Localized DLBCL of the Tonsil: A U.S. Population-Based Survival Analysis

INTRODUCTION: The Waldeyer ring represents a common location of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) arising in the head and neck. Within the Waldeyer ring, tonsils are the most common site. Chemotherapy with or without consolidation with radiotherapy are the most common approaches. However, the benefit of radiotherapy over chemotherapy as a single approach in patients with localized DLBCL remains unclear. In this study we analyzed the survival effect of different treatment modalities along with clinical variables in two cohorts of patients with stage I DLBCL involving either the tonsils or the neck lymph nodes (LN). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with stage I DLBCL with primary involvement of the tonsil or neck lymph nodes derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2015 with follow up through 2017. We concentrated our analysis on patients with Ann Arbor stage I and treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. We excluded cases without histologic confirmation, untreated, incomplete survival data or unknown cause of death. The major end-points of this study were overall survival (OS) and lymphoma-specific survival (LSS). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test were used in the OS analysis with Cox proportional hazard regression model to assess predictors of OS. LSS was evaluated using competing risk analysis. The Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard model was used to assess the effect of demographic and treatment related variables on the risk of lymphoma-specific death. We reported subdistribution hazard ratios (SHR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: 1978 (tonsil: 311 and neck LN: 1667) patients with DLBCL met the inclusion criteria. Overall, most patients were ≥ 60 years (n=1130, 57.1%), male (n=1101, 55.7%), white (n=1631, 82.5%), non-Hispanic (n=1775, 89.7%), and treated with chemotherapy (n=935, 47.3%) followed by chemotherapy/radiotherapy (n=929, 47%). Patients <60 years (48.9% vs 41.8%; P=0.019), non-White race (21.9% vs 16.7%; P=0.029) and Hispanic origin (14.1% vs 9.5%; P=0.013) were more common in DLBCL in tonsil compared to neck LN. Patients with tonsil DLBCL exhibited longer median OS compared to neck LN (16.2 vs. 14.2 years; P=0.033) (Figure 1A). In patients with tonsil DLBCL, consolidation with radiation did not lead to longer median 5-year OS (83.9%, 95%CI 76.7-89% vs 81.8%, 95%CI 74.1-87.4%; P=0.523) or LSS (HR=0.73, 95%CI 0.37-1.42; P=0.350) compared to chemotherapy (Figure 1B and Table 1). Contrary, patients with neck LN demonstrated better OS (5-year OS 82.6%, 95% 79.7-85.1 vs 72.2% 95%CI 68.9-75.2%; P<0.001) and LSS (HR=0.55, 95%CI 1.51-3.14; P<0.001) if they received consolidation with radiotherapy compared to chemotherapy only (Figure 1C and Table 2). CONCLUSION: Based on our analysis consolidation with radiotherapy does not improve OS or LSS in patients with stage I tonsil DLBCL treated with chemotherapy. Conversely, consolidation with radiation significantly improves survival in patients with localized LN DLBCL. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Lossos: NCI: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Stanford University: Patents & Royalties; Lymphoma Research Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; NIH grants: Research Funding; University of Miami: Current Employment. Alderuccio: ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Oncinfo / OncLive: Honoraria; Puma Biotechnology: Other: Family member; Inovio Pharmaceuticals: Other: Family member; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Other: Family member; Forma Therapeutics: Other: Family member.

Application of Carbon Nanoparticle Tracers in the Lateral Neck Lymph Nodes of CN1bx Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

This study aimed to investigate the applicability of carbon nanoparticle tracers in the lateral neck lymph nodes of CN1bx patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma surgery. 73 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma at our hospital between January 2019 to December 2019 were suspected metastasis in the lateral neck lymph node before surgical treatment. During the operation, carbon nanoparticle tracers were used as black staining tracers for the lateral neck lymph nodes to detect metastasis in each Compartment of the neck. The lateral Compartment is defined as level ll-V The black-stained lymph nodes, dyed by Carbon nanoparticle tracers, and non-dyed lymph nodes were compared. Post-surgery paraffin pathology was adopted as the gold standard to calculate the predictive performance of the carbon nanoparticle tracers in detecting lymph node biopsy metastasis. 59 of the patients (80.8%) had lateral neck metastasis. The black-stained lymph nodes, dyed by Carbon nanoparticle tracers, in Compartment IV exhibited the highest proportions in the case number submitted for detection and in lymph nodes metastasis, followed by Compartment III. The metastasis rate of the dyed lymph nodes in areas III and IV was significantly higher than that of non-dyed lymph nodes (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and accuracy of the dyed lymph node biopsy in Compartments III—IV were 90% and 93.2%, respectively. This predictive performance was similar to that Compartments ll-V combined. In conclusion, when carbon nanoparticle tracers are used for lymph node biopsy, high sensitivity and accuracy are obtained in lateral neck compartments III—IV, making these compartments ideal for lymph node biopsy.

The outcomes and decision-making process for neck lymph nodes with indeterminate fine-needle aspiration cytology

Objectives This study aims to propose a cytological classification, to evaluate predictive factors of the final malignancy, and to suggest a proper management strategy for neck lymph nodes (LNs) with indeterminate cytology. Methods Patients who had neck lymphadenopathy with indeterminate cytology between 2007 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively in a tertiary medical center. Cytological classification was conducted according to the cytological descriptions. We examined the clinical characteristics according to the final diagnosis of the neck lymphadenopathy. Results According to the final diagnoses, there were 142 malignant and 95 benign neck LNs among 237 patients. Multivariate analyses using a stepwise logistic regression model showed that cytological classification [p < 0.001, OR = 5.67 (3.48–9.23)], prior history of malignancy [p = 0.01, OR = 2.97 (1.26–6.99)], long axis [p = 0.01, OR = 3.06 (1.33–7.06)], short-to-long axis (S/L) ratio [p = 0.047, OR = 2.15 (1.01–4.57)] and internal echogenicity [p = 0.01, OR = 2.72 (1.26–5.86)] were independent predictors of malignancy. Conclusions In patients who have neck LNs with indeterminate cytology, a cytological classification and four other predictors (prior history of malignancy, long axis ≥ 1.93 cm, S/L ratio ≥ 0.64 and heterogeneity of internal echogenicity) are statistically associated with the risk of malignancy and helpful in guiding further management.

A febrile child with a ‘bunch of grapes’ appearance on neck ultrasonography

Kawasaki disease is a common childhood vasculitis. Fever and lymphadenopathy, at times, are the only clinical presentation of Kawasaki disease, which mimics infectious lymphadenitis, especially, when other features are yet to evolve. In such a scenario, ultrasonography of cervical lymph nodes can help to differentiate Kawasaki disease lymphadenitis from infectious lymphadenitis. We present one such patient who was initially diagnosed as having bacterial lymphadenitis; however, ultrasonography of the neck lymph nodes showed typical imaging features described with Kawasaki disease lymphadenitis.

Postoperative Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific and Overall Survival among Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Background. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 1%–2% of thyroid cancer in the United States based on the latest Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, and this study aimed to construct a comprehensive predictive nomogram based on various clinical variables in MTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection. Methods. Data regarding 1,237 MTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection from 2004 to 2015 were obtained from the SEER database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen for meaningful independent predictors. These independent factors were used to construct a nomogram model, a survival prognostication tool for 3- and 5-year overall survival, and cancer-specific survival among these MTC patients. Result. A total of 1,237 patients enrolled from the SEER database were randomly divided into the training group (n = 867) and the test group (n = 370). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify meaningful independent prognostic factors ( P < 0.05 ). Tumor size, age, metastasis status, and LNR were selected as independent predictors of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Finally, two nomograms were developed, and the predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the training group was 0.828 and 0.904, respectively. The predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the test group was 0.813 and 0.828. Conclusion. Nomograms constructed by using various clinical variables can make more comprehensive and accurate predictions for MTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes. These predictive nomograms help identify postoperative high-risk MTC patients and facilitate patient counseling on clinical prognosis and follow-up.

Postoperative Nomogram for predicting Cancer-Specific and Overall Survival Among Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Background Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 1% -2% of thyroid cancer in the United States based on the latest Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, this study aimed to construct a comprehensive predictive nomogram based on various clinical variables in MTC patients who undergo total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection.Methods Data regarding 1237 MTC patients who undergo total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection from 2004 to 2015 were obtained from the SEER database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen for meaningful independent predictors. These independent factors were used to construct a nomogram model, a survival prognostication tool for 3- and 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival among these MTC patients.Result A total of 1237 patients enrolled from the SEER database were randomly divided into the training group (n = 867) and the test group (n = 370). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify meaningful independent prognostic factors (P <0.05). Tumor size, age, metastasis status, and LNR were selected as independent predictors of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Finally, two nomograms were developed, the predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the training group were 0.828 and 0.904, respectively. The predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the test group were 0.813 and 0.828.Conclusion Nomograms constructed by using various clinical variables can make more comprehensive and accurate predictions for MTC patients who undergo total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes. These predictive nomograms help identify postoperative high-risk MTC patients and facilitate patient counseling on clinical prognosis and follow-up.

Tomoelastography for non-invasive detection of ameloblastoma and metastatic neck lymph nodes

Ameloblastoma is a benign epithelial tumour and the most common odontogenic tumour, accounting for about 18% of cases. We present a patient to illustrate the first use of tomoelastography for quantitatively mapping tissue stiffness (shear wave speed) and fluidity (loss angle of the complex shear modulus) in a metastasised ameloblastoma of the left mandible. Tomoelastography maps clearly depicted the extent of the tumour by abnormally high values of stiffness and fluidity (1.73±0.23 m/s, 1.18±0.08 rad) compared with normal values in the contralateral mandible (1.04±0.09 m/s, 0.93±0.12 rad). Abnormal stiffness also revealed metastatic involvement of the neck lymph nodes (1.30±0.03 m/s vs 0.86±0.01 m/s). Taken together, stiffness and fluidity measured by tomoelastography can sensitively detect the presence and extent of bone tumours and metastatic spread to cervical lymph nodes.