Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T C Calcaterra

Publications and source records attributed to T C Calcaterra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Sarcomas of the head and neck. Prognostic factors and treatment strategies.

The authors reviewed 164 cases of head and neck sarcoma from adult patients seen at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), between 1955 and 1988. The median follow-up was 70 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumor grade, size, and surgical margin status were the most important independent prognostic factors. Thirty-one percent (27 of 85) of patients with high-grade lesions were free of disease versus 81% (44 of 55) with low-grade lesions at last follow-up. Sixty-seven percent (50 of 76) of patients with lesions smaller than 5 cm were free of disease versus 38% (33 of 88) with lesions larger than 5 cm. In 16 patients, low-grade lesions, measuring less than 5 cm and with negative margins histologically, were controlled with surgery alone. For the 94 patients whose primary tumors were treated at UCLA, local control was achieved in 52% (26 of 50) of patients treated with surgery alone and 90% (20 of 22) with combined therapy (surgery and radiation therapy [RT] with or without chemotherapy). Seventy-five percent (6 of 8) of patients with positive surgical margins treated with postoperative RT achieved local control versus 26% (5 of 19) of patients receiving no additional treatment. In conclusion, surgery alone appears to be adequate treatment for small, low-grade tumors and negative surgical margins. Patients with incomplete resection or high-grade tumors should receive aggressive treatment--surgery and RT.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Fibrosarcoma of the head and neck. The UCLA experience.

Between 1955 and 1987, twenty-nine patients with the diagnosis of fibrosarcoma of the head and neck were seen at the UCLA Medical Center. Follow-up ranged from 15 to 192 months, with a median of 66 months. Absolute 5-year survival was 62% (13/21). Five of 17 patients treated initially with surgery alone achieved local control and long-term survival. All five had low-grade lesions. Five patients received postoperative radiation therapy because of positive surgical margins. Three were rendered disease free, and all had low-grade lesions. Radiation therapy was used as primary treatment in six patients, four of whom received additional chemotherapy. Of these six, two are disease free with longer than 5-year follow-up. Surgery with and without adjuvant therapy successfully salvaged 42% (5/12) of the patients with local recurrence. Eighty percent (12/15) of the patients with low-grade lesions were ultimately rendered disease free vs only 8% (1/12) of the patients with high-grade histologic features. Seventy-two percent (13/18) of the patients with local recurrence were known to have positive surgical margins. Sixty-eight percent (13/19) of the patients with recurrent disease had high-grade lesions and/or tumor size larger than 5 cm. Tumor grade is the most important prognostic factor followed by tumor size and surgical margin status. Patients with low-grade lesions and adequate surgical margins are treated well with surgery alone. Patients with high-grade lesions or positive surgical margins should receive adjuvant treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Osteogenic sarcoma of the head and neck. The UCLA experience.

Eighteen cases of osteogenic sarcoma of the head and neck were treated at our institution between 1955 and 1987. The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 73 years, with a median age of 28 years. The sex distribution was equal. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 276 months, with a median of 79 months. The primary site of the tumor was the mandible in nine cases, maxilla and paranasal sinuses in six, skull in two, and orbit in one. Six of 18 patients were free of disease with greater than 5 years of follow-up. Four of the six received combined surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy as their primary treatment. Of the five patients treated with surgery alone, four suffered recurrences, one of whom was salvaged with further surgery and chemotherapy. Five patients were treated initially without surgery. They received radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy; all five developed local recurrence. We conclude that osteogenic sarcoma of the head and neck is an aggressive tumor, prone to both local and distant failure. Based on our series and from published experience involving the extremities, osteogenic sarcoma of the head and neck should be managed with multimodality therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Partial laryngectomy for glottic cancer after high-dose radiotherapy.

A vertical partial laryngectomy (VPL) for salvage was performed on 25 patients with locally persistent or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cord(s) after high-dose radiotherapy at the UCLA Medical Center between 1969 and 1988. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years and a median of 4.4 years after VPL. Ninety-six percent of patients remained free of disease. Tumor was controlled in patients with impaired vocal cord mobility and involvement of the contralateral cord or false cord. The actuarial survival rate was 80% at 5 years. There were no serious wound healing problems. A permanent tracheostomy was required in one patient due to recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Swallowing and voice function were satisfactory in all other patients. These results indicate that the selection criteria for initial VPL can be applied to the salvage situation with similar success.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Skull base malignancy following long-term sinus mucocele and osteomyelitis.

A case of skull base malignancy following long-term sinus mucocele is presented. While the similarity in clinical signs between sinus mucocele and malignancy has recently been emphasized in the literature, no previous case of skull base malignancy following frontoethmoid mucocele has been reported. The literature is reviewed and the association between inflammatory conditions and sinus malignancy is outlined.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cancer of the tongue base treated by a transpharyngeal approach.

Tongue base resection plays an important role in the management of the patient with cancer of the posterior tongue. The considerable morbidity resulting from loss of functional tongue includes compromised deglutition, chronic aspiration, and altered speech articulation. The particular operative approach used dictates additional secondary morbidity, which may include cosmetic and functional defects of the mandibular arch, malocclusion, lip and chin scars, and postoperative changes in the oral cavity. Our recent experience with a transpharyngeal approach in 13 patients with tongue base cancer is reviewed. Adequate operative exposure was obtained in all cases. Persistent aspiration was not a problem, and all patients learned to swallow effectively. The transpharyngeal approach avoids unnecessary surgical trauma to the mandible and anterior oral cavity and minimizes cosmetic deformity. Our early experience with this approach is encouraging.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Efficacy and morbidity of partial laryngectomy and postoperative radiation therapy.

In recent years, we have seen increasing use of partial laryngectomies for larger lesions that were previously treated by total laryngectomy. The resultant closer margins have made postoperative radiation therapy an important adjuvant treatment to conservation laryngeal surgery. We review the University of California, Los Angeles, experience with combination partial laryngectomy and postoperative radiation therapy between 1973 and 1987 for treatment of carcinoma of the larynx. Twenty-four such patients who underwent partial laryngectomies and postoperative radiation therapy are examined. Techniques of treatment, complications, and the functional ability of the remaining larynx are discussed. The locoregional control rate at 5 years was 80%. Risk factors associated with an increased risk of recurrence were positive margins, vascular invasion, and extranodal spread. There were no major problems with postoperative wound healing or airway management during the radiation treatment. Vocal and swallowing function were well preserved in most cases. We conclude that combination partial laryngectomy and radiation therapy permits preservation of laryngeal function without serious complications, and therefore is an effective treatment for selected patients with carcinoma of the larynx.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Flexible Nd:YAG laser palliation of obstructive tracheal metastatic malignancies.

Flexible Nd:YAG endoscopic laser surgery may become an effective new modality for palliation in patients with obstructive endotracheal metastatic malignancies. We report the results of the treatment of two patients with severely obstructing intraluminal tracheal metastatic melanoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma, using the neodymium-YAG laser via the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Both patients complained of significant dyspnea, orthopnea, cough, and hemoptysis and were not candidates for rigid bronchoscopy because of underlying medical contraindications and anatomical problems. Multiple treatment sessions were used with treatment intervals of 1 to 2 weeks. All treatments were performed in the operating room under sedation, without intubation, with topical lidocaine and standard superior laryngeal nerve block. Successful relief of airway obstruction with complete regression of the endotracheal masses was achieved and no recurrences were seen after 9 months' follow-up. Flexible Nd:YAG laser bronchoscopy offered an alternative for the relief of obstructing endotracheal or bronchial malignancies in patients in whom the rigid bronchoscope could not be passed. it seemed to prolong survival in selected cases, and provided definite improvement in quality of life.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Isolated pulmonary nodules in head and neck cancer patients.

Not infrequently, a patient with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer is noted on preoperative chest radiography to have a solitary pulmonary nodule. It is initially unclear whether the pulmonary nodule is a benign lesion or a metastatic or primary lung malignancy. Considerable controversy exists regarding the evaluation of such patients as well as the treatment, assuming that the pulmonary lesion is malignant. We have reviewed the UCLA experience with patients who had head and neck cancers and pulmonary cancers no more than 5 years apart, and reviewed the literature on early stage lung cancer. We present a rational approach to the workup and treatment of patients with head and neck cancer and a pulmonary nodule on chest radiography.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Frontal sinus osteoma.

Osteoma is the most common benign tumor of the nose and paranasal sinuses, and the frontal sinus is its most frequent location. This tumor may be discovered incidentally on radiographs or may enlarge to produce symptoms and, rarely, complications referable to its location near the orbit and anterior cranial vault. A series of 22 cases of frontal sinus osteoma treated at the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences is reviewed. The presenting symptoms of this tumor, patient examination, radiographic evaluation, diagnosis, and indications for surgical and nonsurgical management are discussed. Various surgical approaches are reviewed, with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Issues at surgery include the location of the surgical incision, technique of sinus entry, tumor removal, status of the posterior sinus table, patency of the nasofrontal duct, sinus obliteration, and avoidance of cosmetic deformity. Patient outcomes are assessed and recommendations given based on our findings and experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancers of the neck.

The neck is not a common area for a skin cancer to occur. However, when it does occur and extends deeply, careful extirpation is necessary so that vital structures will be identified and, if possible, preserved. The Mohs surgeon can most accurately determine the true extent of malignancies in this area; the head and neck surgeon can best identify and protect important anatomic structures. Together both physicians can achieve the best chance of cure and lessen the complication rate for patients with selected invasive cutaneous tumors of the neck. Future collaborative efforts will undoubtedly be directed toward complete extirpation of deeper tumors of the neck, especially those of the pharynx, hypopharynx, and trachea.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Nonsalivary sinonasal adenocarcinoma.

Thirteen cases of primary non-salivary gland adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were studied at UCLA over 20 years. All pathologic specimens were reviewed and those tumors that were histologically distinct from the more common salivary gland-derived tumors were included in the study. Three classifications were identified: well, moderately, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. A distinct variant of sinonasal adenocarcinoma was the intestinal type. The clinical behavior of the latter resembled the well or moderately differentiated types, with behavior mainly predicted by the extent of the disease. These groups have prognostic significance, with the poorly differentiated group having the most virulent course. Nine of 13 tumors occurred in the ethmoid sinuses and all were aggressive locally. Only one case had distant metastases (nodal neck disease in a terminal case). Of five long-term survivors (median five-year follow-up), all had extensive surgical resections and three had full-course radiotherapy. The single most important factor in the treatment of these lesions is adequacy of surgical margins. Four of six patients with confirmed negative margins were cured despite extensive tumors. Three survivors had the cribriform plate taken and one required a combined intracranial/extracranial approach for tumor resection. There were no survivors in four patients treated with primary irradiation.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Osteomyelitis of the clavicle.

Osteomyelitis of the clavicle is a rare entity and can occur as a complication of head and neck surgery. Ten consecutive cases of the clavicular osteomyelitis were reviewed at the University of California Medical Center, Los Angeles, over the past seven years. Six cases were associated with prior surgical procedures, and five cases presented as chronic wound drainage. One case was related to a pharyngocutaneous fistula following a supraglottic laryngectomy. Four patients presented with acute symptoms resulting from hematogenous spread, and two of the four patients had Staphylococcus aureus on blood cultures. Long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy (six to eight weeks) was used to successfully treat cases of hematogenously spread osteomyelitis. Wide surgical débridement was the mainstay of treatment in the chronic conditions, with antibiotic therapy having a secondary role. Myocutaneous flaps were required in two patients who had had surgery and antecedent radiotherapy. To conclude, the surgeon should be aware that osteomyelitis of the clavicle can occur as a complication of head and neck procedures. In addition, the treatment of the chronic form of clavicular osteomyelitis is surgical débridement and possible flap reconstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Unilateral proptosis.

Unilateral proptosis is not uncommonly encountered by the otolaryngologist. A thorough understanding of the potential causes and the appropriate diagnostic evaluation will ensure a successful outcome.

Angiography↗