BACKGROUNDMalignant paragangliomas of the head and neck are rare, with previous reports limited to nine or fewer patients. The current review included 59 cases extracted from the National Cancer Data Base that were diagnosed between 1985–1996.METHODS The primary criterion for inclusion in the current study was verified metastatic spread from a paraganglioma of the head and neck. Patterns of presentation and treatment as well as clinically relevant associations were demonstrated in contingency tables. Relative survival was used for analysis of outcome.RESULTSThe average patient age at presentation was 44 years, and gender distribution was equivalent. Metastases were confined to regional lymph nodes in the majority of cases (68.6%), with carotid body tumors found to have an even higher rate of regional confinement (93.8%). Surgery was the most common treatment (76.3%). The use of adjuvant irradiation for regionally confined disease increased across time, from 27% (1985–1990) to 46% (1991–1996). The 5‐year relative survival rate was 59.5% (76.8% for regionally confined carcinoma and 11.8% for distant metastasis). Among patients who were followed until death, those treated with adjuvant irradiation had a longer median survival (45 months) compared with those patients who were treated with surgery alone (12 months).CONCLUSIONS Malignant paraganglioma represents metastatic spread of a tumor type that, when restricted to the site of origin, is considered benign. Metastases from malignant paragangliomas of the head and neck usually are regionally confined. The primary management of a recognized malignancy should be directed toward complete surgical removal of the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes. Postoperative irradiation may be beneficial in slowing the progression of residual disease. Cancer 2002;94:730–7. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10252

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Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in transportation of people and goods and in regional, national, and international commerce. They are where the nation's aviation system connects with other modes of transportation and where federal responsibility for managing and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the airport industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for ACRP was identified in TRB Special Report 272: Airport Research Needs: Cooperative Solutions in 2003, based on a study sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The ACRP carries out applied research on problems that are shared by airport operating agencies and are not being adequately addressed by existing federal research programs. It is modeled after the successful National Cooperative Highway Research Program and Transit Cooperative Research Program. The ACRP undertakes research and other technical activities in a variety of airport subject areas, including design, construction, maintenance, operations, safety, security, policy, planning, human resources, and administration. The ACRP provides a forum where airport operators can cooperatively address common operational problems. The ACRP was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The primary participants in the ACRP are (1) an independent governing board, the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation with representation from airport operating agencies, other stakeholders, and relevant industry organizations such as the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), and the Air Transport Association (ATA) as vital links to the airport community; (2) the TRB as program manager and secretariat for the governing board; and (3) the FAA as program sponsor. In October 2005, the FAA executed a contract with the National Academies formally initiating the program. The ACRP benefits from the cooperation and participation of airport professionals, air carriers, shippers, state and local government officials, equipment and service suppliers, other airport users, and research organizations. Each of these participants has different interests and responsibilities, and each is an integral part of this cooperative research effort. Research problem statements for the ACRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to the TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the AOC to formulate the research program by identifying the highest prior...