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Biomedical subjects

K T Robbins

Publications and source records attributed to K T Robbins.

106 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid: the significance of extranodal extension.

A retrospective study of patients with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid was conducted at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to determine the significance of cervical nodal metastases in which the cancer has extended beyond the capsule of the node. The survival of 25 patients with extracapsular invasion was compared to 63 controls. There was no statistically significant difference in regional recurrence, distant metastases, death from cancer, or recurrence-free survival between the two groups. Surgically resectable extrathyroid extension of tumor at the primary site and the clinical stage of cervical metastases also had no prognostic significance. The most important prognostic factors for differentiated thyroid carcinoma remain the age and sex of the patient, the histology of the cancer, and the presence of distant metastatic disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Electrosurgical dissection to reduce blood loss in head and neck surgery.

We prospectively determined the intraoperative blood loss in 250 patients who underwent major head and neck surgical procedures over a 13-month period to demonstrate the efficacy of electrosurgical dissection for reducing blood loss and to determine those factors predictive of the need for blood replacement. Transfusions were required in 30 (12%) of the 250 patients, and a total of 66 units of packed red blood cells was administered. Two patients were transfused preoperatively, 16 patients intraoperatively, and 14 patients postoperatively. Factors predicting the necessity for blood replacement included the patient's preoperative hematocrit level, intraoperative blood loss, the duration and type of procedure, and the surgeon's level of experience. The principles of electrosurgical dissection are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Risk of wound infection in patients with head and neck cancer.

The purpose of this analysis was to determine the most important factors contributing to operative wound infections for patients with head and neck cancer. Four hundred cases were studied prospectively at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center within an 18-month interval. Potential risk factors were categorized based on the patient, the disease, and the treatment. Sixty-three (19.75%) wound infections were recorded. Univariate analysis identified the following factors to significantly alter the incidence of the infection: nutritional status and alcohol consumption (patient factors); T stage and N stage (disease factors); and duration of surgery, type of surgical wound, complexity of the procedure, use of flaps, blood replacement and the use of drains, nasogastric tubes, and tracheostomies (treatment factors). A logistic regression analysis identified the type of surgery, the choice of antibiotic, the presence of concomitant disease, and the N stage to represent the combination of factors most predictive of infection. The initial step toward preventing surgical wound infection is to identify the high-risk factors. The results of this study help to define these parameters so that specific measures can be taken to counteract wound infection.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Cervical metastatic squamous carcinoma of unknown or occult primary source.

Whether to accept the report of the referring physician is often a stumbling block for many otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, especially when management of the case is changing hands. Thus, it is no surprise that all the consultants would repeat the examination of the upper aerodigestive tract under anesthesia. Drs. Robbins and Fried objected to the term "blind" biopsies and preferred "random-guided" and "directed" biopsies is that order. Yet, all 3 specialists agree that multiple biopsies of Waldeyer's ring should be obtained. They emphasize that palpation is an integral part of the endoscopy and may guide the surgeon in deciding where to biopsy. The surgeons agree that the base of tongue has the highest yield in cases like this one. Dr. Robbins stands alone in his use of ipsilateral tonsillectomy as a screening biopsy technique. Dr. Robbins believes imaging studies have a role prior to the initial panendoscopy and prefers an MRI of the head and neck. Drs. Gluckman and Fried use imaging studies if the primary tumor is in a clinically difficult area to evaluate. Faced with a normal repeat endoscopy and no other cervical adenopathy, Drs. Fried and Robbins would treat Waldeyer's ring and both sides of the neck with radiotherapy; Dr. Fried suggests 60 to 65 Gy over 6 weeks and Dr. Robbins suggests 65 to 70 Gy over 6 to 7 weeks to Waldeyer's ring and the upper neck but would treat the remaining nodal areas of the neck with 50 Gy over 5 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biopsy↗

Correlation of clinical, surgical, pathologic, and MR fat suppression results for head and neck cancer.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides superior soft tissue delineation of head and neck tumors compared to previous radiologic studies. Further refinements using fat suppression and gadolinium (Gd-DTPA) enhancement have added to these improved images. We performed MR studies of 16 patients with head and neck tumors with detailed clinical, surgical, and pathologic information. MR studies included standard spin-echo T1-weighted images (T1WI) with and without fat suppression and T2-weighted images (T2WI) with fat suppression. Gadolinium was also administered with fat suppression. Conventional and paired fat suppression MR images were compared by a grading system. Post-Gd-DTPA fat suppression T1WI, and T2WI with fat suppression, showed superior sensitivity for tumor delineation when compared to conventional T1WI. Fat suppression T2WI was the best technique to delineate squamous cell carcinoma both in the primary site and regional lymph nodes. Clinical, surgical, and pathologic results correlated perfectly with imaging findings. These refinements in MR imaging represent a significant advance in the radiologic evaluation of head and neck tumors.

Adipose Tissue↗

Rapid superselective high-dose cisplatin infusion for advanced head and neck malignancies.

Advances in vascular radiology techniques for superselective arterial infusions and methods to overcome systemic toxicity from high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy encouraged us to reevaluate the effects of rapid regional cisplatin infusion for patients with head and neck malignancies. Twenty patients (17 carcinomas, three sarcomas) received high-dose cisplatin (100-200 mg/m2) by this method. Fifteen of the 17 patients with upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma are part of an ongoing phase I dose escalation of cisplatin with sodium thiosulfate neutralization. Three additional patients with sarcomas were treated with intra-arterial (IA) cisplatin and systemic Adriamycin. Fifty-three IA infusions were performed without any complications. Only minimal toxicity related to the chemotherapy was observed. The overall response rate for previously untreated patients was nine of 10 (90%) [complete response (CR) 67%; partial response (PR) 33%]. The response rate for patients with recurrent disease was five of eight (63%) (CR 20%, PR 80%). The average length of follow-up is 9.5 months and the actuarial survival rate is 56%. Superselective rapid infusion of high-dose cisplatin for patients with advanced head and neck malignancies is feasible, relatively nontoxic, and may have important applications in multimodality therapy, particularly for patients with bulky primary disease.

Antidotes↗

Fine-needle aspiration of parotid gland lesions.

The results of 49 specimens obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy of parotid gland lesions were compared with the pathologic diagnoses of the surgically resected specimens. Cytologically, 33 lesions were diagnosed as benign, with 30 of these confirmed histologically and three false-negative results. Fourteen cytologic specimens were called malignant or suspicious for malignancy, with 11 of these confirmed histologically and three false-positive results. The concurrence rate for distinguishing benign from malignant disease was 87.2%. The sensitivity for malignancy was 78.6% and the specificity 90.9%. The pathology of the misdiagnosed lesions will be reviewed. Based on our data and a review of the literature, we conclude that fine needle aspiration biopsy of parotid gland masses, with the observation of certain caveats, is a helpful adjunctive test for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of stage I and II oral tongue cancer.

We reviewed 156 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue staged T1 and T2 to determine the incidence of nodal metastasis, and if elective neck dissection affected local/regional control or survival. Patients were divided into two nonrandomized groups: group 1, intraoral glossectomy only (102 patients); and group 2, intraoral glossectomy plus neck dissection (54 patients). Analysis revealed no significant differences for tumor location, histologic differentiation, status of margins, or clinical appearance; however, perineural invasion significantly adversely affected survival and local/regional control. In group 1 patients, 16.5% subsequently developed cervical metastasis, and 20.4% of patients in group 2 had occult nodal disease. The survival and local/regional control for group 1 patients subsequently developing nodes was 33% and 50%, respectively. The survival and local/regional control for group 2 patients with occult metastasis was 55% and 91%, respectively. We believe elective neck dissection is indicated for early staged oral tongue cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Bilateral parotid neoplasms.

In this case, the experts come out of the starting blocks disagreeing. One expert (Dr. Myers) does not routinely use FNA, relying instead on clinical signs to suspect a malignancy. the other physicians (Drs. Robbins and Suen) obtain an FNA for each parotid mass and use the information in counseling patients. MRI is an important preoperative tool for one physician (Dr. Suen). When faced with bilateral tumors, one approach is to stage the operations to avoid possible bilateral facial nerve injury (Dr. Myers). Other approaches include operating on the larger tumor first if both are benign, the malignant tumor first if one is benign and one malignant, and on both sides under the same anesthetic if both are malignant (Dr. Robbins). The other consultant agrees with this latter approach, with the exception being that in the case of bilateral benign tumors, he would operate on the smaller side first (Dr. Suen). Regarding the role for further surgery, one expert would reoperate if there were a suspicion for residual gross tumor on the facial nerve (Dr. Robbins). The others (Drs. Myers and Suen) agree that the positive margin likely reflects microscopic disease and further surgery is not warranted. Radiotherapy is recommended by all the experts. There is no proven role for chemotherapy. There is disagreement regarding whether the facial nerve should have been removed on the left side. Two experts (Drs. Myers and Suen) agree on peeling tumor off the nerve and following with radiotherapy. However, one physician (Dr. Robbins) believes that the facial nerve should have been removed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

Current concepts in the management of laryngeal papillomatosis.

A wide variety of methods have been described for the treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis. This attests to the difficulties encountered in controlling this often refractory disease. Recent trends have been directed toward immunotherapy and improved techniques of endoscopic excision. The various treatment modalities are reviewed to provide the reader with updated information and a perspective of the current management of this perplexing disease.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Thyroid carcinoma presenting as a parapharyngeal mass.

Nodal metastases from occult head and neck primaries presenting as a pharyngeal space mass are unusual. In this report, a patient with dysphagia and a large parapharyngeal mass was found to have metastases papillary thyroid carcinoma. Although it is common for such tumors to metastasize to regional lymph nodes, to our knowledge, this is the only reported case of a thyroid neoplasm masquerading as a primary parapharyngeal space tumor. It indicates upward lymphatic spread of tumor to involve the lateral retropharyngeal nodes. This pattern of spread is in keeping with Rouviere's description of a direct lymphatic pathway from the posterior surface of the superior thyroid lobe to the lateral retropharyngeal nodes. The case presentation is intended to alert the reader of this possibility and to emphasize the inclusion of regional metastatic nodal disease as a possible cause of parapharyngeal space masses.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

Primary lymphoma of the mandible.

The mandible is an uncommon presentation site for lymphoma and misdiagnosis is common. Eleven patients with lymphoma of the mandible were seen between 1947 and 1983. In 5 of the 11 patients, the diagnosis of lymphoma could not be established from the initial biopsy and additional material for examination was required. In three patients, this resulted in a partial or total removal of the mandible. In a recent histopathologic review, the diagnosis of diffuse large cell was made in seven, diffuse undifferentiated (non-Burkitt's) in two, diffuse undifferentiated (Burkitt's) in one, and unclassified in one. Using the Ann Arbor method of staging, six patients were determined to have stage IE disease; three had stage IIE, and two had stage IV. In 10 patients definitive treatment consisted of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of both. Treatment was limited to surgery in one patient. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 62% and 50%, respectively. These results are comparable to those for lymphoma of other extranodal head and neck sites.

Adolescent↗

Statistical correlations among supraglottic cancers.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent to which the presence or absence of cancer in endoscopically evaluable regions of the supraglottic larynx predicted occurrence in a region less easy to visualize but of critical importance to the nature of treatment. Histologic findings from 32 specimens were subjected to two separate statistical analyses. In the first analysis, the presence of cancer on the floor of the ventricle was the best predictor of tumor below this level. The combination of variables with the best correlation was cancer on the floor of the ventricle and in the vestibular folds. In the second analysis, involvements of the deep structures in the aryepiglottic folds and in the infrahyoid epiglottis were the only significant predictors of tumor extending to the preepiglottic space. The results suggest that such statistical analyses may provide guidelines for selection of treatment.

Glottis↗

Blindness: a complication of odontogenic sinusitis.

Serious orbital complications including blindness can develop from odontogenic sinusitis. A case history is described of a patient with odontogenic maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis in whom an orbital abscess developed followed by sudden blindness. The pathogenesis and treatment are discussed.

Adult↗

Predictors of long-term smoking cessation in head and neck cancer patients.

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for head and neck cancer, and individuals who continue to smoke past diagnosis and treatment are at elevated risk for further disease. In a randomized controlled trial, a state of the art provider-delivered smoking cessation intervention was compared to a usual care advice control condition. The intervention consisted of surgeon- or dentist-delivered advice to stop smoking, a contracted quit date, tailored written materials, and booster advice sessions. Subjects were 186 patients with newly diagnosed first primary squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract who had smoked cigarettes within the past year. At randomization, 88.2% of subjects were current smokers. At 12-month follow-up, 70.2% of subjects completing the trial (n = 114) were continuous abstainers; among baseline smokers alone the continuous abstinence (CA) rate was 64.6%. The cotinine validation rate at 12 months was 89.6%. Modeling techniques were utilized in order to derive expected CA rates, which included noncompleter subjects (n = 72). The CA rate expected at 1 year for the entire patient population was 64.2%, and for smokers alone the expected CA rate was 59.4%. Logistic regression analysis carried out on baseline smokers identified predictors of 12-month CA status. These included medical treatment, stage of change, age, nicotine dependence, and race. The intervention effect was not significant, although the sign of the effect was positive. Based on these findings, we recommend systematic brief advice to stop smoking for head and neck cancer patients, with a stepped care approach for patients less able to quit.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗