From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Research: Photodynamic Therapy Applications in Head and Neck Malignancies and Vascular Anomalies

Head and neck cancers are largely squamous cell carcinomas derived from the epithelial lining of the structures in the region, and are often classified anatomically into oral, oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas. The region’s component structures serve complex and intricate functions, such as speaking, swallowing and breathing, which are often compromised by these neoplasms. Such lesions may also cause disfigurement, leading to distressing social and psychological issues. Conventional treatments of these neoplasms usually involve surgical intervention with or without chemoradiotherapy. These have shown to be efficacious; however, they can also cause damage to healthy as well as diseased tissue, exacerbating the aforementioned problems. Access to a given region to deliver the treatments is also often a problem, due to the complex anatomical structures involved. The use of photodynamic therapy in the head and neck region has been established for about two decades. In this review, we looked at the basic mechanisms of this intervention, examined its use in common head and neck malignancies and vascular anomalies, and reported on the most recent clinical studies. We further included a clinical guide which can help replicate the use of this technology by any unit. Based on this review, photodynamic therapy has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of head and neck malignancies and vascular tumours. This therapy can be targeted to the diseased tissue and causes no damage to underlying structures. Recent studies have shown this therapy to be as effective as conventional therapies, without causing major adverse effects.

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Prevalence of head and neck tumours in Calabar, South Eastern Nigeria

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v7i3.14216 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 123-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Okezie Obasi Kanu ◽

Martin A. Nnoli ◽

Chinyere A. Asoegwu

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Region ◽

The Body ◽

Slight Variation ◽

Head And Neck Tumours ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Tumor Registry ◽

Head And Neck Region ◽

Head And Neck Malignancies ◽

South Eastern

Background: Malignancies in the head and neck region though relatively rare, compared to other regions of the body, they contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in affected patients. In Nigeria, the burden of managing head and Neck malignancies is enormous and there is yet to be a unified record of nation-wide incidence of malignancies involving the head and neck region despite the fact the head and neck malignancies have been diagnosed and documented since the 1960’s. The histological pattern and frequency however seems to have some slight variation depending on the region and the identified aetiological risk factors.Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of head and neck tumours seen in the region and the commonest malignancies in the cohort. By comparing the relative prevalence of the lesions with other centers in the country and international published literature we hope to make a case for proper tumour registry and move for nation-wide studies.Materials and Methods: The authors reviewed the histopathological data of the tumor registry at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, a major referral Center in South-Eastern Nigeria between 2005 and 2012. All cases of head and Neck tumours with histological diagnosis were included for analysis, their demographic data were obtained and analyzed using SPSSv16.Results: Two hundred and twenty-five specimens from the head and neck region were analyzed during this 6 year period giving an average of 34 cases per year. The Male: Female ratio was 1.2:1.The age range was from 2 years to 76 years with overall mean of 32.7 years. One hundred and forty-five cases (63.3%) were benign while 84 malignant cases (36.7%) were recorded for the study period. The average number of new malignant cases seen was 14 per year. Malignancies were commoner in those less than 50 years of age and were mostly those of epithelial origin.Conclusion: Variations in the regional demographics of head and neck tumors in the country could be accounted for by the differences in data collection methods and certain aetiological factors that may be unique to those regions. A proper tumor registry in each region, harmonized with a national cancer registry may resolve some of these discrepancies.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 7(3) 2016 123-126

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Vascular Anomalies of the Head and Neck Region

Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery ◽

10.1007/s12663-017-1063-2 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

S. C. Nair

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Region ◽

Vascular Anomalies ◽

Head And Neck Region

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Role of Polidocanol as Sclerosant in Treatment of Hemangiomas of Head and Neck Region

Bengal Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery ◽

10.47210/bjohns.2017.v25i3.136 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 148-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rupanjita Sangma ◽

Mukul Patar

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Neck Region ◽

Complete Regression ◽

Head And Neck Region ◽

Common Presentation ◽

Intralesional Injections

Introduction Haemangiomas are common presentation in head and neck, prevalence being 60% followed by 25% and 15% respectively in trunk and limbs. This report studies the efficacy of Polidocanol as sclerosant in the treatment of heamangiomas in head and neck. Materials and Methods The two year prospective study conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 with Polidocanol as sclerosant on 55 patients attending the department of ENT. Intralesional injections of 3 % polidocanol were given at 2 week intervals. Results Out of 55 patients 15 cases did not follow up after the first dose, so results were calculated out of 40 patients. 12 patients showed complete regression & 15 showed regression to half the size. Thus 67.5 % patients showed acceptable results. There were no side effects except hyperpigmentation in 2 patients. There were no cases of recurrence during our study period. Conclusion Sclerotherapy is a promising method of treatment for haemangiomas of head and neck that may obviate the need for surgical intervention.

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Role of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and management of vascular lesions of the head and neck

Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences ◽

10.17305/bjbms.2021.6019 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raluca Petea-Balea ◽

Manuela Lenghel ◽

Horatiu Rotar ◽

Cristian Dinu ◽

Simion Bran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Region ◽

Vascular Anomalies ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Head And Neck Region ◽

Dce Mri ◽

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced ◽

Contrast Enhanced

Vascular anomalies comprise a wide and heterogeneous group of lesions that may be found in all parts of the body, with most of the cases of vascular malformations involving the head and neck region. Ultrasound (US) is the reliable first-line imaging technique to assess flow parameters. However, in some cases, US fails to depict the real extent of the lesions. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the evaluation of the full extension and anatomic relationship of the vascular anomalies with the neighboring structures and provides hemodynamic characterization using dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), avoiding unnecessary invasive catheter-based procedures. DCE-MRI angiography can make a distinction between low and high flow vascular anomalies and it is useful for selecting adequate therapy and appreciating prognosis. The aim of this paper is to review the role of DCE -MRI in the evaluation of flow characteristics and lesion extent in vascular anomalies of the head and neck region.

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A rare case of cavernous hemangioma of neck mimicking lipoma

International Surgery Journal ◽

10.18203/2349-2902.isj20170235 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 797

Author(s):

Aditya Parimal Lad ◽

Paras Batra ◽

Iresh Shetty ◽

Ishant Rege ◽

Gaurav Batra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Cavernous Hemangioma ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Neck Region ◽

Vascular Tumors ◽

Benign Tumors ◽

Neck Movement ◽

Head And Neck Region ◽

Pathological Analysis ◽

Posterior Triangle

Intramuscular hemangiomas of the head and neck are rare congenital vascular tumors and are sparsely reported. Hemangiomas account for approximately 7% of benign tumors and usually present as a mass that suddenly enlarges. Hemangiomas are mostly seen on the trunk and extremities, but can also appear on the head and neck region. A 28 year old female presented in OPD with 5x4 cm mass in Right posterior triangle of neck. CT scan showed 5x4x4 cm swelling in right posterior triangle involving sternocleidomastoid muscle. The mass was totally extracted by surgical intervention and pathological analysis revealed that it was a cavernous hemangioma. The patient’s neck movement returned to normal after surgery.

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