Introduction: Cancer patients’ perception on the treatment they received is vital to determine their adherence to cancer treatment, but important data on how this variable affects posttraumatic growth (PTG) experience by cancer patients is lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the degree of PTG among a cohort of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors who were within first year of diagnosis and determined the association between perception of cancer treatment received (expectation and satisfaction with cancer treatment received and the feeling about the adverse effects) and PTG controlling for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: HNC survivors were recruited from two oncology referral centres, and they were administered socio-demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Malay version of the Cancer Therapy Satisfaction Questionnaire (CTSQ) (to assess the satisfaction, expectation and feeling about the adverse effects of cancer treatment received) and the Malay version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGi-SF) (to measure the degree of PTG). Results: A total of 200 HNC survivors participated in the study. The mean total PTGI-SF score was 39.5 (standard deviation [SD] = 9.3). Greater degree of positive expectation of cancer treatment and satisfaction with cancer treatment received significantly contributed to higher level of PTG, whereas feeling about side effects of treatment was not associated with PTG, after controlling for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: Incorporating psychosocial interventions (such as education on cancer treatment and counselling) into the treatment regimen may facilitate development of PTG and hence, safeguard the mental well-being of HNC patients.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the commonest malignant tumour affecting the oral cavity with a poor 5-year disease free survival. We present an octogenarian with a recurrent oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, treated with salvage mandibulectomy without bony reconstruction. No immediate or intermediate perioperative complications were documented. Subsequent monthly surveillance clinical examination, endoscopy and computed tomography at six months post-operative showed no evidence of residual tumour. Geriatric syndrome, perioperative risk and oncologic stratification are three main cornerstones in evaluating feasibility of oncologic surgery in an elderly patient. A multidisciplinary approach allowed surgical extirpation of OSCC with a good outcome

Paraneoplastic neurological disorder (PND) is a condition due to immune cross-reactivity between the tumour cells and the normal tissue, whereby the “onconeural” antibodies attack the normal host nervous system. It can present within weeks to months before or after the diagnosis of malignancies. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is associated with paraneoplastic syndrome, for example, dermatomyositis, and rarely with a neurological disorder. We report on a case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with probable PND. Otolaryngologists, oncologists and neurologists need to be aware of this condition in order to make an accurate diagnosis and to provide prompt treatment.

Solitary fibrous tumours of the head and neck region are extremely rare. The clinical diagnosis is often difficult to establish, and this lesion may be indistinguishable from other soft tissue neoplasms. An 18-year old Chinese gentleman presented with a painless right submandibular swelling which was increasing in size for eight months. A computed tomography scan showed a well-defined solid mass measuring about 2.0 x 2.96 cm in the submandibular region. The tumour was resected and was confined within its capsule. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for CD34, CD 99, and vimentin and negative for desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), cytokeratin, S100 and CD68. The microscopic and immunohistochemical profile were compatible with solitary fibrous tumour. Distinguishing solitary fibrous tumours from various spindle neoplasms can be difficult. In view of the resemblance, immunohistochemical staining can help differentiate solitary fibrous tumour from spindle neoplasm.
Neoplasms, Tumors, Cancer

Bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) is commonly caused by injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and leads to stridor and dyspnea of varying onsets. A retrospective study was done at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre on laser microsurgical posterior cordectomy for BVFI. The objectives were to identify the average duration of onset of stridor from the time of insult and to evaluate the outcome of laser posterior cordectomy as a surgical option. From 1997 to 2007, a total of 31 patients with BVFI were referred for surgery. Twelve patients had tracheostomy done prior to the procedure, whereas 19 patients were without tracheostomy. Ten patients were successfully decannulated, and only 4 patients had complications related to the procedure. The minimum onset of stridor was 7 months, maximum onset of stridor was 28 years, and the mean onset of stridor was 8.7 years. The commonest complication observed was posterior glottic adhesion following bilateral posterior cordectomy. Laser endolaryngeal posterior cordectomy is an excellent surgical option as it enables successful decannulation or avoidance of tracheostomy in patients with BVFI. The onset of stridor took years after the insult to the recurrent laryngeal nerves.

p style=text-align: justify;strongOBJECTIVE: /strongTo describe a case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma coexistent with primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis and review the literature.METHODS:br /Design:/strong Case Reportbr /strongSetting:/strong Tertiary Public University Hospitalbr /strongPatient:/strong One RESULTS:/strong A 28-year-old man presented with recurrent sore throat and neck pain with clinically enlarged tonsils. He underwent a routine adenotonsilectomy. Histopathologic examination revealed non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma with caseating granulomatous inflammation typical for tuberculosis in the same adenoid specimen. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was staged T2bN2M0. He was treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and 9-month course of anti tuberculosis treatment. He recovered and remained symptom free year after treatment.CONCLUSION: /strongNasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and tuberculosis (TB) are both very common diseases in Sabah, East Malaysia. However, it is very rare that both diseases present at the same time and same anatomical area in a patient. Diagnosis can be very challenging and confusing. Multidisciplinary consultations are warranted for appropriate treatment. Combined anti-tuberculosis treatment and concurrent chemoradiotherapy may be appropriate and effective./p
Human ; Male ; Adult ; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms

Isolated laryngeal histoplasmosis is a very rare entity. It has variable clinical presentations that might mimic both benign and malignant lesions, and is usually associated with pulmonary and other disseminated forms of histoplasmosis. Herein, we report a case of primary laryngeal histoplasmosis without the involvement of other systems in a 70-year-old Chinese man, who previously worked as a miner. He presented with a history of hoarseness for two months, with no other associated symptoms. Direct laryngoscopy revealed irregularity of the posterior one-third of both vocal folds. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of Histoplasma capsulatumon periodic acidSchiff and Grocott's methenamine silver staining. The lesion resolved after one month of oral itraconazole treatment. However, the patient had to complete six months of antifungal treatment to prevent recurrence.
Aged ; Amphotericin B ; therapeutic use ; Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Histoplasma ; isolation & purification ; Histoplasmosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Humans ; Laryngitis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Laryngoscopy ; Larynx ; microbiology ; pathology ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumour of glandular tissue, usually of the major salivary glands. However it can present in the minor salivary glands, especially in the soft palate. We report the case of a 72-year-old Malay female after presentation with sore throat, fever and odynophagia, was diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the soft palate.
Mucoepidermoid Tumor ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Salivary Glands, Minor

The significance of metastastic disease in the cervical lymph nodes has long been appreciated. The rich lymphatics of the upper aerodigestive tract explained the high incidence of cervical metastasis, occasional bilaterally spread. Even with appropriate treatment, cervical recurrences do occur. Nonetheless, with the resurgence of tuberculosis, the differential of tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis should be excluded. Appropriate modalities should be employed in making the appropriate diagnosis possible.
Aged ; Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; microbiology ; pathology ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node ; diagnosis ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVE/strong: To describe a case of juvenile angiofibroma with unusual protrusion out of the nasal cavity, and its management with surgery and radiotherapy.br /br /strongMETHODS:/strong br /strongDesign/strong: Case Report br /strongSetting/strong: Tertiary Public Referral Centre br /strongPatient/strong: Onebr /br /strongRESULTS/strong: A 17-year-old gentleman presented with a huge tumor protruding from his left nostril, diagnosed with juvenile angiofibroma stage IlIA by MRI and angiography. Following successful pre-operative embolization, the protruding mass was ligated and truncated, followed by surgical resection via external approach. Post-operative residual tumor was treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. There was no evidence of recurrence after nine months.br /br /strongCONCLUSION/strong: A high index of suspicion is of paramount importance in the diagnosis of JA and avoids the possibility of an unwarranted biopsy which could spell disaster. The most useful tools for diagnosis are MRI and arterial angiography. Treatment is primarily surgical. Irradiation therapy has been reported to achieve satisfactory outcomes, especially for unresectable residual disease and/or intracranial extension, where total surgical resection is unlikely to be attained without unacceptable morbidity./p
Human ; Male ; Adolescent ; Angiofibroma-diagnosis, radiotherapy, surgery ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; neoplasms ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nasal Cavity ; nose