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Head Neck 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Hypopharyngeal cancer (HPSCC) shows a poor clinical outcome, while HPSCC, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), presents a better outcome. Here, HPCC, immune proteins, and tumor infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) were evaluated in relation to HPV and outcome.

Methods: Fresh frozen tissue from four HPV-positive HPSCC, 39 HPV-negative HPSCC, and normal samples were analyzed for protein expression by the Proseek immuno-oncology immunoassay. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2020 Jun 30;13(6). Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan.

A 74-year-old man presented with recurrent syncope 3 months after definitive surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer. The patient experienced dizziness and severe hypotension on the movement of the neck and head. CT revealed disease recurrence with masses encasing the left internal carotid artery. Read More

Oral Oncol 2020 Jun 26;109:104869. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy. Electronic address:

Recent evidence has consistently suggested a role for HCV in the etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the conclusions of these studies have often been limited by small sample size. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to summarize present evidence on the association between HCV infection and HNSCC. After screening citations from literature search, eight observational studies investigating the association between HCV and cancer(s) of either oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx were included. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2020 Jun 18. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

E.N.T. Department, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a malignant tumor found in the head and neck region. Lactate receptor 1, also known as G protein‑coupled receptor81 (GPR81), has been reported to play a vital role in cancer growth and metabolism. However, the function of GPR81 in HSCC remains largely unknown. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2020 Jun 24;20(1):252. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Ophthalmology, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa, Japan.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause various adverse effects. Recently it has been shown that Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease-like uveitis can occur in patients treated with nivolumab.

Case Presentation: A 69-year-old man developed bilateral panuveitis after nivolumab treatment for recurrent hypopharyngeal cancer. Read More

Oncol Lett 2020 Jul 7;20(1):803-809. Epub 2020 May 7.

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China.

Alterations in collagen type I α1 (COL1A1) and collagen type I α 2 (COL1A2) expression levels have been reported to predict prognosis in various types of cancer. However, the effect of these biomarkers on hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) is yet to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to explore the prognostic significance of COL1A1 and COL1A2 expression levels in HPSCC. Read More

Oncol Lett 2020 Jul 21;20(1):173-182. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China.

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is involved in the oncogenesis and progression of various types of cancer. However, the function of MALAT1 in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is not completely understood. In the present study, MALAT1 expression levels were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell and flow cytometry assays were performed to investigate the biological functions of HSCC cells. Read More

Pathol Oncol Res 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Medical School, Institute of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Szigeti Str 12, Pecs, H-7624, Hungary.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck region is the sixth most frequent malignancy with high mortality rate. Due to its poor prognosis it is considered a growing public health problem worldwide inspite of existing treatment modalities. Thus, early diagnosis of new diseases and recurrences is emerging on one hand, but on the other hand troublesome in the lack of reliable tumor markers in this field. Read More

Curr Mol Med 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan. Iran.

In various cancers, high-grade tumor and poor survival rate in patients with upregulated lncRNAs UCA1 have been confirmed. Urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1) is an oncogenic non-coding RNA with a length of more than 200 nucleotides. The UCA1 regulate critical biological processes that are involved in cancer progression, including cancer cell growth, invasion, migration, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Read More

J Comput Assist Tomogr 2020 Jun 16. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

From the Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) versus PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) for T and N staging of hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods: Integrated PET/MR and PET/CT examinations were performed in 20 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer after same-day single injection. Eleven of 20 patients underwent surgery with histologic findings directly compared with imaging findings. Read More

Support Care Cancer 2020 Jun 16. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.

Purpose: To clarify the correlations among symptoms, swallowing functions, and ingestion status and to validate a method of swallowing evaluation during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer.

Methods: Oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients who were to receive definitive CRT as initial treatment were included in this prospective, single-center, observational study. The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) for ingestion status and grades of symptoms (dryness, dysgeusia, mucositis, and the analgesic ladder); the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale on fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) on videofluoroscopic (VF) evaluation for swallowing functions; and the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) questionnaire were assessed at 5 time points unless the participant refused. Read More

J Radiat Res 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi Minami-ku Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan.

The present study aimed to analyze treatment outcomes after induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in patients with stage IVA-B oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) or hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC), with long-term observation, including examination of larynx preservation. A total of 60 patients with stage IVA-B OPC or HPC, who underwent induction TPF chemotherapy (a combination regimen consisting of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) followed by CRT using VMAT were analyzed. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), laryngoesophageal dysfunction-free survival (LEDFS), and locoregional control (LRC) were calculated and compared. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020 Jun 15. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Purpose: Distant metastasis (DM) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is uncommon, but strongly deteriorates prognosis. Controversy exists regarding age as a predictor for the presence and development of DM. The aim of this study was to investigate age and other predictors for DM in HNSCC patients. Read More

Int J Surg 2020 Jun 11;80. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Department of Surgical oncology, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2020 Jun 9:3489420933645. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Objectives: LMNA-associated familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is a rare autosomal dominant A-type laminopathy characterized by variable loss and redistribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Though A-type lamins play a key role in nuclear membrane structure and regulation of cell proliferation, an association between cancer and LMNA-associated FPLD has not been reported.

Methods And Results: This report outlines the case of two biological sisters with LMNA-associated FPLD who developed hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the absence of any other risk factors for head and neck cancer. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020 Jun 8. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Department of Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Background: Swallowing after total laryngectomy (TL) is altered and the swallowing related issues are largely underreported. It is important to identify factors that may negatively influence swallowing after TL in order to rehabilitate these patients appropriately.

Methods: The study included patients who underwent TL from June 2015 to November 2017 for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancy. Read More

J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2020 Jul 4;48(7):672-679. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Maxillofacial/Head and Neck Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Unit, Royal Derby Hospital, UK.

There is currently no consensus as to the ideal timing, frequency and modality of imaging for follow up of head and neck cancer patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of PET-CT versus MRI, and imaging at 3 versus 6 months for follow up of head and neck cancer patients treated with curative intent with no clinical signs of treatment failure.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was performed for all head and neck cancers treated with curative intent at the Royal Derby Hospital. Read More

Cancer Manag Res 2020 11;12:3323-3329. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China.

Objective: To investigate the curative and adverse effects (AEs) of additional use of nimotuzumab combined with induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in unresectable locoregionally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 36 patients with stage III or IVA hypopharyngeal carcinoma who received induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without nimotuzumab. The induction chemotherapy included two or three cycles of TPF regimen. Read More

Anticancer Res 2020 Jun;40(6):3277-3285

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.

Background/aim: The aim was to clarify whether DNA repair gene polymorphisms can be used to predict response to cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and docetaxel (TPF) as induction chemotherapy (ICT) in Japanese patients with hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC).

Materials And Methods: DNA repair gene polymorphisms (rs3212986, rs1799793, rs13181, and rs25487) were analyzed in 117 HPC patients and 125 control subjects by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Forty-one HPC patients who received TPF-based ICT, followed by surgery or chemoradiotherapy/radiotherapy were analyzed for ICT response, laryngeal preservation, and survival outcome. Read More

J Clin Oncol 2020 Jun 1:JCO1903156. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Sanford Cancer Center, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD.

Purpose: Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks interaction between programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2). Although pembrolizumab is approved for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), its role in the management of locally advanced (LA) disease is not defined. We report a phase IB study evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding pembrolizumab to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in patients with LA HNSCC. Read More

Head Neck 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Clinical Oral Oncology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer who are receiving radiotherapy can develop aspiration pneumonia. Determination of the incidence of aspiration pneumonia and the associated risk factors could facilitate the identification of high-risk patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we determined the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in 357 patients receiving radiotherapy along with oral care for head and neck cancer. Read More

J Nippon Med Sch 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East, Department of Surgery.

In recent times, the diagnosis and treatment of superficial laryngopharyngeal cancers has been receiving a lot of attention. Here, we present a case of superficial hypopharyngeal cancer and superficial esophageal cancer for which endoscopic laryngo-pharyngeal surgery (ELPS) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were performed simultaneously. The patient was a 67-year-old male. Read More

J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 May 29;49(1):31. Epub 2020 May 29.

Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2, Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.

Background: Several recent studies have indicated that the lymph node ratio (LNR) is an independent prognostic factor for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC). The purpose of this paper is to assess the prognostic value of LNR and explore appropriate cutoff values by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Pubmed, Embase (via Ovid), and Cochrane library were systematically searched for studies on the prognostic value of LNR in LHSCC up to October 31, 2019. Read More

HNO 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Universitätsmedizin Leipzig, Liebigstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.

Patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LHSCC) comprise two broad groups: those who are candidates for functional larynx preservation (LP) with avoidance of ablative surgery and those who are not. Currently, treatment depends on the patient's needs and wishes, the experience and recommendation of the surgeon, the philosophy of the institution, etc. The milestone VA trial established non-surgical LP in advanced LHSCC in the 1990s using induction chemotherapy (IC) with PF (cisplatin, P, plus 5‑fluorouracil, F) followed by irradiation (IC + RT) as an appropriate alternative treatment to total laryngectomy (TL). Read More

Eur J Cancer 2020 Jul 23;133:86-93. Epub 2020 May 23.

Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, Henry Kaplan Center, Clinique D'Oncologie et de Radiothérapie, Tours, France; Université François Rabelais de Tours, France.

Background: In Europe, induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by radiotherapy is preferred to conventional chemoradiotherapy to avoid total laryngectomy in patients with laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer. In comparison with conventional radiotherapy, bioradiotherapy with cetuximab significantly improves locoregional control rates (LCRs) and overall survival (OS) without any increase in unmanageable toxicity.

Methods: Patients included had untreated non-metastatic stage III-IV laryngeal/hypopharyngeal invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020 May 20. Epub 2020 May 20.

Department of Surgery, University Cancer Institute Toulouse-Oncopole, 1 Avenue Irène Joliot-Curie, 31059, Toulouse, France.

Background: Metachronous tumour in head and neck cancer patients is a frequent situation with a generally poor prognosis, often improving in case of surgical treatment.

Method: This article presents the surgical technique for early stage hypopharyngeal metachronous tumour resection and pharyngeal reconstruction by tubed free flap in laryngectomised patient.

Conclusion: Selected laryngectomised patients presenting with early stage hypopharyngeal metachronous tumours can benefit from a safe carcinologic resection and reconstruction. Read More

Int J Surg 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, Guangdong Province, PR China. Electronic address:

Background: There is no consensus on whether initial surgical or non-surgical treatments should be the standard treatment pattern for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. The aim of the meta-analysis was systematically and quantitatively compare the relative efficacy between initial surgical and non-surgical therapies in patients with advanced-stage hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, the ISI Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases from inception to April 10, 2019. Read More

Head Neck Pathol 2020 May 14. Epub 2020 May 14.

Anatomic Pathology - Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.

Well-differentiated (WDL) and dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DL) of the pharynx, larynx and oral cavity are rare, often mimicking benign lipomatous neoplasms or non-lipogenic mesenchymal tumors. Cases of WDL/DL arising in the upper aerodigestive tract, exclusive of the cervical esophagus, were reviewed. Morphologic features, ancillary studies, including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies for CPM/MDM2, and clinical data was catalogued. Read More

Laryngoscope 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Objectives/hypothesis: Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx (SCCHP) is associated with worse survival compared to other head and neck subsites. This report quantifies the impact of technological improvements in radiotherapy (RT) on outcomes over 6 decades.

Methods: Patients with SCCHP receiving curative-intent treatment between 1962 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

P R Health Sci J 2020 03;39(1):58-61

Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR.

Hypopharyngeal carcinoma as a subsite of head and neck cancer, carries with it the lowest 5-year relative survival rate. Treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer relies on single therapy or multimodality treatment: surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. When surgical intervention is chosen, the type of operation depends on the extent of the lesion and the regions involved and will often require some form of reconstruction. Read More

Radiat Oncol 2020 May 7;15(1):102. Epub 2020 May 7.

Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany.

Background: Radiotherapy treatment of head and neck cancer affects local arteries and increases the risk of stroke. This study aimed at a closer characterization of this damage and its development in time with a longitudinal study set up.

Methods: Male patients treated between 2011 and 2016 for hypopharyngeal carcinoma were identified from the in-house clinical data base. Read More

Auris Nasus Larynx 2020 May 4. Epub 2020 May 4.

Department of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address:

Objective: The upper esophageal sphincter plays a significant role by forming a physical barrier at the junction of the hypopharynx and the cervical esophagus. As few studies have focused on the ventral aspect of this junction, the contribution of the anterior wall of the cervical esophagus to upper esophageal sphincter function remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle fibers' arrangement at the junction, especially of those forming its anterior wall. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020 May 4. Epub 2020 May 4.

Ospedali Riuniti Padova Sud, Madre Teresa Di Calcutta, ENT Surgery, Via Albere 30, Monselice, 35043, Padua, Italy.

Purpose: Early persistent/recurrent hypopharyngeal tumours represent a challenge for surgeons who have to balance the need for oncological radicality and the desire to maintain a functioning larynx with preservation of the patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was primarily to understand the technical feasibility, functional outcomes, and the possibility of obtaining oncological radicality using lateral hypopharyngectomy with laryngeal preservation in early recurrent post-radio/(chemo)therapy hypopharyngeal tumours.

Methods: Patients with recurrent T1 hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively selected from our institutional database. Read More

World J Surg Oncol 2020 May 1;18(1):82. Epub 2020 May 1.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5 Fu-Hsing street, Taoyuan, Taiwan, 33305.

Background: This study evaluated the treatment outcomes of the primary surgery (PS) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as the initial treatment for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with stages III-IV HPSCC from four tertiary referral centers consecutively enrolled from 2003 to 2012; of them, 213 (32.6%) and 439 (67. Read More

ANZ J Surg 2020 May 1. Epub 2020 May 1.

Department of Otolaryngology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and in particular hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, has long been associated with disfiguring treatment options, significant morbidity and limited long-term survival outcomes. Total pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) with free flap reconstruction followed by post-operative radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy is a widely accepted treatment of choice for advanced disease of the hypopharynx.

Methods: Our unit undertook a 11-year review of all primary TPL patients aiming to provide an update on survival outcomes, morbidity, post-operative complications and evolving management strategies. Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2020 Jul - Aug;41(4):102505. Epub 2020 Apr 22.

ENT and Head & Neck Research Center, The Five Senses Institute, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; ENT and Head & Neck Research Center and Department, Five Senses Health Research institute, Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Introduction: Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rare, but highly aggressive. Due to the advanced stage of this cancer at the time of diagnosis, radical surgery with reconstruction of pharynx is the standard care with high morbidity and mortality rate. A safer partial pharyngectomy could also be used for invasive hypopharyngeal cancer. Read More

Dis Esophagus 2020 Apr 30. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Department of Surgery, Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.

Larynx preserving hybrid surgery with endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery and open surgery (HELPS) was created for resectable cervical esophageal cancer (CEC) invading the hypopharynx. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness and to evaluate the feasibility of the new HELPS treatment method. Between 2014 and 2018, 19 patients with CEC invading the hypopharynx were treated with HELPS. Read More

Ecancermedicalscience 2020 15;14:1024. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Minister of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan.

Background: Head and neck cancers are among the commonest cancers in the developing world. Personal habits, such as the use of tobacco, betel nut and alcohol are strongly associated with the development of head and neck cancers at certain sites. Therefore, they are among the preventable cancers. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2020 Apr 25;12(5). Epub 2020 Apr 25.

The Yale Larynx Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar Street (BML212), New Haven, CT 06510, USA.

Cancers of the laryngopharynx represent the most devastating of the head and neck malignancies and additional risk factors are now epidemiologically linked to this disease. Using an in vivo model ( C57Bl/6J), we provide novel evidence that acidic bile (pH 3.0) progressively promotes invasive cancer in the hypopharynx. Read More

Clin Med Insights Case Rep 2020 18;13:1179547620908854. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.

Objectives: Nivolumab, a fully IgG4-programmed death-1 inhibitor antibody, led to improved overall survival compared with single-agent therapy in patients with platinum-refractory recurrent head and neck cancers. In general, nivolumab is used in inoperable patients. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of salvage surgery during nivolumab therapy for patients with head and neck cancer. Read More

Nutr Clin Pract 2020 Apr 24. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Department of Surgical Oncology, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) has remained the mainstay treatment approach for head and neck cancers. Weight loss due to tumor or tumor-related factors remains a major health issue among head and neck cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 357 patients were identified for the study. Read More

BMC Cancer 2020 Apr 18;20(1):348. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Department of Pathology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.

Background: The gene encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is emerging as a therapeutic and prognostic biomarker in various cancer types, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Here, we investigated the clinicopathologic implication of FGFR1 gene amplification and protein overexpression in hypopharyngeal and laryngeal SCC.

Methods: Fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine FGFR1 gene amplification and protein overexpression in 209 surgically resected cases. Read More

Oral Oncol 2020 07 20;106:104655. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.

Objectives: Transoral approaches for laryngeal/pharyngeal malignancies have been widely accepted as minimally invasive treatment options; however, hypopharyngeal lesions treated by transoral surgery have rarely been reported due to the difficulties in visualizing the hypopharynx. Since 2010, we have treated superficial hypopharyngeal lesions with endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery (ELPS), and herein report the outcomes of this transoral procedure.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients with superficial hypopharyngeal lesions were treated by ELPS from February 2010 to February 2017, and the clinical courses of the patients were reviewed. Read More

Am J Transl Res 2020 15;12(3):1096-1113. Epub 2020 Mar 15.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine Tokyo, Japan.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) has been shown to promote cancer initiation and progression through pleiotropic functions including induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via its predominant product prostaglandin E that binds to the cognate receptor EP2. Hence, pharmacological inhibition at the level of EP2 is assumed to be a more selective alternative with less risk to Cox-2 inhibition. However, little is known regarding the anti-cancer effect of an EP2 antagonist on the malignant properties of cancers including hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). Read More

Int J Clin Oncol 2020 Jul 7;25(7):1260-1269. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China.

Objectives: This study investigated a large cohort of patients to construct a predictive nomogram and a web-based survival rate calculator for dynamically predicting the cancer-specific survival of patients with primary hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC).

Methods: Patients (n = 2007) initially diagnosed with primary HSCC from 2004 to 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. All patients were randomly divided into the training and validation cohorts (1:1). Read More

Ann Work Expo Health 2020 Jul;64(6):614-621

CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Planta, Madrid, Spain.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare mortality rates for the main causes of death and the most frequent sites of cancer in firefighters and all other occupations.

Methods: Mortality was calculated from a longitudinal study conducted between 2001 and 2011 following a total of 9.5 million men aged 20-64 years old who were in employment in 2001. Read More

BMC Cancer 2020 Apr 6;20(1):283. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, P.R. China.

Background: To identify the spatial patterns of regional lymph node failure of locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after first-line treatment with surgery and/or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods: We retrospectively obtained the clinicopathological characters of 123 hypopharyngeal SCC patients, and investigated the patterns of regional lymph node failure. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the risk factors of regional lymph node failure. Read More

Laryngoscope 2020 Apr 6. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Objectives: The gastric H+/K+ ATPase proton pump has previously been shown to be expressed in the human larynx, however its contribution to laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) signs, symptoms and associated diseases such as laryngeal cancer is unknown. Proton pump expression in the larynx of patients with LPR and laryngeal cancer was investigated herein. A human hypopharyngeal cell line expressing the proton pump was generated to investigate its effects. Read More

Oral Oncol 2020 06 2;105:104668. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

The Yale Larynx Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Prognosis for hypopharyngeal cancer is usually poor, and recurrence is common. Identifying new factors or related mechanisms that promote its progression may have clinical implications. Although, recent studies support bile reflux in hypopharyngeal carcinogenesis, it remains to be explored how bile and its related NF-κB activated pathway may further affects its progression in already established hypopharyngeal cancer. Read More

Korean J Intern Med 2020 Apr 3. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, , Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background/aims: Clinical trials have not consistently supported the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. Hypopharynx and base of tongue (BOT) cancer has shown relatively poor survival. We investigated the role of IC in improving outcome over current chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with hypopharynx and BOT cancer. Read More