• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2019

Purpose: There is sparse literature on treatment outcomes research on resectable oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). The aim of this study was to measure the treatment outcomes, explore the failure patterns, and identify the potential clinicopathological prognostic factors affecting treatment outcomes for resectable OTSCC. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of 202 patients with resectable OTSCC who underwent upfront primary surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy if indicated. Results: The median follow-up was 35.2 months (range, 1.2 to 99.9 months). The median duration of locoregional control (LRC) was 84.9 months (95% confidence interval, 67.3-102.4). The 3- and 5-year LRC rate was 68.5% and 58.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that increasing pT stage, increasing pN stage, and the presence of extracapsular extension (ECE) were significantly associated with poorer LRC. The median duration of overall survival (OS) was not reached at the time of analysis. The 3- and 5-year OS rate was 70.5% and 66.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that increasing pT stage and the presence of ECE were significantly associated with a poorer OS. Conclusion: Locoregional failure remains the main cause of treatment failure in resectable OTSCC. There is scope to further improve prognosis considering modest LRC and OS. Pathological T-stage, N-stage, and ECE are strong prognostic factors. Further research is required to confirm whether adjuvant therapy adds to treatment outcomes in cases with lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and depth of invasion, and help clinicians tailoring adjuvant therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.217-220
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• 2010

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE) is an ulcerative lesion on oral mucosa featuring as a benign mass of self-limiting growth. It can be easily misdiagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) due to its long healing period and elevated or rolled-up margin. A 57-year old male patient who visited our department was diagnosed as SCC according to the clinical features, results of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the oral lesion. However, after performing incisional biopsy, histopathologically, there were no atypical cells, but eosinophil and CD 30+ T-cells were clustered in subcutaneous and muscle tissue. It is very significant to consider this reactive lesion in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery because of its possibility of mistaken as malignant disease. Here, we will report a couple of cases of TUGSE with references and limit of radiographic tools used for diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6541-6544
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• 2015

Background: Laryngeal malignancy is a common malignancy of the head and neck region. Affected patients usually present with features that are characteristic of certain subsites. The larynx is oncologically divided into three: supraglottis, glottis and subglottis. Studies from Western countries have shown that the glottis is the commonest subsite to harbour laryngeal malignancy. However, the supraglottis has been reported to be the commonest subsite in developing countries, including examples in the Indian subcontinent. To our knowledge, no study has been carried out in western Nepal about the epidemiology of laryngeal cancer to date. The purpose of this study was to analyse the epidemiology of laryngeal cancer in relation to its risk factors, age distribution,and preferred subsites and to see if there is any recent change in the subsite wise distribution of laryngeal malignancy in western Nepal. Materials and Methods: Patients of all ages and both sexes with suspected laryngeal malignancy were enrolled in the initial study. Detailed history taking and clinical examination was performed to find out the involved subsite in relation to the clinical features. Direct laryngoscopy was performed to further confirm the subsite and to take biopsy from the growth under general anesthesia. After confirmation of malignancy from the biopsy report, patients were finally included in the study. Data were analysed and observations were made to find out the distribution of laryngeal malignancy in different subsites. Results: The supraglottic larynx was the commonest subsite to harbor laryngeal malignancy. Smoking and alcohol were found to be the common risk factors. The mean age of the patients was in their sixties. Conclusions: Laryngeal malignancy is common in elderly individuals. Supraglottic laryngeal malignancy is the commonest laryngeal malignancy in people who smoke and drink alcohol in Nepal. Avoidance of alcohol use and smoking will be a milestone to reduce the incidence of laryngeal cancers and associated mortality.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2020

Purpose: Definitive radiotherapy remains a primary treatment option for early stage glottic cancer. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has emerged as the standard treatment technique for advanced head and neck cancers, whereas three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) has remained standard for early glottic cancers. We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify predictors of IMRT use and effect on outcome in these patients. Materials and Methods: We queried the NCDB from 2004-2015 for squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx staged Tis-T2N0 treated with radiation alone. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of IMRT. Cox regression was used to identify factors predictive of overall survival. Propensity matching was conducted to account for indication bias. Results: We identified 15,627 patients, of which 11% received IMRT. IMRT use rose from 2% in 2004 to 16% in 2015. Predictors of IMRT include: increased comorbidity, T2 stage, urban location, chemotherapy, treatment at an academic center, and later treatment year. Predictors of improved survival were female gender, higher income, lower stage, no chemotherapy, academic facility, and more remote year. There was no difference in survival between 3D-CRT and IMRT across all stages. Conclusions: The rate of IMRT use for early stage glottic laryngeal cancer has increased over time. There was no difference in outcome in patients receiving IMRT versus 3D-CRT across the cohort.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2012

배 경 편평상피암은 두경부의 악성종양 중 가장 흔하며, 임상적인 경과가 불량하다. 따라서 나쁜 예후를 가지는 환자군을 조기에 선별하여 더 적극적인 치료의 시행을 결정짓는 표지자의 필요성이 대두된다. 우리는 일련의 두경부 편평세포암 검체에서 몇몇 분자 표지자의 예후적 유용성을 평가하고자 하였다. 방 법 23예의 두경부 편평세포암 검체를 대상으로 VEGF, p53, Apaf-1, caspase-9의 발현과 몇몇 임상병리학적 지표들간의 연관성을 면역조직화학염색을 통해 조사하였다. 결 과 환자군은 남성이 더 많았으며 평균연령은 63.7세였다. 1기가 5예, 2기가 2예, 3기가 8예, 4기가 8예였다. 평균생존기간은 37.3개월이었다. VEGF단백 발현은 종양의 크기와 통계적으로 유의한 연관성을 보였다. 이와 더불어 VEGF단백 발현은 병기, 그리고 림프관 침습과 연관적인 경향성을 보였다. 그러나 VEGF단백 발현과 생존기간과는 관련성이 없었다. 또한, Apaf-1과 caspase-9의 단백발현은 다른 임상지표, 환자의 생존기간과는 관련이 없었다. 결 론 VEGF단백 발현은 두경부 편평세포암 환자에서 나쁜 임상경과를 예측할 수 있게 하는 표지자로서의 역할을 할 수 있다. 또한 본 연구는 두경부 편평세포암에서 별로 연구되지 않은 Apaf-1과 caspase-9의 발현상태를 밝힌 점에서 의의가 있다.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

배경 및 목적 암-연관 섬유아세포(Cancer-associated fibroblasts, CAF)는 종양미세환경의 가장 중요한 요소의 하나다. 그래서 두경부편평세포암에 대해 CAF가 암세포의 운동성에 미치는 영향을 평가하고, CAF에 과발현되는 CD44의 역할에 대해 평가하고자 하였다. 재료 및 방법 두경부암환자의 종양조직에서 CAF를 분리하고, 비종양성 조직으로부터 정상 섬유아세포(NHF)를 분리하였다. 창상치유분석과 상하 챔버를 이용한 3차원 세포 이동 분석을 이용하여, CAF가 암세포의 이동에 미치는 영향을 분석하고, CAF에서 과발현되는 CD44를 중화항체로 CAF를 차단했을 때 암세포 이동의 변화를 관찰하였다. 결과 NHF에 비해 CAF에서 CD44가 과발현되는 것을 관찰하였다. 창상치유분석에서 CAF와 같이 배양된 암세포는 NHF와 같이 배양된 암세포에 비해 더 빠른 이동을 보였다. CD44 중화 항체를 처리했을 때는 암세포의 이동성이 저해되었다. 결론 CAF는 종양미세환경에서 암세포의 운동성을 조절하는 중요한 인자의 하나일 것으로 사료된다. CD44는 CAF의 기능을 매개하는 중요한 표지자 중 하나로 생각된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 1990

To determine the correlation between the response to induction chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy we analyzed the clinical records of 60 patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the head and neck retrospectively who had completed a full course ($2\~3$ cycle) of induction chemotherapy and curative radiotherapy in Korea Cancer Center Hospital between 1986 and 1989. Chemotherapy was administeredd with CDDP+Bleomycin (BP) in 20, CDDP+5-FU (FP) in 37, and hybrid of BP and FP in three patients. Radiotherapy was giver conventionally with a dose of 65 to 75 Gy or more over seven to eight weeks according to the size of lesion. Response rates following induction chemotherapy were $80\%$ for the tumors and $879\%$ for the nodes whereas complete reponse rates were $12\%\;and\;13\%$, respectively. Six months after radiotherapy $67\%$ of the tumors and $77\%$ of the nodes achieved a complete response. Among the 48 tumor responders and the 31 nodal responders to chemotherapy,39 ($81\%$) and 28 ($90\%$), respectively, achieved complete response after radiotherapy. Thus, whether or not the tumor and node respond to induction chemotherapy was predictive of the response to subsequent radiotherapy (p<0.0005 in tumor, p<0.0001 in node). By reanalyzing according to disease subsets (i.e. primary site, T-stage, N-stage) this relationship was not observed at T1-T2 disease (p>0.3). Therefore the tumor or node's response to induction chemotherapy is a predictor for subsequent radiotherapy except in T1-T2 tumors, and complete response to radiotherapy can be expected despite the failure of induction chemotherapy in $T_1-T_2$ tumors.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2003

Objective: To analyze the treatment-related parameters after the radiotherapy of T1N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx. Materials and Methods: Between October 1989 and August 2000, 54 patients with histologically proven T1N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx who received definitive radiation therapy in Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center were analyzed. They were all males with age ranged from 31 to 80 years (median 61 years). 1997 AJCC stages were 31 T1a, 23 T1b. Patients were treated with 4-MV X-rays with a parallel-opposed two-field technique. Ten patients received 66.0-68.4Gy at 1.2Gy per fraction twice daily, 21 patients received 64.8-66.6Gy at 1.8Gy per fraction once daily, and 23 patients received 66.0Gy at 2.0Gy per fraction once daily. Follow-up period was 16-119 months (median 56 months). Results: 5-year overall survival and local control rates for patients with T1 lesions were 87.0% and 88.5%, respectively. 5-year local control with larynx preservation rate was 90.5%. Host and tumor-related prognostic factors including age, stage, anterior commissure involvement and tumor bulk proved not to be significant. Only shorter overall treatment time among treatment-related factors had correlation with imporved local control. Conclusion: Comparable high local control rate with organ preservation was achieved with primary radiation therapy and salvage surgery. Shortening of overall treatment time is related to improved local control rate. To determine the optimal fractionation scheme, randomized trial is mandatory.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7619-7625
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• 2015

Background: Aberrant microRNA expression has been associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of human malignancies including oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In this study, we examined primary oral SCCs for the expression of 6 candidate miRNAs, of which five (miR-34a, miR-143, miR-373, miR-380-5p, and miR-504) regulate the tumor suppressor TP53 and one (miR-99a) is involved in AKT/mTOR signaling. Materials and Methods: Tumor tissues (punch biopsies) were collected from 52 oral cancer patients and as a control, 8 independent adjacent normal tissue samples were also obtained. After RNA isolation, we assessed the mature miRNA levels of the 6 selected candidates against RNU44 and RNU48 as endogenous controls, using specific TaqMan miRNA assays. Results: miR-34a, miR-99a, miR-143 and miR-380-5p were significantly down-regulated in tumors compared to controls. Moreover, high levels of miR-34a were associated with alcohol consumption while those of miR-99a and miR-143 were associated with advanced tumor size. No significant difference was observed in the levels of miR-504 between the tumors and controls whereas miR-373 was below the detection level in all but two tumor samples. Conclusions: Low levels of miR-380-5p and miR-504 that directly target the 3'UTR of TP53 suggest that p53 may not be repressed by these two miRNAs in OSCC. On the other hand, low levels of miR-34a or miR-143 may relieve MDM4 and SIRT1 or MDM2 respectively, which will sequester p53 indicating an indirect mode of p53 suppression in oral tumors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4045-4050
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• 2012

Objective: The impact of ablative oral cancer surgery was studied, with particular reference to recurrence and nodal metastasis, to assess survival probability and prognostic indicators and to elucidate if ethnicity influences the survival of patients. Methods: Patients who underwent major ablative surgery of the head and neck region with neck dissection were identified and clinical records were assessed. Inclusion criteria were stage I-IV oral and oropharyngeal malignancies necessitating resection with or without radiotherapy from 2004 to 2009. All individuals had a pre-operative assessment prior to the surgery. The post operative assessment period ranged from 1 year to 5 years. Survival distributions were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: 87 patients (males:38%; females:62%) were included in this study, with an age range of 21-85 years. Some 78% underwent neck dissections while 63% had surgery and radiotherapy. Nodal recurrence was detected in 5.7% while 20.5% had primary site recurrence within the study period. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the median survival time was 57 months. One year overall survival (OS) rate was 72.7% and three year overall survival rate dropped to 61.5%. On OS analysis, the log-rank test showed a significant difference of survival between Malay and Chinese patients (Bonferroni correction p=0.033). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) analysis revealed that 25% of the patients have reached the event of recurrence at 46 months. One year RFS rate was 85.2% and the three year survival rate was 76.1%. In the RFS analysis, the log-rank test showed a significant difference in the event of recurrence and nodal metastasis (p<0.001). Conclusion: Conservative neck is effective, in conjunction with postoperative radiotherapy, for control of neck metastases. Ethnicity appears to influence the survival of the patients, but a prospective trial is required to validate this.