Neck Tumors Research Articles

Long-term outcomes and prognosis of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the head and neck: a cohort from a single institution

BackgroundNeuroendocrine neoplasm is a rare cancer of head and neck. This study aimed to evaluate clinical features, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of neuroendocrine neoplasm of head and neck treated at a single institution.MethodsBetween Nov 2000 and Nov 2021, ninety-three patients diagnosed with neuroendocrine neoplasms of head and neck treated at our institution were reviewed retrospectively. The initial treatments included chemotherapy (induction, adjuvant, or concurrent) combined with radiotherapy in 40 patients (C + RT group), surgery followed by post-operative RT in 34 (S + RT group), and surgery plus salvage therapy in 19 patients (S + Sa group).ResultsThe median follow-up time was 64.5 months. 5-year overall survival rate (OS), progression-free survival rate (PFS), loco-regional relapse-free survival free rate (LRRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival rate (DMFS) were 64.5%, 51.6%, 66.6%, and 62.1%, respectively. For stage I–II, the 5-year LRRFS for patients’ treatment regimen with or without radiotherapy (C + RT and S + RT groups versus S + Sa group) was 75.0% versus 12.7% (p = 0.015) while for stage III–IV, the 5-year LRRFS was 77.8% versus 50.0% (p = 0.006). The 5-year DMFS values for patients with or without systemic therapy (C + RT group versus S + RT or S + Sa) were 71.2% and 51.5% (p = 0.075). 44 patients (47.3%) experienced treatment failure and distant metastasis was the main failure pattern.ConclusionsRadiotherapy improved local–regional control and played an important role in the management of HNNENs. The optimal treatment regimen for HNNENs remains the combination of local and systemic treatments.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in patients (pts) with HER2-expressing head and neck tumors: Outcomes from DESTINY-PanTumor02 (DP-02).

6037 Background: In DP-02, T-DXd demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) by investigator (INV) of 37.1% (95% CI 31.3, 43.2) and clinically meaningful survival outcomes in 267 pretreated pts with HER2-expressing tumors. In this post-hoc analysis, we report outcomes and characterize those with an objective response (OR) in a subset of pts with head and neck cancers (previously included in the ‘other tumor’ cohort), most of which were salivary gland tumors. Methods: This open-label, Phase 2 study (NCT04482309) evaluated T-DXd (5.4 mg/kg Q3W) in pts with HER2-expressing (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 3+/2+ by local or central testing) locally advanced/metastatic disease after ≥1 systemic treatment or without treatment options. The primary endpoint was confirmed ORR by INV. Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. Exploratory endpoints included efficacy outcomes by HER2 expression. Results: At data cutoff (June 2023), 24 pts with head and neck tumors (n=19 salivary gland, n=3 squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], n=1 adenoid cystic carcinoma, n=1 lacrimal gland) had received treatment (median [m] follow up: 20.8 months [range: 4.7–31.6]). Of these pts, 15 (62.5%) had received ≥2 prior treatment regimens. 10/24 pts (41.7%; 95% CI 22.1, 63.4; n=8 salivary gland, n=1 SCC, n=1 lacrimal gland) had a confirmed OR by INV; 9 responders had received prior radiation therapy, and 4 had known PD-L1 immune cell status ≥1%. The Table shows efficacy outcomes in all pts and by HER2 expression (central testing). Grade (G) ≥3 drug-related adverse events occurred in 10/24 (41.7%) pts. Adjudicated drug-related interstitial lung disease / pneumonitis occurred in 3/24 (12.5%) pts (n=1 G1; n=1 G2; n=1 G5). Conclusions: T-DXd showed clinically meaningful benefit in pretreated pts with head and neck tumors. Responses were observed across HER2 expression levels. Safety was consistent with the known profile. These data support T-DXd as a potential treatment for pretreated pts with HER2-expressing head and neck tumors. Clinical trial information: NCT04482309 . [Table: see text]

Effect of nurse-led multi-disciplinary treatment on patients with head and neck tumors: A randomized controlled trial.

12013 Background: Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck tumors are prone to experiencing nutritional and psychological issues as a result of adverse events to the treatment, which may ultimately lead to radiotherapy interruption (RTI). We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of nurse-led multi-disciplinary treatment (MDT) interventions, incorporating psychological and nutritional interventions, on RTI rates and quality of life (QoL) among patients undergoing RT for head and neck tumors. Methods: Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing RT at West China Hospital, Sichuan University were enrolled. Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either the standard oncology care (standard group) or the nurse-led, whole-course MDT care (MDT group). The MDT care included nutritional and psychological interventions provided by a team of a radiotherapist, an oncology specialty nurse, a dietitian, a psychotherapist and a rehabilitation therapist. The primary end point was RTI rate in the per-protocol set (PPS). Patients’ QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires. Nutritional status was assessed using NRS 2002 and PG-SGA, and psychological status was assessed using DT, PHQ-9 and HADS. Results: A total of 233 patients were enrolled in the study. At the final follow-up, 112 patients in the standard group and 114 patients in the MDT group completed all follow-up assessments. The RTI rate in the MDT group was significantly lower than that in the standard group (MDT vs. standard: 11.4% vs. 25.9%, P= 0.005). Differences in QoL among patients favored MDT care over standard care, particularly in emotional function, GHS, fatigue, and insomnia. Baseline patients’ nutritional and psychological status were similar between two groups. From mid-RT to 6 months after RT, the nutritional and psychological status of patients in the MDT group improved at certain follow-up points compared with the control group. The rehospitalization rate in the MDT group was significantly lower than that of control group (MDT vs. standard: 7.9% vs. 18.8%, P= 0.016). Conclusions: Nurse-led MDT interventions effectively reduces RTI, improves nutritional status of patients, and alleviates their psychological burden, making it a worthy approach for dissemination in developing countries. Clinical trial information: NCT05828004 .

Clinical landscape of precision oncology for rare cancers among diverse Asian populations: Insights from the MASTER KEY registry.

3024 Background: Despite considerable strides in novel cancer treatments, disparities in access and care persist globally. This is particularly pronounced for rare cancers and among Asian patient cohorts, presenting a dual challenge. Methods: We conducted an analysis on clinical and biomarker data from the MASTER KEY Study, a multi-regional, prospective, observational precision oncology initiative encompassing 3,764 rare cancer patients across Asia. Clinical treatment and biomarker data, inclusive of DNA/RNA sequencing, were scrutinized to compare precision oncology adoption across various countries. Results: Within the Japanese cohort (3,268 patients), predominant rare cancer types included soft tissue sarcomas (22.0%), CNS/brain tumors (12.8%), and head and neck tumors (9.2%). The broader Asian cohort (496 patients) included soft tissue sarcomas (14.6%), liver/biliary tract tumors (14.4%), and head and neck tumors (13.8%), drawing patients from Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Clinical trial participation for these rare cancers was notably higher in Taiwan (8.2%), followed by Japan (6.5%) and Malaysia (2.0%). The utilization of molecular target agents and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors was highest in Japan (20.3%), trailed by Taiwan (18.9%) and Korea (12.8%). DNA/RNA targeted sequencing data was available for 1,852 patients in Japan (56.7%) and 321 patients (64.7%) across the rest of Asia. 19.5% and 7.0% received on-target therapy in Japan and the rest of Asia, respectively. Notably, in Japan, patients harboring detectable targetable genes like BRAF V600E, BRCA1, and BRCA2 received BRAF/MEK inhibitors and PARP inhibitors at rates of 78.3%, 37.8%, and 25.0%, respectively, with varying response rates of 33.3%, 18.2%, and 20.2% each. Intriguingly, TP53 mutation acted as a negative predictor for response to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Notably, no patients in the Asian cohort received BRAF/MEK inhibitors or PARP inhibitors despite the detection of these genes. Conclusions: The MASTER KEY Study demonstrates the feasibility of a prospective precision oncology platform, spotlighting rare cancers and enabling on-label targeted therapy as well as off-label targeted therapy for a subset of patients through trials. However, the broader Asian population outside Japan encounters heightened limitations in accessing precision oncology. Urgent expansion of clinical trials throughout Asia is crucial to effectively address the disparity that lies within Asian rare cancer patients.

Demographic and survival data of patients with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the head and neck: A single center experience.

e19069 Background: Head and neck malignancies account for around 10% of lymphomas, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) being the most prevalent histologic subtype. Head and neck lymphoma is as the second most pervasive location for extra-nodal lymphoma, following the gastrointestinal system. This study focused on examining the demographic characteristics, main localization distribution, and survival rate of patients with head and neck lymphoma at the Çukurova University Medical Oncology Clinic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 97 individuals diagnosed with single-center, head, and neck diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) from 2011 to 2020. Data pertaining to patients was acquired from electronic medical records. The patients were categorized based on anatomical localization, and survival rates and survival data were computed for each primary localization. Results: Out of the total number of patients, 48 (49.5%) were female, and 49 (50.5%) were male. The patients had a median age of 59.5 years. Waldeyer's ring was the most frequent site of primary head and neck tumor localization in patients with DLBCL, accounting for 42.4% of cases. The distribution of anatomical sites was as follows: nasopharynx accounted for 30.8%, nasal cavity accounted for 10.3%, thyroid accounted for 6.2%, parotid accounted for 5.2%, oral cavity accounted for 3.9%, and other anatomical sites accounted for 1.2%. Based on the Ann Arbor staging approach, 65% of the patients were classified as stage I-II. The 3-year survival rate was 71%, while the 5-year survival rate was 61%. The overall survival of individuals with nasopharyngeal lymphoma was considerably shorter when compared to those with non-nasopharyngeal lymphomas (p=0.0372). Conclusions: We conducted a thorough analysis of the data pertaining to lymphomas characterized by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) occurring in the head and neck region. The study found that when the nasopharynx is affected, it is linked to a worse prognosis and may necessitate more intensive treatment. Our work is a retrospective study conducted at a single center. However, future investigations with a more significant number of participants and a prospective design is necessary.

Bidirectional needs assessment of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery short-term surgical trips in Zimbabwe.

To describe findings from an otolaryngology-specific needs assessment tool in Zimbabwe. Surveys were developed and shared with Low-Middle Income Country (LMIC) hosting institutions in Zimbabwe and to High-Income Country surgical trip participants (HIC). Respondents were otolaryngologists identified online and through professional networks who had participated in a surgical trip. The most common procedures Zimbabwe otolaryngologists reported treating were adenotonsillectomy (85.7%), chronic rhinosinusitis (71.4%), chronic otitis (57.1%), and head and neck tumor intervention (57.1%). The most common untreatable conditions that host physicians wanted to treat were skull base surgery (71.4%), flap reconstructions (57.1%), and laryngotracheal reconstruction (57.1%). The largest discrepancy between host desires and visiting team offerings were flap reconstruction (57.1%), nasal bone deformities (37.1%), and laryngotracheal reconstruction (17.1%). Perceptions of short-term surgical trips (STST) were recorded for host and visiting teams, and important differences between the public and private sectors of care in Zimbabwe were also identified. The surveys utilized in this study served as a bidirectional needs assessment of the requirements and care goals of host institutions and visiting teams in Zimbabwe. Differences between public and private sectors of care, particularly regarding infrastructure, resources, and surgical goals, were revealed, and the results can be utilized as part of efforts to maximize efforts within global surgical partnerships. VI.

Fascitis nodular como causa de tumor lateral de cuello

Nodular fasciitis is a rare and benign neoplasm of the soft tissues that can occur in any region of the body and require surgical treatment. We report the case of a 41-year-old female patient with a lateral neck tumor which reached a size of 74.7 × 32.5 mm after two years. The tumor was completely removed under general anesthesia. The pathological examination reported proliferation of myofibroblasts, suggestive of nodular fasciitis. The patient evolved homolateral Claude Bernard Syndrome, without local complications and mild weakness of the ipsilateral arm which improved after 60 days with kinesiotherapy. This condition should be considered among the differential diagnoses of lateral neck tumors.

Post operative care for patients with transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular at Hanoi Medical University Hospital

Thyroid nodules, including both benign and malignant lesions, are the most common endocrine neoplasms. Most thyroid tumours are benign, with slow progresssion over time. Although surgery is the primary treatment method for benign thyroid nodules, the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has recently gained popularity due to its higher probability of concealing scarThe study was conducted using a prospective descriptive method, with a convenient sample size. The study subjects were patients with transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach at the Department of Oncology and Palliative care, Hanoi Medical University Hospital from February to November 2023. Average age was 38.2 ± 9.0 years old; female accounts for 98.8%; the most common symptom in the study was neck tumour (64.2%); 92.6% of patients had palpable nodules clinically. Ultrasound showed 72.8% of patients with one tumour with an average tumour size of 26.9±11.6mm; the majority of patients have nodules ranked TIRADS 3 (69.1%). 64.2% of patients have moderate pain on the first day after surgery and 92.6% of patients had no pain on the 7th day post surgery,; complications included 5 cases of laryngeal nerve damage, 2 cases of hypoparathyroidism and 1 case of mental nerve damage; 8 patients had skin numbness in the surgical area, 3 patients had limited swallowing. The average hospital stay was 5.2 ± 1.7 days; 80.2% of patients were satisfied with post-operative care. Research shows that TOETVA is a safe method with a small percentage of postoperative complications and brings satisfaction in the postoperative process.

A Case of Giant Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of Neck

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an extremely rare sarcoma of soft tissue. It is locally invasive, frequently recurred and metastasizes distantly, therefore has a very poor prognosis. the most involved sites are human body and extremities, and MPNST occurs and involved very rarely in the parapharynx of neck. MPNST does not react to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, therefore complete surgical resection is the most important treatment. Since immunohistochemical staining is essential for the final diagnosis, it is common to be confirmed after surgery. We report a case of giant MPNST without symptom in the head and neck involving the right parapharynx with multiple distant metastases in a 74-year-old patient on a review of the literature.

Analysis of the association between salivary proteins and oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing IMRT: a longitudinal study

IntroductionThis longitudinal study assessed the association between salivary protein composition and the clinical onset/severity of oral mucositis (OM) in patients with head and neck tumours treated with intensity-modulated-radiotherapy (IMRT).MethodsSaliva samples/clinical data were obtained from 40 head and neck cancer patients treated at Guy’s Hospital before -IMRT(T0) and after-IMRT (T1 = 6 m, T2 = 12 m) (ethics approval/consent).Salivary flow rate, total protein concentration, and secretion rate were determined from saliva samples and compared with pre-treatment values. OM was assessed, total/specific salivary proteins, including mucin 5B and 7, IgA, cystatin-S, albumin, and α-amylase, were quantified.Results95% patients experienced OM during IMRT, with 33 subjects reaching grade 2&3. At T1, there was a significant reduction in salivary flow rate, total protein secretion rate, α-amylase and cystatin-S compared to baseline. Remarkably IMRT did not significantly alter mucin 5B and 7, or the IgA secretion rate at any time point. At T1, all the analyzed proteins were associated with the OM outcomes. In addition, there was a significant inverse correlation between IgA concentration at T0 and the severity of OM during IMRT.ConclusionThis study revealed significant associations between several salivary proteins and OM in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing IMRT. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these results.Clinical significanceThe study contributes to the understanding of certain salivary proteins association with OM. This could be the first step towards identifying potential salivary markers that could offer perspectives for personalized medicine approaches to improve their quality of life (QoL).Research questionWhat is the association between salivary proteins and the occurrence and severity of OM in head and neck cancer patients?AimTo assess the association between salivary protein composition with the clinical onset/severity of oral mucositis (OM) in head and neck cancer patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy.Null hypothesisThere is no association between salivary proteins and onset/severity of OM in HNC patients.

Comprehensive analysis revealed P4Hs as new biomarkers for prognosis and immunotherapy in head and neck cancer

Prolyl 4-hydroxylases (P4Hs) are a family of key modifying enzymes in collagen synthesis. P4Hs have been confirmed to be closely associated with tumor occurrence and development. However, the expression of P4Hs in head and neck cancer (HNSC) as well as its relationship with prognosis and tumor immunity infiltration has not yet been analyzed. We investigated the transcriptional expression, survival data, and immune infiltration of P4Hs in patients with HNSC from multiple databases. P4H1-3 expression was significantly higher in HNSC tumor tissues than in normal tissues. Moreover, P4HA1 and P4HA2 were associated with tumor stage, patient prognosis, and immune cell infiltration. P4HA3 was related to patient prognosis and immune cell infiltration. Correlation experiments confirmed that P4HA1 may serve as a prognosis biomarker and plays a role in the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These findings suggest that P4HA1-3 may be a novel biomarker for the prognosis and treatment of HNSC, which is expected to support the development of new therapies for patients with head and neck tumors and improve patient outcomes.

Synchronous Primary Head and Neck Tumors: Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Tonsil

Simultaneously occurring malignancies may be detected in different organs or tissues at any given time. Patients diagnosed with a tumor may be found to have another tumor or second primary cancer. Second primary cancers (SPCs) may be further classified as synchronous or metachronous. Synchronous SPCs are lesions detected simultaneously or within 6 months after the diagnosis of the primary tumor while metachronous SPCs are tumors diagnosed 6 months after primary tumor diagnosis.1 There is an increased risk of having second primary cancer in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.1 In a study by Strojan et al. in 2013, among 2,106 head and neck cancer patients, 2.4% developed synchronous second primary cancers.2 A systematic review by Coco-Pelaz et al. in 2020, showed that second primary tumors most frequently occur in the head and neck area followed by the lungs and esophagus.3 We present a case of follicular thyroid carcinoma with an incidental finding of cervical lymph node metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from the tonsil and discuss the clinical presentation, ancillary procedures and management.

Probability maps for deep learning-based head and neck tumor segmentation: Graphical User Interface design and test

BackgroundThe different tumor appearance of head and neck cancer across imaging modalities, scanners, and acquisition parameters accounts for the highly subjective nature of the manual tumor segmentation task. The variability of the manual contours is one of the causes of the lack of generalizability and the suboptimal performance of deep learning (DL) based tumor auto-segmentation models. Therefore, a DL-based method was developed that outputs predicted tumor probabilities for each PET-CT voxel in the form of a probability map instead of one fixed contour. The aim of this study was to show that DL-generated probability maps for tumor segmentation are clinically relevant, intuitive, and a more suitable solution to assist radiation oncologists in gross tumor volume segmentation on PET-CT images of head and neck cancer patients. MethodA graphical user interface (GUI) was designed, and a prototype was developed to allow the user to interact with tumor probability maps. Furthermore, a user study was conducted where nine experts in tumor delineation interacted with the interface prototype and its functionality. The participants’ experience was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. ResultsThe interviews with radiation oncologists revealed their preference for using a rainbow colormap to visualize tumor probability maps during contouring, which they found intuitive. They also appreciated the slider feature, which facilitated interaction by allowing the selection of threshold values to create single contours for editing and use as a starting point. Feedback on the prototype highlighted its excellent usability and positive integration into clinical workflows. ConclusionsThis study shows that DL-generated tumor probability maps are explainable, transparent, intuitive and a better alternative to the single output of tumor segmentation models.

Odontogenic Tumors in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Analysis at a Tertiary-Level Health Care Facility in Bangladesh

Introduction: This study presents the oral and maxillofacial pathological features of several types of odontogenic tumors in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age from a Bangladeshi tertiary-level healthcare facility. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorization for head and neck tumors in 2022 was used to assess the frequency of odontogenic tumors in children and adolescents. Data relating to sex, age, and tumor site were retrieved and presented. The Chi-square test was implemented to study the association between gender, age, and site with different types of odontogenic tumors. Results: A total of 106 cases were found, and all the cases were benign. Ameloblatoma (75.47%) was the most common tumor, followed by odontogenic myxoma (9.44%), cemento-ossifying fibroma (5.66%), and odontoma (4.72%). A male (60.38%) predominance was observed in the gender distribution, but no statistically noteworthy (P = 0.43) relationship was found. Most of the cases were found in the 13–18 age group (63.21%), with a mean age (standard deviation) of 13.01 (2.29) years. There was no statistical significance found between age group and tumor type (P = 0.78). The mandibular (95.28%) predominance was found over the maxilla (4.72%) (Mandible: Maxilla = 20.2:1) and was statistically significant (P= 0.002). In the mandible, the posterior region (88.68%) was mostly affected. Conclusions: Early detection of odontogenic tumors is rare, and as people aged, they become more common. Ameloblatoma was the most prevalent odontogenic tumor in the jaws, followed by odontogenic myxoma, cemento-ossifying fibroma, and odontoma. Adolescents experience odontogenic tumors more frequently than children do. The mandible was observed to predominate over the maxilla in terms of site distribution. The mandible's posterior portion was primarily affected. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2024; 14(1):19-23

Enhancing clinical decision-making: A novel nomogram for stratifying cancer-specific survival in middle-aged individuals with follicular thyroid carcinoma utilizing SEER data

BackgroundThyroid cancer (TC) is the most common malignant tumor in the endocrine system, is also one of the head and neck tumor. Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma (FTC) plays an important role in the pathological classification of thyroid cancer. This study aimed to develop an innovative predictive tool, a nomogram, for predicting cancer specific survival (CSS) in middle-aged FTC patients. MethodsWe collected patient data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The data from patients between 2004 and 2015 were used as the training set, and the data from patients between 2016 and 2018 were used as the validation set. To identify independent risk factors affecting patient survival, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. Based on this, we developed a nomogram model aimed at predicting CSS in middle-aged patients with FTC. The consistency index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), and the calibration curve were used to evaluate the accuracy and confidence of the model. ResultsA total of 2470 patients were enrolled in this study, in which patients from 2004 to 2015 were randomly assigned to the training cohort (N = 1437) and validation cohort (N = 598), and patients from 2016 to 2018 were assigned to the external validation cohort (N = 435) in terms of time. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that marriage, histological grade and TNM stage were independent risk factors for survival. The C-index for the training cohort was 0.866 (95 % CI: 0.805–0.927), for the validation cohort it was 0.944 (95 % CI: 0.903–0.985), and for the external validation cohort, it reached 0.999 (95 % CI: 0.997–1.001). Calibration curves and AUC suggest that the model has good accuracy. ConclusionsWe developed an innovative nomogram to predict CSS in middle-aged patients with FTC. Our model after a rigorous internal validation and external validation process, based on the time proved that the high level of accuracy and reliability. This tool helps healthcare professionals and patients make informed clinical decisions.

Application of ultrasound shear wave elastography in tumors of head and neck region – a preliminary study and literature review

<b>Introduction:</b> Ultrasound (US) scanning is one of the primary modalities in diagnostic imaging of the head and neck region. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an ultrasound technique that facilitates objective measurements of the stiffness of the examined tissues. Additional data obtained from SWE can increase the diagnostic value of ultrasound scans in clinical practice.<b>Materials and methods:</b> A retrospective analysis of SWE examinations as performed in patients with head and neck tumor in the period of 2021 through 2022 is presented. The obtained SWE measurements were referenced against the results of histopathological or cytological examinations.<b>Results:</b> SWE scans were acquired in 101 patients. In 62 patients, major salivary gland lesions were examined to reveal 7 malignant neoplasms, 49 benign neoplasms, and 6 inflammatory lesions. Lymph nodes were examined in 31 patients to reveal 11 cases of reactive lymph nodes, 12 metastases of malignant neoplasms, and 8 cases of lymphoma. Eight tumors of other nature and location were also examined to reveal 2 malignant neoplasms, 5 benign neoplasms, and 1 inflammatory infiltrate within the area of large vessels. Based on the results, SWE was concluded to be a useful tool for differentiation between metastatic and reactive lymph nodes. In salivary gland lesions, the measurements of tissue stiffness are particularly useful in the differential diagnosis of the most common non-malignant tumors.<b>Conclusions:</b> Shear wave elastography is a valuable adjunct to ultrasound imaging. Further studies on a larger group of patients with diverse pathologies are required to identify cutoff points for tissue stiffness coefficients for different types of lesions.

Deep-learning denoising minimizes radiation exposure in neck CT beyond the limits of conventional reconstruction

BackgroundNeck computed tomography (NCT) is essential for diagnosing suspected neck tumors and abscesses, but radiation exposure can be an issue. In conventional reconstruction techniques, limiting radiation dose comes at the cost of diminished diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of an AI-based denoising post-processing software solution in low-dose neck computer tomography. Materials and MethodsFrom 01 September 2023 to 01 December 2023, we retrospectively included patients with clinically suspected neck tumors from the same single-source scanner. The scans were reconstructed using Advanced Modeled Iterative Reconstruction (Original) at 100% and simulated 50% and 25% radiation doses. Each dataset was post-processed using a novel denoising software solution (Denoising). Three radiologists with varying experience levels subjectively rated image quality, diagnostic confidence, sharpness, and contrast for all pairwise combinations of radiation dose and reconstruction mode in a randomized, blinded forced-choice setup. Objective image quality was assessed using ROI measurements of mean CT numbers, noise, and a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). An adequately corrected mixed-effects analysis was used to compare objective and subjective image quality. ResultsAt each radiation dose level, pairwise comparisons showed significantly lower image noise and higher CNR for Denoising than for Original (p < 0.001). In subjective analysis, image quality, diagnostic confidence, sharpness, and contrast were significantly higher for Denoising than for Original at 100 and 50 % (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the subjective ratings between Original 100 % and Denoising 25 % (p = 0.906). ConclusionsThe investigated denoising algorithm enables diagnostic-quality neck CT images with radiation doses reduced to 25% of conventional levels, significantly minimizing patient exposure.

Organization and operation of multi particle therapy facilities: the Marburg Ion-Beam Therapy Center, Germany (MIT)

PurposeThe Marburg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (MIT) is one of two particle therapy centers in Germany that enables the treatment of patients with both protons and carbon ions. The facility was build by Siemens Healthineers and is one of only two centers worldwide built by Siemens (Marburg, Germany and Shanghai, China). The present report provides an overview of technical and clinical operations as well as research activities at MIT.MethodsThe MIT was completed in 2011 and uses a synchrotron for accelerating protons and carbon ions up to energies of 250 MeV/u and 430 MeV/u respectively. Three treatment rooms with a fixed horizontal beam-line and one room with a 45 degree beam angle are available.ResultsSince the start of clinical operations in 2015, around 2.500 patients have been treated at MIT, about 40% with carbon ions and 60% with protons. Currently around 400 patients are treated each year. The majority of the patients suffered from benign and malign CNS tumors (around 40%) followed by head and neck tumors (around 23%). MIT is actively involved in clinical studies with its patients. In addition to clinical operations, there is active research at MIT in the fields of radiation biology and medical physics. The focus is on translational research to improve the treatment of H & N carcinomas and lung cancer (NSCLC). Moreover, intensive work is being carried out on the technical implementation of FLASH irradiation for research purposes.ConclusionThe MIT is one of two centers worldwide that were built by Siemens Healtineers and has been successfully in clinical operation since 2015. The service provided by Siemens is guaranteed until 2030, the future after 2030 is currently under discussion.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Recurrent and Oligometastatic Head and Neck Tumours.

The treatment of head and neck cancers (HNCs) encompasses a complex paradigm involving a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment. Locoregional recurrence is a common cause of treatment failure, and few patients are suitable for salvage surgery. Reirradiation with conventional radiation techniques is challenging due to normal tissue tolerance limits and the risk of significant toxicities. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a highly conformal modality that offers the potential for cure while limiting the dose to surrounding tissue. There is also growing research that shows that those with oligometastatic disease can benefit from curative intent local ablative therapies such as SBRT. This review will look at published evidence regarding the use of SBRT in locoregional recurrent and oligometastatic HNCs.

Primary thymic adenoid cystic carcinoma with high-grade transformation: A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 4 cases

Four cases of a distinct carcinoma of the thymic gland are presented. The patients were 4 adult males with an age range from 40 to 47 years (mean, 43.5 years). Clinically, all patients presented with non-specific respiratory symptoms. None of the patients had any prior history of head and neck neoplasm or surgery in that anatomic area. Large anterior mediastinal masses were found on diagnostic imaging with concurrent metastatic disease to pleura, lungs, regional lymph nodes and bones. Microscopically, all tumors were composed of a solid proliferation of hyperchromatic, monomorphic small cells with focal cytoplasmic clearing embedded in a fibromyxoid stroma. In one case, occasional duct-like structures were identified. Immunohistochemically, the tumors were positive for pancytokeratin, CD117 and MYB and negative for myoepithelial markers. Systemic chemotherapy was initiated in all patients. Despite therapy, clinical follow-up revealed that all 4 patients died of their disease 11–23 months after their initial diagnosis. The cases in this series highlight a tumor that is different from conventional thymic carcinoma and that has the morphological and immunohistochemical features commonly seen in adenoid cystic carcinomas with high-grade transformation. Correct diagnosis is essential for patient management.