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Michael J Veness

Publications and source records attributed to Michael J Veness.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: is adjuvant radiotherapy necessary?

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the optimal management of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether combined treatment with surgery and radiotherapy improves outcome in a multi-institutional cohort of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The secondary aims were to determine by stage, which patients derive benefit from combined therapy and to identify predictors for survival on multivariable analysis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 110 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck was performed. Data were collected from 3 tertiary care institutions (Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney). There were 78 males and 32 females, median age was 70 years, and mean follow-up of survivors was 2.3 years. Sixty-six patients underwent combined treatment, and 44 patients had either surgery or radiotherapy alone. Analysis by stage was performed using 2 staging systems. RESULTS: Local and regional control at 5 years was 84% and 69%, respectively. Combined treatment improved both local (p = .009) and regional control (p = .006). Overall and disease-specific survival at 5 years was 49% and 62%, respectively. Combined treatment was associated with significantly better disease-free survival on univariable analysis (p = .013) When analyzed by stage, patients with stage IIb (primary >1 cm, node negative) disease who underwent combined treatment had improved disease-free (p = .005) and disease-specific survival (p = .035). Predictors of survival on multivariable analysis were age >70 years (HR 6.19, p < .001), primary tumor size >1 cm (HR 7.55, p < .001), number of nodal metastases divided into none, 2 (HR 3.71 per stratum, p < .001). When analyzed with age and disease stage, treatment modality trended toward significance as a predictor of disease-specific (p = .081) and overall survival (p = .076). Disease stage was the most powerful independent predictor on Cox regression (HR 5.43 per stratum, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy. Age and disease stage are the most important predictors of survival. Combined surgery and radiotherapy improves both locoregional control and disease-free survival. Patients with stage II disease appear to derive the greatest benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy, including improved disease specific survival.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to parotid and cervical lymph nodes.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers occur at an epidemic rate in Australia and are increasing in incidence worldwide. In most patients, local treatment is curative. However, a subset of patients will be diagnosed with a high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and are defined as patients at increased risk of developing metastases to regional lymph nodes. Patients with high-risk SCC may be identified based on primary lesion and patient factors. Most cutaneous SCC arises on the sun-exposed head and neck. The parotid and upper cervical nodes are common sites for the development of metastases arising from ear, anterior scalp, temple/forehead, or scalp SCC. The mortality and morbidity associated with high-risk cutaneous SCC is usually a consequence of uncontrolled metastatic nodal disease and, to a lesser extent, distant metastases. Patients with operable nodal disease have traditionally been recommended for surgery. The efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy has previously been questioned based on weak evidence in the early literature. Recent evidence from larger studies has, however, strengthened the case for adjuvant radiotherapy as a means to improve locoregional control and survival. Despite this, many patients still experience relapse and die. Research aimed at improving outcome such as a randomized trial incorporating the addition of chemotherapy to adjuvant radiotherapy is currently in progress in Australia and New Zealand. Ongoing research also includes the development of a proposed new staging system and investigating the role of molecular factors such as the epidermal growth factor receptor.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2006

High-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: results from 266 treated patients with metastatic lymph node disease.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the head and neck (HN) are at low-risk (<5%) of developing metastatic SCC to regional lymph nodes. However, patients with unfavorable clinicopathologic factors often are under appreciated by clinicians but remain at higher risk for developing metastatic lymph node disease and dying. METHODS: Patients were identified who had metastatic cSCC to lymph nodes (parotid and cervical) of the HN and who were treated within the context of a multidisciplinary HN cancer service between 1980 and 2005 at Westmead Hospital (Sydney, Australia). Relevant patient details and data from primary lesions were analyzed and reported. RESULTS: In total, 266 patients were treated with curative intent. The median patient age was 69 years among 219 males and 47 females. The majority of metastatic lymph nodes (162 of 266 lymph nodes; 61%) were located in the parotid with or without cervical lymph node involvement. The median tumor thickness was 6 mm (range, 0.5-28 mm), and the median tumor size was 15 mm (range, 3-70 mm). Most tumors (65%) that measured >or=5 mm in thickness, and 30% of patients had lesions that measured >or=2 cm in greatest dimension. Recurrent cSCC was present in 15% of patients, and most lesions were located within the lymphatic drainage of the parotid on the temple/forehead (28%), on or around the ear (20%), or on the cheek (12%). Forty-six percent of patients had moderately or poorly differentiated cSCC, and 5% of patients were immunosuppressed. A minority of patients (27%) did not have an identifiable index lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this large, prospective data base, in concordance with other series, suggested that a patient with thick cSCC (>4-5 mm) located in proximity to the parotid gland can be considered at high-risk. Increasing lesion size and recurrence contribute to this risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Implications for clinical staging of metastatic cutaneous squamous carcinoma of the head and neck based on a multicenter study of treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is a common cancer that has the potential to metastasize to lymph nodes in the parotid gland and neck. Previous studies have highlighted limitations with the current TNM staging system for metastatic skin carcinoma. The aim of this study was to test a new staging system that may provide better discrimination between patient groups. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted on 322 patients from three Australian and three North American institutions. All had metastatic cutaneous SCC involving the parotid gland and/or neck and all were treated for cure with a minimum followup time of 2 years. These patients were restaged using a newly proposed system that separated parotid disease (P stage) from neck disease (N stage) and included subgroups of P and N stage. Metastases involved the parotid in 260 patients (149 P1; 78 P2; 33 P3) and 43 of these had clinical neck disease also (22 N1; 21 N2). Neck metastases alone occurred in 62 patients (26 N1; 36 N2). Ninety percent of patients were treated surgically and 267 of 322 received radiotherapy. RESULTS: Neck nodes were pathologically involved in 32% of patients with parotid metastases. Disease recurred in 105 (33%) of the 322 patients, involving the parotid in 42, neck in 33, and distant sites in 30. Parotid recurrence did not vary significantly with P stage. Disease-specific survival was 74% at 5 years. Survival was significantly worse for patients with advanced P stage: 69% survival at 5 years compared with 82% for those with early P stage (P = 0.02) and for those with both parotid and neck node involvement pathologically: 61% survival compared with 79% for those with parotid disease alone (P = 0.027). Both univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed these findings. Clinical neck involvement among patients with parotid metastases did not significantly worsen survival (P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: This study, which included a mixed cohort of patients from six different institutions, provides further information about the clinical behavior of metastatic cutaneous SCC of the head and neck. The hypothesis that separation of parotid and neck disease in a new staging system is supported by the results. The benefit of having subgroups of P and N stage is uncertain, but it is likely to identify patients with unfavorable characteristics that may benefit from further research.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2006

Patterns of lymph node spread of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck, recent studies have shown that those with involvement of the parotid gland also have a high incidence of neck node involvement. Treatment of the neck by either surgery or radiotherapy is therefore recommended among patients with parotid SCC, even if clinical examination is negative. The aim of this study was first to analyze patterns of metastatic spread in the parotid and cervical lymph nodes and then to correlate the pattern of involved nodes with the primary cutaneous site in order to guide the appropriate extent of surgery, should neck dissection be used to treat the neck in patients with parotid SCC. METHODS: A cohort of 209 patients with cutaneous SCC of the head and neck and clinically evident regional metastatic disease was reviewed retrospectively from 3 Australian institutions. The distribution of involved nodes was obtained from pathology reports; the anatomic sites of primary cutaneous cancers were then correlated with these findings. RESULTS: Among 209 patients, 171 (82%) had clinical parotid involvement. Of these, 28 had clinical neck disease, whereas 143 had parotid disease alone. Thirty-eight (18%) patients had neck disease only. A total of 199 patients were treated surgically, whereas 10 received radiotherapy alone. Surgery included 172 parotidectomies and 151 neck dissections (93 of which were elective). Primary sites were cheek (21.7%), pinna (20.4%), temple (15.8%), forehead (15.8%), postauricular region (5.9%), neck (5.3%), anterior scalp (5.3%), posterior scalp (3.3%), periorbital (3.3%), nose (2.6%), and chin (0.6%). Among pathologically positive necks, level II was most frequently involved (79%). Level IV (13%) and level V (17%) were only involved in extensive lymph node disease, the exception being for isolated level V metastases from the posterior scalp. CONCLUSIONS: Primary sites were mainly localized to the lateral aspect of the head. Among patients with cutaneous SCC involving the parotid and neck, level II was the most commonly involved neck level. The distribution of involved nodes suggests that in a patient with parotid involvement and a clinically negative neck with an anterolateral primary, a supraomohyoid neck dissection, always including the external jugular lymph node(s) would be appropriate. In the case of a posterior primary, level V should be dissected as well. In patients with parotid SCC and a clinically positive neck, a comprehensive neck dissection is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Defining patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

SUMMARY Non-melanoma skin cancers occur at an epidemic rate in Australia. With an ageing population more Australians will develop these cancers and at an increasing rate. In the majority of cases, local treatment, usually excision, is highly curative. However, a subset of the population are diagnosed with a high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, defined as a patient having a higher risk of subclinical metastases to regional lymph nodes based on unfavourable primary lesion features and patient factors. Despite treatment, patients developing metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma experience mortality and morbidity usually as a consequence of uncontrolled metastatic nodal disease. It is therefore important that clinicians treating skin cancers have an understanding and awareness of these high-risk patients. The aim of this article is to discuss the features that define a high-risk patient and to present some of the issues pertinent to their treatment.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2006

Merkel cell carcinoma (primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma): an overview on management.

Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon but aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine (small cell) carcinoma. There is ongoing debate regarding the optimal treatment of this disease. The early literature comprised small institutional studies with inherent weaknesses. Recent data have emerged from larger studies, including those from Australian institutions, that adds support to a multimodality approach as best practice. Despite this, the outcome for patients with unfavourable disease remains poor and in most series 25-30% of patients die as a direct result of Merkel cell carcinoma. The head and neck is the commonest site for presentation (50-60%) and wide excision (2-3 cm) of the primary lesion is usually recommended, although achieving this is often difficult within functional and cosmetic constraints. All clinically node-negative patients should be considered candidates for elective nodal treatment and those with clinical nodal disease should undergo nodal dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy. Recent evidence suggests that patients treated with surgery and adjuvant locoregional radiotherapy experience a better disease-free survival compared with those undergoing surgery alone. The role of platinum-based chemotherapy is evolving. The aim of this article is to discuss relevant issues in the management of a patient with Merkel cell carcinoma.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2005

Adjuvant locoregional radiotherapy as best practice in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Australians have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is the most aggressive skin cancer reported, with a high propensity for relapse. The purpose of this study was to report the patterns of recurrence after initial treatment, the outcomes, and any predictors for survival. METHODS: We identified 37 patients who were diagnosed with MCC of the head and neck between 1980 and 2002. In this retrospective analysis, multivariate analysis was performed by use of Cox regression analysis. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 75 years (range, 46-89 years), with 24 men and 13 women. The median duration of follow-up was 26 months (range, 7-104 months). Twenty-nine patients (78%) initially were seen with a primary lesion, and eight (22%) had a primary lesion and clinical nodal disease. A total of 24 (65%) of 37 patients had a relapse, with regional relapse the most common site of the first relapse (12 of 37). The rates of local relapse were similar for patients undergoing local surgery (three of 17; 18%) or surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (two of 19; 11%). Nodal relapse developed in seven (50%) of 14 patients not receiving regional treatment compared with six (26%) of 23 patients receiving regional treatment of some type. Patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy experienced a significantly longer median DFS than did those undergoing surgery alone (23 months vs 6 months; p < .01). The 3-year OS and DFS rates for the entire study population were 66% and 25%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MCC is an aggressive skin cancer. There is a sufficient body of evidence, including this study, to consider the addition of adjuvant locoregional radiotherapy as best practice in markedly improving freedom from relapse.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to lymph nodes: combined treatment should be considered best practice.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may develop metastatic SCC to nodes in the head and neck. Recent data support best outcome with the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy. This study aims to present further supportive evidence. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Patients were identified with metastatic cutaneous SCC to nodes of the head and neck treated with surgery or surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Relapse and outcome were analyzed using Cox regression analysis. Disease-free survival and overall survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Between 1980 to 2000, 167 patients were treated with curative intent at Westmead Hospital, Sydney. Median age was 67 years (range, 34-95) in 143 men and 24 women with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Patients underwent surgery (21/167; 13%), or surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (146/167; 87%). The majority (98/167; 59%) of metastatic nodes were located in the parotid and/or cervical nodes. The remaining 69 (41%) had metastatic cervical nodes (levels I-V). Forty-seven patients (28%) had recurrences, with the majority (35/47; 74%) as locoregional failures. On multivariate analysis, spread to multiple nodes and single-modality treatment significantly predicted worse survival. Patients undergoing combined treatment had a lower rate of locoregional recurrence (20% vs. 43%) and a significantly better 5-year disease-free survival rate (73% vs. 54%; P = .004) compared to surgery alone. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with metastatic cutaneous head and neck SCC, surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy provide the best chance of achieving locoregional control and should be considered best practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Anterior tongue cancer and the incidence of cervical lymph node metastases with increasing tumour thickness: should elective treatment to the neck be standard practice in all patients?

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing risk of cervical lymph node metastases as tumour thickness increases in patients with anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The role of elective neck treatment in early anterior tongue cancer in unclear. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with anterior tongue cancer and treated with glossectomy +/- neck dissection were identified. The aim was to document the incidence of pathological lymph node metastases and outcome with increasing tumour thickness. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify prognostic factors. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Between 1980 and 2002 99 patients (63 male and 36 female) with anterior tongue SCC were treated at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, and had a documented tumour thickness. Median age at diagnosis was 63 years (23-89 years). Median follow up was 37 months (6-205 months). Sixty-three patients underwent partial glossectomy and neck dissection. Thirty-six underwent partial glossectomy only. At the time of presentation 45/63 (71%) were clinically node negative. Using tumour thickness < or = 5 mm versus > 5 mm the incidence of nodal metastases was 8% versus 51% (P = 0.007). On multivariate analysis pathological nodal involvement and advanced stage both significantly predicted survival. The 2-year disease-free survival difference based on tumour thickness (< or = 5 mm vs > 5 mm) was 76% versus 65% (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Elective treatment to the ipsilateral neck is not indicated in all patients with anterior tongue cancer. However, for patients with a tumour thickness > 5 mm it is recommended that they undergo treatment to the ipsilateral neck in the form of a supraomohyoid neck dissection.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Merkel cell carcinoma: improved outcome with adjuvant radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. Patients remain at high risk of locoregional and distant relapse despite treatment. Most studies support the incorporation of locoregional adjuvant radiotherapy in reducing the risk of relapse. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2002, 86 patients diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma were treated with curative intent at Westmead Hospital, Sydney. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis. Disease-free survival and overall survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 75 years (range 46-89 years) in 49 men and 37 women. Median duration of follow up was 31 months (range 6-153 months). Fifty-one (59%) patients presented with a primary lesion, 19 (22%) with a primary lesion and clinical nodal disease and 16 (19%) with lymph node metastases from an unknown primary. A total of 47 of 86 (55%) relapsed with regional nodal relapse, the commonest site of first relapse. Local relapse was similar for patients undergoing surgery (5/37; 14%) compared with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (3/25; 12%). Nodal relapse occurred in 14 of 36 (37%) treated with surgery compared with 7 of 38 (18%) patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy experienced a better median disease free survival compared to those undergoing surgery alone (10.5 months vs 4 months; P < 0.01). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rate for the entire study population was 47% and 25%, respectively. Twenty-six patients (30%) died as a result of Merkel cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive skin cancer. The addition of adjuvant radiotherapy markedly improves regional control rates and should be considered best practice.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Primary small cell undifferentiated (neuroendocrine) carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

Primary small cell undifferentiated (neuroendocrine) carcinomas of the paranasal sinuses are extremely uncommon neoplasms. This tumor was first reported in this site in 1965, and since then there have been only 61 documented cases in the literature. The median age at presentation is 53 years, with no gender predilection. There is no reported association of occurrence of this tumor with either tobacco use or form of occupation, and case outcome is usually poor. We report a case in a 25-year-old man, initially treated as an odontogenic infection and thus delaying institution of appropriate management. Further investigation identified a locally advanced neuroendocrine carcinoma of the left maxilla. Despite radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient exhibited rapid tumor dissemination and died.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: dismal outcome despite current treatment approach.

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) accounts for <5% of all thyroid malignancies and is one of the most aggressive malignancies known. Survival is limited to months and death is often caused by uncontrolled neck disease. There is evidence that multimodality treatment, incorporating surgery (Sx), external beam radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT), might enhance local control and improve survival. METHODS: Between 1979 and 2002, 18 patients with ATC were referred to the multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. The aim of the present study is to report on the treatment and outcome of these patients. Survival was calculated from the time of diagnosis until death using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 72 years (29-92 years) in 12 women and six men. Five patients had distant metastases at diagnosis. Seven patients were treated with various combinations of Sx, RT and/or CT. Ten patients received a single modality, including three undergoing a total thyroidectomy. Many patients died from local disease progression. Only one patient received triple modality treatment (Sx/RT/CT), surviving 26 months, and maintaining local control until death. Sixteen patients died from disease with a median survival of 6.2 months (0.3-56.8 months). CONCLUSION: Most patients with ATC are incurable; however, a multimodality approach incorporating Sx and RT +/- CT, in selected individuals, might improve local control and extend survival.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Human papillomavirus positivity predicts favourable outcome for squamous carcinoma of the tonsil.

Mutations in the p53 and retinoblastoma (pRb) pathways associated with the use of tobacco and alcohol are common in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck. Cell cycle proteins are also affected by human papillomavirus (HPV), which may also have an aetiological role in cancers at particular sites, most notably the tonsil. Attempts to identify prognostic molecular markers in head and neck cancers have met with conflicting results, but few studies have been undertaken with tumours of known HPV status at a single anatomic site. In our study 86 tonsil cancers were analysed for HPV status by sequence analysis of polymerase chain reaction products and for the expression of cell cycle proteins (p53, p21(CIP1/WAF1), pRb, p16(INK4A), cyclin D1 and p27(KIP1)) by immunohistochemistry. The HPV status could be established in 67 of the tumours. Thirty-one (46%) of these were HPV-positive, predominantly (28/31) for HPV16. Findings were related to tumour recurrence and patient survival. None of the cell cycle proteins independently predicted recurrence or survival. Patients with HPV-positive tumours, however, were significantly less likely (p < 0.05) to have recurrence or to die of disease than those with HPV-negative tumours, after adjusting for the effects of the cell cycle proteins, clinical stage, pathological node status, tumour grade, age, gender and treatment. These findings support the concept that HPV-positive tonsil cancers may be a distinct biological group with less aggressive characteristics. Screening of tonsil cancers for HPV DNA may help optimise treatment and provide more accurate prognostic information.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Extent of parotid disease influences outcome in patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To test a new clinical staging system in patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma involving the parotid gland or lymph nodes of the neck. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinicopathological data from patients with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up. SETTING: Multidisciplinary head and neck unit in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Between 1987 and 1999, 126 patients (104 men and 22 women; median age, 69 years) were treated for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma involving the parotid and/or neck. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Locoregional recurrence and disease-specific survival. RESULTS: Of the 126 patients, disease involved the parotid gland in 81 patients, of whom 14 also had clinical neck disease, while 45 patients had neck involvement only. Parotid stages were as follows: P0, 45 patients; P1, 55; P2, 20; and P3, 6. Neck stages were: N0, 67 patients; N1, 31; and N2, 28. Treatment involved combined surgery and radiotherapy in 93 patients, surgery alone in 12, and radiotherapy alone in 18. Three patients received palliative treatment only. There were 47 therapeutic and 40 elective neck dissections. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated parotid involvement in 70 patients and neck involvement in 51, representing 44 therapeutic and 7 elective neck dissections. Disease involved both the parotid and neck in 19 patients. The 5-year local (parotid) control rate was 80% and this varied statistically significantly with P stage. Parotid stages 2 and 3 were independent risk factors for a decrease in local control rate using multivariate analysis. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate for the entire group was 68% and P stage significantly influenced survival: P0, 60%; P1, 81%; P2, 51%; and P3, 33% (P<.001). Pathological involvement of neck nodes did not worsen survival of patients with parotid disease. Overall multivariate analysis demonstrated that single-modality therapy, P3 stage, and presence of immunosuppression independently predicted a decrease in survival. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that the extent of metastatic disease in the parotid gland significantly influences outcome and suggests that staging the parotid separately in metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma may be useful. Further evaluation of the recommended staging changes with a larger patient cohort will be required to clarify the influence of neck node involvement.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is an uncommon but devastating form of metastatic spread. To our knowledge, only 16 cases originating from a head and neck cancer have been reported. We describe the first case of a patient with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis arising from a laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Shortly after completing treatment for an advanced supraglottic laryngeal cancer, this 63-year-old man presented with lower limb neurological symptoms and signs. Radiological and cytological evidence of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis of the distal spinal canal was identified. He was treated with intrathecal methotrexate and palliative radiotherapy. Although his pain improved, his lower limb weakness worsened. He died 3 weeks after completing radiotherapy. Presumed mode of spread was via the haematogenous route. The natural history and management of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis are discussed. Clinicians should be aware of the uncommon possibility of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in a patient presenting with an appropriate constellation of symptoms and signs, and a past history of cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2003

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the parotid: the role of surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy to achieve best outcome.

BACKGROUND: Australia has the highest incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the world. The majority of lesions occur in the head and neck with metastases to the parotid gland lymph nodes reflecting an uncommon, but aggressive, manifestation. Parotidectomy +/- neck dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered as best practice. METHODS: Between 1983 and 2000, seventy-four patients were treated for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the parotid with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy at Westmead Hospital, Sydney. Relevant data were extracted from patient files and a prospectively maintained database. Patterns of relapse and outcome were analysed. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 65 years (34-93 years) in 63 men and 11 women. Median follow-up duration was 41 months (12-188 months). All patients underwent parotidectomy with 52 undergoing a simultaneous neck dissection. Twelve patients required sacrifice of the facial nerve (4) or one or more branches (8). All received adjuvant radiotherapy to the parotid region with 56 also receiving radiotherapy to the ipsilateral neck. Despite treatment, 24% developed locoregional recurrence, with a median time to relapse of 7.5 months. The most common site for recurrence was the treated parotid region and upper neck. Most relapsed patients died. No variable independently predicted for locoregional recurrence on multivariate analysis. The 5-year absolute and cause-specific survival rates were 58% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Parotid gland lymph node metastases from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma are associated with a high rate of recurrence and cause-specific mortality despite current best practice (surgery and high dose adjuvant radiotherapy). The role of more aggressive surgery, altered fractionation or chemotherapy to enhance locoregional control remains unclear.

Adult↗