Undifferentiated head and neck tumors: the contribution of immunohistochemical technique to differential diagnosis

CONTEXT: Undifferentiated head and neck and skull base tumors are not unusual. They can arise in mucosa as well as in salivary glands, soft tissues or lymph nodes. Suitable therapy and prognosis for each case depends upon precise histopathological diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of immunohistochemical techniques in determining the conclusive diagnosis. The occurrence of these tumors in our service and the way in which they were distributed according to cell pattern, patient's age and tumor location was also evaluated. TYPE OF STUDY: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 43 biopsies performed between January 1990 and December 1997, diagnosed as undifferentiated head and neck tumors. PROCEDURES: We applied an immunohistochemical panel in accordance with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The final diagnosis was achieved after new analysis in conjunction with biopsies stained using the hematoxylin-eosin technique. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: This study evaluated undifferentiated tumors in head and neck, and the way in which they were distributed, according to cell pattern, patient's age and tumor location. RESULTS: The most frequent locations for undifferentiated tumors were the lymph nodes, 20.9%; pharynx and neck, 16.3%; paranasal sinus, 14%; and nose, 11.6%. They were most prevalent during the seventh decade of life (34.9%), and twice as prevalent in men as in women. The immunohistochemical technique allowed conclusive diagnosis for 60.5% of the tumors and was suggestive for 20.9% of the biopsies. The most prevalent cell pattern was round cells (51.2%), followed by epithelioid cells (20.9%), spindle cells (16.3%), myxoid pattern (9.3%) and pleomorphic cells (2.3%). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the fundamental role of the immunohistochemical technique for conclusive diagnosis of undifferentiated tumors.

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The Efficacy of Orgotein in the Treatment of Acute Toxicity Due to Radiotherapy on Head and Neck Tumors

Tumori Journal ◽

10.1177/030089160208800507 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 88 (5) ◽

pp. 385-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Javier Valencia ◽

Carmen Velilla ◽

Angel Urpegui ◽

Ignacio Alvarez ◽

M Angeles Llorens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Toxicity ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Overall Response Rate ◽

Response Rate ◽

Complete Response ◽

Tumor Location ◽

Head And Neck Tumors ◽

Secondary Effects ◽

Neck Tumors ◽

Head And Neck Radiotherapy

Aims and background To assess the efficacy of orgotein in the treatment of acute secondary effects of radiotherapy on head and neck tumors. Material and methods Data were collected on 41 patients who received radiotherapy for tumors of the head and neck. Radiotherapy was the exclusive treatment in 19.5% of cases, with surgery in 24.4%, chemotherapy in 48.8%, and with both in 7.3%. The toxicity requiring use of orgotein was: oropharynx mucositis (26.8%), dysphagia (34.2%), or both (39%), in grade 2 or more according to the RTOG scale. Orgotein (8 mg im) was administered every 48 hrs until radiotherapy was finished. Results The overall response rate was 92.5%; a complete response was obtained in 12 patients (30%) and partial in 25 (62.5%). The reduction in toxicity at the end of radiotherapy was one grade in 18 patients (45%), 2 grades in 16 (40%), 3 in 2 patients (5%), and 4 grades in the only patient with grade 4 acute toxicity. A statistically significant influence was shown in obtaining complete response: laryngeal tumor location (P = 0.037), duration of radiotherapy of more than 53 days (P = 0.002), discontinuation for non-toxic reasons (P = 0.008). Conclusions We consider that orgotein is highly effective in dealing with acute secondary effects of radiotherapy on the head and neck area.

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