Analysis of main statistical indicators of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the Republic of Uzbekistan

Relevance: According to GLOBOCAN data for 2020, oral and pharyngeal cancer ranked 25th in mortality (98 412 cases, 0.5% of all cancer deaths) and 26th in the number of diagnosed new cases (48 143 cases, 0.5% of all new cancer cases) in the world. Oral and pharyngeal cancer incidence is growing steadily globally and in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Oral and pharyngeal cancer ranks 16th in the structure of cancer incidence in the Republic of Uzbekistan, with a rate of 1.8 per 100 000 people. The purpose of the study was to analyze the main statistical indicators for tumors of the oral cavity and pharynx in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2015-2021. Methods: We analyzed the main statistical indicators for tumors of the oral cavity and pharynx in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2015- 2020 obtained from the Reporting Form #7 “Information about malignant neoplasms cases.” Results: Over the past six years, the incidence rate per 100,000 people has increased from 1.4 in 2015 to 1.8 in 2020. In 2015-2020, in the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2,240 patients died from malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity and pharynx. The mortality rate per 100,000 people decreased from 1.4 in 2015 to 1.2 in 2020. Conclusions: Tumors of the oral cavity and pharynx rank 16th in the structure of cancer incidence in the Republic of Uzbekistan and tend to grow. A recent increase in oral and pharyngeal cancer incidence and its late detection could be explained by worsening detection and diagnostics. The stabilization of oral and pharyngeal cancer mortality results in socio-economic losses for the Republic. The provided statistical data is the basis for improving the indicators of incidence and mortality related to oral and pharyngeal cancer in the Republic of Uzbekistan

The Association between Carotenoids and Head and Neck Cancer Risk

Head and neck cancer (HNC) includes oral cavity cancer (OCC), pharyngeal cancer (PC), and laryngeal cancer (LC). It is one of the most frequent cancers in the world. Smoking and alcohol consumption are the typical well-known predictors of HNC. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an increasing etiological factor for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Moreover, food and nutrition play an important role in HNC etiology. According to the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, an intake of non-starchy vegetables and fruits could decrease HNC risk. The carotenoids included in vegetables and fruits are well-known antioxidants which have anti-mutagenic and immune regulatory functions. Numerous studies have shown the relationship between carotenoid intake and a lower HNC risk, but the role of carotenoids in HNC risk is not well defined. The goal of this review is to present the current literature regarding the relationship between various carotenoids and HNC risk.

An Analysis of 20 Cases of Radiation-Associated Sarcoma, Including 4 Cases Treated by Carbon Ion Radiotherapy

Introduction Radiation-associated sarcoma (RAS) is one of the most life-threatening complications associated with the treatment of malignant neoplasms. Because all RAS patients have a history of radiotherapy, there have been no effective treatment options when RAS is not completely resected. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 20 RAS patients, including 4 unresectable cases treated by carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT). Results The primary diseases targeted by radiotherapy included malignant lymphoma (n=4), cervical cancer (n=3), pharyngeal cancer (n=3), breast cancer (n=2), lung cancer (n=1), rectal cancer (n=1), maxillary cancer (n=1), synovial sarcoma (n=1), and benign neoplasms (n=4). The histological diagnoses of RAS included osteosarcoma (n=8), leiomyosarcoma (n=3), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (n=3), rhabdomyosarcoma (n=1), angiosarcoma (n=1), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (n=1), spindle cell sarcoma NOS (n=1), and sarcoma not further specified (n=2). The median survival time from the diagnosis of RAS was 26 months. Eleven patients underwent surgery. Five of these patients achieved a continuous disease free status or showed no evidence disease. Four patients underwent CIRT. One of these patients with leiomyosarcoma achieved a continuous disease free status, and the other patient with osteosarcoma achieved a partial response. On the other hand, 2 patients experienced Grade 3 toxicities that required surgical treatment. Conclusion RAS originates from various types of diseases that are treated by radiotherapy and shows diverse pathological features. Complete resection achieves a good prognosis. CIRT can be an effective and feasible option for unresectable RAS.

Positive association between actinic keratosis and internal malignancies: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Little is known about the comorbidities in actinic keratosis patients. To evaluate the association of actinic keratosis with certain malignancies. All patients with actinic keratosis (n = 61,438) and age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 307,190) at a 5:1 ratio were enrolled using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service between the years 2007 and 2014. In subjects with actinic keratosis, overall cancer incidence was higher than that for controls after income level, habitat, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were adjusted (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.43 [95% confidence interval 1.38–1.47]). The positive association of specific cancers were observed in the following order: skin cancer (HR = 3.43 [2.47–4.75]), oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer (HR = 1.99 [1.57–2.52]), lymphoma (HR = 1.59 [1.28–1.96]), leukemia (HR = 1.35 [1.03–1.77]), prostate cancer (HR = 1.35 [1.21–1.51]), renal cancer (HR = 1.29 [1.02–1.63]), liver cancer (HR = 1.21 [1.09–1.35]), thyroid cancer (HR = 1.20 [1.05–1.38]), and gastric cancer (HR = 1.13 [1.03–1.23]). Although further research on pathologic mechanism is needed, the implications of a positive correlation between actinic keratosis and internal organ malignancies has great significance.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Oral Cavity and Pharyngeal Cancer Screening in a Rural Population

Objective (1) To quantify the prevalence of provider recommendation and receipt of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer (OCPC) screening and (2) to examine the factors associated with OCPC screening recommendation and receipt among adults. Study Design Cross-sectional. Setting Rural counties in central Illinois. Methods This study among adults (N = 145) was conducted between January 1 and June 30, 2017. The outcomes of interest were provider recommendation and receipt of OCPC screening. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between (1) sociodemographic, health care access and utilization, and OCPC risk factors and (2) provider recommendation and receipt of OCPC screening. Results The prevalence of provider recommendation and receipt of OCPC screening was 12.4% and 28.3%, respectively. Approximately 15% of current smokers, 13% of participants who consume alcohol, and 10% of participants with ≥5 lifetime sexual partners had received an OCPC screening recommendation. OCPC screening rates were 19% for current smokers, 30% for those who consume alcohol, and 32% for those with ≥5 lifetime sexual partners. In the adjusted analyses, respondents with ≥5 partners (adjusted odds ratio, 3.10 [95% CI, 1.25-7.66]) had a higher odds of receiving OCPC screening than those with <5. There were no significant associations between other OCPC risk factors and provider recommendation and receipt of OCPC screening. Conclusion OCPC screening recommendation and receipt were low; only number of lifetime sexual partners was associated with OCPC screening receipt. Our findings suggest that rural populations may be vulnerable to late-stage diagnosis of OCPC, and interventions to help improve screening rates are warranted.

Prognostic significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in advanced pharyngeal cancer without human papillomavirus infection

Objective This study aimed to clarify the association between both hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and glucose transporter type-1 expression and survival outcome in advanced pharyngeal cancer without human papillomavirus infection. Method Twenty-five oropharyngeal and 55 hypopharyngeal cancer patients without human papillomavirus infection were enrolled. All patients had stage III–IV lesions and underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and glucose transporter type-1 expression were investigated in primary lesions by immunohistochemistry. Results There were 41 and 39 cases with low and high hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression, and 28 and 52 cases with low and high glucose transporter type-1 expression, respectively. There was no significant correlation between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and glucose transporter type-1 expression. In univariate analysis, nodal metastasis, clinical stage and high hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression, but not glucose transporter type-1 expression, predicted significantly worse prognosis. In multivariate analysis, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α overexpression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival, disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival. Conclusion High hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis for advanced human papillomavirus-unrelated pharyngeal cancer.