Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts long-term survival in laryngeal cancer

Abstract

Objectives

Although the survival rate of laryngeal cancer is relatively high, some patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) show the least benefit from laryngectomy, owing to few determining diagnostic tools. We aimed to identify high-risk patients according to a preoperatively determined signature of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) of > 193.55, as an indicator of poor treatment outcome in LSCC patients.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 899 patients who underwent laryngectomy for LSCC. The patients were stratified by PLR into three subgroups: low (≤ 119.55), moderate (> 119.55 and ≤ 193.55), and high (> 193.55). Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to compare the intergroup cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Results

Patients with high PLR had significantly worse survival outcomes (5-year CSS, low vs. moderate vs. high: 75.3 vs. 68.4 vs. 53.9%; 10-year CSS, low vs. moderate vs. high: 65.0 vs. 56.0 vs. 38.6%, P < 0.001). Patients with PLR > 193.55 represented malnutrition and more advanced cancer stage..

Conclusion

Patients with PLR > 193.55 experience poor outcomes and represent malnutrition, more advanced cancer stage.

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Correction to: Cerebrovascular CO 2 reactivity during isoflurane-nitrous oxide anesthesia in patients with chronic renal failure

Abstract

In the original publication of the article, the first sentence was published incorrectly under the section "Patients and preoperative assessment". The correct sentence should read as, "The Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine Ethics Committee for Human Study approved the study protocol (18th August 2004: H16-71)".

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Assessing miRNAs profile expression as a risk stratification biomarker in oral potentially malignant disorders: A systematic review

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Oral Oncology, Volume 77
Author(s): Haytham El-Sakka, Omar Kujan, Camile S. Farah
ObjectivesThis paper aims to systematically review current findings on altered expression of miRNAs in OPMDs and whether they can be used as risk stratification biomarkers.MethodsStudies were collated after searching three different electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Medline. Additional searches were carried out through cross checking the bibliographies of selected articles. After a thorough selection process made by two of the authors, 40 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Studies were assessed and analysed in terms of how the candidate miRNA biomarkers were differentially expressed and validated.ResultsThe included studies examined the expression of miRNAs from human specimens (blood serum/plasma, saliva, tissue) as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in patients with OPMDs, some of which have been utilised as risk stratification biomarkers for malignant transformation and have showed promising findings.ConclusionThe current evidence to support or refute the prognostic utility of miRNAs in predicting cancer progression in OPMDs is equivocal. Further longitudinal prospective studies with solid study design are warranted.



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Sensitivity and specificity of oral HPV detection for HPV-positive head and neck cancer

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Oral Oncology, Volume 77
Author(s): Brooke J. Gipson, Hilary A. Robbins, Carole Fakhry, Gypsyamber D'Souza
BackgroundThe incidence of HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-HNSCC) is increasing. Oral samples are easy and non-invasive to collect, but the diagnostic accuracy of oral HPV detection methods for classifying HPV-positive HNSCC tumors has not been well explored.MethodsIn a systematic review, we identified eight studies of HNSCC patients meeting our eligibility criteria of having: (1) HPV detection in oral rinse or oral swab samples, (2) tumor HPV or p16 testing, (3) a publication date within the last 10 years (January 2007–May 2017, as laboratory methods change), and (4) at least 15 HNSCC cases. Data were abstracted from each study and a meta-analysis performed to calculate sensitivity and specificity.ResultsEight articles meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Among people diagnosed with HNSCC, oral HPV detection has good specificity (92%, 95% CI = 82–97%) and moderate sensitivity (72%, 95% CI = 45–89%) for HPV-positive HNSCC tumor. Results were similar when restricted to studies with only oropharyngeal cancer cases, with oral rinse samples, or testing for HPV16 DNA (instead of any oncogenic HPV) in the oral samples.DiscussionAmong those who already have HNSCC, oral HPV detection has few false-positives but may miss one-half to one-quarter of HPV-related cases (false-negatives). Given these findings in cancer patients, the utility of oral rinses and swabs as screening tests for HPV-HNSCC among healthy populations is probably limited.



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Bioinformatics for dermatology – why we should learn about code

Abstract

The era of high throughput sequencing (HTS; otherwise known as next-generation sequencing) has revolutionised dermatological research. New publications describing successful translational research based on interpretation of omics data from dermatological sources appear each month. Bioinformatics refers to the tools used to collect, classify and analyse such datasets.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Oropharyngeal and tongue exercises (myofunctional therapy) for snoring: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Oropharyngeal and tongue exercises (myofunctional therapy) have been shown to improve obstructive sleep apnea. However, to our knowledge, a systematic review has not been performed for snoring. The study objective is to perform a systematic review, with a meta-analysis, dedicated to snoring outcomes after myofunctional therapy.

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE and three other databases were searched through November 25, 2017. Two authors independently searched the literature. Eligibility (1) patients: children or adults with snoring, (2) intervention: oropharyngeal and/or tongue exercises, (3) comparison: pre and post-treatment data for snoring, (4) outcomes: snoring frequency and snoring intensity, (5) study design: publications of all study designs.

Results

A total of 483 articles were screened, 56 were downloaded in their full text form, and nine studies reported outcomes related to snoring. There were a total of 211 patients (all adults) in these studies. The snoring intensity was reduced by 51% in 80 patients from pre-therapy to post-therapy visual analog scale values of 8.2 ± 2.1 (95% CI 7.7, 8.7) to 4.0 ± 3.7 (95% CI 3.2, 4.8). Berlin questionnaire snoring intensity reduced by 36% in 34 patients from 2.5 ± 1.0 (95% CI 2.2, 2.8) to 1.6 ± 0.8 (95% CI 1.3, 1.9). Finally, time spent snoring during sleep was reduced by 31% in 60 patients from 26.3 ± 18.7% (95% CI 21.6, 31.0) to 18.1 ± 20.5% (95% CI 12.9, 23.3) of total sleep time.

Conclusions

This systematic review demonstrated that myofunctional therapy has reduced snoring in adults based on both subjective questionnaires and objective sleep studies.

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Removal of thyroid remnant for cancer in the previously operated central neck

Publication date: Available online 22 December 2017
Source:Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Author(s): Vaninder K Dhillon, Ralph P Tufano
Reoperative central neck dissection requires a concise set of steps to complete a comprehensive dissection of recurrent lymphadenopathy seen in thyroid cancer. The main considerations take into account the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands. This chapter specifies those steps from a preoperative evaluation to the pearls during dissection to ensure a complete reoperative dissection that removes all residual thyroid tissue and lymphadenopathy while ensuring the best outcomes.



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