OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the biological functions and clinical value of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 7 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) through bioinformatics analysis and basic experiments. METHODS: The expression of SMAD7 in HNSCC in public databases was studied. Western blot was used to detect the expression of SMAD7 in HNSCC cell lines and normal epithelial cells. The SMAD7 highly expressed HNSCC cell line HSC-4 was silenced, and CCK-8, Transwell assays, and cell scratch experiments were conducted to study the effect of SMAD7 on the biological functions of HSC-4 cells. HNSCC expression profile data were obtained from UCSC xena, and genes related to SMAD7 were selected for gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes gene enrichment analysis, construction of a co-expression gene interaction network, and screening of related cell signaling pathways. Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of proteins in the related cell signaling pathways in HNSCC cells with silenced SMAD7. cBioPortal was utilized to analyze the mutation rate of the SMAD7 gene, and the MethSurv database was used to analyze the methylation level of the SMAD7 gene and its correlation with prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of SMAD7 for HNSCC. TIMER2.0 was used to analyze the correlation between SMAD7 expression and immune cell infiltration. RESULTS: SMAD7 was highly expressed in HNSCC tumor tissues and some cell lines. Silencing the expression of SMAD7 can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. Silencing SMAD7 can induce the downregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). The bioinformatics analysis showed that the mutation rate of the SMAD7 gene and the methylation level were significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. The expression of SMAD7 was related to the level of immune cell infiltration in HNSCC. CONCLUSIONS SMAD7 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells by regulating the expression of VCAM-1. It may be a potential tumor biomarker and therapeutic target for HNSCC.
Humans ; Smad7 Protein/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Computational Biology

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC) associated with a poor prognosis and diminished quality of life for patients is the most prevalent pathological type among head and neck tumors. Currently,the standard treatment modalities comprise systemic therapies(including chemotherapy,targeted therapy,and immunotherapy) and local therapies(surgery and radiotherapy).Immunotherapy,characterized by high specificity and low toxicity,is progressively expanding from advanced palliative care to the stage of locally advanced curative treatment and has demonstrated promising efficacy.This review summarizes the latest advances in immunotherapy for HNSCC,aiming to provide reference for optimizing clinical management strategies and facilitating the clinical research.
Humans ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/immunology* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/therapy*

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of parotid cholesteatoma and concurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone in a 51-year-old woman.

Design: Case Report

Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital

Patient: One

A 51-year-old woman with a left parotid mass and ipsilateral external auditory canal mass and chronic bilateral otorrhea had parotid biopsy histological features of cholesteatoma and temporal bone imaging suggestive of middle ear cholesteatoma and possible parotid region abscess. She underwent subtotal petrosectomy, mastoid obliteration and excision of the parotid mass. Histopathological examination of the parotid mass was consistent with cholesteatoma but tissue from the middle ear cavity showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

While cholesteatomas typically arise within the temporal bone, they may occasionally present in atypical or distant sites. In cases where a cholesteatoma demonstrates an unusual location, aggressive behavior, or atypical clinical progression, a high index of suspicion should be maintained for the possibility of an underlying or coexisting temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Managing patients with refractory head and neck cancer pain is one of the more challenging issues in clinical practice, and traditional intrathecal drug delivery also fails to provide adequate analgesia. There are currently no comprehensive and effective treatment methods. This study aims to observe the efficacy and safety of treating intractable head and neck cancer pain with morphine pump via lumbar approach to the prepontine cistern. METHODS: A total of 18 patients with intractable head and neck cancer pain treated with prepontine cistern morphine pumps were selected from the Department of Pain Management, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between September 2019 and July 2023. Statistical analysis was performed on patients' preoperative and postoperative (1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after surgery), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, daily oral morphine consumption, the number of daily breakthrough pain episodes, and postoperative daily intrathecal morphine dosage. RESULTS: The NRS scores, SDS scores, daily oral morphine consumption, and the number of daily breakthrough pain episodes of patients at each time point after surgery were significantly lower than before surgery (all P<0.05). With the gradual increase in the dosage of intrathecal morphine, the daily oral morphine consumption of patients at each postoperative time point was significantly reduced compared to preoperative levels (all P<0.05). The complications related to the operation were mild, including nausea in 5 cases (31.3%), headache in 2 cases (12.5%); hypotension, urine retention, hypersomnia and constipation in 1 case (6.3% each), and no serious adverse events occurred. All improved and were discharged after symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSIONS The implantation of prepontine cistern morphine pump effectively controls intractable head and neck cancer pain, demonstrating characteristics of minimal invasiveness, mild side effects, and low medication dosage under the premise of standardized procedures.
Humans ; Morphine/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery* ; Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage* ; Cancer Pain/drug therapy* ; Pain, Intractable/etiology* ; Aged ; Adult ; Infusion Pumps, Implantable ; Pain Management/methods*

Head and neck tumors are one of the major diseases that threaten human health. Targeted chemotherapy is an important treatment for head and neck tumors. However, many anti-cancer drugs are difficult to reach effective concentrations in tumors and can cause damage to normal tissues. Therefore, the efficient delivery of anti-tumor drugs, improvement of their therapeutic effects, and reduction of their adverse effects on the whole body and locally are urgent issues in targeted drug research. Liposomes have been widely studied due to their unique characteristics, including amphiphilicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. This article outlines the current applications and prospects of liposome drug delivery systems in different treatment modalities for head and neck tumors in recent years, aiming to provide more options for the treatment of head and neck tumors.
Humans ; Liposomes ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage*

Alcohol is a high-risk factor of the head and neck tumor, and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase type 2（ALDH2） is an important alcohol metabolism enzyme in the human body, whose function is to metabolize acetaldehyde into non-toxic acetic acid in the human body. Studies have shown that ALDH2 gene polymorphisms increase the risk of head and neck tumors by affecting enzyme activity to regulate the rate of alcohol metabolism in the body, and high levels of ALDH2 expression are beneficial for enhancing head and neck tumor immunity and improve prognosis. This article aims to review the research progress on the relationship between ALDH2 and the occurrence and treatment of head and neck tumors.
Humans ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/enzymology* ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, pathological types and prognosis of primary cervical neuroblastoma in children. Methods:The clinical data of 11 children with primary cervical neuroblastoma admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Shanghai Children's Hospital from April 2015 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics, imaging findings, pathological types, treatment methods, and outcomes of these 11 patients were examined in conjunction with a review of the literature. Results:The cohort of 11 neuroblastoma patients ranged in age from 28 days to 88 months （median age: 24 months）, including 3 males and 8 females. Among the 11 patients, 4 had tumors located in the carotid sheath area, 4 in the cervical space, and 3 in the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal spaces. The clinical manifestations primarily included painless cervical masses and laryngeal stridor. There were 3 cases of primary cervical tumors with cervical lymph node metastasis and 1 case with bone marrow metastasis. Pathological findings revealed neuroblastoma in 8 cases and ganglionic neuroblastoma in 3 cases. In this group, 7 patients underwent surgery combined with chemotherapy, 2 patients received surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy, and 2 patients underwent surgery alone. Surgical resection was performed via a cervical approach in 7 cases, while 3 cases were treated using a transoral endoscopic approach. Additionally, one patient underwent a transoral endoscopic approach initially and a cervical approach subsequently. All patients completed their treatment and were followed up regularly, with follow-up durations ranging from 6 to 79 months （median: 34 months）. Nine patients achieved complete remission, 2 patients achieved partial remission, and none experienced disease progression. Conclusion:Primary cervical neuroblastoma exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity and presents at a younger age, primarily with cervical masses. Compared to external approaches, endoscopy-assisted transoral resection of parapharyngeal tumors offers advantages such as reduced damage to surrounding tissue and no visible neck scars, providing a new method for clinical treatment. Regular follow-up is essential for children with neuroblastoma, along with the establishment of specific disease management protocols and comprehensive care to improve survival quality.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Neuroblastoma/surgery* ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Prognosis

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 （NF1） is an autosomal dominant hereditary neurological disorder. One of the typical manifestations of NF1 is neurofibroma, which can develop gradually over time. When the volume exceeds 100 cm², it is referred to as giant neurofibroma, representing a tumor-like proliferation of Schwann cells within the nerve fiber sheath. The Department of Otolaryngology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University received a rare case involving a patient with giant neurofibromatosis affecting the maxillofacial region, neck, and chest. The patient underwent successful surgical treatment with the collaboration of various medical disciplines.
Humans ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery* ; Neck ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1/surgery* ; Thoracic Neoplasms/surgery*

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of malignant lymphoma of the head and neck in children, and to improve the understanding and diagnosis and treatment of this type of disease by otolaryngologists. Methods:Clinical data of 49 children with malignant lymphoma of the head and neck hospitalized in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of Kunming Children's Hospital from 2013-2021 were retrospectively analyzed and statistically analyzed according to gender, age distribution, duration of the disease, site of onset, type of pathology and survival status. Results:A total of 49 cases of malignant lymphoma of the head and neck in children were collected, of which, 39 were male and 10 female. The minimum age was 3 years, the maximum was 14 years and 4 months, the median age of onset was 7 years, and the largest percentage （51.02%） of children was in the school age（6-12 years）. The duration of the disease ranged from 5 days to 2 years, with a median of 1 month, and the site of the lesion was located in the neck in the majority of cases, 41（83.67%）. The pathologic types of hodgkin lymphoma（HL） were 25 cases（51.02%） and non-hodgkin lymphoma（NHL） were 24 cases（48.98%）, and among hodgkin lymphomas, mixed-cell classical hodgkin lymphoma was the most common, with 9 cases（18.37%）; among non-hodgkin lymphomas,originated from B-cells in 16 cases （32.65%） and from T-cells in 7 cases （14.29%）, with Burkitt's lymphoma being the most numerous of B-cell origin in 13 cases （26.53%）, and T-cell lymphoblastoid lymphoma being the most common of T-cell origin in 4 cases （8.16%）. The follow-up period was from 22 days to 6 years and 10 months, with 3 cases losing, 43 cases surviving, 3 cases dying, with a survival rate of 93 5%, and 3 cases relapsing, with a relapse rate of 6 5%. Conclusion:Children's head and neck malignant lymphoma has its own characteristics in terms of age of onset, gender distribution, site of onset, pathological type and treatment prognosis, which should be comprehensively assessed, diagnosed as early as possible, and multidisciplinary joint treatment actively carried out to propose personalized treatment plans.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Lymphoma/therapy* ; Survival Rate ; Hodgkin Disease ; Prognosis ; Infant ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin

Objective:Paragangliomas （PGLs） are chromaffin cell tumors originating from paraganglia and are classified as neuroendocrine neoplasms.They predominantly occur along the distribution area of the paraganglia, commonly occurring between the ages of 20 and 40, with a slight male predominance.They are most frequently found in the axial regions from the skull base to the pelvic cavity. Paragangliomas in the head and neck region typically lack endocrine functionality and primarily manifest through local mass effects. However, clinical signs and symptoms alone cannot reliably distinguish between metastatic and non-metastatic cases. Clinically apparent metastatic paragangliomas are relatively rare. Herein, we present a case of a paraganglioma located in the region of the jugular foramen with liver, bone, and lymph node metastases, and discuss the treatment and prognosis of head and neck paragangliomas.
Humans ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Jugular Foramina/pathology* ; Liver Neoplasms/secondary* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Paraganglioma/pathology*