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Purpose. We report findings from a study that measured associations between sociodemographic risk indicators and depressive symptoms among individuals diagnosed with either oral cancer or a premalignant lesion. Materials and Methods. Incident cases of oral cancer and oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) were identified by reviewing pathology reports generated by 3 oral pathology laboratories serving primarily community-based oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Subjects were interviewed by telephone to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale, and social support using the Berkman Social Network Inventory. Results. The analysis included 167 oral cancer and 234 OED cases. Nineteen percent of the subjects had a CES-D score indicative of clinical depression (CES-D ≥16). Forward and backward stepwise logistic regression identified diagnosis (cancer/OED), age, social support, employment status, and gender as sociodemographic indicators of CES-D scores of 16+. In the final model, which also controlled for smoking and drinking, the odds of having elevated CES-D scores (16+) were 79% higher among oral cancer relative to OED cases. The odds of high CES-D scores were significantly reduced in persons over the age of 50 compared with those aged 50 years and younger as well as in persons with higher, relative to low, levels of social support and in persons employed outside the home compared with those who were not. Although not statistically significant, men were more likely to have CES-D scores indicative of clinical depression. Conclusions. Knowledge of sociodemographic characteristics may assist the clinician in identifying those individuals with an elevated risk of concomitant depressive symptoms.

Tumor thickness is an important prognostic factor in tumors outside of the upper aerodigestive tract, such as cutaneous melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, and cervical carcinoma. Some studies have also suggested that tumor thickness may have similar prognostic value in the upper aerodigestive tract. This study examined the relationship between tumor thickness (measured with an ocular micrometer) and nodal disease and that between tumor thickness and survival in 44 patients with soft palate epidermoid carcinoma. There was a significant correlation between tumor thickness and nodal disease. None of the 24 lesions less than or equal to 2.86 mm had cervical adenopathy. All of the 15 lesions greater than or equal to 3.12 mm had palpable adenopathy. Tumor thickness correlated more directly with nodal disease than did T stage. Thicker lesions were associated with poorer survival. Tumor thickness is an important parameter in the head and neck and deserves further study.

Smoking tobacco and heavy alcohol use are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer, and at least 1 report has identified both smoking and drinking as risk factors for oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), a histopathologic diagnosis associated with an increased risk of oral cancer.1–5 Nevertheless, although a growing body of literature has explored the occurrence and correlates of depressive symptoms among head and neck cancer patients,6–12 and although depression has been linked to both alcohol abuse and smoking in a variety of diverse populations,10,13–25 only limited information is available on the relationship between depression and either smoking or drinking among persons diagnosed with oral cancer or precancer.10 As part of a larger retrospective investigation focusing on risk factors for oral cancer and OED,26 we obtained information on depressive symptoms at the time the study interview was administered.6 In a previous report, we identified young age (

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes have replaced nasogastric tubes and Stamm gastrostomy tubes as a preferred means of feeding for patients with head and neck cancers, as recommended by the results of large series. A patient with stomal seeding of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract by PEG placement was reported. A review of literature was performed. Methods: A Medline search of implantation of squamous cell carcinoma from the upper aerodigestive tract to PEG exit site since the introduction of PEG was performed. Results: Two reports of implantation of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract to PEG exit site were found. Both patients and our patient were staged T4. Conclusions: Implantation of squamous cell carcinoma from the upper aerodigestive tract to the PEG exit site is a rare and late complication. Its prevalence is not known. For patients with a significant amount of squamous cell carcinoma in the upper aerodigestive tract, we recommend Stamm gastrostomy over PEG insertion by the pull technique. There is no report of such late complication by the push technique.

Recent studies have shown improved efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with advanced squamous-cell cancer of the head and neck. Our purpose was to evaluate prospectively the activity of cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in 37 patients with advanced stage IV squamous-cell cancer of the head and neck. There were two groups. Group 1 consisted of 19 previously untreated patients with either T4 or N3 disease. They received 100 mg/m2 cisplatin (days 1 and 28) and 120-hour infusion of 1,000 mg/m2/24 hours 5FU (days 1 to 5 and 28 to 32). They subsequently were offered preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and surgery. Group 2 consisted of 18 previously treated patients. They received 5FU and cisplatin in the same dosage every 28 days for either recurrent or metastatic disease. It was found that in group 1 there was an 84% response rate (five complete responses (CR) and 11 partial responses (PR) ). Three of those with PR achieved a CR after RT. Seven patients have had RT plus surgery and are disease free at 8 to 27 month follow-up. Six patients (one CR, five PR) refused surgery and progressed within 4 months. In group 2 there was an 11% response rate after two cycles (two PR), three patients had a minimal response (MR, less than 50% response) and received a mean of four cycles of treatment. Three patients with stable disease received a mean of four cycles of chemotherapy until progression. Two of 11 patients who had received previous chemotherapy plus RT showed an MR; nine of these patients had shown a response to their previous chemotherapy. Only one of 14 patients who had RT plus chemotherapy had a PR, and three had MR. Of five patients who had previous surgery, only one had a PR. All five had received chemotherapy as well. It was concluded that 5FU plus cisplatin is an effective combination in previously untreated patients. In previously treated patients with recurrent disease, there is a substantially lower response rate.

We have reviewed the clinical course and histologic findings in 84 patients with stage I and II squamous carcinoma of the mouth floor. We concluded that lesion thickness may offer a useful method for predicting the probability of cervical metastasis in node negative (N0) patients. Moreover, surface area of the lesion did not correlate with subsequent nodal disease, whereas thickness did. Elective node dissection appears to be strongly indicated in any patient with a N0 lesion measuring more than 1.5 mm in thickness.