• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.260-262
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• 1998

Metastatic squamous carcinoma of the head and neck may rarely present as a cyst in the cervical region. The true incidence of metastatic cystic neck mass is unknown. It is difficult to differentiate metastatic cystic neck mass from congenital cystic neck mass with physical examination and fine needle aspiration biopsy. So the differential diagnosis is dependent on the age of the patient, and therefore in the patient over the 40 years of age, the possibility of a metastatic neck mass should be considered. We report a metastatic cystic neck mass which had been misdiagnosed as a branchial cleft cyst.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2002

Objectives: Expression of HMGI(Y), a nucleoprotein that binds to A/T rich sequences in the minor groove of the DNA helix, is observed in neoplastically transformed cells but not in normal cells. We have analyzed HMGI(Y), p53 expression and Ki-67 labelling index in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and evaluated its clinicopathologic significance. Materials and Methods: 40 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were entered on the study of immunohistochemical stains for HMGI(Y), p53 and Ki-67. We analyzed the relationship between HMGI(Y), p53, Ki-67 expression and age, sex, primary tumor site, stage, survival rate, recurrence. Results: HMGI(Y) expression evidenced by immunohistochemical staining was observed in 35 of 40 (87.5%) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. But no significant correlation was observed between HMGI(Y) expression and other clinical factors such as primary site, tumor stage, differenciation, cervical lymph node, metastasis, recurrence and immunohistochemical status of p53. The Ki-67 labelling index was significantly correlated with recurrence and HMGI(Y) expression (p<0.05). Conclusion: This results suggest the Ki-67 is a good prognostic factor and the HMGI(Y) expression plays some roles in carcinogenesis and cellular proliferation of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. HMGI(Y) gene can be used as a cancer marker, the correlation between the gene expression and the prognosis of the cancer patient should be proved in the future studies.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.3-6
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• 1994

Neck dissection has become an integral part of the staging and management of head and neck tumors. This paper reports a series of head and neck patients who had pathological findings in their neck dissection specimens, which were unrelated to their primary tumors. In 7 cases, there was unexpected pathology in the cervical lymph nodes which was not related to the primary tumor. Four cases were squamous cell carcinomas and 3 were thyroid carcinomas. In 3 cases of squamous cell carcinomas, there were no evidence of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in neck dissection specimen; however, the lymph nodes were found to be involved by metastatic papillary carcinoma in one larynx cancer, metastatic adenocarcinoma in the other larynx cancer, tuberculosis in one nasopharynx cancer. In three of neck dissection specimen of carcinoma(two thyroid carcinomas, one laryngeal carcinoma), dual nodal pathology was found: Each of these specimen contained carcinoma with tuberculosis of the lymph nodes in three cases. In one thyroid carcinoma, there was no evidence of metastasis; however, the lymph nodes were found to be involved by tuberculosis. Preoperative assessment did not reveal any findings to alert us to the possibility of a synchronous pathological process in the cervical nodes of this group of 7 patients. In particular, there was no evidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis in the 5 patients with active lymph node disease.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2000

Growth factors and the receptors play an important role in the regulation of the growth and development of mammalian cells. In particular, epidermal growth factor is a polypeptide with potent mitogenic activity that stimulates proliferation of various normal and neoplastic cells through the interaction with its specific receptor(EGFR). EGFR has been described as a parameter of poor prognosis in many human neoplasms such as breast, bladder, and vulvar cancers. The objectives of this study are the evaluation of the expression of EGFR and cell cycle analysis in the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas(SCC), and the evaluation of the correlation between clinico-patholgic features and expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction. 37 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma specimens were evaluated for expression of EGFR by Western blot analysis and S-phase fraction by cell cycle analysis using the flow cytometry. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The expressions of EGFR were observed in 20 specimens(54%) among 37 head and neck SCC specimens. In case of oral SCC, 15 specimens(56%) out of 27 specimens were observed, and in case of nasopharyngeal SCC 5 specimens(50%) out of 10 specimens. 2. There was no correlation between clinical features(location, stage) of head and neck SCC and expression of EGFR (p>0.05). 3. There was a significant correlation between histo-pathological differentiation of head and neck SCC and expression of EGFR (p<0.02). 4. There was a significant correlation between expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction of cell cycle in the head and neck SCC (p<0.05). The above results suggest that expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction of cell cycle are adjunctive prognostic marker in the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 1996

Malignant tumors of the sinonasal tract constitute about 2% of those arising in the head and neck. Exposure to industrial fumes has been associated with an increased incidence of this malignant tumor. Early symptomatology of this cancer is identical to the symptomatology seen in benign conditions, such as swelling on forehead, headache, diplopia, and rhinorrhea. Thereby, delayed diagnosis leads to poor prognosis. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the sinonasal tract, constituting about 80%, and primary carcinoma of the frontal sinus is extremely rare. Recently, authors experienced a case of primary carcinoma of the frontal sinus in a 60 year old male and performed transcranial resection. Now we report this case with brief review of literatures.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.239-242
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• 1999

Spindle cell carcinomas of the head and neck are unusual neoplasms that are histologically biphasic, having both squamous cell carcinoma and apparently malignant spindle cell or sarcomatous element. Controversy about the histogenesis of these tumors has resulted in various terminology ; sarcomatoid carcinoma, pseudosarcoma, carcinosarcoma, and spindle cell carcinoma. The clinical course and natural history of these tumors are also variable. We report a case of 64-year-old male who complained of a neck mass. The patient was treated with extended radical neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy, but the primary site of spindle cell carcinoma could not be found. We reviewed the clinical course, treatment, prognosis, and histogenesis of spindle cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2004

Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common head and neck malignant tumor. The molecular genetic changes involving both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are known to be involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinogenesis, but the roles of the known tumor suppressor genes in carcinogenesis are not fully elucidated. The objectives of this study are to demonstrate the genetic alterations including the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) , amplification, and microsatellite instability of known tumor suppressor genes in HNSCC and to evaluate the relationship between genetic alterations of tumor suppressor genes and clinicopathologic features. Materials and Methods: Genetic alterations of 10 micro satellite markers of the 6 known tumor suppressor genes (APC, EXT1, DPC4, p16, FHIT, and PTEN) were analysed by DNA-PCR in paraffin-embedded histologically confirmed HNSCC specimens. Results: The genetic alterations of tumor suppressor genes were found frequently. Among the genetic alterations, LOH was most frequently found one. LOH was found frequently in APC (45.4%), EXT1 (36.4%), DPC4 (54.5%), and p16 (50%), but not found in FHIT. Also, the author found that abnormalities of APC gene was related to cervical lymph node metastasis and recurrence and that abnormalities of EXT1 gene were coexisted with those of APC gene or DPC4 gene. But these coexistences had no correlation with clinical features. Conclusion: These results suggested that APC, EXT1, p16, and DPC4 genes might play important roles and multiple tumor suppressor genes may participate dependently or independently in the carcinogenesis of HNSCC. These results also suggested that APC gene might relate to prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.37-41
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• 2022

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) accounts for 3-11% of all odontogenic cysts. OKC is a benign intra-osseous odontogenic tumor, but what makes this cyst special is its aggressive behavior and high recurrence rate. OKC is relatively aggressive compared to other odontogenic cysts, but its malignant transformation is considered extremely rare. Squamous cell carcinoma associated with odontogenic keratocysts have rarely been reported in the medical literature. We recently experienced a case of a 63-year-old man finally confirmed with squamous cell carcinoma of the mandible, which was initially diagnosed as a benign odontogenic keratocyst. Surgical resection was performed as definitive treatment. Therefore, we present this unique case with a review of the literature.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2009

Background : The most frequently reported risk factors for head and neck suamous cell carcinoma are smoking and alcohol. But in a recent overview, human papilloma virus(HPV) infection was revealed the important carcinogenic factor in oropharyngeal cancer. We aimed to clarify whether HPV directly effects on the oncogenesis and biologic behavior of hean and neck squamous cell carcinoma by comparison with infection prevalence, and physical status of virus. Material and Method : We used HPV genotyping DNA chip(Biocore, Korea, Seoul) arrayed by multiple oligonucleotide probes of L1 sequence of 26 types of HPV and HPV genotypes are identified by fluorescence scanner. The copy numbers of HPV E2 and E6 open reading frames(ORF) were assessed using a TaqMan-based 5'-exonuclease quantitative real-time PCR assay. The ratio of E2 to E6 copy numbers was calculated to determine the physical status of HPV-16 viral gene. Results : We observed a significant difference in HPV prevalence between tonsillar cancer group and control group(73.1% vs. 11.6%), and most of the HPVs were type 16(87.2%) and integrated(94.1%) state. In terms of oral tongue cancer, we demonstrate that 30.5% has integrated HPV-16 in cancer tissue. But Glottic cancer only 1% is related to HPV-16 integration. Conclusion : This study revealed significant relationship of HPV prevalence with oropharyngeal and oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Most of HPV were 16 type and integrated or mixed, HPV-16 integration could be directly related to the carcinogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2017

Despite improved treatment outcomes of locally advanced disease over the last 2 decades, the survival of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains dismal. There is a clear need for development of novel therapeutic strategies for recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC. Recent advances in understanding tumor immunology have been directly and rapidly translated into clinical success of T cell-directed immunotherapeutic approach in the treatment of several types of solid cancers. Among them, impact of immune checkpoint inhibition using neutralizing antibodies is the most striking. A variety of immunotherapeutic strategies targeting T cells have been also studied in HNSCC, especially in recurrent and/or metastatic setting even with significant survival benefit. The present article reviews the basic concept of T cell-directed immunotherapy and the current status of such approaches in the treatment of HNSCC.