A clinical analysis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a single-institution’s experience

Objective This study aimed to examine the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors in 12 cases of malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma of the ovary (MCTO). Methods We performed a retrospective study of 12 patients with malignant transformation of MCTO who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from 2003 to 2019. We examined case records, clinical parameters, and biological assessments. Results The median age of the patients was 56.5 years and seven of them were postmenopausal. The average tumor size was 18.5 cm. All patients had pelvic masses at their first hospital visit. Nine of the patients had discomfort in the lower abdomen, two presented with a lower abdominal palpable mass, and three were complicated by fever. The median follow-up time was 73 months (12‒193 months). Ten patients survived with a disease-free status and two died. Conclusions There is a low incidence of malignant transformation of MCTO, and its most common histological type is squamous cell carcinoma. Age and tumor size are important factors in malignant transformation of teratomas. While there is a lack of treatment guidelines for malignant transformation of MCTO, early diagnosis and treatment may be beneficial for these patients.

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Transitions in oral and gut microbiome of HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma following definitive chemoradiotherapy (ROMA LA-OPSCC study)

British Journal of Cancer ◽

10.1038/s41416-020-01253-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marc Oliva ◽

Pierre H. H. Schneeberger ◽

Victor Rey ◽

Matthew Cho ◽

Rachel Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Taxonomic Composition ◽

Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Oral Microbiome ◽

Metagenomic Sequencing ◽

Α Diversity ◽

16S Rna ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Oral and gut microbiomes have emerged as potential biomarkers in cancer. We characterised the oral and gut microbiomes in a prospective observational cohort of HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients and evaluated the impact of chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods Saliva, oropharyngeal swabs over the tumour site and stool were collected at baseline and post-CRT. 16S RNA and shotgun metagenomic sequencing were used to generate taxonomic profiles, including relative abundance (RA), bacterial density, α-diversity and β-diversity. Results A total of 132 samples from 22 patients were analysed. Baseline saliva and swabs had similar taxonomic composition (R2 = 0.006; p = 0.827). Oropharyngeal swabs and stool taxonomic composition varied significantly by stage, with increased oral RA of Fusobacterium nucleatum observed in stage III disease (p < 0.05). CRT significantly reduced the species richness and increased the RA of gut-associated taxa in oropharyngeal swabs (p < 0.05), while it had no effect in stool samples. These findings remained significant when adjusted by stage, smoking status and antibiotic use. Conclusions Baseline oral and gut microbiomes differ by stage in this HPV+ cohort. CRT caused a shift towards a gut-like microbiome composition in oropharyngeal swabs. Stage-specific features and the transitions in oral microbiome might have prognostic and therapeutic implications.

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