Abstract In the modern world, cancer is a growing cause of mortality, but archeological studies have shown that it is not exclusive to modern populations. The aim of this study is to examine the epidemiologic, social, and clinicopathologic features of head and neck cancers in ancient populations. To do this, we extracted all records that described malignant lesions in the head and neck region available in the Cancer Research in Ancient Bodies Database (CRAB). The estimated age, sex, physical condition of the remains (skeletonized, mummified), anatomic location of tumors, geographic location, chronology, tumor type, and methods of tumor diagnosis were collected. One hundred and sixty-seven cases were found, mostly originating from Europe (51.5%). Most records were of adults between 35 and 49 years of age (37.7%). The most involved site was the skullcap (60.4%), and the most common malignancies were metastases to the bone (65.3%) and multiple myeloma (17.4%). No primary soft tissue malignancies were registered. The results of our study indicate that head and neck cancers were present in ancient civilizations, at least since 500,000 BCE. The available data can help to improve the current understanding of the global distribution of head and neck cancer and its multidimensional impacts on populations in the contemporary world.

Abstract Good communication between clinicians and pathologists is a vital element in the diagnostic process, and poor communication can adversely affect patient care. There is a lack of research about communication in diagnostic oral and maxillofacial pathology. This narrative review explores different aspects of the quality of communication between clinicians and oral pathologists, with a focus on the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases. An electronic search was carried out in MEDLINE through the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases up to April 2021. No studies reporting communication, its adequacy or the required skills between clinicians and pathologists in oral diagnosis were found. According to studies published in medicine, strategies for improving communication skills include clinician-pathologist collaboration; a well-formatted, clear and thorough report; training in communication skills; and patient-centered care. Further studies evaluating the current practices and quality in oral and maxillofacial pathology are required to identify barriers and encourage optimal communication to facilitate diagnosis, as well as patient safety.

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that head and neck radiotherapy (HNRT) impacts the immunoexpression of type I collagen, bone sialoprotein (BSP) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), thereby leading to micromorphological changes in the dentin-pulp complex (DPC), and promoting the onset and progression of radiation caries (RC). Twenty-two demineralized sections of carious teeth (a group of 11 irradiated teeth and a control group of 11 non-irradiated teeth) extracted from 19 head and neck cancer patients were analyzed by conventional optical microscopy and immunohistochemistry to investigate the micromorphology (cellular layer hierarchy, blood vessels, odontoblasts, fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, calcification, necrosis, reactionary dentin formation, and chronic inflammation), and the patterns of staining/immunolocalization of type I collagen, BSP and BMP4 in the dental pulp of irradiated and control samples. No significant differences attributable to the direct impact of radiotherapy were detected in DPC micromorphology between the groups. In addition, the patterns of immunohistochemical staining and immunolocalization of the proteins studied did not differ between the irradiated and the control samples for type I collagen, BSP or BMP4. This study rejected the hypothesis that HNRT directly damages dentition by changing the organic components and the microstructure of the DPC, ultimately leading to RC.

O granuloma central de células gigantes (GCCG) é uma lesão benigna dos maxilares predominantemente encontrada na mandíbula de pacientes jovens do sexo feminino com um variado comportamento clínico. Apesar de o manejo cirúrgico representar a principal modalidade terapêutica para esta lesão, o uso de injeções intralesionais de esteróides tem sido recentemente proposto para seu tratamento. Além do manejo conservador, o uso da punção aspirativa por agulha fina (PAAF) para o diagnóstico do GCCG tem sido comprovado ser uma abordagem segura e eficiente, especialmente útil em casos de lesões localizadas em regiões estéticas. Descrevemos aqui um caso de GCCG estendendo-se para a gengiva adjacente em um paciente do sexo masculino, 15 anos de idade, diagnosticado por meio da PAAF e subsequentemente tratado com injeções intralesionais de uma solução de acetato de triancinolona e oleato de etanolamina que levou a uma importante remissão clínica, permitindo a realização de uma abordagem cirúrgica conservadora preservando a estética periodontal. Por este motivo, ambos os procedimentos podem ser considerados opções de manejo para o GCCG dos maxilares.

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign jaw lesion predominantly found in the mandible of young female patients with a variable clinical behavior. Although surgical management is regarded as the main treatment modality for this lesion, the use of intralesional injections of steroids has been recently advocated for its treatment. In addition to this conservative management, the use of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for diagnosing CGCGs has been proven a safe and efficient approach, especially useful in cases with lesions located in esthetic regions. Herein, it is described a case of CGCG extending to the overlying gingiva of a 15-year-old male patient diagnosed by FNAC and subsequently treated with intralesional injections of a solution of triamcinolone acetonide and ethanolamine oleate that led to an important clinical remission, allowing a more conservative surgical procedure for preservation of gingival esthetics. Therefore, both procedures can be considered as management options for CGCG of the jaws.