ABSTRACT Introduction: Head and neck cancer is a global health problem. Cancer surgery plays important roles in cancer therapy and complications are, to a greater or lesser extent, inherent to it. Pretreatment albumin levels have been shown to have prognostic value in cancer patients; but the relationship between hypoalbuminemia and postoperative complications in patients with head and neck cancer is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between postoperative complications and hypoalbuminemia in patients with head and neck cancer. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out, with a sample of 133 cases, the variables were used: age, sex, hypoalbuminemia, complications and type of complications. Fisher's exact test and its exact significance were used, with a confidence level of 95 %. For the prognostic analysis of the relationship between complications and hypoalbuminemia, the absolute risk was calculated with the odds ratio. Results: 54,8 % corresponded to the group over 60 years old, 75,9 % to the male sex, 20,3 % of the cases had hypoalbuminemia and only 19,5 % presented complications. The absolute risk of complications in patients with hypoalbuminemia was 1312,5. Conclusions: Hypoalbuminemia is a poor prognostic factor for the appearance of postoperative complications in patients with head and neck cancer.

RESUMEN Introducción: El cáncer de cabeza y cuello es un problema de salud a nivel global. La cirugía oncológica desempeña importantes funciones en la terapéutica del cáncer y las complicaciones son en mayor o menor medida inherentes a ella. Los niveles de albúmina pretratamiento han demostrado tener valor pronóstico en pacientes oncológicos, pero se desconoce la relación entre la hipoalbuminemia y las complicaciones posquirúrgicas en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello. Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre complicaciones posoperatorias e hipoalbuminemia en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal, con una muestra de 133 casos, se utilizaron las variables: edad, sexo, hipoalbuminemia, complicaciones y tipo de complicaciones. Se utilizó el test exacto de Fisher y su significación exacta, con un nivel de confianza del 95 %. Para el análisis pronóstico de la relación entre las complicaciones y la hipoalbuminemia se calculó el riesgo absoluto con el odds ratio. Resultados: El 54,8 % correspondió al grupo con más de 60 años, el 75,9 % al sexo masculino, el 20,3 % de los casos tenía hipoalbuminemia y solo presentaron complicaciones el 19,5 %. El riesgo absoluto de complicaciones en los pacientes con hipoalbuminemia fue 1312,5. Conclusiones: La hipoalbuminemia es un factor de mal pronóstico para la aparición de complicaciones postoperatorias en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello.

ABSTRACT Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the cavum. These tumors differ from some other epidermoid carcinomas of the head and neck by their histology features and their Epstein-Barr virus relationship. Objective: To describe clinically and epidemiologically the nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its relationship with the Epstein-Barr virus, at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, Havana City, from January to December 2012. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted; with a total of 16 medical records. Variables such as age, sex, histological type, clinical staging, and presence of Epstein - Barr virus in the tumor, applied treatment, response to treatment, relapse and patient status were observed. Results: 50 % were between 45-55 years old, 75 % were men, 50 % diagnosed with type 3, 100 % negative to Epstein-Barr virus immunohistochemistry, stage III predominated with 43.75 %, 56.25 % of the cases were treated with radio-chemotherapy plus chemotherapy, 50 % had a complete response, relapse was 37.50 % and at 60 months 68.75 % of the patients were still alive. Conclusions: In this small population with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the entire population was negative to the presence of Epstein-Barr virus applying immunohistochemical techniques, so its negativity became representative in type 3 and advanced stages and had no impact on the treatment response and overall survival.

RESUMEN Fundamento: El carcinoma nasofaríngeo es el tumor maligno más frecuente del cavum. Estos tumores se diferencian de otros carcinomas epidermoide de la cabeza y cuello por su histología característica y su relación con el virus de Epstein-Barr. Objetivo: Caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente el carcinoma de nasofaringe y su relación con el virus Epstein-Barr, en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología, Ciudad de la Habana, en el período de enero a diciembre de 2012. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo; se trabajó con un total de 16 historias clínicas. Se observaron variables como edad, sexo, tipo histológico, estadiamiento clínico, presencia del virus Epstein-Barr en el tumor, tratamiento aplicado, respuesta al tratamiento, recaída y estado del paciente. Resultados: El 50 % tenían entre 45-55 años de edad, 75 % eran hombres, el 50 % diagnosticados con tipo 3, 100 % negativo a la inmunohistoquímica para virus Epstein-Barr, predominó la etapa III con 43.75 %, el 56.25 % de los casos se trataron con radio-quimioterapia más quimioterapia, el 50 % tuvo respuesta completa, la recaída fue de 37.50 % y el 68.75 % de los pacientes estaba vivo a los 60 meses. Conclusiones: En esta pequeña población con carcinoma nasofaríngeo, la totalidad de la población fue negativa a la presencia de virus Epstein-Barr por técnicas de inmunohistoquímica, por lo que su negatividad se hizo representativa en los tipo 3 y etapas avanzadas y no tuvo impacto en la respuesta al tratamiento y la supervivencia global.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Quality of life measurement is an important aspect of comprehensive clinical assessment. It does not have a set definition, but changes according to sociocultural context. Head and neck cancer patients experience substantially decreased health-related quality of life. The Cuban public health system needs to develop its own instrument to measure these patients’ quality of life. OBJECTIVES Construct and validate an instrument to measure quality of life in Cuban patients with nasopharyngeal, laryngeal, oral or mesopharyngeal cancer. METHOD The sample comprised adult patients treated for nasopharyngeal, laryngeal, oral or mesopharyngeal cancer in Cuba’s National Oncology and Radiobiology Institute in 2013 and 2014. To construct and validate the instrument, we selected a sample of 520 patients. Initial interviews were held until no substantially new information emerged; 40 patients were selected to participate in focus groups to identify important problems leading to decreased health-related quality of life. Face validity of the preliminary questionnaire was assessed with 40 patients. Internal consistency and validity were assessed with 400 patients. Score stability was assessed with another 40 patients using a test-retest design. There were 24 experts who participated in the process, 15 in the construction phase and 9 in the content validity evaluation of the preliminary version. Assessment of reliability and validity was based on internationally recognized approaches, including Cronbach alpha and empirical verification of convergent, discriminant, clinical and predictive validity. Response burden was also assessed (completion time and item nonresponse). RESULTS A 65-item questionnaire, CV-I0R-CyC-01, was developed and validated, with three domains (physical functioning, psychosocial functioning and family relationships, disease symptoms and treatment side effects) and two ungrouped questions on perceived general health and perceived health-related quality of life. The instrument displayed satisfactory reliability (homogeneity and stability) and validity (face, content, convergent, discriminant, clinical and predictive). Test–retest correlation was strong. Large differences and a downward trend in health-related quality of life across clinical stages and moderate or high standardized response mean values reflect good clinical and predictive validity. Response burden was acceptable (completion time 6.2 minutes, item nonresponse rate 1.3%–3.8%). CONCLUSIONS CV-I0R-CyC-01’s psychometric properties justify its use in clinical trial protocols with patients with nasopharyngeal, laryngeal, oral or mesopharyngeal cancer.

INTRODUCTION. Nasal polyposis is a multifactor disease with prevalence in general population from 2 to 5%. The objective of present paper was to compare the surgical results in 60 patients with nasosinusal polyposis operated on with and without micro-defibrillator. METHODS. Sixty patients operated on between 2002 and 2006. The related factors were studied including asthma, acetylsalicylic acid and allergy. Previous, endoscopic or conventional surgeries were considered as well as the minor and major complications derived from it. The non-controlled cases with medical treatment were reviewed. RESULTS. The overall results were satisfactory: at two years 29 patients (48,3%) were asymptomatic, 45 (75%) with fossae free of polypi, 11 (18,3%) with relapse controlled by medical treatment and only a reintervention in two patients (3,3%). The figure of complications remained very low of the reasonable level; there was only 2 (3,3%) (major complications): a periorbital hematoma and a lesion of papyraceous plate. CONCLUSIONS. The nasosinusal affections and specially the nasal polyposis to do well out the endoscopic surgical treatment. The experience and the use of motorized instrumental (micro- defibrillator) have improved even more the results of this technique.

INTRODUCCIÓN. La poliposis nasal es una enfermedad multifactorial con prevalencia en la población general del 2 al 5 %. Fue objetivo de este estudio comparar los resultados quirúrgicos en 60 pacientes con poliposis nasosinusal, operados con microdesbridador y sin él. MÉTODOS. Se analizaron 60 pacientes operados entre el 2002 y el 2006. Se estudiaron factores relacionados, como asma, intolerancia al ácido acetilsalicílico y alergia. Fueron consideradas las cirugías previas, endoscópicas o convencionales, así como las complicaciones menores y mayores derivadas de éstas. Se revisaron los casos que no se lograron controlar con tratamiento médico. RESULTADOS. Los resultados globales fueron satisfactorios: a los 2 años 29 pacientes (48,3 %) estaban asintomáticos, 45 (75 %) con las fosas libres de pólipos, 11 (18,3 %) con recidiva controlada con tratamiento médico y hubo que reintervenir solo a 2 pacientes (3,3 %). El número de complicaciones permaneció muy por debajo del nivel razonable; hubo solo 2 (3,3 %) complicaciones mayores: un hematoma periorbitario y una lesión de lámina papirácea. CONCLUSIONES. Las afecciones inflamatorias nasosinusales, y en especial la poliposis nasal, se benefician con un tratamiento quirúrgico endoscópico. La experiencia y el uso de instrumental motorizado (microdesbridador) han mejorado aún más los resultados de esta técnica.

Forty patients who were attended at the Otorrhinolaryngology Service of "Joaquín Albarrán" Teaching Clinical and Surgical Hospital during 1994 were studied with the aim of determine in our environment the value of fine needle aspiration cytology when evaluating an asymptomatic cervical lymphoadenopathy. First, patients underwent a fine needle aspiration biopsy and afterwards they were submitted to a surgical removal of the affected ganglia to assess the cytopathologic diagnoses performed. 72.5 % of patients were over 50 years of age and 62.5 % were male. Metastatic lesions were diagnosed in 45 %, primary tumors in 20 %, and acute adenitis in 7.5 %. In the correlation, 2 false positive results were found (5 %) and an equal number of false negative results. The effectiveness of the method was found to be of 90 %, sensitivity was 92.3 %, and specificity was of 85.75 %. Positive and negative predictive indexes were 92.3 and 85.7 %

Con el objetivo de determinar en nuestro medio el valor de la citología aspirativa con aguja fina, al evaluar una linfadenopatía cervical asintomática, como procedimiento diagnóstico preliminar, se realizó un estudio de 40 pacientes que acudieron a la consulta de otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Docente "Joaquín Albarrán", durante el año 1994, en los cuales se practicó primero biopsia aspirativa con aguja fina y posteriormente la extirpación quirúrgica de los ganglios afectados para evaluar los diagnósticos citopatológicos realizados. El 72,5 % de los pacientes tenían más de 50 años y el 62,5 % era del sexo masculino. Se diagnosticaron lesiones metastásicas en el 45 %, tumores primarios en el 20 %, adenitis aguda en 7,5 %. En la correlación se encontraron 2 falsos positivos (5 %) e igual número de falsos negativos. La eficacia del método fue de 90 %, sensibilidad de 92,3 % y especialidad de 85,75 %. Los índices predictivos positivos y negativos fueron 92,3 y 85,7 %