Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. These tumors originate from epithelial cells of the upper aerodigestive tract. HNSCC tumors in different regions can have significantly different molecular characteristics. While many microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be involved in the regulation of the carcinogenesis and pathogenesis of HNSCC, new HNSCC related miRNAs are still being discovered. The aim of this study was to explore potential miRNA biomarkers that can be used to diagnose HNSCC and prognose survival of HNSCC patients. For this purpose, we chose a panel of 12 miRNAs: miR-146a-5p, miR-449a, miR-126-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-34b-5p, miR-34c-5p, miR-217-5p, miR-378c, miR-6510-3p, miR-96-5p, miR-149-5p, and miR-133a-5p. Expression of these miRNAs was measured in tumor tissue and neighboring healthy tissue collected from patients diagnosed with HNSCC (n = 79) in either the oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx. We observed a pattern of differentially expressed miRNAs at each of these cancer locations. Our study showed that some of these miRNAs, separately or in combination, could serve as biomarkers distinguishing between healthy and tumor tissue, and their expression correlated with patients’ overall survival.

Dysphagia represents one of the most serious adverse events after curative-intent treatments with a tremendous impact on quality of life in patients with head and neck cancers. Novel surgical and radiation therapy techniques have been developed to better preserve swallowing function, while not negatively influencing local control and/or overall survival. This review focuses on the current literature of swallowing outcomes after curative treatment strategies. Available results from recent studies relevant to this topic are presented, demonstrating the potential role of new treatment modalities for early- and intermediate-stage oropharyngeal cancers. Based on this, we present the rationale and design of the currently active EORTC 1420 “Best of” trial, and highlight the potential of this study to help prioritizing either surgery- or radiation-based treatment modalities for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer in the future.

Introduction Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer type worldwide, and 80 % of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The main risk factor for developing BCC is exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), particularly high-dose exposure at a young age. Outdoor workers, particularly farmers, are at high risk of developing BCC. However, studies of BCC in this population are scant. Objective To comprehensively evaluate all cases of BCC of the head and neck region treated during the years 2007–2013 at our hospital in Poland, and to compare the tumour characteristics in farmers to non-farmers. Materials and methods Retrospective analysis of 312 patients treated for head and neck BCC during the study period (2007–2013). Results Most patients (198 cases; 63 %) were males, with 114 females (37 %). Median age was 73 years (range 32–96 years). The most common tumour location was the nose and cheek (114 pts; 37 %) followed by the auricle (82 pts; 26 %), lips (54 pts; 18 %), scalp (26 pts; 8 %), and eye (36 pts; 12 %). The most common disease stage on presentation was stage T2 (104 pts, 33 %), followed by stage T1 (79 pts; 25 %), stage T3 (89 pts; 28 %), and stage T4 (40 pts; 14 %). By occupation, farmers accounted for 33 % of all patients (102 of 312 pts). The most common tumour localisations in the farmer subgroup were the nose and cheek (50 pts; 49 %; p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 2.19; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.35–3.57), followed by the auricle (32 pts; 31 %), scalp (16 pts; 16 %), ocular region (3 pts; 3 %), and lips (1 pt; 1 %). Patients in the farmer group were significantly younger than non-farmers (62 vs. 73 years; p < 0.001; OR 0.90, 95 % CI 0.88–0.93). Farmers were significantly more likely to present disease recurrence (27 vs. 12 % of cases; p < 0.001; OR 5.94; 95 % CI 2.86–12.33). Conclusion The results highlight the increased incidence and risk of recurrence of BCC in farmers. It is therefore necessary to consider enhancing educational programmes and other preventative measures in this occupational group and to evaluate the effectiveness of such programmes.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) accounts for 20 % of all skin malignancies and 20 % of deaths. In contrast to mucosal SCC, treatment results are very good. However, regional metastases are present in 5–20 % of cases, and the prognosis for patients with metastases is 50 % lower. It has been reported that several risk factors are responsible for the head and neck lymph node regional metastasis, such as: poor cell differentiation, local recurrence, immunosuppression, and tumour dimension. Multivariate analysis of metastatic neck lesions in head and neck cSCC. Retrospective analysis of patients treated at our department for head and neck cSCC. The study includes 100 patients: 66 males (66 %) and 34 females (34 %), aged 26–98 years (mean age 74.6). The tumour was evaluated for: sex predilection, local recurrence, stage (according to 7th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging), differentiation, and site. Most patients (79 cases; 79 %) were treated for primary cSCC, while the other 21 patients presented local recurrence of cSCC. Neck metastases were diagnosed in five patients with primary cSCC and in three with recurrent cSCC. No distant metastasis was observed. The most common tumour location was the auricle (29 cases; 29 %). Neck dissection was performed most frequently in patients with lip tumours (17/22 cases; 77 %). Neck metastasis was diagnosed most often in patients with cSCC on the lip (2 patients) and buccal region (2 patients). The most common tumour location in males was the auricle (25/66 cases; 38 %) whereas in females the nasal and buccal regions were the most common locations, with 8 patients each (8/34 cases; 23 %). Neck dissection was performed in 20 of the 66 males (30 %) and in 12 of the 34 females (35 %). Neck metastasis was confirmed in 5 females (15 %) and 3 males (5 %). The most common histopathological tumour stage was G2 (57 cases; 57 %). Of the eight patients with confirmed neck metastasis, four had poorly-differentiated (histopathological stage G3). Thus, 4 of the 24 patients (17 %) with stage G3 tumours experienced metastasis. Our findings suggest that factors such as local recurrence, degree of cell differentiation, tumour dimension and/or location, can increase the risk of neck metastases. For this reason, in patients with such risk factors, neck dissection should be considered to evaluate for metastatic lesions.

Our goal was to determine the expression levels of p16 in the cohort of the OPSCC patients and evaluation of the pathological and clinical differences between these two groups including patients' survival. HPV infection is the main causative factor of oropharyngeal cancer (OPSCC). Identification of HPV status in OPSCC requires positive evaluation of viral DNA integration into host cell however, p16 accumulation in the proliferating cell layers has been accepted as an alternative marker for HPV infection. The IHC staining for p16 has been performed in tumor tissue from 382 OPSCC patients. The sample was considered positive based on more than 70% of carcinoma tissue showing strong and diffused nuclear and cytoplasmic immunostaining. The clinicopathological characteristics of the patients including site, age, gender, tumor grade, tumor stage, the nodal status, smoking and survival have been analyzed when comparing p16 positive and p16 negative tumors. Out of our cohort in 38.2% cases positive staining for p16 has been recorded. Our analysis did not indicate significant differences in the distribution of the p16 positive patients and age of the patients, stage of the disease. Among the patients who have presented with the N+ neck, there were significantly more p16 positive tumors than in the group with N0 neck (p = 0.0062). There was highly significant correlation between the expression of p16 and smoking (p < 0.0001). The significant difference in survival (p < 0.0001) with more favorable prognosis in the p16 positive group has been observed. Overexpression of p16 is accepted as a surrogate diagnostic marker for detecting HPV infection in oropharyngeal cancer. However, one should remember about existence of the small subgroups of p16 positive but HPV negative tumors, with relatively worse prognosis. Immunostaining for p16, however useful on everyday basis, should be complemented with other techniques in terms of reliable identification of the HPV infection.