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Rosa Autorino,
Francesco Miccichè,
Nicola Dinapoli,
Francesco Bussu,
Mario Balducci,
Gian Carlo Mattiucci,
Jacopo Galli,
Tommaso Tartaglione,
Vittoria Rufini, Giovanni Almadori,
Gaetano Paludetti,
Vincenzo Valentini
Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) 04/2012; 51(8):1095-9. · 2.27 Impact Factor
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Nicola Dinapoli,
Claudio Parrilla,
Jacopo Galli,
Rosa Autorino,
Francesco Miccichè,
Francesco Bussu,
Mario Balducci,
Lucia D’Alatri,
Raffaella Marchese,
Mario Rigante,
Giuseppe Di Lella,
Luca Liberati, Giovanni Almadori,
Gaetano Paludetti,
Vincenzo Valentini
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Background and Purpose:
To compare oncological outcome and voice quality among a uniform and well-defined subset of
patients with T1 glottic carcinoma.
Patients and Methods:
Patients, affected by laryngeal glottic carcinoma, treated by laser CO2 surgery or radiotherapy, have
been analyzed. Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated. In order to verify differences in functional outcomes
and voice quality, all patients were interviewed during their last follow-up visit during 2009 using the VHI (Voice Handicap
Index)
questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the MedCalc software.
Results:
A total of 143 patients were analyzed: 73 underwent surgery and 70 underwent radiotherapy. No statistically significant
differences were found between the two groups in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival; dividing patients into
stages
T1a and T1b also made no difference. In order to evaluate the differences in outcomes for surgery and radiotherapy, patients
were interviewed using the VHI questionnaire. Better scores for each category in the VHI were found for patients receiving
radiotherapy
compared to surgery (physical: p = 0.0023; functional: p < 0.0001; environmental: p < 0.001). The median VHI score for
radiotherapy patients was 4, while for surgical patients it was 18 (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
This study confirms the well-known knowledge that results from radiotherapy and surgery in early glottic cancer
treatment are equivalent. Furthermore, the role of patient preference in the treatment modality choice and the value of a
multidisciplinary
approach for a detailed and multi-oriented discussion with the patient are outlined.
Hintergrund und Zielsetzung:
Es sollen das onkologische Ergebnis und die Sprachqualität in einer homogenen und gut definierten
Gruppe von Patienten mit T1-Stimmbandkarzinomen verglichen werden.
Patienten und Methoden:
Patienten mit einem Glottiskarzinom, die sich einer CO2-Laser-Operation oder einer Radiotherapie
unterzogen hatten, wurden analysiert. Das Gesamtüberleben und die krankheitsfreie Zeit wurden errechnet. Um Unterschiede
im funktionellen Ergebnis und bezüglich der Sprachqualität zu quantifizieren, wurden alle Patienten während der letzten Nachsorge
im Jahre 2009 dazu angehalten den VHI-(Voice Handicap Index-)Fragebogen auszufüllen. Diese Daten wurden mittels der
MedCalc-Software bearbeitet.
Ergebnisse:
Insgesamt wurden 143 Patienten untersucht: 73 wurden operiert und 70 erhielten eine Strahelentherapie. Es konnte
kein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den zwei Gruppen bezüglich der Gesamtüberlebenszeit und der krankheitsfreien
Zeit festgestellt werden; dies gelang auch nicht, wenn die Gruppen in Stadium T1a und T1b getrennt betrachtet wurden. Um
die Unteschiede zwischen Operation und Radiotherapie zu evaluieren, wurde der VHI-Fragebogen verwendet. Es ließ sich zeigen,
dass in jeder Kategorie des VHI-Fragebogens die Patienten, die strahlentherapiert wurden, bessere Ergebnisse erzielten als
jene,
die operiert wurden („physikalisch“: p = 0,0023; „funktionell“: p < 0,0001). Der durchschnittliche VHI-Score für strahlentherapierte
Patienten ist 4, im Gegensatz zu 18 für operierte Patienten (p < 0,0001).
Zusammenfassung:
Diese Studie bestätigt die Erkenntnis, dass Radiotherapie und Operation beim Stimmbandkarzinom im
frühen Stadium zu äquivalenten Ergebnissen führen. Weiterhin wird die Bedeutung des Patientenwunsches im Hinblick auf die
Therapieoptionen und die Bedeutung eines multidiszplinären Therapieansatzes belegt.
Key WordsVoice quality-Glottic carcinoma-CO2 surgery-Radiotherapy-VHI questionnaire
SchlüsselwörterSprachqualität-Glottiskarzinom-CO2-Laser-Radiotherapie-VHI-Fragebogen
Strahlentherapie und Onkologie 04/2012; 186(11):607-613. · 3.56 Impact Factor
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Francesco Bussu,
Gaetano Paludetti, Giovanni Almadori,
Armando De Virgilio,
Jacopo Galli,
Francesco Miccichè,
Mario Tombolini,
Davide Rizzo,
Andrea Gallo,
Veronica Giglia,
Antonio Greco,
Vincenzo Valentini,
Marco De Vincentiis
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Functional outcome and quality of life (QOL) have become relevant endpoints in the field of laryngeal oncology, leading to the emergence of organ-preserving strategies. METHODS: The medical records of 166 patients with advanced (stages III and IV) laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who were treated with a total laryngectomy, radiochemotherapy, or cricohyoidopexy (CHP) were reviewed. RESULTS: In the whole series, no statistically significant differences among the 3 treatment arms with respect to the overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were observed. The organ-preservation rate was 45% for radiotherapy and 76.7% for CHP (p = .0002). Among the cT4a cases, a longer survival was observed for the patients treated with total laryngectomy (3 yr-OS = 78% vs 68% for CHP and 54% for radiochemotherapy, p = .031). CONCLUSIONS: In advanced laryngeal SCC, CHP shows survival rates comparable to those of radiochemotherapy and a higher larynx-preservation rate, although it may not replace radiochemotherapy because it can be recommended only in selected cases. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012.
Head & Neck 04/2012; · 2.40 Impact Factor
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Paola Castaldi,
Vittoria Rufini,
Francesco Bussu,
Francesco Miccichè,
Nicola Dinapoli,
Rosa Autorino,
Mariaelena Lago,
Eugenio De Corso, Giovanni Almadori,
Jacopo Galli,
Gaetano Paludetti,
Alessandro Giordano,
Vincenzo Valentini
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To evaluate the prognostic value of "early" and "late" Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with radio-chemotherapy (RTCT).
Twenty-six patients treated with RTCT for HNSCC were included. All patients underwent (18)F-FDG PET-CT at baseline ("staging" PET-CT), after 2 weeks of treatment ("early" PET-CT) and 8-12 weeks after treatment ("late" PET-CT). Changes in FDG uptake in the primary tumor (T) and lymph nodes (N) were correlated with local and regional control, respectively; overall metabolic response was correlated with relapse free survival (RFS) and disease specific survival (DSS).
After a median follow-up of 29.2 months, 19/26 patients were living and 17/19 had no evidence of disease. When comparing "staging", "early" and "late" PET results, a significant decrease of FDG SUV(max) in T and N was documented. When correlating changes in FDG uptake in T and N with local and regional control, a statistically significant correlation only with the "late" reduction was found. Statistical analysis failed to demonstrate any correlation between the "early" metabolic response and the patient clinical outcome while the "late" metabolic response revealed a strong correlation with RFS (p = 0.01) and DSS (p = 0.009).
In patients with HNSCC, PET-CT performed after RTCT predicts the clinical outcome, since it strongly correlates with RFS and DSS. On the other hand, the predictive role of "early" metabolic response was not confirmed by this study.
Radiotherapy and Oncology 03/2012; 103(1):63-8. · 5.58 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The prognosis for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has not shown any improvement in the last 30 years because of inadequate prognostic stratification. Therefore, the detection of reliable molecular markers may have a significant impact on clinical practice. As promising data regarding HER1/EGFR have been published, the purpose of the present study was to elucidate the role of the other receptors of the HER family. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS.: We used quantitative immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression pattern of the HER4 receptors cytokeratin (CK)-14, CK-17, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in 67 LSCCs and assessed correlations with various prognostic parameters. RESULTS.: HER1 levels inversely correlated with those of HER2-4. The negative prognostic value of HER1 was confirmed, and a protective role for HER2-4 was found. Specifically, the overexpression of HER4 and its nuclear localization are protective and are associated with a better prognosis. CONCLUSIONS.: Semiquantitative evaluation of HER2-4 provides predictive information that can be combined with HER1 expression data for molecular characterization of LSCC. The pattern of localization of HER4 is an easily evaluable qualitative parameter with a clear correlation with prognosis. The immunohistochemical methods described in this article are reliable, reproducible, and potentially translatable to clinical practice.
The Laryngoscope 03/2012; 122(8):1724-33. · 1.75 Impact Factor
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Francesco Bussu,
Francesco Miccichè,
Mario Rigante,
Nicola Dinapoli,
Claudio Parrilla,
Pierluigi Bonomo,
Gabriella Cadoni,
Giovanna Mantini,
Jacopo Galli,
Vittoria Rufini, Giovanni Almadori,
Vincenzo Valentini,
Gaetano Paludetti
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Treatment for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been predominantly surgical for decades, but in the last 20 years nonsurgical modalities (radiotherapy), with the aim of organ preservation, also became predominant among advanced stages. Retrospectively evaluating our series of stage III and stage IV laryngeal SCCs, we compared the 2 main therapeutic modalities.
Medical records of 65 consecutive patients with advanced laryngeal SCC, from November 2005 to January 2009, were reviewed.
Among irradiated patients 2-year organ preservation was 86% for cT2, 43% for cT3, and 17% for cT4a (p = .037, Wilcoxon test). With respect to survival, the only significant differences between surgery and radiotherapy were detected among cT4a SCCs (p = .03, Wilcoxon test), in favor of surgery.
The present results confirm the surgical recommendation for cT4a laryngeal SCCs. On the other hand, for T < 4, our results confirm that radiochemotherapy warrants a survival similar to that of total laryngectomy, thus allowing us to preserve the larynx in a relevant number of cases.
Head & Neck 06/2011; 34(4):573-9. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Microvascular free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction requires suitable recipient vessels which are frequently compromised by prior surgery or radiotherapy to the neck. This article details a new technique of arterial free flap pedicle anastomosis to the internal carotid artery in a vessel-depleted neck. A 63-year-old female was referred because of recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, which involved the left-sided tongue base and pharynx with circumferential involvement of the homolateral external carotid artery. This artery and its branches were excluded as potential recipients. To close the defect after tumor excision, a free vertical rectus abdominis muscle arterial flap pedicle was anastomosed to the homolateral internal carotid artery with the help of a Pruitt-Inahara outlying carotid shunt. The venous anastomosis was performed to the internal jugular vein. The VRAM flap survived without complications. This procedure is to be considered an alternative rescue technique for salvage reconstruction in vessel depleted necks.
Microsurgery 02/2011; 31(3):234-6. · 1.61 Impact Factor
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Nicola Dinapoli,
Claudio Parrilla,
Jacopo Galli,
Rosa Autorino,
Francesco Miccichè,
Francesco Bussu,
Mario Balducci,
Lucia D'Alatri,
Raffaella Marchese,
Mario Rigante,
Giuseppe Di Lella,
Luca Liberati, Giovanni Almadori,
Gaetano Paludetti,
Vincenzo Valentini
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To compare oncological outcome and voice quality among a uniform and well-defined subset of patients with T1 glottic carcinoma.
Patients, affected by laryngeal glottic carcinoma, treated by laser CO2 surgery or radiotherapy, have been analyzed. Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated. In order to verify differences in functional outcomes and voice quality, all patients were interviewed during their last follow-up visit during 2009 using the VHI (Voice Handicap Index) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the MedCalc software.
A total of 143 patients were analyzed: 73 underwent surgery and 70 underwent radiotherapy. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival; dividing patients into stages T1a and T1b also made no difference. In order to evaluate the differences in outcomes for surgery and radiotherapy, patients were interviewed using the VHI questionnaire. Better scores for each category in the VHI were found for patients receiving radiotherapy compared to surgery (physical: p = 0.0023; functional: p < 0.0001; environmental: p < 0.001). The median VHI score for radiotherapy patients was 4, while for surgical patients it was 18 (p < 0.0001).
This study confirms the well-known knowledge that results from radiotherapy and surgery in early glottic cancer treatment are equivalent. Furthermore, the role of patient preference in the treatment modality choice and the value of a multidisciplinary approach for a detailed and multi-oriented discussion with the patient are outlined.
Strahlentherapie und Onkologie 11/2010; 186(11):607-13. · 3.56 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The full clinical relevance of the expression pattern of HER family of type I receptor tyrosine kinases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma remains to be elucidated. We evaluated the clinical relevance of such parameter in our population.
This study examined the expression pattern of HER family receptor members by quantitative immunohistochemistry and the amount of the EGF binding sites by a radioligand binding assay, in the same group of 67 LSCC patients, analysing the correlation between the expression of the four HER receptors and the clinical and prognostic parameters.
HER1 levels inversely correlated with that of HER2-4, while HER2-4 directly correlated among them. Cox univariate analysis using HER1-4 values as continuous covariates indicated that HER1 expression was directly associated with the risk of death and relapse while that of HER2-4 was inversely associated with the risk of death. Among the patients with high HER1 expressing tumours, those with tumours co-expressing HER2-4 showed a lower risk of death and relapse (in particular regional relapse) than those with tumours displaying a negative HER2-4 status.
The evaluation of HER2-4 status adds more power to the prognostic role of HER1 detection. In the era of molecularly targeted therapy, the expression of HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases in LSCC may hold relevant clinical significance and turn out to be a key factor in prognostic assessment and in treatment planning.
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England: 1990) 02/2010; 46(6):1144-52. · 4.12 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy (EHSL) by CO(2) laser.
Between 1996 and 2005, 78 patients underwent a horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy operation (HSL) with an external approach and 70 underwent laser EHSL, as treatment for supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). We evaluated oncological endpoints, comparing the external and the endoscopic approach.
Among patients primarily treated by EHSL, the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 89% (vs 80% in the external approach group). Statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between the 2 groups as for survival nor for organ preservation. The most significant clinical predictor for DSS is neck relapse (p < .0001).
This study confirms the effectiveness of laser EHSL in which oncological outcome is similar to the external approach and functional results are probably better. Neck management in this setting is fundamental to warrant the best survival.
Head & Neck 05/2009; 31(9):1196-206. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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Giovanni Almadori,
Francesco Bussu,
Jacopo Galli,
Mario Rigante,
Libero Lauriola,
Fabrizio Michetti,
Nicola Maggiano,
Beat W Schafer,
Claus W Heizmann,
Franco O Ranelletti,
Gaetano Paludetti
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In primary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (LSCC), Ca(2+) binding S100A2 protein underexpression was already found to be associated with poor tumour differentiation and shorter overall survival. In the present work, the role of S100A2 protein expression in the prediction of regional metastasis-free survival (MFS) was investigated to guide neck management in LSCC.
Specimens of LSCC from 62 consecutive untreated patients were examined for S100A2 content by immunocytochemistry; the patients were followed up for a median of 44 months (range 2-90 months) after initial surgical resection. MFS was calculated from the date of first surgery to that of regional neck node recurrence.
S100A2 was detected in 18 of 19 (95%) low-grade tumours and in 22 of 43 (51%) high-grade tumours. The 5-year regional MFS was 81% for patients with S100A2-positive tumours and 55% for patients with S100A2-negative tumours. By multivariate analysis, the S100A2 status appeared to be a significant independent predictive factor for MFS (p = .02).
Our results suggest that the assessment of S100A2 status at diagnosis may identify a subset of LSCC patients highly susceptible to neck node metastases and may thus help define therapy accordingly.
Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale 03/2009; 38(1):16-22. · 0.71 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Overall survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients on the whole has not dramatically improved in the last 30 years. One of the reasons is that tumour, node, metastasis classification is probably in some cases inadequate, since similar cases under a clinico-pathological point of view, may differ widely in prognosis. The most important reason for this is probably the extreme biological heterogeneity, which leads to a lack of consistency in treatment planning. The aim of the present review is to delineate the advances and the perspectives of clinical use of molecular characterization, which is an attempt to break through such molecular heterogeneity and to define, together with tumour, node, metastasis classification, homogeneous groups of patients for prognostic stratification and treatment selection.
Among the markers evaluated in the last years, some have revealed particular promise. Epidermal growth factor receptor is probably the most reliable molecular marker at present, retaining its prognostic value independently from primary treatment. The p53 gene, the p53 protein being the main effector of DNA damage induced apoptosis, is probably the best predictor of radio/chemosensitivity.
Even if clinical tumour, node, metastasis classification will probably retain its significance, it is now becoming possible, by molecular markers, to acquire biological information about host and tumour, to break through the above-cited molecular heterogeneity and eventually to optimize the choice of treatment.
Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery 05/2008; 16(2):117-26.
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Stefania Boccia,
Gabriella Cadoni,
Fakhredin A Sayed-Tabatabaei,
Mariangela Volante,
Dario Arzani,
Angelo De Lauretis,
Caterina Cattel, Giovanni Almadori,
Cornelia M van Duijn,
Gaetano Paludetti,
Gualtiero Ricciardi
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: As risk-modifiers of alcohol and tobacco effects, metabolic genes polymorphisms were investigated as susceptibility candidates for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
A total of 210 cases and 245 hospital controls, age and gender matched, were genotyped for CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTT1, EPHX1 exons 3 and 4, and NAT2 polymorphisms. A measurement of the biological interaction among two risk factors was estimated by the attributable proportion (AP) due to interaction and its 95% confidence interval (CI).
SCCHN risk was associated with high-levels of alcohol intake [OR = 3.50 (95%CI: 1.93-6.35) and OR = 6.47 (95%CI: 2.92-14.35) for 19-30 g/day and >30 g/day, respectively], cigarette smoking [OR = 3.47 (95%CI: 1.88-6.41) and OR = 7.65 (95%CI: 4.20-13.90) for 1-25 and >25 pack-years of smoking, respectively] and low-fruit and vegetables consumption (OR = 2.45; 95%CI: 1.53-3.92). No differences were observed for the genotypes or haplotypes distributions among cases and controls, and no biological interaction emerged from gene-gene and gene-environment interaction analyses. An attributable proportion (AP) due to biological interaction of 0.65 (95%CI: 0.40-0.90) was detected for heavy drinkers with a low intake of fruit and vegetables, and an AP of 0.40 (95%CI: 0.10-0.72) resulted forever smokers with low fruit and vegetables consumption.
Even in presence of high alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking, a high intake of fruit and vegetables might prevent the development of around one quarter of SCCHN cases. The lack of interaction between the studied polymorphisms and the environmental exposures suggests that chronic consumption of tobacco and alcohol overwhelm enzyme defences, irrespective of genotype.
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 01/2008; 134(1):93-100. · 2.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We evaluated the concentrations of glutathione and uric acid, low molecular weight antioxidants, in saliva of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in order to identify differences with normal subjects and to obtain information about biochemical alterations of human saliva during carcinogenesis.
We compared 50 HNSCC patients, divided in 2 subsets on the basis of tumor site, with a control group of 77 subjects, without a previous diagnosis of HNSCC, matched for age, sex, alcohol consumption, and smoking status.
At tests for equality of means by Welch and Brown-Forsythe, differences between groups resulted probable for salivary levels of glutathione (p = .004 and p < .001 respectively) but not for salivary levels of uric acid (p = .228 and p = .122 respectively). Comparing groups by Tamhane test, the patients with oral or pharyngeal cancer had significantly higher salivary levels of glutathione than both controls and patients with laryngeal cancer.
Salivary glutathione levels may be an index of oxidative stress at the level of the upper airways and in particular of oral cavity and pharynx. Therefore, high salivary glutathione may be an epidemiological marker to identify subjects with an increased risk of developing HNSCC, to submit to strict follow-up and chemoprevention. Metabolic alterations of saliva could be both an epidemiological marker and a target for chemoprevention of oral and oropharyngeal carcinogenesis.
Head & Neck 07/2007; 29(7):648-54. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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Ettore Capoluongo, Giovanni Almadori,
Paola Concolino,
Francesco Bussu,
Concetta Santonocito,
Francesca Vendittelli,
Jacopo Galli,
Cecilia Zuppi,
Franco Ameglio,
Gaetano Paludetti,
Bruno Giardina
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The association between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and allelic variants of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and -T1 (GSTT1) is currently controversial. The present study investigates the prevalences of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphism in a cohort of 100 head and neck cancer patients, 100 healthy donors and 200 controls with non-neoplastic head and neck diseases from Italian Lazio Region.
The patients with benign head and neck pathologies, as well as the healthy donors were matched for age, sex, cigarette smoke (yes/no) and alcohol consumption (yes/no). Molecular definition of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotype has been performed by means of allele-specific PCR technique.
A significant association between head and neck cancer and GSTM1 null genotype was observed both considering benign disease controls (p=0.001, OR=2.613; 95% C.I.=1.48-4.62), and healthy donors (p=0.0003, OR=3.35; 95% C.I. 1.69-6.67) while no significant association was found with GSTT1 null genotype (p>or=0.14). No interactive association was observed when combining the different genotypes of the two polymorphisms. These results were confirmed after correction for daily number of cigarettes and period of tobacco exposure.
The present study confirms a role for genetic alterations of GSTM1 detoxifying enzyme as a risk factor for the development of HNSCC in patients from the Italian Lazio Region, independently of age, sex and other confounding variables.
Clinica Chimica Acta 02/2007; 376(1-2):174-8. · 2.54 Impact Factor
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[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: It has been previously observed that patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or with laryngeal leucoplakia present a significant reduction in plasma folate levels. The current Phase IIA pilot study assessed the effectiveness of folic acid as a chemopreventive agent in patients affected by glottic laryngeal leucoplakia.
Forty-three untreated patients affected by glottic laryngeal leucoplakia were enrolled in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department (Universita Cattolica del Saco Cuore, Rome, Italy). Glottic leucoplakia was initially diagnosed by indirect laryngoscopy and successively confirmed by diagnostic direct microlaryngoscopy with a biopsy for histologic assessment. Folic acid (Folina, Schwarz Pharma, Germany) was administered orally (5 mg every 8 hours) for 6 months. Patients were monitored every 30 days by videolaryngoscopy.
Twelve (28%) patients had no response, 19 (44%) had a partial response, and 12 (28%) had a complete response. The mean increase in serum folate levels (10.06 +/- 0.53) and the mean decrease in homocysteine serum (3.65349 +/- 0.85526) at the end of the study were highly significant (P = .0001).
The larynx is 1 of the sites of major interest and a good model for the development of chemopreventive agents, but so far the proposed agents have shown no clear efficacy on precancerous lesions or on the development of second malignancies.
Cancer 08/2006; 107(2):328-36. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Sulfotransferases (SULT) 1A1 detoxify and bio-activate a broad spectrum of substrates including xenobiotics. The SULT1A1 gene possesses a G-->A polymorphism that results in an Arg to His substitution at codon 213, with the His allele having a low activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphisms are risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN).
A total of 124 consecutive primary SCCHN patients and 249 age- and sex-matched hospital controls were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes and genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP. A comprehensive epidemiological interview was conducted on all participants to collect their lifestyle data.
The His/His frequencies in cases and controls were 6.5% (8/123) and 3.6% (9/247), respectively (P=0.049). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of SCCHN and His/His genotype (OR=3.60; 95% CI=1.01-12.88). This association was stronger amongst older people, alcohol and low fruit consumers. The resulted SULT1A1 His/His genotype also associated with a higher risk of neck node positive status (OR=5.82; 95% CI=1.10-30.68).
These preliminary findings show for the first time that the SULT1A1 His (213) allele is a possible risk factor for head and neck cancer development.
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 08/2006; 132(7):466-72. · 2.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent understanding of the harmful effects of gastric and duodenal agents on mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract in patients with duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux.
The damaging action of duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux on the gastro-esophageal mucosa and its potential etiological role in the development of many inflammatory and neoplastic patterns have been well documented in the literature. Recently, there has been increasing evidence that duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux may also be related to several laryngeal disorders and clinical studies confirm that reflux after gastric resection may enhance the development of laryngeal malignancies. Finally, there have been experimental attempts to confirm that duodenal contents may contribute to inflammation and carcinogenesis in the pharynx or larynx, as it is known to do in the esophagus.
The association between duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux and laryngeal lesions is of great interest to otolaryngologists because it focuses attention on a new pathological entity that could be classified as biliary laryngopharyngeal reflux. This condition, as an acid one, seems to represent an important dangerous, endogenous risk factor involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory, precancerous and neoplastic laryngeal lesions. For these reasons, particular attention is required in the future regarding the understanding of the local environment, individual susceptibility and clinical treatment. Finally, new antireflux therapy should be considered to control not only the acid gastric component of the refluxate but also the duodenal component.
Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery 07/2006; 14(3):128-32.
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ABSTRACT: The pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a serious complication after total laryngectomy, and its etiology is not well understood yet. The aim of our study was to evaluate predisposing factors, incidence, and management of this complication.
This was a retrospective study of 268 patients who underwent total laryngectomy in our clinic (January 1990-December 2001). A number of factors potentially predisposing to PCF formation were evaluated.
A PCF was observed in 16% of patients. Systemic diseases, previous radiotherapy, supraglottic origin of tumor, and concurrent radical neck dissection were significantly associated with PCF. Spontaneous closure was noted in 28 patients, whereas a surgical closure was necessary in 15 patients.
In presence of a specific risk factor, PCF can be expected; nevertheless, its prevention remains very difficult. Moreover, given the high percentage of spontaneous closure, we suggest the "wait and see" approach for 28 days before proceeding with a surgical approach.
C.
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 12/2005; 133(5):689-94. · 1.72 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To analyze oncologic results in patients with glottic cancers treated respectively, by laser CO 2 or open surgery, taking into account specific-disease survival, rate of locoregional recurrences, and their salvageability.
Retrospective study of 198 patients treated from January 1993 to June 2002 in the department of otorhinolaryngology at a Catholic university in Rome.
Glottic carcinoma were treated by laser CO 2 cordectomy in 132 patients (group 1) and by open surgery in 66 patients (group 2). The statistical analysis was performed by Kaplan Meyer method, log rank test, and chi 2 test.
The log-rank test points out significant differences between the 2 groups regarding specific-disease survival; no differences were found for disease-free survival. Within group 1, 16 patients developed local failure, which was retreated in 6 cases with laser surgery; in 9 (6.8%) with total laryngectomy, only 1 case was inoperable. In this group, 10 patients (62.5%) were salvaged. Within group 2, 18 patients developed local recurrences, which was retreated in 14 (21.21%) cases with total laryngectomy; the other 4 cases were not suitable for surgery. Of these 18, 8 patients (44.5%) were salvaged.
Our results show significant differences between the 2 groups concerning the specific-disease survival and the salvageability of local recurrences. In fact, in group 1 we found a higher salvage rate and a lower incidence of total laryngectomy. As already suggested, laser therapy leaves the laryngeal cartilaginous framework intact, avoiding the spread of the tumor out of laryngeal organ and resulting in a more favorable oncologic outcome.
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 07/2005; 132(6):857-61. · 1.72 Impact Factor
