BACKGROUND: Many guidelines recommend random directed biopsies of the nasopharynx, contralateral tonsil, and hypopharynx to evaluate an unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. There are no published data documenting the need for these recommendations. The purpose of our study was to report the rate of positive blind biopsies in this setting. METHODS: We recorded the rate of positive random directed biopsies performed as part of the workup for 156 patients treated with radiotherapy between 1985 and 2014 for an unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma presenting with the main location of adenopathy in nodal stations 2, 3, 4, or 5. RESULTS: Rate of positive result by subsite: nasopharynx and pyriform sinus = 0%; tonsillectomy: ipsilateral = 39%, bilateral = 6%; and base of tongue = 18%. CONCLUSION: With modern imaging, random directed biopsies of the nasopharynx and hypopharynx are unnecessary in the workup of unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND: Many guidelines recommend random directed biopsies of the nasopharynx, contralateral tonsil, and hypopharynx to evaluate an unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. There are no published data documenting the need for these recommendations. The purpose of our study was to report the rate of positive blind biopsies in this setting. METHODS: We recorded the rate of positive random directed biopsies performed as part of the workup for 156 patients treated with radiotherapy between 1985 and 2014 for an unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma presenting with the main location of adenopathy in nodal stations 2, 3, 4, or 5. RESULTS: Rate of positive result by subsite: nasopharynx and pyriform sinus = 0%; tonsillectomy: ipsilateral = 39%, bilateral = 6%; and base of tongue = 18%. CONCLUSION: With modern imaging, random directed biopsies of the nasopharynx and hypopharynx are unnecessary in the workup of unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Authors: Alexis Platek; Michael Mix; Varun Chowdhry; Mark Farrugia; Michael A Lacombe; Jeffrey A Bogart; Luke Degraaf; Austin Iovoli; Hassan Arshad; Kimberly Wooten; Vishal Gupta; Wesley L Hicks; Mary E Platek; Seung S Hahn; Anurag K Singh Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-04-10 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Diako Berzenji; Dominiek A Monserez; Gerda M Verduijn; Emilie A C Dronkers; Peter P Jansen; Stijn Keereweer; Aniel Sewnaik; Robert J Baatenburg de Jong; Jose A Hardillo Journal: Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol Date: 2021-03-26
Authors: Francisco J Civantos; Jan B Vermorken; Jatin P Shah; Alessandra Rinaldo; Carlos Suárez; Luiz P Kowalski; Juan P Rodrigo; Kerry Olsen; Primoz Strojan; Antti A Mäkitie; Robert P Takes; Remco de Bree; June Corry; Vinidh Paleri; Ashok R Shaha; Dana M Hartl; William Mendenhall; Cesare Piazza; Michael Hinni; K Thomas Robbins; Ng Wai Tong; Alvaro Sanabria; Andres Coca-Pelaz; Johannes A Langendijk; Juan Hernandez-Prera; Alfio Ferlito Journal: Front Oncol Date: 2020-11-10 Impact factor: 6.244