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Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been used across oncological specialties for prognostication, staging, and identification of occult nodal metastasis. Recent studies demonstrated the potential clinical utility of SLNB in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Elective neck dissection is the current standard of care in early management of OCSCC with depth of invasion greater than 2-4 mm; however, majority of patients ultimately do not have nodal disease on final pathology. SLNB is an alternative procedure widely adopted in early cancer management in many oncological subspecialities. Several considerations such as depth of invasion, nodal mapping, histopathology methods, operator variability, postoperative complications, and advancement in preoperative and intraoperative imaging technology can guide the appropriate application to SLNB in OCSCC. The aim of this review is to discuss the current evidence for SLNB in the treatment of early stage OCSCC, imaging technologies that support SLNB procedures, and studies that are currently underway.

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic has strained human and material resources around the world. Practices in surgical oncology had to change in response to these resource limitations, triaging based on acuity, expected oncologic outcomes, availability of supportive resources, and safety of health care personnel.MethodsThe MD Anderson Head and Neck Surgery Treatment Guidelines Consortium devised the following to provide guidance on triaging head and neck cancer (HNC) surgeries based on multidisciplinary consensus. HNC subsites considered included aerodigestive tract mucosa, sinonasal, salivary, endocrine, cutaneous, and ocular.RecommendationsEach subsite is presented separately with disease-specific recommendations. Options for alternative treatment modalities are provided if surgical treatment needs to be deferred.ConclusionThese guidelines are intended to help clinicians caring for patients with HNC appropriately allocate resources during a health care crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to advocate for individual consideration of cases in a multidisciplinary fashion based on individual patient circumstances and resource availability.

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic has strained human and material resources around the world. Practices in surgical oncology had to change in response to these resource limitations, triaging based on acuity, expected oncologic outcomes, availability of supportive resources, and safety of health care personnel.MethodsThe MD Anderson Head and Neck Surgery Treatment Guidelines Consortium devised the following to provide guidance on triaging head and neck cancer (HNC) surgeries based on multidisciplinary consensus. HNC subsites considered included aerodigestive tract mucosa, sinonasal, salivary, endocrine, cutaneous, and ocular.RecommendationsEach subsite is presented separately with disease-specific recommendations. Options for alternative treatment modalities are provided if surgical treatment needs to be deferred.ConclusionThese guidelines are intended to help clinicians caring for patients with HNC appropriately allocate resources during a health care crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to advocate for individual consideration of cases in a multidisciplinary fashion based on individual patient circumstances and resource availability.

Background: This pilot study analyzed correlations between tongue electrical impedance myography (EIM), standard tongue electromyography (EMG), and tongue functional measures in N = 4 long‐term oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) survivors. Methods: Patients were screened for a supportive care trial (NCT04151082). Hypoglossal nerve function was evaluated with genioglossus needle EMG, functional measures with the Iowa oral performance instrument (IOPI), and multi‐frequency tissue composition with tongue EIM. Results: Tongue EIM conductivity was higher for patients with EMG‐confirmed cranial nerve XII neuropathy than those without (p = 0.005) and in patients with mild versus normal EMG reinnervation ratings (16 kHz EIM: p = 0.051). Tongue EIM correlated with IOPI strength measurements (e.g., anterior maximum isometric lingual strength: r2 = 0.62, p = 0.020). Conclusions: Tongue EIM measures related to tongue strength and the presence of XII neuropathy. Noninvasive tongue EIM may be a convenient adjunctive biomarker to assess tongue health in OPC survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image is based on the Original Article Tongue electrical impedance myography correlates with functional, neurophysiologic, and clinical outcome measures in long‐term oropharyngeal cancer survivors with and without hypoglossal neuropathy: An exploratory study by Nathan J. Hansen BSc et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.27618..By Nathan J. Hansen; Karin Woodman; Sheila Buoy; Shitong Mao; Carly E. A. Barbon; Stephen Y. Lai; C. David Fuller; Katherine A. Hutcheson and Benjamin SanchezReported by Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

Background: We aimed to determine whether hypomagnesemia predicts osteoradionecrosis development in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and oral cavity who received platinum‐based concurrent chemoradiation with or without induction therapy. Methods: We reviewed data from patients with head and neck cancers who had undergone chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin/carboplatin between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014 at our institution. Pathologic features, laboratory test results, disease stage, and social histories were recorded. The association between hypomagnesemia and osteoradionecrosis was analyzed controlling for known confounding factors. Results: Hypomagnesemia during cancer treatment was associated with osteoradionecrosis development (HR = 2.72, P =.037) independent of total radiation dose (HR = 1.07, P =.260) and smoking history (HR = 2.05, P =.056) among the patients who received platinum‐based induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation. Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia was predictive of the development of osteoradionecrosis in patients with cancers of the oropharynx and oral cavity receiving platinum‐based induction followed by concurrent chemoradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship among age, pretreatment comorbidity, and survival outcomes in patients with locally advanced laryngeal cancer. Methods: Baseline comorbidity data were collected and age‐adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was calculated for each case. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to determine associations with survival. Results: For 548 patients, with a median age of 59 years (range 31‐91 years), 58% were treated with larynx preservation and the rest with total laryngectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Two hundred thirty‐eight patients (43%) had at least 1 comorbidity each. Cardiovascular diseases were the most common comorbidities (19%). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for patients with CCI ≤3 (n = 442) were superior to CCI >3 (n = 106; 60% vs 41%; P < .0001), although the 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates were not significantly different. The 5‐year noncancer CSS was better for age‐adjusted CCI ≤3 (88% vs 67%; P < .0001). Conclusion: The age‐adjusted CCI is a significant predictor of noncancer CSS and OS for patients with locally advanced laryngeal cancer but is not associated with DSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines are important preclinical models in the search for novel and targeted therapies to treat head and neck cancer. Unlike many other cancer types, a wide variety of primary and metastatic HNSCC cell lines are available. An easily accessible guide that organizes important characteristics of HNSCC cell lines would be valuable for the selection of appropriate HNSCC cell lines for in vitro or in vivo studies. Methods. A literature search was performed. Results. Cell growth and culture parameters from HNSCC cell lines were catalogued into tables or lists of selected characteristics. Methods for establishing cancer cell lines and basic cell culture maintenance techniques were reviewed. Conclusions. A compendium of HNSCC cell line characteristics is useful for organizing the accumulating information regarding cell line characteristics to assist investigators with the development of appropriate preclinical models. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]