http://www.headandneckoncology.org The most accessed research articles published by Head & Neck Oncology 2012-01-13T00:00:00Z Oral and pharyngeal cancers are the sixth most common cancers internationally. In the United States, there are about 30,000 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancers diagnosed each year. Furthermore, survival rates for oral and pharyngeal cancers have not significantly improved over the last three decades. This review examines the scientific literature surrounding the epidemiology of oral and pharyngeal cancers, including but not limited to risk factors, disparities, preventative factors, and the epidemiology in countries outside the United States. The literature review revealed that much of the research in this field has been focused on alcohol, tobacco, and their combined effects on oral and pharyngeal cancers. The literature on oral and pharyngeal cancer disparities among racial groups also appears to be growing. However, less literature is available on the influence of dietary factors on these cancers. Finally, effective interventions for the reduction of oral and pharyngeal cancers are discussed. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/4/1/1 Daniel Saman Head & Neck Oncology 2012, null:1 2012-01-13T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-4-1 /content/figures/1758-3284-4-1-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 1 2012-01-13T00:00:00Z PDF Ameloblastoma is a true neoplasm of odontogenic epithelial origin. It is the second most common odontogenic neoplasm, and only odontoma outnumbers it in reported frequency of occurrence. Its incidence, combined with its clinical behavior, makes ameloblastoma the most significant odontogenic neoplasm. Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) refers to those cystic lesions that show clinical, radiographic, or gross features of a mandibular cyst, but on histologic examination show a typical ameloblastomatous epithelium lining part of the cyst cavity, with or without luminal and/or mural tumor growth. It accounts for 5-15% of all intraosseous ameloblastomas. We report a case of unicystic ameloblastoma in a 30-year-old female, and review the literature. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/2/1/1 Rakesh Ramesh Suraj Manjunath Tanveer Ustad Saira Pais Shivakumar K Head & Neck Oncology 2010, null:1 2010-01-14T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-2-1 /content/figures/1758-3284-2-1-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 1 2010-01-14T00:00:00Z XML The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been gradually increasing over the last three decades. Recent data have now attributed a viral aetiology to a subset of head and neck cancers. Several studies indicate that oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is likely to be sexually acquired. The dominance of HPV 16 in HPV+ HNSCC is even greater than that seen in cervical carcinoma of total worldwide cases. Strong evidence suggests that HPV+ status is an important prognostic factor associated with a favourable outcome in head and neck cancers.Approximately 30 to 40% of HNSCC patients with present with early stage I/II disease. These patients are treated with curative intent using single modality treatments either radiation or surgery alone. A non-operative approach is favored for patients in which surgery followed by either radiation alone or radiochemotherapy may lead to severe functional impairment. Cetuximab, a humanized mouse anti-EGFR IgG1 monoclonal antibody, improved locoregional control and overall survival in combination with radiotherapy in locally advanced tumours but at the cost of some increased cardiac morbidity and mortality.Finally, the improved prognosis and treatment responses to chemotherapy and radiotherapy by HPV+ tumours may suggest that HPV status detection is required to better plan and individualize patient treatment regimes. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/1/1/36 Peter Goon Margaret Stanley Jorg Ebmeyer Lars Steinstraesser Tahwinder Upile Waseem Jerjes Manuel Bernal-Sprekelsen Martin Gorner Holger Sudhoff Head & Neck Oncology 2009, null:36 2009-10-14T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-1-36 /content/figures/1758-3284-1-36-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 36 2009-10-14T00:00:00Z XML Background: Most patients with head and neck cancers in our environment present late and usually first to the general surgeons whose practice is to subject these patients to open cervical lymph node biopsy without a prior examination under anesthesia and endoscopic biopsy from the primary tumor site in order to obtain a histological diagnosis.This paper presents the influence of open cervical lymph node biopsy on the clinical outcome of patients with head and neck cancers in our environment. Methods: This is a ten-year retrospective review of patients with head and neck cancers in the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Results: Eighty nine patients aged between 23 and 78 years had head and neck cancers with 38/89 (42.7%) patients having cervical lymphadenopathy at presentation and these initially presented to the general surgeons. Twenty six (68.4%) patients had open cervical lymph node biopsy and 12/38 (31.6%) patients had FNAB. Eleven (28.9%) patients presented to the otolaryngology unit 6 months after they presented to the general surgeons and 27 (71.1%) patients beyond 6 months. Nine deaths were recorded. Ten patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: All patients with head and neck lymphadenopathy who present to any physician for diagnostic examination should undergo formal ENT staging and FNAB to avoid the problems of tumor spread and the reduction in consequent prognosis. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/1/1/9 Adeyi Adoga Olugbenga Silas Tonga Nimkur Head & Neck Oncology 2009, null:9 2009-04-29T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-1-9 /content/figures/1758-3284-1-9-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 9 2009-04-29T00:00:00Z XML Background: Refeeding syndrome is an important, yet commonly overlooked condition affecting patients. It occurs when feeding is commenced after a period of starvation. Head and neck cancer patients are at particular risk owing to prolonged periods of poor nutritional intake. This may be from general effects such as cancer anorexia or from more specific problems of dysphagia associated with this group of patients. Awareness of the condition is crucial in identifying patients at risk and taking measures to prevent its occurrence.ObjectivesThe aims of this review are to:1) Highlight the condition and stress the importance of its consideration when admitting head and neck cancer patients.2) Discuss the pathophysiology behind refeeding syndrome.3) Review the literature for the best available evidence and guidelines.4) Highlight the need for further high quality research. Conclusion: Refeeding syndrome is potentially fatal, yet is preventable. Awareness and identification of at-risk patients is crucial to improving management.Refeeding syndrome is caused by rapid refeeding after a period of under-nutrition, characterised by hypophosphataemia, electrolyte shifts and has metabolic and clinical complications.High risk patients include the chronically under-nourished and those with little intake for greater than 10 days. Patients with dysphagia are at particular risk.Refeeding should commence at 10 kcal/kg per day in patients at risk, and increased slowly. Thiamine, vitamin B complex and multi-vitamin supplements should be started with refeeding.New NICE guidelines state that pre-feeding correction of electrolyte and fluid deficits is unnecessary, but should be done concurrently with re-feeding.More research in this field is needed as the evidence base is lacking. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/1/1/4 Hisham Mehanna Paul Nankivell Jamil Moledina Jane Travis Head & Neck Oncology 2009, null:4 2009-01-26T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-1-4 /content/figures/1758-3284-1-4-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 4 2009-01-26T00:00:00Z XML Thyroid nodule is a common presentation and requires a structured diagnostic approach to ascertain the risk of malignancy and determine appropriate management. This review article highlights the key points in the history and examination which can help with risk stratification. It also discussed the application of fine needle aspiration cytology findings and the British Thyroid Association Guidelines in clinical practice. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/2/1/11 Chee Yean Eng Muhammad Quraishi Patrick Bradley Head & Neck Oncology 2010, null:11 2010-05-05T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-2-11 /content/figures/1758-3284-2-11-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 11 2010-05-05T00:00:00Z XML Background: The neck dissection has remained a pivotal aspect of head and neck cancer management for over a century. During this time its role has expanded from a purely therapeutic option into an elective setting, in part promoted by efforts to reduce its morbidity.ObjectivesThis review will consider the potential complications of neck dissection and on the basis of the available evidence describe both their management and prevention. Conclusion: Although the neck dissection continues to provide clinicians with a method of addressing cervical disease, its reliability and safety can only be assured if surgeons remain cognisant of the potential complications and aim to minimise such morbidity by appropriate management in the peri-operative period. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/1/1/35 Cyrus Kerawala Manolis Heliotis Head & Neck Oncology 2009, null:35 2009-10-12T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-1-35 /content/figures/1758-3284-1-35-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 35 2009-10-12T00:00:00Z XML ObjectiveOral squamous cell carcinoma has a remarkable incidence worldwide and a fairly onerous prognosis, encouraging further research on factors that might modify disease outcome.Data sourcesA web-based search for all types of articles published was initiated using Medline/Pub Med, with the key words such as oral cancer, alcohol consumption, genetic polymorphisms, tobacco smoking and prevention. The search was restricted to articles published in English, with no publication date restriction (last update 2010).Review MethodsIn this review article, we approach the factors for a cytologic diagnosis during OSCC development and the markers used in modern diagnostic technologies as well. We also reviewed available studies of the combined effects of alcohol drinking and genetic polymorphisms on alcohol-related cancer risk. Results: The interaction of smoking and alcohol significantly increases the risk for aero-digestive cancers. The interaction between smoking and alcohol consumption seems to be responsible for a significant amount of disease. Conclusion: Published scientific data show promising pathways for the future development of more effective prognosis. There is a clear need for new prognostic indicators, which could be used in diagnostics and, therefore a better selection of the most effective treatment can be achieved. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/3/1/2 Anna Zygogianni George Kyrgias Petros Karakitsos Amanta Psyrri John Kouvaris Nikolaos Kelekis Vassilios Kouloulias Head & Neck Oncology 2011, null:2 2011-01-06T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-3-2 /content/figures/1758-3284-3-2-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 2 2011-01-06T00:00:00Z XML The prognosis for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poor in spite of advances in therapy of many other malignancies. Early diagnosis and treatment remains the key to improved patient survival. Because the scalpel biopsy for diagnosis is invasive and has potential morbidity, it is reserved for evaluating highly suspicious lesions and not for the majority of oral lesions which are clinically not suspicious. Furthermore, scalpel biopsy has significant interobserver and intraobserver variability in the histologic diagnosis of dysplasia. There is an urgent need to devise critical diagnostic tools for early detection of oral dysplasia and malignancy that are practical, noninvasive and can be easily performed in an out-patient set-up. Diagnostic tests for early detection include brush biopsy, toluidine blue staining, autofluorescence, salivary proteomics, DNA analysis, biomarkers and spectroscopy. This state of the art review critically examines these tests and assesses their value in identifying oral squamous cell carcinoma and its precursor lesions. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/3/1/33 Ravi Mehrotra Dwijendra Gupta Head & Neck Oncology 2011, null:33 2011-07-28T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-3-33 /content/figures/1758-3284-3-33-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 33 2011-07-28T00:00:00Z XML There is a paucity of publications detailing how to deal with the difficult thyroid cancer. When compared to other cancers, it is relatively rare with several histopathological subtypes which run differing clinical courses and respond to different therapies. It is a condition predominately treated by specifically trained General and now ENT surgeons who already have a thorough knowledge of vocal fold assessment and rehabilitation as well as emergency airways management both to avoid and treat common complications should they occur.Good surgery involves a team effort to produce good results consistently. All members of the team are essential to quality service delivery. Communication with the team and the patient is paramount. We describe our approach to the difficult thyroid. http://www.headandneckoncology.org/content/3/1/54 Tahwinder Upile Waseem Jerjes Jaspal Mahil Hitesh Tailor Ramkishan Balakumar Anuja Rao Yassar Qureshi Iain Bowman Suchana Mukhopadhyay Head & Neck Oncology 2011, null:54 2011-12-23T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1758-3284-3-54 /content/figures/1758-3284-3-54-toc.gif Head & Neck Oncology 1758-3284 ${item.volume} 54 2011-12-23T00:00:00Z XML