and 69.6% for primary surgery and 83.3% and 83.3% in the definitive RT group. 3-year PFS was 50% and 75% for HPV negative and positive patients respectively. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In our single institutional experience of 29 patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck there was a 34.5% recurrence rate. Loco-regional recurrence was the primary mode of failure.

Quantifying Total and Out-of-Pocket Costs Associated With Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship

Oncologic treatment is costly to the health care system and to individuals, but patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) also have long-term care needs after treatment. Survivors of HNC require specific consideration given their rapidly growing numbers. This subpopulation of cancer survivors often experiences long-term treatment-associated morbidity. To describe the total and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs associated with HNC survivorship and the risk factors for financial toxicity among this population. This was a retrospective review and economic evaluation of a cohort of US adults with a diagnosis of HNC from 2006 to 2018. The study used data the from IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims Database. Data were analyzed from November 2020 to June 2022. Treatment for HNC. Total and OOP medical costs were assessed monthly and reported relative to the date of HNC diagnosis. The primary outcome was the difference between a patient's mean monthly survivorship costs (13-60 months after diagnosis) and mean monthly baseline costs (7-12 months before diagnosis). Univariate and multivariable linear regression models were created for total and OOP costs to generate coefficient estimates with 95% CIs. The study cohort of this economic evaluation included 19 098 patients with HNC (median [range] age, 56 [18-64] years; 14 144 [74.1%] men and 4954 [25.9%] women; race and ethnicity were not considered). Throughout the survivorship period, median total and OOP costs were $372 per month and $31 per month higher than baseline costs, respectively, with variation in expenses by demographic information, health plan type, and oncologic variables. In the multivariable model, greater total and OOP excess survivorship costs were associated with female sex ($343/mo; 95% CI, $126 to $560 and $9/mo; 95% CI, $4 to $14). Highest and lowest total excess survivorship costs associated with cancer site were seen for hypopharyngeal ($1908/mo; 95% CI, $1102 to $2714) and oropharyngeal cancers (-$703/mo; 95% CI, -$967 to -$439) vs oral cavity cancers. Compared with surgery or radiation therapy alone, multimodal treatment was generally associated with excess OOP survivorship costs. The findings of this retrospective economic evaluation review suggest that the costs of HNC survivorship remain persistently elevated above baseline costs for at least 5 years after diagnosis. High survivorship costs were associated with female sex, hypopharyngeal tumors, and treatment with multimodal therapy. Practitioners should seek to minimize costs for these patients at higher-risk of financial toxicity after treatment and work to provide directed supportive services.

Clonal relationship and alcohol consumption-associated mutational signature in synchronous hypopharyngeal tumours and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundThe patients with dual oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) have poor prognosis; their underlying genetic pathogenesis is unclear. We hypothesise that development of synchronous ESCC/HPC depends on multicentricity or independent origin, rather than multifocality due to local or lateral spreading.MethodMultiple region whole-exome sequencing (M-WES) and clonality analysis were used to assess clonal relationship and spatial inter- or intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) in 62 tumour regions from eight dual ESCC/HPC and ten ESCC patients.ResultsAll synchronous ESCC/HPC patients had COSMIC 16 mutation signatures, compared to only 40% ESCC in the current study (p = 0.013) and public data set (n = 165, p = 0.003). This alcohol consumption-related mutation signature 16, commonly involved in multiple alcohol-related cancers, was significantly associated with drinking and alcohol metabolism-related ADH1B rs1229984. The mutational landscape and copy number profiles were completely distinct between the two primary tumours; clonality analysis further suggested the two primary tumours shared no or only one clone accompanying independent subclone evolution. M-WES strategy demonstrated higher sensitivity and accuracy for detection of mutational prevalence and the late branch mutations among different regions in the ESCC tumours, compared to traditional sequencing analysis based on single biopsy strategy. Patients with high ITH assessed by cancer cell fraction analysis after M-WES were significantly associated with both relapse and survival.ConclusionsOur hypothesis-generating M-WES ITH assessment data have implications for prognostication. Collectively, our findings support multicentric independent clonal evolution, the field cancerisation theory, and suggest novel insights implicating an aetiologic role of alcohol metabolism in dual ESCC/HPC carcinogenesis.

A new nomogram to predict oncological outcome in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients after laryngopharyngectomy

BackgroundTo create nomograms for better prediction of the oncological outcome in advanced laryngeal (LxCAs) or hypopharyngeal (HpxCAs) cancer after laryngopharyngectomy.Materials239 patients who underwent total laryngectomy or laryngopharyngectomy due to LxCA (52.7%) or HpxCA (47.3%) were included in this study. Based on clinical risk factors (tumor site, lymph node involvement, salvage setting), we created nomograms for prediction of disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS).ResultsHpxCAs showed a higher rate of lymph node involvement (p < 0.001), a 2.47-fold higher risk of a 2nd head and neck cancer (p = 0.009) and significantly worse loco-regional control rates (p = 0.003) compared to LxCAs. Positive neck nodes and salvage procedures were associated with significantly worse outcome. Nomograms demonstrated that hypopharyngeal tumors with positive neck nodes in salvage situations had the worst oncological outcome with a 5-year DSS of 15–20%.ConclusionsThe oncological outcome is worse in hypopharyngeal carcinomas and could be easily quantified by our nomograms that are based on tumor site, lymph node involvement and salvage situation.

Hypopharyngeal Schwannoma: A Ghanaian Case Report

This article seeks to highlight the need for a high index of suspicion for a hypopharyngeal tumour especially schwannoma in patients presenting with the feeling of a mass in the throat. Schwannoma is a benign schwann cell encapsulated tumour with no genetic predilection. They are rarely found in the hypopharynx and when present may not cause any significant symptoms until they enlarge and cause dysphagia and upper airway obstruction because of laryngeal obstruction. Schwannomas are differentiated from other soft tissue tumours like neurofibromas by the presence of Antoni A and B on histology and strong positivity for S100 protein with no or minimal mitotic activity. These tumours are mainly managed by surgical excision either transorally or via lateral pharyngotomy.We present the case of 28 -year-old man who presented to our facility with the feeling of a mass in the throat of 2 months duration. After flexible nasolaryngoscopy and CT scan of the neck, a hypopharyngeal tumour with a sessile base was found. The tumour was excised endoscopically after elective tracheostomy to secure the airway. Patient’s recovery was uneventful and has remainedasymptomatic one-year post excision of the tumour.

Outcomes of cisplatin dosing strategies in locally advanced non-nasopharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiation in a safety-net hospital.

e18064 Background: For patients with locally advanced non-nasopharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) not amenable for resection, concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin is the standard of care. Most popular dosing strategies for cisplatin include bolus dosing once every three weeks for a total of three cycles and once a week for seven cycles. Randomized studies comparing efficacy and tolerability of these dosing strategies have been conflicting. We examined how different dosing strategies affect outcomes in our institution, a safety-net hospital serving the medically underserved population in a large metropolitan area. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with HNSCC from January 2015 to July 2021 in our institution. Patients with biopsy proven HNSCC with oral cavity, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, or hypopharyngeal primary tumor sites treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin were included in the study. Those who received cisplatin bolus dosing were identified as Arm A and weekly dosing identified as Arm B. Primary outcome studied was 12-month event-free survival (EFS). We controlled for stage at diagnosis, age, p16 positivity, smoking status, treatment delay or premature discontinuation, and number of comorbidities. Secondary outcomes were rates of treatment delay or discontinuation, and median cisplatin dose received. To determine whether a preliminary association exists, a Pearson Chi-Square test for association of treatment type to 12-month EFS was utilized. To control for potential confounding variables the Mantel-Haenszel test was used on each confounder. Results: A total of 51 patients were included in the study, 36 (70.6%) with bolus and 15 (29.4%) with weekly cisplatin. After controlling for confounding variables listed above, there was no statistically significant association between Arm A or Arm B and 12-month EFS (p = 0.324). Delay or discontinuation rate for Arm A was 10 out of 36 patients (27.8%) and for Arm B was 5 out of 15 patients (33.3%). The difference in these rates were not statistically significant (p = 0.743). The median cisplatin dose received for Arm A was 300 mg/m2 and 280 mg/m2 for Arm B. Conclusions: In our institution, there was no difference in 12-month EFS or rates of treatment delay or discontinuation between patients who underwent definitive concurrent chemoradiation with bolus versus weekly cisplatin (p = 0.324). This has a significant impact on practical management of concurrent chemoradiation in our resource limited setting.

Feasibility and perioperative safety of transoral robotic surgery with da Vinci Xi platform

Objective: To explore the feasibility and perioperative safety of transoral robotic surgery with da Vinci Xi platform for pharyngolaryngeal tumors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 55 consecutive cases with resection of pharyngolaryngeal tumors by transoral robotic surgery with da Vinci Xi platform from July 27, 2020 to October 31, 2021 in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, including 44 males and 11 females, aged 25-79 years. There were 41 cases of oropharyngeal tumors, 9 cases of parapharyngeal space tumors, 2 cases of laryngeal tumors, 2 cases of hypopharyngeal tumors and 1 case of retropharyngeal space tumor. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, perioperative tracheotomy, nasal feeding, hemorrhage and other complications were analyzed. Results: Of the 55 patients, 54 received resection of pharyngolaryngeal tumors by da Vinci robot through oral approach, and only 1 case of pyriform sinus carcinoma underwent a conversion to open surgery due to poor exposure of lower margin. The average surgical time for the patients with transoral robotic surgeries was 64.4 min, the average blood loss was 24.8 ml, the average postoperative hospital stay was 6.9 d, and the average oral feeding time was 11.1 d. Seventeen patients (30.9%) underwent preventive tracheotomy during surgery. Among 38 cases of laryngeal cancer, 28 underwent simultaneously neck dissection. No serious complications occurred in all patients during and after operation. The follow-up time was 1-15 months. Aside from 1 patient had a relapse 10 months after surgery, other patients had no recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion: Transoral robotic surgery with da Vinci Xi is safe, effective and minimally invasive for resection of pharyngolaryngeal tumors under reasonable indications.

Functional Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Simple SummaryWith increasing long-term survivorship of head and neck cancer (HNC), the functional outcomes are gaining importance. Recently, a tool for the rapid clinical assessment of the functional status in HNC-patients based on observable clinical criteria, termed “HNC-Functional InTegrity (FIT) Scales, was validated. Here, the functional outcomes of 681 newly diagnosed HNC-patients were reported using the HNC-FIT Scales. A normal/near-normal outcome in all six functional domains was observed in 61% of patients, with individual scores of 79% for food intake, 89% for breathing, 84% for speech, 89% for pain, 92% for mood, and 88% for neck and shoulder mobility. Clinically relevant impairment in at least one functional domain was observed in 30% of patients, and 9% had loss of function in at least one functional domain. Thus, clinically relevant persistent functional deficits in at least one functional domain must be expected in 40% of HNC-patients. The treatment of these functional deficits is an essential task of oncologic follow-up.With the increase in long-term survivorship of head and neck cancer (HNC), the functional outcomes are gaining importance. We reported the functional outcomes of HNC patients using the HNC-Functional InTegrity (FIT) Scales, which is a validated tool for the rapid clinical assessment of functional status based on observable clinical criteria. Patients with newly diagnosed HNC treated at the Medical University of Innsbruck between 2008 and 2020 were consecutively included, and their status in the six functional domains of food-intake, breathing, speech, pain, mood, and neck and shoulder mobility was scored by the treating physician at oncological follow-up visits on a scale from 0 (loss of function) to 4 (full function). HNC-FIT scales were available for 681 HNC patients at a median of 35 months after diagnosis. The response status was complete remission in 79.5%, 18.1% had recurrent or persistent disease, and 2.4% had a second primary HNC. Normal or near-normal scores (3 and 4) were seen in 78.6% for food intake, 88.7% for breathing, 83.7% for speech, 89% for pain, 91.8% for mood, and 87.5% for neck and shoulder mobility. A normal or near-normal outcome in all six functional domains was observed in 61% of patients. Clinically relevant impairment (score 1–2) in at least one functional domain was observed in 30%, and 9% had loss of function (score 0) in at least one functional domain. The main factors associated with poor functional outcome in a multivariable analysis were recurrence or persistent disease, poor general health (ASA III and IV), and higher T stage. Particularly, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors impaired breathing and speech function, and primary radiation therapy or concomitant systemic therapy and radiotherapy worsened food intake. Clinically relevant persistent functional deficits in at least one functional domain must be expected in 40% of the patients with HNC. The treatment of these functional deficits is an essential task of oncologic follow-up.

Outcomes of Patients With Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Head and Neck after Definitive Treatment

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck (ASC-HN) is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Limited data suggests inferior outcomes compared to conventional SCC. We report one of the largest single institutional experiences of this disease in patients treated definitively to further elucidate oncologic outcomes. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Patients with non-metastatic ASC-HN treated definitively between 2003 and 2021 were identified retrospectively from an IRB approved database with histology verified by head and neck pathologists. All tumors of the oropharynx were tested for p16 and/or HPV to document HPV associated disease. For non-oropharyngeal lesions, a designation of HPV positivity required the presence of HPV DNA/RNA per FISH. Actuarial analyses were performed for PFS and OS. <h3>Results</h3> 29 patients with ASC-HN (72.4% male, 93.1% Caucasian) with median age of 66 (range 34-91) and a median follow up of 33 months (range 6.6-126.7) were identified. The most common primary tumor sites were: oropharynx (27.6%), oral cavity (20.7%), nasal cavity (17.2%), and larynx (17.2%). 3 patients had primaries in the hypopharynx, nasopharynx and parotid gland respectively. 11 patients (37.9%) were HPV positive of whom 8 had oropharyngeal primaries. The majority (n=23, 79.3%) were treated with primary surgery of whom 19 (82.6%) received adjuvant radiation (RT) to a median dose of 60 Gy (range 36-70 Gy) with 7 receiving concurrent chemotherapy. 6 patients were treated with definitive RT to a median dose of 70 Gy with two receiving concurrent chemotherapy. There were 10 recurrences (34.5%) which occurred at a median of 14.3 months (range 5.4-28) after diagnosis including 8 loco-regional and 2 distant recurrences. Recurrences were documented in patients with primary salivary gland, oral cavity, laryngeal, hypo-pharyngeal, and oropharyngeal tumors. 3 of the 10 recurrences were in patients with HPV positive disease. Among the 6 patients treated with definitive radiation or chemo-radiation no failures were observed. 9 patients (31%) were deceased at the time of analysis. Overall 3 year PFS and OS were 54.2% and 72.9% respectively. 3 year PFS and OS were 45.6% and 69.6% for primary surgery and 83.3% and 83.3% in the definitive RT group. 3 year PFS was 50% and 75% for HPV negative and positive patients respectively. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In our single institutional experience of 29 patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck there was a 34.5% recurrence rate. Loco-regional recurrence was the primary mode of failure.

The Antitumoral Effect of Paris Saponin II on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas Mediated via the Nitric Oxide Metabolic Pathway.

Paris saponin has shown great therapeutic value in cancer therapy. We used isolated Paris saponin II (PSII), an active component of Paris saponin, and demonstrated its antitumor effect on human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Additionally, we investigated its mechanisms of action in vivo by establishing a xenograft mouse model. The results showed that PSII had presented strong anticancer effects on both hypopharyngeal malignant tumor cell lines (FaDu) and laryngeal carcinoma cell lines (Tu212 and Tu686). In addition, we successfully isolated and cultured the head and neck squamous stem cells and the primary fibroblasts to perform metabonomics studies. The results showed that RPII remarkably decreased energy metabolism, and type III nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) may be a target to block tumor growth. Furthermore, we found that PSII inhibited HNSCC proliferation and metastasis by inhibiting the nitric oxide metabolic pathway. Overall, these results demonstrated that PSII is a potent anticancer agent, and the metabonomics analysis is a valuable tool to investigate and establish the antitumor effects of traditional Chinese medicines.

Use of ultrasound examination in evaluation of the size and advancement of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors to the neighboring anatomical structures

The study objective is to establish the capabilities of ultrasound (US) examination in evaluation of the advancement of squamous-cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx compared to histological examination and other diagnostic methods.Materials and methods. US examination was performed in 86 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx. The study included 14 (16.3 %) patients with stage I disease, 29 (33.7 %) patients with stage II, 19 (22.1 %) patients with stage III and 24 (27.9 %) patients with stage IV. Patients with primary tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx comprised 75.6 % of the study population, patients with recurrent tumors – 24.4 %. During diagnosis advancement of tumors to the anatomical structures in the laryngeal space and beyond was evaluated. In all cases histological verification of the diagnosis was performed. Comparison of the data on advancement of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors from different diagnostic methods with the results of histological examination depending on the T-category (TNM) was performed.Results. For small tumors (Т1), frequency of agreement between advancement of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors measured by US examination and histological examination was 66.7 %, by endoscopic laryngoscopy (ELS) – 80.0 %; for T2 tumors, results of US examination and ELS were identical, frequency of agreement with histological examination data was 87.2 % for both methods; for T3 tumors, US examination data agreed with histological examination data in 83.3 % of cases, ELS data – in 75.0 %; for T4 tumors, frequency of agreement between US examination and histological examination data was only 44.4 %, between ELS and histological examination – 66.7 %. Therefore, US examination was more accurate for evaluation of advancement of T2 and T3 tumors. Results of evaluation of advancement of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors by US examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance tomography were close, comparable and weren’t statistically different. For T1 and T2 tumors frequency of agreement between the results of histological examination and US examination data was higher than between the results of histological examination and computed tomography data.Conclusions. High accuracy and value of US examination in evaluation of advancement of primary and recurrent tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx were shown.

Analysis of Outcomes of Pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy and Reconstruction with Longitudinal Comparison in a Single Institution

Advanced hypopharyngeal tumours present complex clinical challenges, and where resection is attempted, there is a requirement for major reconstruction. Despite advances in surgical technique, outcomes remain poor for this patient group, and optimum treatment has yet to be established. We aimed to assess the treatment and outcomes of patients in our institution in the context of previous studies.All patients from 2008 to 2018 who underwent surgical management for hypopharyngeal tumours with pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy and flap-based reconstruction were included in the study. Demographic and outcome data were collected, and patient-reported outcomes were solicited from surviving patients using the EORTC QLQ H&N 43 questionnaire.Thirty patients were assessed, in which 12 had gastric pull-ups, 16 had free jejunum flaps, and 2 had free anterolateral thigh flaps. There was a 38% five-year survival rate. Overall, the rates of stricture (10.7%) and fistula (7.1%) were low. The majority of patients (53.6%) returned to a normal diet within three months with a soft or puree diet in 35.7% of patients. Some form of speech was possible in 92.9% of patients. The average questionnaire score for surviving patients was 87.3, with good outcomes related to eating and swallowing, but poorer outcomes for speech and communication.This study showed that outcomes for patients receiving complex reconstruction following hypopharyngeal tumour resection are improving over time. There is still scope for improvement of patient outcomes and refinement of optimum surgical management strategies.

Radiation-Related Hypopharynx-Stenosis with Spared Larynx Treated by a Novel-Shaped Silicone Stent

Background: Radiation-related hypopharyngeal stenoses are considered as complications after larynx sparing therapy of hypopharyngeal or laryngeal tumors. Methods: The reported patient suffered from chondronecrosis of the cricoid after radiation of a larynx carcinoma and was treated by removing the necrotic cartilage. To prevent emerging stenosis of the hypopharynx, a customized hypopharyngeal stent was constructed on the basis of CT scan data. The Y-shaped stent was placed dorsal to the larynx, caudal to the arytenoid cartilages and remained in place without dislocation or irritation of the larynx for 8 weeks. During that time, the hypopharynx was stented, and the mucosa grew around the stent covering the complete circumference of the hypopharynx again. 18 weeks after removal of the stent, the hypopharynx did not reveal any re-stenosis. Conclusion: This customized hypopharyngeal stent is the first reported approach applied with spared larynx, which has been tolerated for a long period of time.

Robotic surgery may improve overall survival for T1 and T2 tumors of the hypopharynx: An NCDB cohort study

BackgroundHypopharyngeal cancer is associated with poor survival. Robotic surgery is emerging as a treatment for hypopharyngeal tumors, but no rigorous data are available to assess its effect on survival. MethodsThe National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients with T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal tumors undergoing robotic surgery, laser surgery, and primary radiation with or without chemotherapy from 2010 to 2016. All adult patients with available staging and no distant metastasis were included. ResultsWe compared 57 patients undergoing robotic surgery, 236 undergoing laser surgery, and 5,742 undergoing primary radiation. Compared to laser surgery, patients undergoing robotic surgery were significantly more likely to have negative margins, neck dissection, lower incomes, and care at an academic center. Rates of robotic surgery also significantly increased from 2010 to 2015. After multivariate regression, robotic surgery was associated with significantly improved overall survival compared to laser surgery and primary radiation. ConclusionRobotic surgery improves overall survival for T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal tumors compared to laser surgery and primary radiation in this NCDB cohort. This effect may be mediated by decreased positive margin rates relative to laser surgery. Rates of hypopharyngeal robotic surgery are expected to increase with wider adoption of robotic platforms and may improve overall survival rates for hypopharyngeal cancer.

Trans-oral robotic surgery for head and neck cancers using the Medrobotics Flex® system: the Adelaide cohort.

Trans-oral robotic surgery for head and neck cancers can be performed using rigid, multi-port robots with linear access but the Medrobotics Flex® system offers an alternative as it is endo-luminal, single-port, and uses flexible instruments. To assess the utility of the Medrobotics Flex® system for head and neck cancer (HNC) resections. A retrospective review of all HNC resections done over a 2.5-year period (Jan 2017-July 2019) at the Memorial Hospital, using the Flex® system. Data collected include patient demographics, tumour site, tumour stage, p16 status, smoking history, surgery performed, histologic margins, complications, overall survival, recurrence, and adjuvant treatments received. There were 49 head and neck cancer cases in total done using the Medrobotics Flex® system. Median age 60years, with M:F ratio 3.5:1. Outcomes: oropharyngeal cancers (82%), p16 positive (89%), overall survival (94%), local recurrence (6%), and adjuvant treatment (84%). Cancer procedures done included lateral oropharyngectomy (43%), tongue base mucosectomy (27%), tongue base resection (18%), and others (12%) which include a single case each of supraglottic laryngectomy, hypopharyngeal tumour resection, partial pharyngectomy, partial glossectomy, and vocal cord tumour resection. Clear margins were related to tumour T stage and achieved for T1 tonsil cancer (75%), T2 tonsil cancer (70%), T3 tonsil cancer (50%), T1 tongue base cancer (80%), and T2 tongue base cancer (66.7%). Median operating time with neck dissectionwas 2h 40min, whilst median length of hospital stay was 1day (IQR 1-7days). Complications included a single case each of secondary haemorrhage (managed conservatively), oro-cervical fistula, wound infection, tongue numbness, and a medical event. There was no primary haemorrhage and no mortality. The Medrobotics Flex® system is a safe and reliable tool for head and neck cancer surgery.

Expression and Diagnostic Value of tRNA-Derived Fragments Secreted by Extracellular Vesicles in Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo detect the expression level of tRNA-derived fragments secreted by extracellular vesicles in hypopharyngeal cancer and explore the influence of tRNA-derived fragments on the occurrence of hypopharyngeal cancer and lung metastasis.MethodsAfter high-speed centrifugation, tRNA, which was extracted from the extracellular vesicles of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer and healthy subjects, was sequenced using microarrays. The expression of three differentially expressed tRNAs in hypopharyngeal cancer, healthy subjects, human normal laryngeal epithelial cells and hypopharyngeal cancer line was detected by qRT-PCR. The correlation between the upregulated tRNA, as identified by qRT-PCR, and the clinicopathological features of the non-lung metastatic patients was further analyzed. Finally, the expressions of upregulated tRNA were compared between the non-lung metastatic and lung metastatic patients. The risk factors of hypopharyngeal cancer with lung metastatic were identified by the Cox regression analysis.ResultsBy high-speed centrifugation, extracellular vesicles were extracted successfully. It was found that a variety of tRNAs in the extracellular vesicles from patients with hypopharyngeal cancer by sequencing. qRT-PCR validation indicated that tRF-1:30-Lys-CTT-1-M2 was significantly overexpressed in hypopharyngeal cancer patients and tumor cells, especially in lung metastatic patients. It was indicated that tRF-1:30-Lys-CTT-1-M2 overexpression was closely related to such pathological features as tumor staging, differentiation grade, smoking history and drinking history. According to the Cox regression analysis, stage III–IV, smoking history, drinking history and tRF-1:30-Lys-CTT-1-M2 overexpression were independent risk factors for metastasis of hypopharyngeal cancer.ConclusiontRF-1:30-Lys-CTT-1-M2 was overexpressed in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer and was identified as an independent risk factor for lung metastasis. It can be used as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and lung metastasis monitoring of hypopharyngeal cancer.

Evaluation of level I neck nodes involvement in advanced malignancy of the larynx and the hypopharynx

BackgroundAdvanced cancer larynx and hypopharynx has high potentiality to nodal spread. Level of lymph node metastasis highly depends on site and stage of laryngopharyngeal carcinoma. Level I cervical lymph node dissection was performed to advanced laryngeal and/or hypopharyngeal tumors in this study.ResultsAccording to our statistical analysis and data, none of those thirty patients had pathologically positive level I neck lymph nodes after dissection with only one patient suffered from marginal mandibular nerve affection and three patients complained of dry mouth post-operatively, confirming the result that there is no need for prophylactic level I neck dissection in the absence of clinically palpable suspicious lymph nodes.ConclusionAlthough it carries relative low morbidity, there is no need for prophylactic level I neck dissection in advanced laryngeal and/or hypopharyngeal cancer patients without clinically detectable nodal metastases “N0 neck.”

Human Papillomavirus in Patients With Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Assess the testing rates and prognostic significance of human papilloma virus (HPV) status in hypopharynx malignancies. Historical cohort study. National Cancer Database. Review of the National Cancer Database was conducted between 2010 and 2017 for squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the hypopharynx. We investigated how often the tumors were tested for HPV and whether it was associated with survival outcomes. A total of 13,269 patients with hypopharynx malignancies were identified. Most cases were not tested for HPV status (n = 8702, 65.6%). Of those tested, 872 (19.1%) were positive for HPV and 3695 (80.9%) were negative. The proportion of nonoropharyngeal SCCs tested for HPV increased nearly every year during the study, with roughly one-third of cases (31.9%) being tested in 2017. In the facilities classified as high-testing centers of nonoropharyngeal SCCs of the head and neck, 18.7% of hypopharyngeal tumors were HPV positive. HPV-negative status was associated with worse survival on multivariable analysis. In propensity score-matched analysis controlling for all factors significant in multivariable regression, 2-year survival remained higher in the HPV-positive cohort (77.7% vs 63.1%, P < .001). HPV-positive tumors constitute a sizable minority of hypopharynx tumors and are associated with improved survival. Expansion of HPV testing to hypopharynx malignancies may be warranted.

Nivolumab for recurrent/metastatic hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a liver transplant recipient

Nivolumab administration to patients with organ transplantation history requires careful management. Herein, we report the case of a living-donor liver-transplant recipient, a 52-year-old man, with recurrent and metastatic hypopharyngeal cancer treated with nivolumab. He was diagnosed with T2N2bM0 stage IVA hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. While using oral immunosuppressants (cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil), the patient underwent right neck dissection followed by radiotherapy as an initial treatment. Three months after radiotherapy, positron emission tomography scans revealed multiple bone metastases. We administered two courses of the EXTREME regimen, comprising cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and cetuximab, as the first-line treatment for distal metastasis, but the patient presented with progressive disease. The patient was administered nivolumab as the second-line treatment. The programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression level in a biopsy specimen of the primary hypopharyngeal tumor and resected specimen of the cervical lymph node metastasis was 40% and 10%, respectively. PD-L1 expression was not detected in hepatocytes of the liver biopsy sample obtained before nivolumab introduction. The patient received four courses of nivolumab 240 mg. Although liver dysfunction was alleviated by adjusting the dose of the hepatoprotective agent and cyclosporine, the progressive disease status persisted after completing nivolumab courses. The patient died of hypopharyngeal cancer progression.

Presence and duration of feeding tube in a 5-year cohort of patients with head and neck cancer treated with curative intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Our study assessed post-radiation therapy (RT) G-tube presence, duration, and clinical predictors in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). We identified those 1-5-years post-RT with stage III/IV nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, or unknown primaries. Logistic regression identified predictors of post-RT G-tube presence, Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated G-tube days, and log-rank test compared by tumor site. The 977 patients had mean age 60.6 ± 11.6 years, 804 (82.3%) male, 764 (78.2%) stage IV, and 618 (63.3%) oropharyngeal primaries. All patients received intensity-modulated RT (IMRT), 571 (58.4%) received chemotherapy, and 698 (71.4%) prophylactic G-tube. G-tube prevalence 1- and 5-years post-IMRT was 7.1% and 4.8%, respectively. Median post-IMRT G-tube days were overall 63 (95%CI: 56-70), nasopharynx 119 (95%CI: 109-131), oropharynx 57 (95%CI: 51-68), hypopharynx 126 (95%CI: 77-256), larynx 53 (95%CI: 21-63), unknown 30 (95%CI: 17-55), of which hypopharynx was highest p < 0.001. At an institution offering prophylactic G-tube for patients with advanced HNC, no differences were found in yearly G-tube use 1-5 years post-IMRT. Across all patients, median post-IMRT days with G-tube was 63 day but those with hypopharyngeal tumors registered the most days.