• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2020

Objectives: We accessed the various clinico-histopathological factors, and their association with occult metastasis (OM) in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). Materials and Methods: One hundred-nine patients with OTSCC were divided into the elective neck dissection (END) group and the watchful waiting (WW) group. Age, sex, T-stage, depth of invasion and differentiation were evaluated to determine the correlation between clinico-histopathological factors and OM. For immunohistochemical analysis, paraffin-embedded blocks of 41 OTSCC specimens were examined with antibodies (VEGF-c, c-Met, and ROR1). Results: The group with tumor thickness of oral tongue cancer ≥3 mm had higher incidence of OM than those with a thickness of <3 mm. The depth of invasion was statistically correlated with OM (P=0.022). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that high expression of VEGF-c (P=0.043), c-Met (P=0.009), and ROR-1 (P=0.003) were statistically correlated with OM. Conclusion: The analysis of these clinico-histopathological and immunohistochemical factors can help to determine neck dissection in clinically negative (cN0) patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.202-209
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• 2020

Background: Prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) in clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits of prophylactic ipsilateral CND compared with bilateral CND in total thyroidectomy for cN0 unilateral PTC. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 174 patients who underwent total thyroidectomies with prophylactic CND for cN0 unilateral PTC between January 2009 and May 2010. The prophylactic CND patients were divided into group 1, the ipsilateral CND group (n=74), and group 2, the bilateral CND group (n=100). The incidence of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and postoperative complications, such as hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and recurrence were assessed. Results: CLNM was found in 22 (29.8%) in group 1 and 69 (69%) in group 2. The incidence of postoperative severe hypocalcemia less than 7.0 was also significantly different (six patients [8.1%] in group 1 and 23 [23%] in group 2; p=0.009). Permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly more frequent in group 2 (4.1% vs. 19%; p=0.005). However, the incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism, recurrence, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was not significantly different. Conclusion: Prophylactic ipsilateral CND has advantage not only to reduce incidence of some complications but also to have similar recurrence rate compared with bilateral CND. We suggest that prophylactic ipsilateral CND may be safe and effective for selected patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for cN0 unilateral PTC.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in the management and 5-year survival rates of patients with oral cancer in our department over a 30-year period. Materials and Methods: We investigated the patient distributions, treatment methods, method of neck dissection according to cancer stage, and 5-year survival rates for 700 oral cancer patients over the periods of 1982-1996 (256 patients), 1999-2006 (248 patients), and 2007-2011 (196 patients). Results: Stage IV patients were the largest group in all of the time periods evaluated. Although surgery and radiotherapy were the most common methods in all periods (over 50%), the prevalence of patients who underwent concomitant chemoradiotherapy increased from 7.0% to 16.2%. The use of radical neck dissection decreased from 43.0% to 5.3%, while conservative surgical methods increased from 24.1% to 76.3%. Lastly, the overall 5-year survival rate increased from 31.6% to 63.5% during the study period. Conclusion: Although the 5-year survival rate reached the same level as that of other developed countries during the course of our study, most patients continue to come to the hospital with stage IV disease. In order to increase the 5-year survival rate of oral carcinoma, it may be necessary to improve public education and social efforts relevant to early diagnosis.

• 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.37 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2021

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of thyroid is a very rare malignant tumor with poor prognosis. It is usually diagnosed as an advanced disease infiltrating adjacent organs, and characterized by aggressive clinical course with an average postoperative survival time of less than 1 year. Recently, we had a 79- year-old woman with a painful neck mass who was diagnosed as primary squamous cell carcinoma of thyroid gland. She underwent total thyroidectomy and selective neck dissection(level III, VI) with no further postoperative managements such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy; she died of poor general condition and pneumonia resulting from rapid progression of the lesion on the 38^th day after surgery. We report this case with a review of relevant literatures.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-74
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• 2013

Neck mass is a common manifestation from head and neck malignancy, most of which come from mucosal squamous cell carcinomas in the upper aero-digestive tract. However, once aspiration cytology suggests atypical malignant cells in the neck mass rather than metastatic squamous cell carcinomas, it is confusing to decide the adequate diagnostic work-ups and treatment planning. Here, we report a 29-year-old woman presenting with a growing neck mass mimicking malignancy of unknown origin, which was finally diagnosed as primary lymphoepithelial carcinoma in the parotid gland with multiple metastases to the lymph nodes. The patient underwent comprehensive neck dissection and total parotidectomy and the adjuvant radiation treatment was given. Our report highlight that the primary salivary gland cancer should be considered as the potential tumor origin in case of malignancy of unknown origin in the head and neck region and neck mass suggestive of atypical carcinomas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4147-4152
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• 2014

Standard therapy for advanced head and neck cancer consists of a combination of surgery and radiation. However, survival of this patient population has not improved during the past 20 years. Many different multimodality treatment schedules have been proposed, and chemotherapy is often used with the intent of organ preservation. The present study was intended to establish the efficacy of concomitant chemoradiation with a single agent carboplatin in advanced head and neck cancers.The objectives were to investigate the feasibility of concomitant administration of carboplatin, monitor acute toxicity during radiotherapy, and determine subacute side effects, such as wound healing following surgery after chemoradiotherapy. A prospective study was conducted wherein a total of 40 patients with stage III and IV squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx were enrolled. All patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy and weekly carboplatin area under curve (AUC of 5). Radiotherapy was given in single daily fractions of 1.8-2 grays (Gy) to a total dose of 66-72 Gy. Salvage surgery was performed for any residual or recurrent locoregional disease. Neck dissection was recommended for all patients with neck disease showing less than a complete response after chemoradiation. A total of 40 patients were enrolled of whom 32 were males and 8 were females. Highest incidence of cancer was seen in the 5th-6th decades of life with a median age of 47.7 years. Oropharyngeal tumours constituted a maximum of 21 patients followed by hypopharynx in 10, larynx in 7 and oral cavity in 2. 80% of the patients had a neck node on presentation of which 40% had N2-N3 nodal status. TNM staging revealed that 58% of patients were in stage III and 43% in stage IV. Evaluation of acute toxicity revealed that 50% had grade II mucositis, 25% grade III mucositis, 2.5% grade IV mucositis. 50% of patients had grade I skin reactions, 65% of patients had grade I thrombocytopenia, and 24% of patients had grade I anaemia. After completion of treatment 65% of patients had complete response at the primary and regional sites, and 35% of patients had a partial response of whom 23% underwent neck dissection and 5% of them underwent salvage surgery at the primary site. At the end of one year there were six deaths and four recurrences and 70% were free of disease. Concurrent chemoradiation with carboplatin provided good locoregional control for locally advanced head and neck cancers. This regimen, although toxic, is tolerable with appropriate supportive intervention. Primary site conservation is possible in many patients. Chemoradiotherapy appears to have an emerging role in the primary management of head and neck cancers.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.219-226
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to analyze the results of radiotherapy administered to patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer, with or without neck dissection. Materials and Methods: From January 1986 to December 2005, 88 patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer were treated with curative intent. The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 74 years (median age, 59 years). There were 74 male and 14 female patients. Distribution of patients by N status was as follows: N1, 4 patients; N2a, 10 patients; N2b, 48 patients; N2c, 8 patients; N3, 18 patients. Fifty-one patients underwent neck dissection and 37 patients had only a biopsy (31 patients had fine-needle aspiration and 6 patients had an excisional biopsy). All patients received radiotherapy. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 154 months, with a median time of 32 months. Results: The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate at 5 years were 43.9% and 41.7%, respectively. The factors associated with the OS rate were neck dissection, and a subsequent primary tumor. Factors associated with the DFS rate were N stage, neck dissection, and a subsequent primary tumor. Neck failure was noted in 15 patients, distant metastases in 18 patients, and a subsequent primary tumor in 8 patients. Conclusion: With comprehensive radiotherapy given to the bilateral neck and the potential mucosal sites, good survival rates can be obtained in patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer. However, considering the side effects, a randomized trial is required to determine the optimal radiotherapy volume.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7457-7461
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• 2015

Some thyroid cancer patients undergone insufficient tumor removal in the primary surgery in China. our aim is to evaluate the impact of dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during a salvage thyroid cancer operation in these patients to prevent nerve injury. Clinical data of 49 enrolled patients who received a salvage thyroid operation were retrospectively reviewed. Primary pathology was thyroid papillary cancer. The initial procedure performed included nodulectomy (20 patients), partial thyroidectomy (19 patients) and subtotal thyroidectomy (10 patients). The effect of dissection and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the mechanism of nerve injury were studied. The cervical courses of the recurrent laryngeal nerves were successfully dissected in all cases. Nerves were adherent to or involved by scars in 22 cases. Three were ligated near the place where the nerve entered the larynx, while another three were cut near the intersection of inferior thyroid artery with the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Light hoarseness occurred to four patients without a preoperative voice change. In conclusion, accurate primary diagnosis allows for a sufficient primary operation to be performed, avoiding insufficient tumor removal that requires a secondary surgery. The most important cause of nerve damage resulted from not identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve during first surgery, and meticulous dissection during salvage surgery was the most efficient method to avoid nerve damage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.261-265
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• 2017

Periauricular paresthesia may afflict patients for a significant amount of time after facelift surgery. When performing face and neck lift surgery, temple and posterior auricular flap dissection is undertaken directly over the auriculotemporal, great auricular, and lesser occipital nerve territory, leading to potential damage to the nerve. The auriculotemporal nerve remains under the thin outer superficial fascia just below the subfollicular level in the prehelical area. To prevent damage to the auriculotemporal nerve and to protect the temporal hair follicle, the dissection plane should be kept just above the thin fascia covering the auriculotemporal nerve. Around the McKinney point, the adipose tissue covering the deep fascia is apt to be elevated from the deep fascia due to its denser fascial relationship with the skin, which leaves the great auricular nerve open to exposure. In order to prevent damage to the posterior branches of the great auricular nerve, the skin flap at the posterior auricular sulcus should be elevated above the auricularis posterior muscle. Fixating the superficial muscular aponeurotic system flap deeper and higher to the tympano-parotid fascia is recommended in order to avoid compromising the lobular branch of the great auricular nerve. The lesser occipital nerve (C2, C3) travels superficially at a proximal and variable level that makes it vulnerable to compromise in the mastoid dissection. Leaving the adipose tissue at the level of the deep fascia puts the branches of the great auricular nerve and lesser occipital nerve at less risk, and has been confirmed not to compromise either tissue perfusion or hair follicles.