Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, clinicopathological, and prognostic features of acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of the oral and maxillofacial region. AciCC cases were retrospectively retrieved from 11 pathology centers of three different countries. Medical records were examined to extract demographic, clinical, pathologic, and follow-up information. A total of 75 cases were included. Females (65.33%) with a mean age of 45.51 years were mostly affected. The lesions usually presented as an asymptomatic (64.28%) nodule (95.66%) in the parotid gland (70.68%). The association of two histopathological patterns was the most common finding (48.93%) and the tumors presented mainly conventional histopathological grades (86.11%). Surgical treatment was performed in the majority of the cases (59.19%). Local recurrence was observed in 20% of the informed cases, regional metastasis in 30.43%, and distant metastasis in 12.50%. The statistical analysis showed that the cases with a solid histopathological pattern (p=0.01), high-grade transformation (p=0.008), recurrence (p=0.007), and regional metastasis (p=0.03) were associated with poor survival. In conclusion, high histopathological transformation, presence of nodal metastasis, and recurrence were prognostic factors for AciCC of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a virtual learning object (VLO) to teach undergraduate dental students about the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to oral ulcerative lesions. The VLO was developed with information on the diagnostic process, lesion classification, and clinical-surgical management of oral ulcerative lesions. The VLO content was initially validated by a group of specialists. Learning was evaluated in a sample of 58 undergraduate dental students, divided into control group (conventional theoretical class, n = 29) and intervention group (interaction with VLO, n = 29). All students answered a pre-test and post-test questionnaire. The VLO group also answered a specific questionnaire on the evaluation of the VLO. Both quantitative and qualitative descriptive analyses were performed. The validation showed that professors and students considered the VLO adequate. The use of the VLO was recommended by 100% of professors and 86.6% of students. In the intervention group, the results showed a significantly higher number of correct answers in the post-test (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the VLO proved to be a useful tool for teaching oral medicine, contributing significantly to the knowledge of ulcerated lesions in the mouth.

Abstract Oral cancer represents a public health issue because of its high mortality rate, resulting mainly from diagnostic delays. Insufficient training in oral diagnosis is usually perceived by dentists. Distance learning could be used as an auxiliary tool to bridge that gap. This study evaluated the impact of a distance learning course on oral mucosal lesion diagnosis offered to public healthcare dentists. Participants of an online course answered a pretest/posttest comprising clinical images of 30 clinical cases. Participants were questioned about the diagnosis and informed their decision on the cases (referring the cases to a specialist or managing them themselves), as a parameter of perceived self-efficacy. A total of 442 dentists enrolled in the course. Their pass rate was 97%. Classification of the nature of the lesions, diagnostic hypotheses, sensitivity, and specificity improved by 13.4%, 10.0%, 13.4%, and 6.6%, respectively (p<0.01, Wilcoxon test). Regarding management, there was a 16.6% reduction in the intention to refer cases, while confidence in the diagnosis of benign lesions increased by 40%. A distance learning course may be useful in continuing education actions for primary care dentists, improving their diagnostic abilities and encouraging them in the management of oral lesions. Moreover, this strategy could contribute to disseminating knowledge to remote regions, particularly among primary health care professionals.

Abstract There are divergences among studies regarding features associated to increased risk of osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Our objective was to identify factors that predispose to the development of ORN of the jaw. This was a retrospective, hospital-based, case-control study involving patients with head and neck cancer who had been treated with ≥ 60 Gy external radiotherapy (RT) to the jaw. A total of 19 cases of ORN and 43 controls were included. The patients’ demographic data, tumor type, staging, treatment and outcome information, and pre-treatment oral status were collected. Univariate analysis showed that the oral cavity/oropharynx sites were associated with 9.77-fold increased risk of ORN development compared to other sites (p = 0.005). Being an active smoker was associated with 3.95-fold increased risk of ORN development (p = 0.01). A tendency towards increased risk of ORN was observed particularly when tooth extraction occurred after RT (odds ratio (OR): 3.04; p = 0.08). Multivariable analysis showed that tumor site was the only significant risk factor (OR: 21.03, p = 0.01). The oral and oropharyngeal primary site is an important risk factor for ORN. Dental extraction, which did not occur in 28% of the sample, was not an essential event for ORN development.

Resumo Introdução: A recorrência do carcinoma basocelular (CBC) cutâneo está associada a margens cirúrgicas inadequadas. A frequência e os fatores associados a margens cirúrgicas comprometidas ou inadequadas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço variam. Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores clínicos e patológicos associados a margens cirúrgicas inadequadas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço. Método: Conduzimos um estudo transversal que abrangeu todos os pacientes submetidos à resseçcão de carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço de janeiro de 2017 a dezembro de 2019. Dados sobre idade, sexo, topografia na cabeça e pescoço, achados histopatológicos e estadiamento foram recuperados e comparados. Cada tumor foi considerado como um caso individual. As margens comprometidas e próximas foram denominadas ‘‘inadequadas’’ ou ‘‘incompletas’’. As variáveis que foram significantemente associadas à presença de margens incompletas foram avaliadas adicionalmente por regressão logística. Resultados: Foram incluídos 605 tumores de 389 pacientes. No geral, 16 casos (2,6%) foram classificados como comprometidos, 52 (8,5%) como próximos e 537 (88,7%) como margens livres. Presença de esclerodermia (p = 0,005), nível de Clark mais elevado (p < 0,001), variantes agressivas (p < 0,001), invasão além do tecido adiposo (p < 0,001), estágio T mais avançado (p < 0,001), invasão perineural (p = 0,002), sítio primário (p = 0,04), multifocalidade (p = 0,01) e diâmetro do tumor (p = 0,02) mostraram associação com margens inadequadas. Após a regressão logística, a multifocalidade, o nível de Clark e a profundidade de invasão foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para margens inadequadas. Conclusão: O exame clínico macroscópico pode ser suficiente para determinar baixa prevalência de margens cirúrgicas inadequadas no tratamento do carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço em centros oncológicos altamente experientes. Multifocalidade, nível de Clark e profundidade de invasão foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para margens incompletas.

Abstract Introduction: Cutaneous basal cell carcinoma recurrence is associated with inadequate surgical margins. The frequency of and the factors associated with compromised or inadequate surgical margins in head and neck basal cell carcinoma varies. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathological factors associated with inadequate surgical margins in head and neck basal cell carcinoma. Methods: We developed a cross-sectional study comprising all patients who had undergone resection of head and neck basal cell carcinoma from January 2017 to December 2019. Data on age, sex, head and neck topography, histopathological findings, and staging were retrieved and compared. Each tumor was considered an individual case. Compromised and close margins were termed ‘‘inadequate’’ or ‘‘incomplete’’. Variables that were significantly associated with the presence of incomplete margins were further assessed by logistic regression. Results: In total, 605 tumors from 389 patients were included. Overall, sixteen cases (2.6%) were classified as compromised, 52 (8.5%) as close, and 537 (88.7%) as free margins. Presence of scleroderma (p = 0.005), higher Clark level (p < 0.001), aggressive variants (p < 0.001), invasion beyond the adipose tissue (p < 0.001), higher T stage (p < 0.001), perineural invasion (p = 0.002), primary site (p = 0.04), multifocality (p = 0.01), and tumor diameter (p = 0.02) showed association with inadequate margins. After Logist regression, multifocality, Clark level and depth of invasion were found to be independent risk factors for inadequate margins. Conclusion: Gross clinical examination may be sufficient for determining low prevalence of inadequate surgical margins when treating head and neck basal cell carcinoma in highly experienced oncologic centers. Multifocality, Clark level and depth of invasion were found to be independent risk factors for incomplete margins.

Resumo Introdução As metástases regionais do carcinoma espinocelular cutâneo de cabeça e pescoço ocorrem em aproximadamente 5% dos casos, sendo esse o fator prognóstico mais importante na sobrevida, atualmente sem distinção entre metástases de parótida e cervicais. Objetivo Avaliar as características prognósticas em pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular cutâneo de cabeça e pescoço com metástase regional. Método Foi feita uma análise retrospectiva de pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular cutâneo submetidos à parotidectomia e/ou esvaziamento cervical entre 2011 e 2018 em um único centro terciário de uma única instituição. Dados demográficos dos pacientes, informações clínicas, cirúrgicas e patológicas, tratamentos adjuvantes e desfechos no último acompanhamento foram coletados. Os desfechos incluíram recorrência e morte devido à doença. O valor prognóstico das características clínico-patológicas associadas à sobrevida específica da doença foi obtido. Resultados Foram identificados 38 casos de carcinoma espinocelular cutâneo de cabeça e pescoço com metástase de parótida e/ou pescoço. No geral, 18 (47,3%) pacientes apresentaram metástase da parótida isolada, 12 (31,5%) apresentaram metástase cervical isolada e 8 (21,0%) apresentaram ambos. Um tumor primário na região da parótida (Hazard ratio [HR] = 5,53; p = 0,02) foi associado a melhor sobrevida específica. Pior sobrevida específica foi observada em pacientes com maior diâmetro do tumor primário (HR = 1,54; p = 0,002), maior profundidade de invasão (HR = 2,89; p = 0,02), invasão além da gordura subcutânea (HR = 5,05; p = 0,002), metástase cervical na primeira apresentação (HR = 8,74; p < 0,001), conforme maior número de linfonodos positivos (HR = 1,25; p = 0,004) e estágios TNM mais elevados (HR = 7,13; p = 0,009). Os pacientes que apresentaram metástase da parótida isolada durante todo o acompanhamento apresentaram melhor sobrevida específica do que aqueles com metástase cervical ou ambos (HR = 3,12; p = 0,02). Conclusão Os casos de carcinoma espinocelular cutâneo de cabeça e pescoço com metástase intraparotídea demonstraram melhores desfechos do que aqueles com metástase cervical.

Abstract Introduction Regional metastases of cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma occur in approximately 5 % of cases, being the most important prognostic factor in survival, currently with no distinction between parotid and neck metastasis. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic features among patients with head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma exhibiting regional metastasis. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who underwent parotidectomy and/or neck dissection from 2011 to 2018 at a single institution tertiary center was performed. Patient demographics, clinical, surgical and pathological information, adjuvant treatments, and outcome at last follow-up were collected. Outcomes included disease recurrence and death due to the disease. Prognostic value of clinic pathological features associated with disease-specific survival was obtained. Results Thirty-eight cases of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with parotid and/or neck metastasis were identified. Overall, 18 (47.3 %) patients showed parotid metastasis alone, 12 (31.5 %) exhibited neck metastasis alone and 8 (21.0 %) had both. A primary tumor in the parotid zone (Hazard Ratio ‒ HR = 5.53; p = 0.02) was associated with improved disease-specific survival. Poorer disease-specific survival was observed in patients with higher primary tumor diameter (HR = 1.54; p = 0.002), higher depth of invasion (HR = 2.89; p = 0.02), invasion beyond the subcutaneous fat (HR = 5.05; p = 0.002), neck metastasis at first presentation (HR = 8.74; p < 0.001), number of positive lymph nodes (HR = 1.25; p = 0.004), and higher TNM stages (HR = 7.13; p = 0.009). Patients presenting with isolated parotid metastasis during all follow-ups had better disease-specific survival than those with neck metastasis or both (HR = 3.12; p = 0.02). Conclusion Head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with parotid lymph node metastasis demonstrated better outcomes than cases with neck metastasis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics and predictive factors of poor prognosis in patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Uruguay. Medical records of patients with the diagnosis of primary OSCC treated between 2000 and 2010 in Uruguayan public hospitals were selected. Data on demographic characteristics, risk factors, clinical features, treatment, and outcome were collected. Associations of independent variables with outcomes were assessed using Pearson chi-squared and Fisher's tests. Of 200 patients with OSCC, 79.4% were men (3.8:1 male:female ratio), with a mean age of 60.75 ± 11.26 years. Tobacco and alcohol consumption were reported by 85.3% and 63.5% of patients, respectively. The most commonly affected location was the tongue (42.5%), with lesions exhibiting ulcerous aspects in 87.9% of cases and pain at the time of diagnosis in 70.4% of cases. One hundred sixty-one (82.1%) patients had advanced-stage (III/IV) OSCC. Surgery was the most common treatment option, and the overall 5-year survival rate was 58.5%. Univariate analysis showed that the predictors of poor prognosis were clinical aspect, size, regional metastasis, clinical stage, and treatment. In Uruguay, OSCC is diagnosed late, which is associated with a low survival rate. Educational and preventive measures and investment to improve early diagnosis should be undertaken.