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A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Survival Outcomes of Head and Neck Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Systematic Review
Morena Aïta1, Ilario Galofaro1, Antonino Maniaci1,2
1Department of Surgery, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium.
Background:
This systematic review investigated pathological, oncological, and survival outcomes of Head and neck neuroendocrine carcinoma (HNNEC).
Methods:
Three independent investigators conducted a PRISMA-compliant literature search. Primary outcomes included tumor stage, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic strategies.
Results:
The most common locations were the larynx (n = 1041), sinonasal tract (n = 917), and oropharynx (n = 366), mostly cT2/cT4 and cN0/cN2. Small-cell carcinoma predominated (n = 2334). Laryngeal tumors were preferentially treated by surgery plus radiotherapy, sinonasal/nasopharyngeal tumors by chemoradiotherapy, and salivary tumors by surgery with adjuvant therapy. Surgical cohorts achieved 5-year OS of 33.0%-73.9%, and multimodal CRT-plus-surgery 57.2%-61.0%. Laryngeal and mucosal tumors had more favorable outcomes than sinonasal/salivary localizations; well/moderately-differentiated carcinoids outperformed poorly-differentiated and small-cell variants (median OS < 24 months).
Conclusion:
HNNEC survival strongly depends on histology, site, and treatment modality. Substantial therapeutic heterogeneity reflects the lack of guidelines, highlighting the need for standardized, histology- and site-specific management recommendations.
